Analysis: Panda Story
How does the language used in the Panda story build up suspense before the ending?
Significance:
How is this piece of language being used to make certain things significant or not and in what ways?
Since, we are gathering information from text, we would have to account for the actions that are taking place within the story.
In the beginning of the story, the jokester reveals that a Panda has escaped a zoo in New York. Of course the people of New York would be on alert, wondering where this wild animal has gone to. However, the jokester then reveals that the Panda has entered a restaurant, seated himself, and ordered food. Through the maitre 'd's assessment of his surrounding the Panda's actions and whereabouts calms the situation. In essence, the Panda is acting like a patron at the restaurant.
After the Panda eats, he "calmly pulls out a gun...and blows away several customers and a couple of the waiters." Murder, especially in today's society, is significant. However, the jokester follows that sentence with the Panda turning around and heading for the door. The Panda's action isn't rushed after he wastes a handful of people. He's not trying to make a quick get away. Because the joke teller doesn't express the Panda's haste to exit the restaurant, we see a down-play on significance.
Relationships:
What sort of relationship or relationships is this piece of language seeking to enact with others (present or not)?
The jokester is trying to relate with someone who understands the English language.
-The Panda tells the maitre d' to look up the word Panda-->it's common for people to look up words in the dictionary and other sources to find a meaning.
-The chief detective sends a rookie out to get an encyclopedia-->relates to the previous statement.
-The kicker: "Giant Panda, lives in China, eats shoots and leaves."-->the ending of the story plays on punctuation. "Eats shoots and leaves" refers to the animal eating a plant. On the other hand, "Eats, shoots, and leaves" is what occurred in the story.
Connections:
How does this piece of language connect or disconnect things; how does it make one thing relevant or irrelevant to another?
-Connection(s): Stereotypes. The Panda, which escaped a zoo, now has human characteristics and is sitting and ordering food at a nice restaurant. The maitre d' doesn't think anything of it because New York is strange. Although the idea is absurd, it works within the context of the story and the knowledge readers know about New York and its denizens.
Language (tool):
The story is written in a "matter-of-fact" tone, which makes the joke very casual.
How does the language used in the Panda story build up suspense before the ending?
After analyzing the significance, relationship, and connection found within the Panda story, we noticed that the language used within the text had a roller-coaster effect, which ended with a "one-two"play on punch-uation.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Blog 2: Analyze this.
Define analysis.
Analysis is a logical process used to solve a problem. The first step when analyzing involves a question about a proposed issue. For example, our class was given a puzzle with the directions to find the missing symbol. The second step to analysis is gathering information. With the puzzle in hand, we noted the shapes contained within each box. We noted the color of the shapes. We also noted how the shapes were placed in their respected box. Once we accustomed ourselves to the puzzle's language, we started grouping the shapes. Then we looked for patterns. We noticed a few patterns, but there was one pattern in particular that stuck out the most; thus, this idea allowed us to theorize about the missing symbol. Theorizing about the answer is the third step. But, how do we know our answer is correct? We had to test our theory, which is the fourth step to analyzing. Now that we had an idea of the possible answer, we filled the vacant spot with the proposed shape. Did it work? If the symbol didn't match the answer we would have to start the process over. If we were correct in our assumption, we had to validate the answer by continuing the puzzle beyond what was given. What would the next line be if the puzzle had the correct symbol? Did it make sense according to what was given? Being that our answer was correct, we concluded our analysis with a general theory.
Using analysis in my research.
In my last blog, I talked about finding "the one" on online dating websites. From Gee's building tasks I could propose a question concerning relationships: Does writing eloquently attract the opposite sex? I guess that would suffice for my research question. From there, I could gather information from other closely related studies and/or gather my own. For example, I could have women read excerpts from a specific romantic novel (The Lucky One, Twilight, Water for Elephants) opposed to literature that's more manly (Women by Charles Bukowski) and see how they react to each. I could also start two of my own profiles (eloquent vs ineloquent) and see how women react to my pages. After gathering the information, I could potentially theorize my findings. Then, I could test my results by creating a profile aimed at what I found from my research. If all goes well, I will have my general theory about online dating.
Analysis is a logical process used to solve a problem. The first step when analyzing involves a question about a proposed issue. For example, our class was given a puzzle with the directions to find the missing symbol. The second step to analysis is gathering information. With the puzzle in hand, we noted the shapes contained within each box. We noted the color of the shapes. We also noted how the shapes were placed in their respected box. Once we accustomed ourselves to the puzzle's language, we started grouping the shapes. Then we looked for patterns. We noticed a few patterns, but there was one pattern in particular that stuck out the most; thus, this idea allowed us to theorize about the missing symbol. Theorizing about the answer is the third step. But, how do we know our answer is correct? We had to test our theory, which is the fourth step to analyzing. Now that we had an idea of the possible answer, we filled the vacant spot with the proposed shape. Did it work? If the symbol didn't match the answer we would have to start the process over. If we were correct in our assumption, we had to validate the answer by continuing the puzzle beyond what was given. What would the next line be if the puzzle had the correct symbol? Did it make sense according to what was given? Being that our answer was correct, we concluded our analysis with a general theory.
Using analysis in my research.
In my last blog, I talked about finding "the one" on online dating websites. From Gee's building tasks I could propose a question concerning relationships: Does writing eloquently attract the opposite sex? I guess that would suffice for my research question. From there, I could gather information from other closely related studies and/or gather my own. For example, I could have women read excerpts from a specific romantic novel (The Lucky One, Twilight, Water for Elephants) opposed to literature that's more manly (Women by Charles Bukowski) and see how they react to each. I could also start two of my own profiles (eloquent vs ineloquent) and see how women react to my pages. After gathering the information, I could potentially theorize my findings. Then, I could test my results by creating a profile aimed at what I found from my research. If all goes well, I will have my general theory about online dating.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Blog 1: What kind of writing studies research are you interested in working on?
What is writing studies?
Writing studies involves all types of communication (i.e. written, verbal) and how each communication method impacts the author/speaker and his/her recipient(s).
With that, I came up with a few specific questions that would be interesting to further investigate.
1) What's being lost in translation? This question pertains to texts and e-mails. Are we losing valuable communication skills because of easier and faster ways to communicate?
2) How does literature evoke emotion? That's a little vague, huh? In that case, let me aim it towards social networking sites and cyber bullying. For example, how is it that someone's post on Facebook could be interpreted as cyber bullying? Kids these days. I was always taught that "sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
3) Are symbols and abbreviated words, which are commonly used in texting, changing the writing norms of today's society? idk :)
4) Okay, this question is a little out there. Sorry. Charles Bukowski is my favorite author. Since I like writing about my weekend escapades around Cranford, I would like to see how communication factors in with the opposite sex, especially during the initial greeting. How does talking eloquently or casually affect your chances with the opposite sex?
5) Let's throw a curve-ball into the fourth question. Say you're a Division I football star who dates online because weightlifting and school take up all your time. Can a relationship be won through written words? How does writing eloquently versus ineloquently affect your chances of finding "the one."
Writing studies involves all types of communication (i.e. written, verbal) and how each communication method impacts the author/speaker and his/her recipient(s).
With that, I came up with a few specific questions that would be interesting to further investigate.
1) What's being lost in translation? This question pertains to texts and e-mails. Are we losing valuable communication skills because of easier and faster ways to communicate?
2) How does literature evoke emotion? That's a little vague, huh? In that case, let me aim it towards social networking sites and cyber bullying. For example, how is it that someone's post on Facebook could be interpreted as cyber bullying? Kids these days. I was always taught that "sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
3) Are symbols and abbreviated words, which are commonly used in texting, changing the writing norms of today's society? idk :)
4) Okay, this question is a little out there. Sorry. Charles Bukowski is my favorite author. Since I like writing about my weekend escapades around Cranford, I would like to see how communication factors in with the opposite sex, especially during the initial greeting. How does talking eloquently or casually affect your chances with the opposite sex?
5) Let's throw a curve-ball into the fourth question. Say you're a Division I football star who dates online because weightlifting and school take up all your time. Can a relationship be won through written words? How does writing eloquently versus ineloquently affect your chances of finding "the one."
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