UNIT 1 PORTFOLIO

UNIT 1 DRAFT

SOURCE #1: Article

From Pencils to Pixels: The Stages of Literacy Technology 

by Dennis Baron

Source Analysis:

- For this source, I would consider the author's project to be to inform readers about the nature of advancing technology and the impact it has on writing. I would classify the genre of this source as historical nonfiction written in a traditional essay format. I could also see why people would classify it as an article, but in my opinion the story-telling format and references to personal experiences make it seem more like an essay. I believe the project could have influenced the genre by making it less formal and more personal as he gave his own personal insights. The genre may have influenced the project by pushing the author to provide more fact-based evidence in order to appear credible. This was successful in my opinion because I felt the author had an immense knowledge of the topic. Finally, this source fits into the larger "conversation" about my topic because it provides a good base to my topic by explaining the history of technology in the writing world. It accomplishes this by consisting of fact-based data as well as personal insights which make for a perfect first source.

SOURCE #2: Video

National Writing Project (NWP) on CNN: 

How Technology Can Benefit Classroom Writing

Source Analysis:

- My second source is an interview on CNN's Connect the World with the National Writing Project's (NWP's) Executive director Sharon J Washington in which she encourages the use of digital technology in the classroom in order to give students the skills and experience they need for their educations and future careers. I believe the project is the challenge the popular opinion and to convince viewers that technology is actually beneficial in the classroom, especially for children. The genre of this source is just a regular question-based interview on a popular news station. The project influenced the genre here because instead of writing something about this, it was conducted in a video using TECHNOLOGY since the author is trying to convince us of its advantages on writing culture. In addition, the genre may have influenced the project because the fact that this was conducted as an interview and video made it more personal and allowed viewers to really connect with the author (interviewee) and see her genuine views on the topic. However, I am unsure whether or not it succeeded because it seemed rushed and very casual which made it hard to follow. Overall, this source fits into the larger "conversation" about my topic because “From Pencils to Pixels: The Stages of Literacy Technology”, was created to INFORM people about the effects of technology on writing. However, this video builds on that by taking a stand and CONVINCING viewers that it is a benefit instead of a problem.

SOURCE #3: Clinical Report

The American Academy of Pediatrics:

The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, & Families

Source Analysis:

- For my next source, I chose a Clinical Report written by the American Academy of Pediatrics discussing the impact of social media on children, adolescents, and families. I believe the author's project here is just to inform readers on both the positive and negative impacts that social media can have on children, adolescents, and families. It doesn't seem to take a side in the argument and convince readers to agree, but instead just inform us of the facts out there. The genre here is a very professional, educational, clinical report based on facts and research. I believe the project could affect the genre by making it seem less formal and serious among other clinical reports. On the other hand, the genre may have influenced project by making it more credible to readers due to being based off of research and written by medical professionals (both MDs), which was very successful in my eyes. Last but not least, this source fits into the larger "conversation" about my topic because unlike my second source, the video interview on CNN, this source does not make an argument or take a stance. Instead, it just simply informs readers.

SOURCE #4: PODCAST

Information Security Forum (ISF):

Healthy Social Media & Technology Habits

Source Analysis:

- My fourth and final source is a podcast conducted by the Information Security Forum (ISF) featuring the futurist and venture capitalist Scott Amyx. I believe Amyx's project here is to discuss and inform listeners on what he believes is the proper and acceptable usage of social media among children and adolescents. The genre here is simply just a informative and question-based interview conducted through a podcast (only audio, no picture). The project and genre may have influenced one another here by contradicting one another. To explain, some people find it difficult to follow along with podcasts and stay engaged in the topic due to the lack of visual aid. I believe this contradicts the project because since the author is discussing social media, technology, and artificial intelligence, the outdated podcast creates a different vibe among the topic. Therefore, I do not think it was as successful as it could have been if it was conducted in a regular video interview. To conclude, this source fits into the larger "conversation" about my topic because it is going into deeper detail than some of my other sources as well as giving listeners a unique perspective as Amyx communicates his own personal opinions and beliefs. This source also uniquely describes how social media has created certain stereotypes and  benchmarks for our society.