Pre-Writing for Primary Source Workshop

One of the concerns that I am having so far in my research process is the lack of material within the sources that I have found. I have found multiple primary sources but they lack depth because they are things like interviews, statements, etc. I'm also concerned with the way they will fit together for an essay. I have one source from before Michael Phelps was photographed smoking marijuana, his statement on the matter, and one source from after he gave his statement. They all seem to fit together but I am concerned as to whether or not I will be able to write an essay with the information that I have gathered thus far.

Source 1: This is a primary source because it is an interview with Michael Phelps directly and is not any sort of analysis on the interview. I chose this source because the questions asked by the interviewers are very telling of the media's view of Michael post Olympic success. This source is about Michael and his life and success at the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing. It talks about Michael's up and coming endorsements that he is receiving as well. Light-hearted humor is put to use in this source as it is trying to humanize the champion who seems untouchable to the masses.

Source 2: This is a primary source because it is a statement made by Michael himself and not by anyone there or anyone who heard about it. It is simply the statement that he gave the press. I chose this source because it had potential to give a reason for a change in the media's view of Phelps. What he said was very important to his image on many levels. In the source, Phelps addresses the photograph of him smoking marijuana and assures the public that it will never happen again. The strategies combine to reassure people that he is still a good guy and can be a role model.

Source 3: This is a primary source as it is simply giving factual information about Phelps' sponsors rather than analyzing why they are or are not backing him after this incident. It is a report straight from the sponsors. I chose this source because the idea of losing sponsors was and is very important to Phelps as a result of his actions. This source is about two of the leading sponsors of Michael's career that are standing by him even though he acted in the way that he did. The article is short and uses that to its advantage here. It shows that there is little need for discussion and debate over the matter and that it can be cleared up and left alone.

Research Process

Throughout the research process I found ample information for my topic, the media portrayal of Michael Phelps, before and after his drug use incident. I found sources that portrayed Michael with god like qualities right after the 2008 Olympic games. Other sources describe him in a more human light after the incident without tearing him down. There seems to be as much support for Michael as there was before because I believe the media has been doing their best not to taint the image of such a popular, heroic figure in the minds of people all across the United States. I will also be using Michael's official statement as one of my sources. 

Because Phelps is so popular, there has been plenty of media coverage for me to analyze in this paper. Despite the volume of articles and sources, there is little diversity amongst them. Most of the opinions are similar and are showing support for Michael, mostly because of his apology rather than denial of his actions. Continued research should be interesting as I write this paper. 

Unit 2 Topic

I think that I would like to research the issue of genocide in the Sudan. More specifically I would like to research the involvement of the United States in this issue. It could be refined more specifically to discuss the relief efforts being made by the U.S. or even by college students on this campus specifically. I like this topic because it is current and something that I am passionate about. I want to know more about the ways that I could get involved and I want to be more educated on the topic, as it is important and needs to be addressed in society today.

NOTE: I have decided to change my topic to the media portrayal of Michael Phelps pre and post drug use due to a lack of primary sources for my previous choice of topic.

Author's Note

This is my final draft of my public space analysis essay. I like this piece mainly because of the topic. It is written about my favorite coffee shop, Eurotazza, which recently closed. I like the different ways of looking at the space and seeing it on a deeper level than you typically would as a consumer. The analysis of the space helped me to value the space more than I did before because I can now see how much effort went into creating this specific environment and all of the arguments present here. I hope you find my analysis insightful and interesting and that you can take away some sort of insight into the way arguments are made in local spaces. 

-Holly-

Workshop Comments

The comments that I received during the workshop of my essay were very helpful. It was suggested by multiple people that certain words be chosen in place of the ones already there, and there was an expressed need for elaboration on some points that I make. I think that it will be easy to incorporate the edits and comments into the final draft, because the structure of the essay will remain the same. I will add more about the closing of my selected location. I will also add more examples from my observations to back up the points that I have made. I am also very thankful for the help in fixing some grammatical errors that I had skipped over before! The process has been very helpful in the writing of my own paper because of the comments of others, but also because of my commenting on other papers. By looking at how they were making arguments I was able to look at my paper with a fresh eye and think about how I could state certain things differently. Thanks everyone!

Author's Note

Author’s Note:

This is my first draft, written during two different sittings, which is pretty noticeable I think. I would really appreciate a balance of things that you think I have done well here and things that I need to improve upon. I am planning on going back through and focusing more on the actual arguments themselves and intertwining them into the paper. Also any grammatical errors or anything that you find and want to point out would be great! Thanks so much!

Meaning and Audience

Eurotazza has different meanings to different customers, but mostly, it is a place to relax and be in a peaceful, quiet environment. It is an escape from the many different worlds that the audience is coming from. Whether they are escaping from work, school or everyday stress, Eurotazza provides the environment. 

To one pair of friends that I interviewed, Eurotazza was their place of focus and friendship. It was the place where they could focus on each other's lives and grow in friendship. 

It could mean a variety of things though, depending on where the audience member is coming from. 

Observation Notes

Eurotazza Observation 1 Notes:
* Thursday afternoon, 4:30 pm, full but not overwhelmed
* The Employees
o Eccentric, one wearing a hat, one with multi colored hair, one au naturale
o Very friendly
* Customers
o Pairs of girls doing Bible Study
o Groups of students studying
o Singles studying
o Couples on date
o Most order a beverage or snack and either wait by the pick up area or find a table
o “Granola”-natural, new agey
o Business men, or man
* Ambiance
o Soft lighting
o Cozy environment
o Painted to look like a European café
o Fire place is real, brick mantle
o Wood beams on the ceiling
* Set up
o Signs directing to cashier and pick up area
o Tables set w/ aisles
o Couches around fire place
o Window area, risen, smaller tables and different chairs
§ More intimate setting than rest of establishment
* Marketing
o Colorful signs, look exotic
o Simple and fun
o Relaxed writing style but sophisticated
o Two message boards present
§ One w/ suggestions or comments on colorful notes
§ One w/ advertisements for the community



Eurotazza Observation 2 Notes:

* Friday Afternoon, 4:30 pm, PACKED. Last day of business
* Employees
o More employees than on a usual day, full staff present for the last day
o Child of owner writing down orders
* Customers
o Great variety of ages, styles and opinions represented
o Lots of conversation, loud atmosphere today
o Many customers wearing Eurotazza paraphernalia
o Everyone orders something
o Pictures being taken

* Set up/Ambiance
o Empty display cases, running low or almost out of everything
o Busy and less relaxing, more anxious environment

Arguments of Fact and Definition

The most obvious argument of fact in Eurotazza were the signs telling customers the prices. There were also t-shirts available that had a quote on them stating how coffee should be served. Shirts were available with the phrase "Coffee Snob" printed on them. This is an argument of definition because it is arguing that the coffee at Eurotazza is the best and that being a coffee snob means liking their coffee above all other company's coffee. The company is also making the argument that their coffee is similar to a European coffee shop, and is therefore defining European coffee. The other arguments of fact that I noticed were in the restrooms. There were pictures on the walls with dates and names written on them. They are saying that these are indeed the people's real names, which may or may not be a true fact.

Reflections

Observing Eurotazza was a really great experience. I have always enjoyed being there, but I have not ever analyzed why I enjoy it. I was also able to be there for the last day of business, which provided me with a new outlook on the space. The people that were there were in different spirits than usual and the meaning that Eurotazza has for them became evident. I also noticed many different arguments being made in the decor than before.