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.
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Her sources all see like primary sources because they came from either Phelps himself or from a press conference about the current situation. They are also relevant.
ReplyDeleteShe was concerned about how it was going to all fit together. I think she can solve this by finding an opposing source to help create more of an argument. This way, the reader can see a full circle view of the issue.
The controlling idea is how the media affects, either negatively or positively, the view of the debatable "former" role model Phelps.
I would suggest finding an opposing side to her argument just to be prepared for a rebuttal. Try to find a source with pathos and how the community was negatively effected, not just how the media saw his incident. She has a lot of great sources, but they all seem to take the same view. I would suggest not only a different angle of the situation, but also how the world/ Olympic organizations have been negatively effected. Maybe consider if people over reacted; is it really that big of a deal according to various people/ groups?