Annotated Working Draft and Hot Spots in Microbiology

Component Assignments

1. Communication and Persuasion in Microbiology
   This post illustrates the importance of a type of translator between the scientific community and the general public.  It highlights the gap between those two audiences, and the use of the media to bridge the gap.  
2. Storytelling in Microbiology
   Tricked ya; There's not actually a link there, because for some reason I didn't know this blog post assignment existed.  I would have written about either of two topics.  One would be the difference in presentation of a story I tell my dad about what research I conduct in the lab, versus a story I tell a publishing journal about what research I conduct in the lab.  The other topic I might have written about would have been the difference in a pathetic appeal in anti-vaccine arguments and the ethical appeal in pro-vaccine arguments.
3. Microbes, Microbes, Everywhere; But Which Ones Can You See?
   This post follows the story of Van Leeuwenhoek, known as the father of microbiology, in his visual discovery of microbes.  The two main points I emphasized were that the general public did not believe his findings because of their own preconceived notions, and that the evolution of technology allowed for this discovery, as technology aids in the expansion of the field of microbiology today.
4. Institutional Authority and Communication in Microbiology
   Taking a more scientist-to-scientist approach, this post describes the framework involved in developing a hierarchy for journals that articles are submitted to.  It gives insight into how these journals are valued as credible sources, or not, which to the general public may not mean as much as it does to a scientist.

Hot Spots

1. Hotspot #1 (personal): My passion for vaccine promotion, partially based on my experiences with vaccine research and development, and very much so fueled by the vaccine debates.  I have a strong interest in how this debate arose, as well as the rhetoric involved in arguing both sides of the debate. 
2. Hotspot #2 (in microbiology): The consistent need for scientists to somehow be understood (and believed) by the general public.  Most often this happens through the news media outlets, but is there a way scientists can make research and ideas more accessible without this translator?  To eliminate the middle man would make for a more efficient line of communication if it could be done accurately and appropriately.
3. Hotspot #3 (in history): As technology develops and changes over time, there is an increased need for microbiologists to be up to date on what machinery is most effective and reliable. However, because some research topics within microbiology are so specific, a translation from scientist to scientist is needed to understand what the best equipment for non-familiar fields is if they are to understand and evaluate articles from within that field and deem them credible or relevant sources.

Annotated Working Draft and Hotspots in Written Journalism

Component Assignments

1. Communication and Persuasion in Written Journalism
   A journalist’s job is to communicate and persuade. I think it is obvious that journalists try to persuade readers with their stories, so I wanted to explore another area in which they persuade and communicate: pitching ideas to superiors.
   
2. Storytelling Written Journalism
   Journalism is storytelling. Stories vary in length, style, and arrangement based on topic. The stories are written to best explain a particular subject.
   
3. Written Journalism with the History of CivilizationJournalism has likely been around as long as news. It has seen changes, but it is currently moving through one the biggest changes ever—from print to digital.
   
4. Institutional Authority and Communication
   The SPJ has a Code of Ethics puts accuracy over speed, but with changes in medium, many journalists are publishing the info they have now and fixing it with updates later.

Hot Spots

• Hotspot #1 (in the field): Moving from print to digital. Journalists have to think about how stories will appear online. Visuals aside, the text has to be compelling and concise. Journalists have to keep digital in mind when they pitch stories.
  
• Hotspot #2 (personal): The story of pitching ideas in my journalism class for our website rather than for a newspaper.
  
• Hotspot #3 (similar, but more on history and ethics): How will this change affect the industry/business of journalism? Changes have occurred historically, but this one is arguably the largest. We have to figure out how to keep ethical standards and quality in journalism with a new business model.

Annotated Working Draft and Hot Spots in Public Relations

Component Assignments:

1.            Relating to the Public

This post explains that the functions of public relations include building relationships, strategic planning and effective communication. I also show the importance of Kairos, ethos, pathos and logos in crisis communication and creating campaigns targeted towards specific publics.

2.            Storytelling in Public Relations

In this post I use the example of cyanide-laced Tylenol killing several people and how public relations saved Johnson & Johnson’s reputation. This shows how public relations professionals use stories creatively and succinctly to generate ideas and resolutions.

3.            Public Relations within the History of Civilization

Public Relations dates back to ancient rhetoricians. In this post, I briefly outline the stages and development of public relations from ancient times to modern practices involving the convergence of marketing, journalism and advertising.

4.            Institutional Authority and Communication in Public Relations

This is a fictional story about a student who turns to his mentor—a professor at BYU—for ways to continue networking past graduation at BYU. It talks about the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)—one of the key ways to stay connected while working in the field—and some of the resources and opportunities it offers including the PRSA International Conference.

Hot Spots

1. (Field/History) In the past, such as with the example of P.T. Barnum, public relations has had a reputation for using ‘stunts’ to rope people into purchasing or committing to a company in some way. On the contrary, most public relations initiatives today focus on complete transparency as many companies have found that being completely honest with the public fosters better relationships.

2. (Personal) Many times, public relations focuses on money and commercial gain as quantifiable measurements of success in crisis communication and campaign planning. As I want to focus on more non-profit and humanitarian public relations, I want to be able to measure success by people helped and lives changed—raising awareness of positive messages and relationships.

3. (Authority) Sometimes, public relations practitioners are put in a position where their superiors instruct them to build messages based off of dishonest intentions to boost or save a reputation. Employees must strategically make decisions based on their ethical standards and the standing of their careers. 

Annotated Working Draft & Hotspots - Dance

Component Assignments:

1. Communication and Persuasion in Dance Reviewing and Grant Writing
In this post, I focus on the idea that while dance is an art form that largely communicates solely with the physical body, it also needs verbal communication and written words to thrive. I explain how dance reviewing and grant writing are two main ways dance relies on verbal and written communication for feedback and growth.

2. Storytelling in Dance
This post tells how storytelling in dance often comes in the form of telling stories to explain the creative process that goes on behind-the-scenes when creating a work. Audience members don't often see dance choreography in its "work in progress" phase. They normally see it in a polished finished state, ready for performance. Stories can give background as to how a piece of work came to be.

3. History of Dance: A Long Standing Art Form in a Nutshell
This blog post explains how the art of dance is not something new to us, neither is communicating about it. Throughout the centuries, people have communicated about dance for different reasons and in different ways. Dance developed to a point where we could now critique it and discuss it in a more academic setting. But dance has always been a part of human culture.

4. Institutional Authority and Communication in Dance Teaching and Training
In this post, I explain an authoritative institution that communicates the qualifications, certification, and basis for which we teach dance and how we train students. I also use a story based on true events to show how one can be involved in and communicate about dance in different ways.


Hot Spots:

1. Hotspot #1: In the Field - We use dance because it expresses something that transcends words. But words help take dance to a higher level of maturity and sophistication. Dance reviewing is critical in giving feedback to help grow and develop a dancer or a choreographer. Communication about dance has to be more objective rather than the subjective, "I liked it," or "I didn't like it." Writing or talking about dance needs to be able to pull evidence from the movement itself and try to push away personal opinions or biases.

2. Hotspot #2: Personal - Storytelling is something I rely on a lot when choreographing. A lot of people look at works of choreography and if they don't "understand" it or immediately pick up on "what it was about", then they often retreat to the opinion of "I didn't like it." Storytelling needs to come through words to give explanations of our creative process and also come through the movement as we try to relate our inspiration to the audience.

3. Hotspot #3: Historical - Dance has evolved to fulfill different needs of a civilization, whether it had to do with religion, status, or emotional confusion. We have to understand why our society today needs dance, and how we use it, in order to understand how we communicate about it and what things are being said.

Hotspots in Electrical Engineering

Component Assignments:

1. Communication and Persuasion in My Field 
Communication is essential for electrical engineers who work in both technical positions and business positions. Several tools, such as email, phone, conferences, and messaging are used to communicate and persuade across different customs and cultures in today's global economy.
2. Storytelling in My Field 
An engineer uses the story of the Nixon scandal to persuade his coworkers into doing the right thing. Scandals are common, and strong emotional appeals through stories can be an effective tool in preventing them.
3. My field within the history of civilization 
While major developments of electrical engineering have mainly taken place within the last 200 years, society has always been interested in electricity and its implications. Electrical engineering has driven society to a higher standard of living and motivated discovery and exploration throughout the ages.
4. Institutional Authority and Communication 
Professional organizations such as IEEE help regulate engineers to both protect their ideas and improve productivity. They publish magazines, hold conferences, and create committees that update the field on new developments and commit everyone to a code of ethics.

Hot Spots:

• Hotspot #1 (in the field): Engineering isn't always black and white; sometimes unethical decisions are made that can harm many people. Effective communication can persuade engineers to make ethical choices.  
• Hotspot #2 (historical): The greatest developments in Electrical Engineering have occurred during times of war and destruction. Ironically, the need to be destructive has fueled today's dependance on technology and production.
• Hotspot #3 (personal): The story of me building a robot arm. I realized that engineering was more about working constructively with others than actually developing a product.

Hot Spots in Post-High School, Pre-College Rhetoric

Component Assignments:

1. Communication and Persuasion in an Undergraduate Education
   In this post, I focus on how an undergraduate education is marketed to potential students. I explain that the rhetoric used in this marketing strategy leads students to view college as a ticket to a good job instead of an education. 
2. Storytelling in Undergraduate Education Preparation
   I used Steve Jobs' drop-out story, which he used to show that formal schooling may not be valuable, to show that students can make their schooling work for them by taking classes that interest them. 
3. Education: The Zombie Apocalypse
   I talk about the origin of modern education. Sources show that education has been used as a means to instill social and belief systems into citizens. Quotes from two education experts are also used as evidence. 
4. Institutional Authority and Communication in College Admissions
   I use a story--based on a true story--to show how much influence the College Board has on the college admissions process, specifically in terms of the SAT. 

1. Hot Spot #1 (Field): Due to marketing rhetoric used on potential students, college education has become less about improving the individual and more about ensuring a stable future and career for the individual. 
2. Hot Spot #2 (Field): The modern education system is based on closing minds to formalized ways of thinking. Education should be an eye- and mind-opening experience leading to increased knowledge, not controlled opinion or behavior. 
3. Hot Spot #3 (Personal): Students are becoming too passive about their educations, and generally, their futures. They should be more proactive in making their education work for them. This education may or may not be found in an established education system.
4. Hot Spot #4 (Personal): Education can be attained through various means and exists in infinite forms. Not all students are prepared, mentally and emotionally, for college. Students should feel free to explore other options without facing the shame of walking an individual path.