Below is a link to my worksheet
http://people.clemson.edu/~sreese/Rhetorical%20Units.doc
Monday, October 29, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Genre Worksheet: RA Introductions
Genre: Research Article Introductions
Rhetorical Units
- establish a territory
- establish a niche (gap)
- occupy niche (announce research)
Logical moves or content
Move 1
- claim centrality
- present background
Move 2
- counter claiming or indicating a gap
- question raising
- continuing tradition
- presenting positive justification
Move 3
- present goals of present research
- give background info
- announce findings
- predict results
- indicate RA structure
Structure wording
- past tense/passive voice for all 3 rhetorical units
10.25 Class Notes
Why is it important to know genre?
- allows you to better meet the expectations of your audience
- provides you with a prototype document (i.e. blueprint) that can be utilized as the framework for your respective document
- makes your communication more expedient
Examples of different MA genres
Thesis
- different sub genres--English, Philosophy, etc.--within the thesis genre
- includes introduction, method, result, and conclusion
- lengths vary depending on sub genre (i.e. 75-120 for English)
- language (writing style)
- design (i.e. experiment, analysis, emperical tradition)
- citations (MLA, APA, Chicago style)
Projects
- deliverables
- journals
- paper (method, results, and evaluation)
-=About Me Survey=-
-= Tell Us About Yourself =-
Name:
Birthday:
How old do you act:
Zodiac Sign:
Current location:
Eye Color:
Hair Color and Length:
Height:
Your Heritage:
What’s Your Middle Name:
Shoes You Wore Today:
Your Weakness:
Your Fear:
Have You Ever Ridden A Mechanical Bull:
Do You Want To:
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:
First Thought When You Wake Up:
Best Physical Feature:
Best Character Feature:
Who Is Your Bestest Friend:
When Is Your Bedtime:
Your Most Cherished Memory:
Pepsi or Coke:
McDonalds or Burger King:
Single or Group Dates:
What Is The Last Song You Sang:
Does Playing A Guitar Make A Girl/Guy More Attractive:
What Is Your Biggest Pet Peeves:
Do You Drink:
Ever Been Drunk:
Do You Smoke:
Do You “Smoke”:
Do You Sing:
What Color Underwear Do You Have On:
Do You Want To Go To College:
Have You Ever Been In Love:
Do You Want To Get Married:
Do You Believe In Yourself:
Do You Believe In Others:
Do You Like Thunderstorms:
Do You Play an Instrument:
What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up:
What Country Would You Like To Visit:
How Many CD’s Do you Own:
How Many DvD’s Do You Own:
How Many Tattoo’s Do You Have:
How Many Piercings Do You Have:
How Many Things In You Past Do You Regret:
-= Favorites =-
Favorite Shoes:
Favorite Radio Station:
Favorite Drink
Favorite Car:
Favorite Place:
Favorite Song:
Favorite Movie:
Favorite Moment:
Favorite Color:
Favorite Meal:
Name:
Birthday:
How old do you act:
Zodiac Sign:
Current location:
Eye Color:
Hair Color and Length:
Height:
Your Heritage:
What’s Your Middle Name:
Shoes You Wore Today:
Your Weakness:
Your Fear:
Have You Ever Ridden A Mechanical Bull:
Do You Want To:
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:
First Thought When You Wake Up:
Best Physical Feature:
Best Character Feature:
Who Is Your Bestest Friend:
When Is Your Bedtime:
Your Most Cherished Memory:
Pepsi or Coke:
McDonalds or Burger King:
Single or Group Dates:
What Is The Last Song You Sang:
Does Playing A Guitar Make A Girl/Guy More Attractive:
What Is Your Biggest Pet Peeves:
Do You Drink:
Ever Been Drunk:
Do You Smoke:
Do You “Smoke”:
Do You Sing:
What Color Underwear Do You Have On:
Do You Want To Go To College:
Have You Ever Been In Love:
Do You Want To Get Married:
Do You Believe In Yourself:
Do You Believe In Others:
Do You Like Thunderstorms:
Do You Play an Instrument:
What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up:
What Country Would You Like To Visit:
How Many CD’s Do you Own:
How Many DvD’s Do You Own:
How Many Tattoo’s Do You Have:
How Many Piercings Do You Have:
How Many Things In You Past Do You Regret:
-= Favorites =-
Favorite Shoes:
Favorite Radio Station:
Favorite Drink
Favorite Car:
Favorite Place:
Favorite Song:
Favorite Movie:
Favorite Moment:
Favorite Color:
Favorite Meal:
Progress Report 10/18-10/25
Expert Document
Overview
Clemson University’s (CU) football team is a crowd pleaser, selling out most if not all home games at Death Valley. The men’s basketball team suffers from less loyal student fans, having only sold out one game, in 1980, at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Clemson University Athletic Department would like to find ways to increase loyalty amongst the men’s basketball team’s student fans and consequently increase attendance at home games. For my expert document I will survey students, interview numerous members of the Athletic department, interview members of the basketball team, and reference both online and print sources to find solutions to the problem. I will, then, compile these solutions into a problem-solving report recommending (expert document) ways for the athletic department to reach its goals.
Work Completed
I’ve distributed my survey on Facebook, in my classes, and in the library. Though I have not reached my goal of obtaining at least 50 surveys as of yet, I am well on my way having collected 44 completed surveys. In addition to distributing and collecting surveys I’ve begun the process of analyzing information/statistics I’ve gathered from other sources. I’ve also decided what exactly my expert document will consist of. After deciding on the sections of my report I started drafting my title page, transmittal letter, executive summary and abstract.
Next Steps
Next on my working plan is to reach my goal of collecting 50 surveys and then to begin analyzing the information I've gathered both from my survey and other sources. I will then take the statistics I've accumulated from online sources, print sources, etc. and my survey and depict these quantitative results in illustrations (i.e. graphs, pictures, etc.) that effectively and concisely present the information to my audience. In addition to the before mentioned, I'd like to have completed my drafts, revised, and finalize the following drafts by October 30:
~title page
~transmittal letter
~executive summary
~abstract
~working bibliography
Brief Conclusion
I’m still really excited about my project and I’m enjoying this whole process. This says a lot coming from me because I tend to get bored with things fairly easy. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to seeing how my expert document evolves.
Lay Document
Overview
Clemson University’s (CU) football team is a crowd pleaser, selling out most if not all home games at Death Valley. The men’s basketball team suffers from less loyal student fans, having only sold out one game, in 1980, at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Clemson University Athletic Department would like to find ways to increase loyalty amongst the men’s basketball team’s student fans and consequently increase attendance at home games. Employing information gathered from my expert document, I will create a lay document, a blog, for the men’s basketball team. This blog will foster an increased awareness of the players on campus, a relationship between the players and their fans and indubitably an increased sense of loyalty towards the team.
Work Completed
I've established a working relationship with members of CU's mens baskteball team. I’ve discussed with the players my goals for the blog and I’ve collected input on their goals and expectations for the blog. Additionally, I've started the brainstorming process for questions that I want to have these team members answer on the blog. I’ve researched several icebreaker links because these questions tend to be light and fun. I want to humanize the athletes. I am hoping that the questions I come up with will help achieve that goal. Here’s my questions so far (remember these could and probably will change):
If you were to choose a new name for yourself, what would it be?
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from your past relationships?
What’s one of your worst habits?
What was the best day of the past week for you-why?
What are you wearing today which is most reflective of who you are?
Choose a unique item from your wallet and explain why you carry it around.
Share one of your most embarrassing moments.
If you were given a million dollars and 24 hrs to spend it (no depositing it or investing it) what would you buy and why?
What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes?
What is your most treasured possession?
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite food?
What, if anything, do you like to read?
What is your idea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)?
How do you spend a typical Saturday night? What makes you laugh?
What, if anything, shocks or offends you?
What would you do if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself?
How do you deal with stress? Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
What are your pet peeves?
Needless to say I have plenty of questions to choose from. I plan on narrowing these questions down to 10 though. I’ve also considered doing something similar to the “About Me” survey that you see on sites such as MySpace (see separate blog post for an example of this type of survey). These questions and their answers will serve as a profile, so to speak, to increase awareness of the team members amongst the general student population on CU's campus.
Next Step
Next on the agenda for my lay document is to select my top 10 questions from the icebreaker questions I’ve gathered. These questions will then be distributed to the men’s basketball team at the beginning of next week (29 October). I will be collecting these questions on Thursday (1 November). I will then make a folder in word for each member of the men’s basketball team. In the folder I will include general information such as what high school they went to, their major, their rank, their position, etc. In addition to this general info their folders will also include their answers to the 10 questions and a picture.
Brief Conclusion
After talking with several of the players I am even more excited to begin working on this blog. Right now I have to focus on gathering the information needed for the blog and then I get to focus on the fun part of the blog—the actual visual communication. I guess I’m excited too because I feel like what I’m doing is going to make a real difference. I feel that it will be beneficial to both students and players alike. Furthermore, I can't wait to get to know the members of our men's basketball team a lot better! Stay posted for blog updates and get excited these are OUR TIGERS!!! GO TEAM!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Notes on Samraj Article
Overview
Samraj’s article analyzes research paper introductions from two related fields Wildlife Behavior and Conservation Biology using Create-A-Research-Space (CARS) model. The result of Samraj’s analysis reveals “disciplinary variation in the structure of this genre, which has important pedagogical implications” (Samraj 1). By comparing the two texts that belong to the same genre but different disciplines, Samraj hopes to “better distinguish textual characteristics that are due to disciplinary norms from those that are features of the genre to which the text belongs” (3). The results of his analysis reveal differences in terms of “both the moves and the steps used to realize the moves in the two disciplines” (3).
CARS model may not adequately account for the structure of all RA introductions. Samraj’s results indicate the need for a model with a greater degree of flexibility in embedding. In particular, Samraj’s study shows that the step literature review need not just appear in the first move but can also be embedded within other steps, such as indicating a gap. As such, literature reviews perform functions other than that of merely reporting previous research (3).
Samraj’s article analyzes research paper introductions from two related fields Wildlife Behavior and Conservation Biology using Create-A-Research-Space (CARS) model. The result of Samraj’s analysis reveals “disciplinary variation in the structure of this genre, which has important pedagogical implications” (Samraj 1). By comparing the two texts that belong to the same genre but different disciplines, Samraj hopes to “better distinguish textual characteristics that are due to disciplinary norms from those that are features of the genre to which the text belongs” (3). The results of his analysis reveal differences in terms of “both the moves and the steps used to realize the moves in the two disciplines” (3).
CARS model may not adequately account for the structure of all RA introductions. Samraj’s results indicate the need for a model with a greater degree of flexibility in embedding. In particular, Samraj’s study shows that the step literature review need not just appear in the first move but can also be embedded within other steps, such as indicating a gap. As such, literature reviews perform functions other than that of merely reporting previous research (3).
- Original CARS Model
Move 1: Establishing a territory - Step 1 Claiming centrality and/or
Step 2 Making topic generalization(s) and/or
Step 3 Reviewing items of previous research
Move 2: Establish a niche - Step 1A Counter-claiming or
Step 1B Indicating a gap or
Step 1C Question-raising or
Step 1D Continuing a tradition
Move 3: Occupying the niche - Step 1A Outlining purposes or
Step 1B Announcing present research
Step 2 Announcing principal findings
Step 3 Indicating RA structure
Above. Swales’ Create-A-Research-Space (CARS) model. RA = research article.
Important Notes
- Centrality claims, according to Swales, are “appeals to the discourse community whereby members are asked to accept that the research about to be reported is part of a lively, significant or well-established research area” (4).
- Centrality claims are made in two ways: either by assertions about the importance of the topic being discussed or by assertions concerning active research activity in the area concerned.
- Wildlife Behavior introductions include centrality claims and half of these assert the centrality of the topic by maintaining the topics importance for animal behavior and the other half by referring to search activity in the area.
- Almost all Conservation Biology introductions include at least one instance of the step centrality claim.
- 10 out of 11 Conservation Biology introductions with centrality claims are attempts to validate the importance of the topic in relation to the real world.
- 6 Biology Conservation introductions establish the centrality of the research being reported by referring to current research in the area.
- Only 1 BC introduction establishes centrality of the topic solely in terms of research in the field.
- All five others that do refer to research activity also connect the study to be reported to important environmental concerns by the following: pointing to problematic aspects of the environment, current conservation practices, and models and methods being used in conservation management.
Wildlife Behavior
-Component of Environmental Science
-Longer history; part of Ecology
-Deals with life histories and behaviors of different species
Introduction
-Uses centrality claims at the beginning of the introductions
-Discuss previous literature to provide support for the topic generalization or centrality claim or to justify the gap created.
-Review of literature follows statement that establishes niche
-Literature reviews elaborate on gaps in research
-Move 2s are clearly present. Only 1 introduction lacks a clearly demarcated Move 2.
-Creates niche in terms of gap
-Move 3 has a general to specific development
-For most part contain moves given in CARS model
-Most notable difference is presence of background move that details the features of the species that is the object of observation of experimentation
-Centrality claims are not frequent
-Current research mainly justified in terms of gaps in previous research
Conservation Biology
-Component of Environmental Science
-Newly developed area
-Draws on various fields such as: resource economics and policy, ecology and environmental ethics
Introduction
-More explicit rhetorical work is performed in the beginning of the introductions
-Discuss previous literature to provide support for the topic generalization or centrality claim or to justify the gap created.
-Include at least one instance of step centrality
-Step claiming centrality is well-developed and occupies an important position
deals more in terms of the phenomenal world that the epistemic world
-Justify research by creating a gap in real world conservation practices
-Elements of persuasion and promotion are more strongly present
-Centrality claims are common and well-developed and often concern the real world
-Research to be presented is frequently promoted in negative terms (i.e. loss of biodiversity and species extirpation)
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Proposal for New Project
Abstract
Clemson University’s (CU) football team is a crowd pleaser, selling out most if not all home games at Death Valley. The men’s basketball team suffers from less loyal student fans, having only sold out one game, in 1980, at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Clemson University Athletic Department would like to find ways to increase loyalty amongst the men’s basketball team’s student fans and consequently increase attendance at home games. I will assume that this department has asked me to assess possible factors leading to low fan loyalty and suggest marketing plans to encourage student loyalty and increase student attendance at games.
Problem
According to Clemson University’s official athletic site the seating capacity at Littlejohn Coliseum is 10,980 seats for basketball games, but the average general attendance during the 2006-07 season was 7,356. During the 2005-06 season the average attendance was 7,087 and the season prior to that it was 6,960 (http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/clem-m-baskbl-archive.html). While the average general attendance has increased over the past three seasons the men’s basketball team still suffers from a lack of consistent student attendance.
Death Valley, on the other hand, has the capacity to seat 80,301 screaming tiger fans. Just last season the average attendance for home games was a staggering 81,506 fans
(http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/clem-m-baskbl-archive.html). In other words, Clemson’s football team averages a sellout crowd with student fans camping out for days for a chance to cheer the Tigers on from the hill.
The marketing behind Clemson University’s football program is an excellent example of effective sports marketing. The product of effective sports marking, geared towards students, on a university campus is a consistently high student attendance rate at games. The high student attendance rate at CU football games fosters school spirit, school unity and the morale of the student athletes. The core problem facing CU men’s basketball team, therefore, is its incapability to successfully mimic this model.
Solution
I will survey students, interview numerous members of the Athletic department, interview members of the basketball team, and reference both online and print sources to find solutions to the problem. I will, then, compile these solutions into a problem-solving report recommending (expert document) ways for the athletic department to reach its goals. Employing information gathered from the problem-solving report, I will create a blog (lay document) for the men’s basketball team. The purpose of this blog will be to facilitate a dialogue between the athletes and their current and prospective fans. This dialogue will foster an increased awareness of the players on campus, a relationship between the players and their fans and indubitably an increased sense of loyalty towards the team. This newfound student loyalty will result in student fans that habitually attend the men’s basketball games.
Feasibility
Since basketball is a well-liked sport, it seems feasible that student fan loyalty can be increased. Certainly CU students respond to marketing appeals for sports and other products (i.e. IPTAY and football). For this reason, if I am unable to demonstrate that possible strategies will increase fan loyalty and consequently increase attendance, I will show readers why the obvious solutions won’t work and recommend that the university hire a professional sports marketing consulting firm.
Audience
All of my audiences are at least somewhat interested in increasing attendance at CU men’s basketball games. None of them are in opposition, so I will be able to present information straightforwardly. The topic is not technical, so I don’t expect there to be a language barrier
My expert audience will be Terry Don Phillips, Director of the CU Athletic Department. He has the power to accept or reject my recommendations. I don’t know whether or not he is a basketball fan, but I assume he is at least somewhat knowledgeable about sports marketing. After all, he will look good if attendance increases.
Additional expert audiences to this report include staffers in the Athletic Department who will be asked to implement the recommendations. Assistant Director of Marketing and Promotions Mike Money and the coaching staff of the basketball team may be asked to evaluate the report.
Finally, my lay audience will include players and students. Players benefit from student support at games, and the students are the people being targeted for increased attendance.
You will be my initial audience.
Topics to Investigate
I plan to answer these questions in detail:
What factors affect student attendance?
Why do the students who attend men’s basketball games do so?
Why do the students who don’t attend stay away?
What promotions or publicity could make students more likely to attend?
How can student awareness of the team be increased?
What short-term strategies exist?
What long-term strategies exist?
Does it make sense to market the team to female audiences?
Would a loyalty program help?
What programs are available, and what is involved?
What are some examples of programs used at universities similar to CU?
Methods
I expect to get data from four sources: 1.) surveys of 50 to 100 students, 2.) interviews with members of the Athletic Department, 3.) interviews with members of the basketball team, 4.) my observations of marketing tactics on campus and in Clemson, and 5.) library and online sources about attendance at CU men’s basketball games.
A draft of my survey is attached. I will distribute the survey on Facebook, on my blog, in Cooper library, and my classes.
The following articles and Websites either were referenced or appear useful:
http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/clem-m-baskbl-archive.html
http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/school-bio/facilities-football.html
http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/school-bio/facilities-hoops.html
http://thecourtmaster.blogspot.com/2003/11/toughest-places-to-play-in-acc.html
Qualifications
I am a student majoring in English at Clemson University and a sports fan. I would like to see the student community offer more support to the men’s basketball team. I use to be a Tiger Paw, a fundamental part of Clemson’s football marketing team. As a Tiger Paw my job was to sell Clemson’s football program to prospective athletes and ultimately to get them to sign with Clemson. The Tiger Paws’ purpose was an important one. In fact, the Tiger Paws represented a fundamental component in marketing Clemson football. During the time that I served as a Tiger Paw I gained valuable experience in sports marketing but more importantly I built a network of individuals who are knowledgeable to the ends and outs of all things sports related at Clemson.
Work Schedule
The following schedule will enable me to finish this report by the end of the fall term.
Activity/ Completion Date
Gather information~ October 18
Analyzing information~ October 26
Organizing information~ November 2
Writing the draft/creating visuals~ November 9
Bring to class draft/visuals~ November 15
Cont. revising the draft/visuals~ November 16
Editing the draft/proofreading~ November 23
Preparing presentation~ November 30
Present/turn-in final documents~ December 6
Call to Action
Could we schedule a meeting to discuss my proposal and survey? I would appreciate any suggestions you may have for strengthening my ideas and making the report better. Please approve my proposal so I may continue my research and being the report.
Clemson University’s (CU) football team is a crowd pleaser, selling out most if not all home games at Death Valley. The men’s basketball team suffers from less loyal student fans, having only sold out one game, in 1980, at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Clemson University Athletic Department would like to find ways to increase loyalty amongst the men’s basketball team’s student fans and consequently increase attendance at home games. I will assume that this department has asked me to assess possible factors leading to low fan loyalty and suggest marketing plans to encourage student loyalty and increase student attendance at games.
Problem
According to Clemson University’s official athletic site the seating capacity at Littlejohn Coliseum is 10,980 seats for basketball games, but the average general attendance during the 2006-07 season was 7,356. During the 2005-06 season the average attendance was 7,087 and the season prior to that it was 6,960 (http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/clem-m-baskbl-archive.html). While the average general attendance has increased over the past three seasons the men’s basketball team still suffers from a lack of consistent student attendance.
Death Valley, on the other hand, has the capacity to seat 80,301 screaming tiger fans. Just last season the average attendance for home games was a staggering 81,506 fans
(http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/clem-m-baskbl-archive.html). In other words, Clemson’s football team averages a sellout crowd with student fans camping out for days for a chance to cheer the Tigers on from the hill.
The marketing behind Clemson University’s football program is an excellent example of effective sports marketing. The product of effective sports marking, geared towards students, on a university campus is a consistently high student attendance rate at games. The high student attendance rate at CU football games fosters school spirit, school unity and the morale of the student athletes. The core problem facing CU men’s basketball team, therefore, is its incapability to successfully mimic this model.
Solution
I will survey students, interview numerous members of the Athletic department, interview members of the basketball team, and reference both online and print sources to find solutions to the problem. I will, then, compile these solutions into a problem-solving report recommending (expert document) ways for the athletic department to reach its goals. Employing information gathered from the problem-solving report, I will create a blog (lay document) for the men’s basketball team. The purpose of this blog will be to facilitate a dialogue between the athletes and their current and prospective fans. This dialogue will foster an increased awareness of the players on campus, a relationship between the players and their fans and indubitably an increased sense of loyalty towards the team. This newfound student loyalty will result in student fans that habitually attend the men’s basketball games.
Feasibility
Since basketball is a well-liked sport, it seems feasible that student fan loyalty can be increased. Certainly CU students respond to marketing appeals for sports and other products (i.e. IPTAY and football). For this reason, if I am unable to demonstrate that possible strategies will increase fan loyalty and consequently increase attendance, I will show readers why the obvious solutions won’t work and recommend that the university hire a professional sports marketing consulting firm.
Audience
All of my audiences are at least somewhat interested in increasing attendance at CU men’s basketball games. None of them are in opposition, so I will be able to present information straightforwardly. The topic is not technical, so I don’t expect there to be a language barrier
My expert audience will be Terry Don Phillips, Director of the CU Athletic Department. He has the power to accept or reject my recommendations. I don’t know whether or not he is a basketball fan, but I assume he is at least somewhat knowledgeable about sports marketing. After all, he will look good if attendance increases.
Additional expert audiences to this report include staffers in the Athletic Department who will be asked to implement the recommendations. Assistant Director of Marketing and Promotions Mike Money and the coaching staff of the basketball team may be asked to evaluate the report.
Finally, my lay audience will include players and students. Players benefit from student support at games, and the students are the people being targeted for increased attendance.
You will be my initial audience.
Topics to Investigate
I plan to answer these questions in detail:
What factors affect student attendance?
Why do the students who attend men’s basketball games do so?
Why do the students who don’t attend stay away?
What promotions or publicity could make students more likely to attend?
How can student awareness of the team be increased?
What short-term strategies exist?
What long-term strategies exist?
Does it make sense to market the team to female audiences?
Would a loyalty program help?
What programs are available, and what is involved?
What are some examples of programs used at universities similar to CU?
Methods
I expect to get data from four sources: 1.) surveys of 50 to 100 students, 2.) interviews with members of the Athletic Department, 3.) interviews with members of the basketball team, 4.) my observations of marketing tactics on campus and in Clemson, and 5.) library and online sources about attendance at CU men’s basketball games.
A draft of my survey is attached. I will distribute the survey on Facebook, on my blog, in Cooper library, and my classes.
The following articles and Websites either were referenced or appear useful:
http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/clem-m-baskbl-archive.html
http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/school-bio/facilities-football.html
http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/school-bio/facilities-hoops.html
http://thecourtmaster.blogspot.com/2003/11/toughest-places-to-play-in-acc.html
Qualifications
I am a student majoring in English at Clemson University and a sports fan. I would like to see the student community offer more support to the men’s basketball team. I use to be a Tiger Paw, a fundamental part of Clemson’s football marketing team. As a Tiger Paw my job was to sell Clemson’s football program to prospective athletes and ultimately to get them to sign with Clemson. The Tiger Paws’ purpose was an important one. In fact, the Tiger Paws represented a fundamental component in marketing Clemson football. During the time that I served as a Tiger Paw I gained valuable experience in sports marketing but more importantly I built a network of individuals who are knowledgeable to the ends and outs of all things sports related at Clemson.
Work Schedule
The following schedule will enable me to finish this report by the end of the fall term.
Activity/ Completion Date
Gather information~ October 18
Analyzing information~ October 26
Organizing information~ November 2
Writing the draft/creating visuals~ November 9
Bring to class draft/visuals~ November 15
Cont. revising the draft/visuals~ November 16
Editing the draft/proofreading~ November 23
Preparing presentation~ November 30
Present/turn-in final documents~ December 6
Call to Action
Could we schedule a meeting to discuss my proposal and survey? I would appreciate any suggestions you may have for strengthening my ideas and making the report better. Please approve my proposal so I may continue my research and being the report.
Progress Report 10/11-10/18
Expert Document
Overview
Clemson University’s (CU) football team is a crowd pleaser, selling out most if not all home games at Death Valley. The men’s basketball team suffers from less loyal student fans, having only sold out one game, in 1980, at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Clemson University Athletic Department would like to find ways to increase loyalty amongst the men’s basketball team’s student fans and consequently increase attendance at home games. For my expert document I will survey students, interview numerous members of the Athletic department, interview members of the basketball team, and reference both online and print sources to find solutions to the problem. I will, then, compile these solutions into a problem-solving report recommending (expert document) ways for the athletic department to reach its goals.
Work Completed
I've written and submitted my project proposal to Professor Holmevik. Upon receiving approval to move ahead with my project I turned my focus to gathering information. I felt that the best foundation for my research would be establishing a working relationship with key members of CU's Athletic Department. Accordingly, I've contacted people within the athletic department with the hopes of increasing awareness of myself and my research project throughout the organization. Additionally, I've spent the last few days gathering statistics pertaining to attendance at CU men's basketball games and I even put together a survey of my own. This survey can be found on Facebook and on my blog. I keep hard copies on me as well.
Next Steps
Next on my working plan is to handout my survey in class. After obtaining at least 50 surveys I will begin analyzing the information I've gathered both from my survey and other sources. I will then take the statistics I've accumulated from online sources, print sources, etc. and my survey and depict these quantitative results in illustrations (i.e. graphs, pictures, etc.) that effectively and concisely present the information to my audience. In addition to the before mentioned, I'd like to have completed the following drafts by October 25:
~title page
~transmittal letter
~executive summary
~abstract
~working bibliography
Brief Conclusion
Surprisingly after changing my semester project focus, yet again, I've still managed to make significant progress on my project. In fact, right now I am on schedule to have my document completed in it's final form by November 23rd.
Lay Document
Overview
Clemson University’s (CU) football team is a crowd pleaser, selling out most if not all home games at Death Valley. The men’s basketball team suffers from less loyal student fans, having only sold out one game, in 1980, at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Clemson University Athletic Department would like to find ways to increase loyalty amongst the men’s basketball team’s student fans and consequently increase attendance at home games. Employing information gathered from my expert document, I will create a lay document, a blog, for the men’s basketball team. This blog will foster an increased awareness of the players on campus, a relationship between the players and their fans and indubitably an increased sense of loyalty towards the team.
Work Completed
I've begun to establish a working relationship with members of CU's mens baskteball team. I've started the brainstorming process for questions that I want to have these team members answer on the blog. These questions and their answers will serve as a profile, so to speak, to increase awareness of the team members amongst the general student population on CU's campus.
Next Step
Next on the agenda for my lay document is to discuss with the players my goals for the blog and inquire as to what their goals and expectations for the blog are. Additionally, I will distribute the final questions for the players profiles and collect their answers by the end of the week. I will also begin to consider the organization of the blog as well as aesthetic components.
Brief Conclusion
I am really excited to begin working on this blog. I feel that it will be beneficial to both students and players alike. Furthermore, I can't wait to get to know the members of our men's basketball team a lot better! Stay posted for blog updates!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Do you have a Facebook account? If so, please take my survey.
The purpose of this survey (see link below) is to determine why students attend sports events, and what might increase attendance. All information is to be used solely for my student research paper. Please submit completed surveys. Thank you for your assistance!
http://apps.facebook.com/questionnaires/answer.php?survey_id=117963943
http://apps.facebook.com/questionnaires/answer.php?survey_id=117963943
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Proposal Draft
Problem Statement
The situation CU's student body is facing can be described as being "taken for a ride." They are paying for a product (adequate parking on campus) that they are not receiving. Atleast not by any reasonable person's definition of adequate. Unfortunately, this situation has negative consequences for CU's goal of being a top 20 university. Students are coming into classes late because of the parking situation on campus and this is a distraction to those students who were able to find spaces. Some students aren't coming to class at all because of parking on campus. Then you have students who park in faculty parking to avoid missing class thus resulting in faculty members cancelling classes. How is it that we can become a top 20 school if both students and faculty alike are missing classes due to a lack of parking? The answer is simple--we can't! For this reason, I will attempt to improve the consequences by creating and implementing a cause group on Facebook that will voice the discontent of the student body involving parking, enlist others to voice their concerns as well, and finally to encourage a change or atleast dialogue among those who are in a position to implement the changes needed to give Clemson students what they have already paid for--adequate parking!!!
Problem Section
There have been numerous investigations and reports published examining the current parking situation on campus at Clemson University. These detailed investigations reveal the fact that the current parking situation on Clemson University’s campus is insufficient for the needs of both students and faculty alike. Accordingly, there is a great need to improve the current parking situation as there is undoubtedly a case of supply not meeting demand.
Issues precluding immediate action, according to Clemson University’s website, include zoning regulations and existing issues with Clemson’s Master Plan. Issues focused on included but were not limited to green space issues, the small town ambiance, and the requirement of Clemson to be a “walking campus.” All these ordinances serve one common purpose and that is to preserve the “green” aesthetic appeal of Clemson’s campus that has come to be just as representative of Clemson University as the orange tiger paws painted on the streets leading onto and off of campus. The consequence of preserving the aesthetic appeal of Clemson’s campus is parking on campus that has been forced to the perimeters and is insufficient in providing for the students' or employees’ needs--a consequence that is relevant and has implications for the entire Clemson community. After all, how can Clemson University reach its goal of being a top 20 university if the students and faculty aren't making it to the classroom. The answer is simple--they can't...we can't.
Solution Section
The situation CU's student body is facing can be described as being "taken for a ride." They are paying for a product (adequate parking on campus) that they are not receiving. Atleast not by any reasonable person's definition of adequate. Unfortunately, this situation has negative consequences for CU's goal of being a top 20 university. Students are coming into classes late because of the parking situation on campus and this is a distraction to those students who were able to find spaces. Some students aren't coming to class at all because of parking on campus. Then you have students who park in faculty parking to avoid missing class thus resulting in faculty members cancelling classes. How is it that we can become a top 20 school if both students and faculty alike are missing classes due to a lack of parking? The answer is simple--we can't! For this reason, I will attempt to improve the consequences by creating and implementing a cause group on Facebook that will voice the discontent of the student body involving parking, enlist others to voice their concerns as well, and finally to encourage a change or atleast dialogue among those who are in a position to implement the changes needed to give Clemson students what they have already paid for--adequate parking!!!
Problem Section
There have been numerous investigations and reports published examining the current parking situation on campus at Clemson University. These detailed investigations reveal the fact that the current parking situation on Clemson University’s campus is insufficient for the needs of both students and faculty alike. Accordingly, there is a great need to improve the current parking situation as there is undoubtedly a case of supply not meeting demand.
Issues precluding immediate action, according to Clemson University’s website, include zoning regulations and existing issues with Clemson’s Master Plan. Issues focused on included but were not limited to green space issues, the small town ambiance, and the requirement of Clemson to be a “walking campus.” All these ordinances serve one common purpose and that is to preserve the “green” aesthetic appeal of Clemson’s campus that has come to be just as representative of Clemson University as the orange tiger paws painted on the streets leading onto and off of campus. The consequence of preserving the aesthetic appeal of Clemson’s campus is parking on campus that has been forced to the perimeters and is insufficient in providing for the students' or employees’ needs--a consequence that is relevant and has implications for the entire Clemson community. After all, how can Clemson University reach its goal of being a top 20 university if the students and faculty aren't making it to the classroom. The answer is simple--they can't...we can't.
Solution Section
I will attempt to improve the consequences by creating and facilitating dialogue within a Facebook cause group that will voice the discontent of the student body involving parking, enlist others to voice their concerns as well, and finally to encourage a change or atleast dialogue between those affected by inadequate parking on campus and those who are in a position to implement the changes needed to give Clemson students and faculty what they have already paid for--adequate parking!!!
So, what exactly is a Facebook cause group?
One of the new mini-applications within Facebook is Causes, added by San Francisco's Blake Commagere's new group called Project Agape. The applet allows users to invite "friends" to join campaigns for nonprofits, issues, and political candidates. Dozens have already been added. It also allows for donations, and then ranks Facebook users by how many supporters they've recruited and how much money they've raised.
http://www.convio.com/site/News2?abbr=news_&page=NewsArticle&id=2604012&news_iv_ctrl=1201
Will it really make a difference?
(insert examples here)
Qualifications
According to Chad Marlow, CEO of The Public Advocacy Group, the three most vital skills and/or qualities for a lobbyist to posses are as follows: 1.) Political and public policy knowledge and/or experience, 2.) Intelligence (able to think outside of the box and come up with creative ideas and solutions to meet the needs of your clients) and 3.)Personality. The abovementioned skills and qualities are all attributes that I proudly possess. For instance, my participation in organizations such as Phi Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, Clemson University's Minority Council, and Clemson University Student Government's President Cabinet have all provided me with both knowledge and experience in political and public policy specifically that which is implemented on Clemson's campus. Additionally, I've held numerous internships at legal offices throughout the upstate. In one office in particular, I actually was the primary legal assistant for a case against the school board. That experience provided me with valuable insight as to the importance and benefits of understanding and utilizing the chain of command within the academic setting to help you meet your goals. All of this knowledge and insight I will be bringing with me to this project along with an extensive network of advisors. This network includes but is not limited to the following:
~the CEO of The Public Advocacy Group, Chad Marlow
~Clemson Univeristy's Magistrate Judge
~CUSG's Student Body President, Josh Bell
~CAT bus driver, Nancy Hagood
~Clemson University Students, 490 class
Finally, what qualifies me most for this project is the fact that I am also a member of the Clemson community. I'm a student who paid for something that she did not receive. I'm a student who's tuition is going up inorder to meet the demands of a top 20 goal that our parking situation precludes us ever achieving. I understand the strife of both students and faculty alike. I'm willing to make a difference and I've started the process for change.
Work Plan and Project Schedule
October 22-26 Complete research for documents.
October 29-November 2 Decide on layout, oraganization, and other aesthetics.
November 5-9 Begin preparing a draft of documents.
November 12-16 Revise original drafts. Bring copies to class on Nov. 15.
November19-23 Continue to revise documents.
November 26-November 30 Make last minute revisions and prepare for class presentation.
December 3-6 Project presentations/turn-in final document on December 6.
Works Referenced
http://stuaff.clemson.edu/parking/content/faq.php
http://wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/2135/2187227/ModelsTemplates/ParkingGarageFeasibility.pdf
Thursday, October 4, 2007
"Satisfaction with the convenience of parking on campus stems from expectations..."
There have been numerous investigations and reports published examining the current parking situation on campus at Clemson University. These detailed investigations reveal the fact that the current parking situation on Clemson University’s campus is insufficient for the needs of both students and faculty alike. Accordingly, there is a great need to improve the current parking situation as there is undoubtedly a case of supply not meeting demand. In short, there is indubitably a high demand for parking and low supply of spaces on campus.
Issues precluding immediate action, according to Clemson University’s website, include zoning regulations and existing issues with Clemson’s Master Plan. The central issues focused on were the green space issues, the small town atmosphere, and the requirement of Clemson to be a “walking campus.” All these ordinances were put into practice in order to preserve the “green” aesthetic appeal of Clemson’s campus that has come to be just as representative of Clemson University as the orange tiger paws painted on the streets leading onto and off of campus. The consequence of preserving the aesthetic appeal of Clemson’s campus is parking on campus that has been forced to the perimeter and is insufficient in providing for the students' or employees’ needs--a consequence that is relevant and has implications for the entire Clemson community. After all, how can Clemson University reach its goal of being a top 20 university if the students and faculty aren't making it to the classroom. The answer is simple--they can't...we can't.
http://stuaff.clemson.edu/parking/content/faq.php
Issues precluding immediate action, according to Clemson University’s website, include zoning regulations and existing issues with Clemson’s Master Plan. The central issues focused on were the green space issues, the small town atmosphere, and the requirement of Clemson to be a “walking campus.” All these ordinances were put into practice in order to preserve the “green” aesthetic appeal of Clemson’s campus that has come to be just as representative of Clemson University as the orange tiger paws painted on the streets leading onto and off of campus. The consequence of preserving the aesthetic appeal of Clemson’s campus is parking on campus that has been forced to the perimeter and is insufficient in providing for the students' or employees’ needs--a consequence that is relevant and has implications for the entire Clemson community. After all, how can Clemson University reach its goal of being a top 20 university if the students and faculty aren't making it to the classroom. The answer is simple--they can't...we can't.
http://stuaff.clemson.edu/parking/content/faq.php
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