Cover Memo
Writing is something that I feel I am continuously learning more and becoming better at. Throughout this semester in Evaluating Writing I have learned a tremendous amount about how writers write, how they write for a particular audience, what methods they use to persuade their readers and gain the interest of readers. I have also learned how to close read and how to evaluate writing using methods including Jack Selzer’s rhetorical analysis. I also learned about different genres and how to classify works into a particular genre. All the things that I have learned this semester in this class as well as my other semesters of writing arts classes have helped me grow as a writer and meet the core values that the writing arts program at Rowan want their students to fulfill.
While researching for this project I had started by researching the entire genre of fairytales. I found an overwhelming amount of works, analysis’s and other information to look at. This led me to narrow things down. I decided I would look at the Disney fairytales and the Grimm’s fairytales. I thought it would be interesting to compare the stories and see how they were similar and different. I had found a good amount on this topic but then realized I wanted to change my focus. I had spent some time discussing my options with my classmates, professor and friends outside of class and came to the idea that I would just focus my research on Disney fairytales. Later after finding a few research references that interested me a lot and meeting with my professor I decided I would focus on how Disney movies influence children who view them.
Using theories and methods we studied in class including Jack Selzer’s method of rhetorical analysis and Jane Gallop’s method of close reading I evaluated a number of different Disney princess movies. I used Selzer’s method of rhetorical analysis to evaluate how Disney creates its ethos, pathos, and logos to gain the trust of audience members and prove them credible. I then used Gallop’s theory of close reading to evaluate text’s minor elements. I questioned Disney’s trustworthiness and the elements within their text to both help myself think more about the intentions of the Disney movies and help my audience members (teachers, parents, future teachers, and future parents) think more about what their children (or future children) are watching. I also used these theories to make my writing both credible by adding in reliable sources and providing a rational and some background about myself in my writing.
To enhance my piece I did a lot of research for this paper. I took pieces that I had read previously for class this semester as well as things that my professor provided me when we meet individually. I then searched on the Rowan library database for journals articles and books that relate to my topic of Disney movies, education and children. I found a lot of good scholarly articles and papers written that were both good sources and got me even more interested in my topic. Two pieces that really inspired me were, “On Education” by Arthur Schopenhaver and “Children’s Culture and Disney’s Animated Films” by Henry Giroux. Using these two pieces as my inspiration I was able to find many other sources that helped support my analysis of Disney movies.
The readings I found varied from easy to challenging reads. I found that they were all helpful in some way and that although I had to reread some pieces to gain a better understanding of what it was the writer was talking about I enjoyed figuring out exactly what the writer was talking about.
Through my investigations and reading I discovered a tremendous amount about Disney movies that I was unaware of. I hadn’t read so closely into Disney’s movies and now I have more interest to watch more of the movies over again to see what messages and lessons I can pick out of them. I found some very interesting ideas about how gender roles are portrayed in the Disney movies and how the actions of the characters influence the actions of children who watch the movies. I also thought that it was fascinating how Disney mirrors some of the American values in their movies. Reading about that helped me see how Disney establishes its ethos. I also enjoyed critically thinking about how these movies both teach children lessons and shape children into who they are. I honestly hadn’t thought this deeply about the effects that the Disney Corporation has on children and how much they are involved in the lives of Americans. I used these ideas in my writing by summarizing ideas from others research, and using quotes from their works.
I feel that I demonstrated self-critical awareness in my writing when working on this analysis piece. I spent a lot of time both writing my own thoughts as well as incorporating ideas from my resources to support my ideas and arguments. I also wanted to spark the thoughts of my audience members so I asked them to stop and think about their own experiences with Disney movies. I added in questions to transition from one idea to another and to get my readers reflecting on the ideas so that they could make text to self-connections and real world connections while reading.
While writing this piece I tried to put myself in my audience’s seat. I reread parts over and over in order to make sure my idea could be read and interpreted the way that I intended them to be. I tried to evaluate my own piece and make sure that I incorporated a hook in the beginning of my writing to gain the interest of readers. I also tried to clarify who my intended audience members were as well as connect myself to my audience members by talking about how I am studying to become a teacher and plan to one day be a parent. I also shared personal experiences I had as a child watching Disney princess movies.
When deciding how to present my research findings I decided that it would be most appropriate to present my writing on a Weebly webpage. I first used this technology last semester in my Writing, Research and Technology class and found it to be both easy to navigate and a great way to present my work. I liked using this site to display my work because I could incorporate images to go along with what I was writing as well as add in a YouTube video. I also broke my paper down into different sections; this organization helps readers view the different topics within my piece more easily. I think that by putting my paper on a website like this with pictures makes it more accessible for readers and makes it more interesting to read because it has images instead of just pages of writing like a traditional paper.
When writing this piece I tried to remember the power of word and choice my words carefully because the words I use will like Disney’s writing, influence my reader’s beliefs and understanding. I want my readers to not look at Disney as a bad Corporation when they read this analysis piece but to look at both the lessons that we first think of when watching Disney movies as well as be aware of the other lessons that these movies teach children. I want my audience members think about what is best for their children and be aware of how influential children are and how powerful movies can be.
I recognize that my weakness in writing is my mechanics. It’s something I am aware of and something that I try hard to work on. I feel confident in that I did find a lot of great sources for this piece and was able to take advantage of many of them by incorporating them into my writing. If I were to further this paper I would continue to revise it and try to make my explanations more powerful and clear for readers to understand. If I had more time I would have liked to find video clips from the different movies to depict more specific examples of how Disney teaches lessons to children in their movies. Over all I am happy with what I have to submit. I feel that I put a lot of time as well as effort into this assignment. I learned a lot from my research and writing and enjoyed learning from my research.
While researching for this project I had started by researching the entire genre of fairytales. I found an overwhelming amount of works, analysis’s and other information to look at. This led me to narrow things down. I decided I would look at the Disney fairytales and the Grimm’s fairytales. I thought it would be interesting to compare the stories and see how they were similar and different. I had found a good amount on this topic but then realized I wanted to change my focus. I had spent some time discussing my options with my classmates, professor and friends outside of class and came to the idea that I would just focus my research on Disney fairytales. Later after finding a few research references that interested me a lot and meeting with my professor I decided I would focus on how Disney movies influence children who view them.
Using theories and methods we studied in class including Jack Selzer’s method of rhetorical analysis and Jane Gallop’s method of close reading I evaluated a number of different Disney princess movies. I used Selzer’s method of rhetorical analysis to evaluate how Disney creates its ethos, pathos, and logos to gain the trust of audience members and prove them credible. I then used Gallop’s theory of close reading to evaluate text’s minor elements. I questioned Disney’s trustworthiness and the elements within their text to both help myself think more about the intentions of the Disney movies and help my audience members (teachers, parents, future teachers, and future parents) think more about what their children (or future children) are watching. I also used these theories to make my writing both credible by adding in reliable sources and providing a rational and some background about myself in my writing.
To enhance my piece I did a lot of research for this paper. I took pieces that I had read previously for class this semester as well as things that my professor provided me when we meet individually. I then searched on the Rowan library database for journals articles and books that relate to my topic of Disney movies, education and children. I found a lot of good scholarly articles and papers written that were both good sources and got me even more interested in my topic. Two pieces that really inspired me were, “On Education” by Arthur Schopenhaver and “Children’s Culture and Disney’s Animated Films” by Henry Giroux. Using these two pieces as my inspiration I was able to find many other sources that helped support my analysis of Disney movies.
The readings I found varied from easy to challenging reads. I found that they were all helpful in some way and that although I had to reread some pieces to gain a better understanding of what it was the writer was talking about I enjoyed figuring out exactly what the writer was talking about.
Through my investigations and reading I discovered a tremendous amount about Disney movies that I was unaware of. I hadn’t read so closely into Disney’s movies and now I have more interest to watch more of the movies over again to see what messages and lessons I can pick out of them. I found some very interesting ideas about how gender roles are portrayed in the Disney movies and how the actions of the characters influence the actions of children who watch the movies. I also thought that it was fascinating how Disney mirrors some of the American values in their movies. Reading about that helped me see how Disney establishes its ethos. I also enjoyed critically thinking about how these movies both teach children lessons and shape children into who they are. I honestly hadn’t thought this deeply about the effects that the Disney Corporation has on children and how much they are involved in the lives of Americans. I used these ideas in my writing by summarizing ideas from others research, and using quotes from their works.
I feel that I demonstrated self-critical awareness in my writing when working on this analysis piece. I spent a lot of time both writing my own thoughts as well as incorporating ideas from my resources to support my ideas and arguments. I also wanted to spark the thoughts of my audience members so I asked them to stop and think about their own experiences with Disney movies. I added in questions to transition from one idea to another and to get my readers reflecting on the ideas so that they could make text to self-connections and real world connections while reading.
While writing this piece I tried to put myself in my audience’s seat. I reread parts over and over in order to make sure my idea could be read and interpreted the way that I intended them to be. I tried to evaluate my own piece and make sure that I incorporated a hook in the beginning of my writing to gain the interest of readers. I also tried to clarify who my intended audience members were as well as connect myself to my audience members by talking about how I am studying to become a teacher and plan to one day be a parent. I also shared personal experiences I had as a child watching Disney princess movies.
When deciding how to present my research findings I decided that it would be most appropriate to present my writing on a Weebly webpage. I first used this technology last semester in my Writing, Research and Technology class and found it to be both easy to navigate and a great way to present my work. I liked using this site to display my work because I could incorporate images to go along with what I was writing as well as add in a YouTube video. I also broke my paper down into different sections; this organization helps readers view the different topics within my piece more easily. I think that by putting my paper on a website like this with pictures makes it more accessible for readers and makes it more interesting to read because it has images instead of just pages of writing like a traditional paper.
When writing this piece I tried to remember the power of word and choice my words carefully because the words I use will like Disney’s writing, influence my reader’s beliefs and understanding. I want my readers to not look at Disney as a bad Corporation when they read this analysis piece but to look at both the lessons that we first think of when watching Disney movies as well as be aware of the other lessons that these movies teach children. I want my audience members think about what is best for their children and be aware of how influential children are and how powerful movies can be.
I recognize that my weakness in writing is my mechanics. It’s something I am aware of and something that I try hard to work on. I feel confident in that I did find a lot of great sources for this piece and was able to take advantage of many of them by incorporating them into my writing. If I were to further this paper I would continue to revise it and try to make my explanations more powerful and clear for readers to understand. If I had more time I would have liked to find video clips from the different movies to depict more specific examples of how Disney teaches lessons to children in their movies. Over all I am happy with what I have to submit. I feel that I put a lot of time as well as effort into this assignment. I learned a lot from my research and writing and enjoyed learning from my research.