my poster

The poster presentation went well on friday. At first when i started the poster i wasnt quite sure what information to include in order to present it to the class. The first thing that came to mind was obviously to include a copy of my actual brochure. That was the actual initiating action piece of my poster. I thought the rest of my information should be presenting to the class who specifically the brochure was targeted towards, and how i did that. So i included sections on aspects of the brochure and what they did, and who the brochure was for. I also wanted to include a section about how this brochure would be utilized. As far as the format of the poster, i used the ncsu website mentioned on the weekly plan. It made points that posters should be legible from at least four feet away, should guide the viewer in a clear and logical way, and should also keep the viewer focused and not too jumbled. This is why i chose to use a black background, so that everything else would contrast and jump off the poster. I also gave clear headings for each of my four sections, and kept the text clear and concise. The headings made it easy to follow and informative at the same time. The actual brochure was there to actually present the product, and the pictures were used to spice it up a little. Now that the final project is done, it is time to relax over thanksgiving break.....and work on the portfolio

Brochure feedback

the feedback from friday was very useful in adjusting my brochure. From what i got back, it seemed like the brochure had the right information in it and was very attention grabbing. It also seemed like it looked professional and like it could really be put to use. The only issue was the background section which i wrote in paragraph form. it seemed to lose peoples attention and was too lengthy. I plan on breaking it up into smaller sections, perhaps either bullets or smaller paragraphs....but besides that, i was happy with the feedback i got.

My Genre

I decided that my writing falls under the genre of Humanitarian writing. I am using humanitarian support for trying to gain support for EWB. The conventions for my genre include writing about a relevant humanitarian topic. Such topics, according to rotary.org, are things such as literacy, hunger, clean water, health issues, natural disasters, peace, human rights, and refugees. Another website also stated that a good humanitarian writing is not overly emotional but honest while still pulling at emotions. It should take people to unfamiliar places and introduce them to unfamiliar cultures and their struggles. Typically what i found is that this writing is done by journalists, columnists, or people making documentaries, but really anyone who wants to write about it can.

Sources:
rotary.org
onewritething.com
idealist.org

project tweak

so ive been trying to work on my rough draft brochure...and im thinking i need to tweak my project a little bit. rather than making a brochure for all type of engineering service, im going to focus specifically on why people need to join EWB, and inculde information on whey there is a need for global engineering help, as well as information on current projects that people can get involved with. I also will include a section such as "reasons to join" or "why join?" with reasons encouraging people to join. there just werent enough groups specific enough that engineers could become involved with, so im going to focus on the one i know well and i know does what should be done.

any ideas???

For my project i am going to create a brochure that would be available to engineering students that lists all the ways to get involved with engineering service and the value of service learning. I feel like i need some form of formal writing too in order to 1. meet the page requirement and 2. present the idea to the engineering department. soooo if anyone has some ideas let me know. As of right now im thinking just a letter/proposal type writing.

Initiating action project

Goal: encourage engineering students to include service as a part of their education. I want to initiate action in the engineering program at virginia tech and encourage service learning.

Audience: Engineering student body.

Format: Currently im planning on creating a brochure that can be passed out to engineering students listing the service opportunities for engineers and descriptions of these programs. The opening page will contain a brief spiel about how engineering education can benefit from service etc., followed by pages listing the various ways to get involved.

I know that my community is not the engineering department but is EWB, but i feel that while researching EWB i saw the benefit of service learning as an engineer and hope to spread what EWB has done to other groups and to more students. I want to initiate action based on what EWB has already done

revising

So this monday, i decided i had some free time while doing laundry.....so i took that time to revise my first essay, the research report. I read over it two times through, gaining a new perspective on it each time. The research plan seemed clear, but it seemed that there was something missing...I never actually said WHAT i would do with my research, so i added a whole section, and included more research into how i would present my findings. Besides that, another major addition was the use of the word "I". My paper lacked that in certain areas which made it read a little awkward, so i tweaked that to sound smoother. Besides this, i scanned and reworked any areas that perhaps needed more clarification, or maybe just needed to be reworded because they were confusing. These were the major revisions i did on monday, along with grammatical errors.

Essay Feedback

My essay feedback was very helpful. It hit right on the issue that I thought was missing, I just couldnt quite put my finger on what it was. In the feedback it says that this is a great first round essay in that it is very clear and gets my purpose across, and is very informative about the group. What I thought i needed was something more to really kick it into higher gear. Right now it feels kind of on the surface. It seems unclear to the reader that there is a deeper theme that communities should exist to serve, so i need to work on making the essay something more. I need to go more into a deeper theme, such as what makes this group of kids different, and how they really make a difference. Or how the college students enthusiasm and creativeness plays into the greater good of the group. Besides reworking it to include a deeper significance, i think I have a solid essay in persuasiveness and influence on the reader. The feedback is valuable and will help when reworking my essay

Peer feedback

The response to my essay was very pleasing. It seems (from the response) that I got my purpose across effectively. I was trying to spark an interest in prospective members of my community, Engineers Without Borders. In Rae's response to my paper she said "you did a great job representing the group to prospective members" and "it made me want to go to a meeting to check it out and see what it was all about." I think that this is great because I achieved the effect I desired in the reader. While i got from the response that i got my purpose and audience across , there are areas for imporvement. Rae gave some good suggestions on where to enhance the writing. I could include the idea of "ut prosim" in the paper to tie in how connected EWB is with Virginia Tech. Also I could expand on the idea that EWB helps its own members in alot of different ways. Overall i am very happy with this

Essay Criteria

My groups essay type was an informative essay with the purpose of persuading. We came up with a pretty good list for and essay of this type.

• Write about a relevant topic
• Keep the reader's attention
  
• State facts and citations to support his ideas/argument
• Express trustworthiness, sincerity, and reliability to the reader
  
• Write an essay that possesses clarity in persuasiveness and informativeness
  
• Write a story that the audience would be able to relate to
  
• Includes readers on the process of discovery that led him to write on the topic
• Always be thorough
• Efficiently do something with the text

According to the authors, an essay is far to broad to set specific standards on or be defined. Both authors attempt to depict what an essay is by example, or listing off types of writing that could be included under the heading essay. Such works include reviews, newspaper entries, and scientific papers. From the authors I got that the essay should get a point across to the reader....that it should have something to prove or show. The essay needs to take the reader along and reveal something to them, whether objectively or through a shared personal experience. I think that a good essay can't be based on set standards. Rather, the type of essay should be considered when determining whether or not it is good. A good objective essay is informative, includes specifics, is concise and does not include too much "fluff". A good personal essay is well...personal, emotional, vivid, and captivating. All essays should inform.
For my essay to be "good" I think I need to include more details to grab the readers attention. I need to spice it up and make the details and sentences really jump off the page. I think this means I am going to have to add more emotional diction to my paragraphs to achieve my purpose of "sparking an interest in prospective members".

Response to Proposal feedback

I just received my research proposal and was surprisingly pleased with it. One of the bigger things that I did not notice is that I never once used the word "I" in research that I was proposing. In some areas I can see how this would make the wording more awkward and not as smooth. The biggest section I should do that in is my research plan....it is kind of hard to say what I am going to do without the word "I". This will help it flow much more smoothly. It seems from the comments that I was able to get my main idea across well and the purpose for the research. Most of the problems tend to be in the flow of the sections. Another MAIN issue that I need to fix is the fact that I never state what exactly will be the product of my research. I will have to include a new section containing what my research will be used on.......but I am pretty pleased overall

audience and purpose

I sat in the library for a good forty minutes while waiting on my group for an engineering project to arrive. I decided to take this time to come up with my purpose and audience. As soon as I even began to think.....I hit a mental road block. Every purpose I came up with seemed too vague, too generic, or just not good. So I decided to think about and audience first and then maybe the purpose would be easier to think about if I had someone to write to. My audience is people interested in joining Engineers Without Borders. So the purpose maybe, I thought, should be informing them about the community.....but that is too broad. So more specifically I chose to highlight and show how Engineers Without Borders exists as a service based community. My purpose is to persuade people to become involved by demonstrating how EWB serves both others and its members. Hopefully I can run with this idea, but it may get tweaked along the way.

research proposal

So now that I have "finished" my paper, I have been able to look back and see what I have learned about writing a research proposal. Three key points I have learned are:

1. Identify a clear purpose which will agree with what your audience wants.

2. Include sections that will clearly define your research.

3. Be persuasive...and prove that your research is necessary.

Hopefully I have done this with my paper, but know that I probably still have work to do.

Literary Review of Global Engineering and Construction

Engineering on a global scale has expanded rapidly with the growing use of technology, and as relations between developing countries become more prominent. This globalization of engineering calls for experienced professionals, and an understanding of international practices in the field. Global Engineering and Construction introduces practices and methods for the american engineer as they find work abroad.
The central theme being highlighted in the first segment of the book is the international nature of the engineering industry. So evident is engineering in the world that "the influence they have had globally can be seen throughout recorded history." Obviously the work of engineers can be seen in the grand structures of history, but what people do not see, according to the text, is the value of engineers in developing infrastructure for a growing nation, or the position of engineers as ambassadors for their home nation. The author then delves in to the idea that engineers teach what they know to distant peoples, but gains from them considerably more. This is saying that their work is an exchange, or a give and take practice. The engineer is representing his nation and teaches others through his work and design, and in return gains valuable insight into an ever expanding world through the feedback and cooperation of the natives. Because the world needs designing and construction, the book expresses that it is the modern engineers task to tackle the issues presented by the global industry.
The second portion of the book focuses on the logistics actual details of the global engineering. Issues addressed include those of culture, business practice, and implementing designs. While working abroad, engineers will encounter problems culturally, and must learn to adapt and accept foreign ways of live while in the host country. Language barriers also inhibit the process of design and construction. The author provides an american perspective on ways to fix these issues. They do not apply universally to engineers, but rather to the american engineer. Solutions include using a translator, advanced documentation techniques, and learning the language depending on the context. Good design practices and contracting methods are further discussed . In the design process, and project management, the global engineer is a leader, organizer, and worker and must act accordingly to get the job done. In preparation, an engineer must be ready for culture, language, foreign laws, customs, weather, and various other aspects.
Overall, this source delves in great detail into the practice of global engineering. Main goals of the book are to inform potential engineers of practices in global engineering as well as providing tips and methodology to be successful. It takes an impersonal approach to the design process and does not talk much about the connections between engineer and local. I hope to use this source as a comparison to the practices and methods of my community. I want to see how EWB functions and what could be changed to better their effectiveness abroad as well as how well it prepares students for a global profession.

research

oh yea....while im on the topic of research, I thought I would mention that I did come up with a few follow up questions for my interviewee. For my research proposal, I am going to research the effect that both the students and the faculty involved in EWB have on the communities that they serve abroad....that is whether the students view it differently than the faculty or how they function in different ways to create different effects. so i thought i would ask a few more questions on how faculty is involved in the group on campus, and how the international projects run...havent really come up with them yet but ill post them when i do

researching and the library

Where to start with the library......well, I was lost the first time I walked in to the library. Thousands of books, all stacked in identical rows...it can get confusing. Starting out my research I did feel a little lost, but I must say, it has gotten alot better. After searching for sources using the addison search and actually finding the books, I have a better sense of confidence in my resource finding abillities. I've found several books so far that pertain to my topic, all in the same general section of the library(imagine that). Although I did have luck finding pertinant books, none of them are specifically on my community, they are all just related in one way or another. The databases have allowed me to actually find resources that actually are on EWB, my community. So.....so far the source stack is piling high, and its about to grow even more as I am heading to the library right now......

My interview and site visit

So my interview went extremely smoothly and will be crucial in my research material for this community. I interviewed the current president of Engineers Without Borders (EWB). She was excited to be a help in my research and provided me with valuable information. The reason I chose her to interview is because she is high in the ranks and is very informed and connected with the community on all levels. Also, she is a student, so knows what its like to be involved as an undergrad. I began with simple, factual questions such as "How long have you been involved?" and "How long have you been president?" just to get a background. Then the meat of the interview came......which was very meaty if I say so myself. I entered with a set of ideas about the community but left with an insider's view and a completely altered idea of what EWB was. The community as a whole is much tighter than I thought, but also acts internationally and allows it members to have valuable professional connections abroad and nationally. Overall from my interview I got how the community functions and what it does for its members. My site visit went equally as well. I got to see the workings of EWB and got to sit in first hand on the group interactions. I was involved in the relationships and business aspects of the group. Some words that I jotted down were:
Helpful, volunteer, attention, projects, intimate, smiles, input/change, brainstorming, side conversations, and sustainability
just to name a few. I caught up on some of the terms and "language" of the group also. Both were valuable and I hope to continue contact with my interviewee for any followup questions I may have while doing further research

Interview questions

1. How long have you been involved with EWB?

2. What about EWB drew you to the organization?

3. Do you have to be an engineer to join?

4. What do you see as EWB's role on campus? off?

5. How does everyone participate in the group? Are there various levels of participation?

6. Does EWB stay isolated or work any with any other groups?

7. What are the most recent projects?

8. Describe the typical meeting.

9. What is your role as the president?

10. Is it a more structured organization or is it more lose in how things run?

11. What do you enjoy most about EWB?

12. Is there anything else about the community as a whole you see as important?

Course goals

For me, it was simple to think of my course goals. I have always been a more technical, systematic writer, so my goals involve becoming more creative and fluid.

1. Write with more vivid details- I want my work to jump of the page and in to the readers mind. I want the details to create a perfect mental image for the reader.

2. Write more fluid connected sentences- I don't necessarily mean write longer or shorter sentences, I just want them to flow through the paragraph and connect well, because mine tend to be kind of choppy.

3. Accurately depict my community from the communities perspective.

4. Use more active voice rather than passive.

The Skillet King

I didn't catch his name as I approached the tailgate, but his face stood out. He was an older man, around fifty, with combed over salt and pepper hair, and thick dark mustache, and thick features making him appear very jolly. The game was still hours away, but that did not stop this group of Hokies from showing their spirit and enjoying each others company. Buffet lines were set up, with treats from cookies to fruit salad. Two older men were playing washers, laughing with each other while still secretly hoping to beat the other; it was friendly competition. A group of three middle aged wives were gossiping about the latest news around town while sitting in green fold out chairs. Overall, about fifteen or so Hokie fans were striking up conversations and enjoying the game day atmosphere. This older jolly man stood out from the rest. As the rest of the group was enjoying the day, he stood diligently in his denim cooking apron, and manned the skillet. He toiled over his work, cooking up eggs, bacon, and country ham. This food was the grand finale of the buffet line. Country ham and eggs with Hardees buscuits capped off the assortment of food. The "Skillet King", as I call him, stood cooking so proudly that is showed in every wrinkle of his smiling face. Not concerned with the other tailgaters, he focused on his contribution to the tailgating community. Seeing his pride, I was almost drawn to go speak with him to see what he had to say. So I approached him and he said, "Grab a biscuit and get you some country ham!"

Friday Groupwork

Friday in class we continued discussion on truth, and how we know things to be true. We all agreed in my group that knowing something is true requires strong evidence, and often times requires a faith. Truth can be based on evidence or faith. There are truths that come from physical, factual evidence, then there is truth that comes from belief and faith. The former is more of a physically bound truth and the latter is based on mind and emotion. We also decided one of the biggest points with truth is that it is relativistic. Every human being has their own truths, based on surroundings, beliefs, and individual experience. When discussing truth, the topic of opinions comes in to play. My groups opinion on opinions varied somewhat. This is where our views varied slightly. Some believed that all opinions are true, while I believe that all opinions are valid, but not all of them are true. Everyone is entitled to their opinion....but that doesn't mean that it is right. Another large point we discussed was the division between fact and truth. Facts are always true, but truths are sometimes debatable. Truth can be debatable when others disagree with it based on their vision of what is true. Sometimes even, a truth to someone can be proven to be false.

At the end of the discussion we came up with this list of how we know things to be true:
It can be supported by factual evidence
We experience it to be true
Evidence for the truth is relevant and pertinent
Truths are universally accepted

So recently we have been searching for a community that not only has to fit the criteria for the research, but also one that we find interesting. When I learned of the criteria for the community: researchable, googleable, visitable, national etc. I thought it would be hard to find one. So I began listing off things I enjoy. Engineering, sustainability, the outdoors, traveling, and friendships. Choosing a community that pertained to one of these activities would have been easy enough with some searching, but then something strange happened. It's almost like my community found me. I received an email about Engineering Without Borders. It's engineering, sustainability, travel, service, and friendships all in one community. It was perfect for me.....so I found my community for the semester: Engineers Without Borders.

Welcome to my blog....Its been a great first week so far, minus the embarrassing loss to East Carolina, and yes I drove all the way to Charlotte to see us lose. I am from North Carolina, born and raised in Raleigh. I like the outdoors, and doing crazy cliff jumping. Engineering is my major.......and thats my intro. Peace out