Generally, I learned how to write a proposal. I didn't expect there would be so many complicated items to consider before, such as the audience analysis, rhetorical situation, ethos, pathos and logos. From this class, I learned not only how to do, but also why to do.
Though we have a lot of work to do for this class, I barely noticed that. I think that's primarily because we are actually working on the final project throughout the semester, brainstorming on the topic selection, collecting literature and revising the draft as the textbook day by day. And at the end of the class, we are able to present the final version. It may need further revisions, but it has been much more than what I can do in a month by myself.
And for the first time, I made a video presentation for my proposal. I was a little worried in the beginning, but once I got started things went pretty well. And I was able to reconsider my proposal narrative when making the video. I tried to imagine what the viewers need to know first in order to understand the latter part. And I also tried to use shorter sentence and active voice in the video, which inspired me a lot when revising the text proposal.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Chapter 12 Final Touches
The final touches to the proposal are more than grammar check or add a cover page. It's the final chance to reinforce your ethos, through inventing front matter (Letter of transmittal, cover page, executive summary, table of contents), Back Matter (Personnel's resumes, glossary of terms and symbols, bibliography, formulas and Calculations, related reports, prior proposal, FYI information), and reconsidering the rhetorical situation, the problem or opportunity, the rhetorical elements.
Sometimes we may be worn out after writing the draft, but it's important to keep working on the draft at that point, because revisions make perfect. Probably, go to bed early at night, get up with an energetic mind in the next morning, bring up the proposal draft after a nice breakfast, and think everything you've thought when you first wrote it:
"What's (are) your point(s) now? Does the proposal make you point(s)?"
"Who is your reader now? Will they be satisfied with the current work?"
"How is the current physical and political situation? Does the current version fit into that situation?"
After all the work, your points may have a little change based on your research. You may have found a better approach to address the issue. Thus, the purpose statement will need to be revised to some extent. On the other hand, after working on that proposal for 1-2 months or even longer, the physical or political situation may have changed, which need to be taken into your consideration during the revision process.
Besides, it is also important to rethink about some rhetorical details, such as content, organization, style and design. Details matter. The point of refining is to make it "feel right." Make things as good as you can, letting the readers feel yours is the right choice.
Sometimes we may be worn out after writing the draft, but it's important to keep working on the draft at that point, because revisions make perfect. Probably, go to bed early at night, get up with an energetic mind in the next morning, bring up the proposal draft after a nice breakfast, and think everything you've thought when you first wrote it:
"What's (are) your point(s) now? Does the proposal make you point(s)?"
"Who is your reader now? Will they be satisfied with the current work?"
"How is the current physical and political situation? Does the current version fit into that situation?"
After all the work, your points may have a little change based on your research. You may have found a better approach to address the issue. Thus, the purpose statement will need to be revised to some extent. On the other hand, after working on that proposal for 1-2 months or even longer, the physical or political situation may have changed, which need to be taken into your consideration during the revision process.
Besides, it is also important to rethink about some rhetorical details, such as content, organization, style and design. Details matter. The point of refining is to make it "feel right." Make things as good as you can, letting the readers feel yours is the right choice.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Chapter 11 Graphics
Again, this chapter emphasizes the importance of visual representation of proposal writing. As it says, "graphics not only enhance the story you are trying to relate in your proposal or grant, but they also tell a large part of the story itself." A good choice of graphics will help attracting, informing and convincing the readers. So we should try to convert some core content into graphics, and make sure to label and place them properly.
It mentions when photographing people, photographs taken outdoors are better than those taken in the office, because the former "tends to look dark, depressing, and dreary, and the latter "implies a personality of openness and free thinking." I think that is important for us to know especially when writing the qualification part. It work better to put the photos taken outdoors than indoors of the people you appointed to be the working on your project. However, we tend to use those photos taken in the workplace. For instance, most of the faculty's photos on website are taken their office, usually in front of their bookshelves or desks. Perhaps, they want to give the readers the impression that they are serious scholars?
The chapter also says the ethics of graphic use. Since readers are likely to believe what they see, the utilization of graphics can convince them more effectively. But it is very important not to fool the readers by manipulating data to support the hypotheses. Perhaps most of the readers won't bother to check the data, but once if they find out, there is no chance to make up the author's ethos for a long time.
It mentions when photographing people, photographs taken outdoors are better than those taken in the office, because the former "tends to look dark, depressing, and dreary, and the latter "implies a personality of openness and free thinking." I think that is important for us to know especially when writing the qualification part. It work better to put the photos taken outdoors than indoors of the people you appointed to be the working on your project. However, we tend to use those photos taken in the workplace. For instance, most of the faculty's photos on website are taken their office, usually in front of their bookshelves or desks. Perhaps, they want to give the readers the impression that they are serious scholars?
The chapter also says the ethics of graphic use. Since readers are likely to believe what they see, the utilization of graphics can convince them more effectively. But it is very important not to fool the readers by manipulating data to support the hypotheses. Perhaps most of the readers won't bother to check the data, but once if they find out, there is no chance to make up the author's ethos for a long time.
Friday, June 13, 2008
US Coke Ads
US Coke Ads:
http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/presscenter/av_advertising.html
http://www.coca-cola.com/template1/index.jsp?locale=en_US&site=../downloads/downloads.html
http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/presscenter/av_advertising.html
http://www.coca-cola.com/template1/index.jsp?locale=en_US&site=../downloads/downloads.html
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Chinese v.s. US commercials
Coca-Cola:
US (Christmas)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7DdtuiYZlk&feature=related
Chinese (Spring Festival) (Bring me home):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73PiJKNI6fM
McDonald:US:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eN9KP6lOZs
Chinese:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEVBb_icz_Q
OLAY (Body Wash):US:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bajBQXNMeY
Chinese:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ICLCg7lx5Ds
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Chapter 10 Design
Finally, it talks about the page design of proposal. That is another way to establish your echos, since "a proposal's design signals the attitude, the competence, and the quality of people submitting the proposal or grant" (182).
Well, my problem was that I'm used to being concentrated on the design as I first started writing. I paid so much attention to the font, alignment and heading levels that I can barely keep on working on the content. However, as it says in the chapter, design goes after the content, because "even the best design will never hide a weak understanding of the current situation or a flawed plan" (182). So an additional principle for me is not to worry about the design until the content is almost done.
In the chapter, it states four principles of design, that is, balance (by using grids, pullouts, margin comments and sidebars), alignment, grouping (by using headings of different levels and borders) and consistency (by unifying headers, footers, typefaces, labeling of graphics, sequential and nosequential lists). By following those principles, you will be able to write a seemingly professional proposal. Addtionally, we have to follow the formatting requirement, if there is any.
Lastly, practice makes perfect. As the author says, "good design is not something to be learned in a day" (183). On the other hand, it is very possible to read as much good design samples as possible, in order to gain others' experience.
Well, my problem was that I'm used to being concentrated on the design as I first started writing. I paid so much attention to the font, alignment and heading levels that I can barely keep on working on the content. However, as it says in the chapter, design goes after the content, because "even the best design will never hide a weak understanding of the current situation or a flawed plan" (182). So an additional principle for me is not to worry about the design until the content is almost done.
In the chapter, it states four principles of design, that is, balance (by using grids, pullouts, margin comments and sidebars), alignment, grouping (by using headings of different levels and borders) and consistency (by unifying headers, footers, typefaces, labeling of graphics, sequential and nosequential lists). By following those principles, you will be able to write a seemingly professional proposal. Addtionally, we have to follow the formatting requirement, if there is any.
Lastly, practice makes perfect. As the author says, "good design is not something to be learned in a day" (183). On the other hand, it is very possible to read as much good design samples as possible, in order to gain others' experience.
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