Research Proposal Outline

Introduction:

  “Here was the coexistence of people with mountains and back country, mountains and back country which could be transformed into subdivisions and cities any time we choose. Yet they are not, because somewhere in our wisdom Americans have determined that our survival depends to a vast extent on survival of nature and the outdoors” (Frome 14).
    Illustrated by quote above, the conservation of national parks and forests play an important role in American history. From the artistic influence of Ansel Adams, to President Teddy Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps, and other naturalist like John Muir, these protected lands have been “[administered] by the oldest conservation agency in the Federal Government” (Frome 15).   
    Lesser known than the monuments of these iconic locations, such as Yosemite's Half Dome, are the trodden trails throughout these protected lands. Our national parks and forests depend on a complex system of handmade trails to safely lead journeyers to their many natural attractions. In turn, those trails depend on the labor of foresters, rangers, and volunteer workers to keep them serviceable for trek after trek.
    Trail systems within protected parks, forests, and other landscapes, are specifically designed with both the host habitat’s best interests in mind, and that of the visual pleasure of the hiker’s experience. Informal trails hinder this effort by “[penetrating] into protected landscapes and habitats, threatening ecological integrity, aesthetics, and visitor experiences” (Leung 93).
   The purpose of this essay is to “promote the conservation and responsible use of [our] mountains, rivers and forests” (Demrow vii) through the effort of volunteer trail maintenance.

Body:
      1. Brief history of conservation
          -To be determined
          
      2. Major trails associated with protected lands
          Source B & E

      3. The use and value of trails
          Source B, C & E

     4. Aesthetics and Flow = Formal Trails
         Source A, B & C

     5. Problematic informal trails
         Source A, C & D

     6. Trail maintenance and volunteering = Trail Work Parties
         Source A, D & E

Conclusion:

1. Restate thesis
2. Compelling main points (summary)
3. Paint a picture- Imagine if nobody cared for our trails, so then people stopped hiking them, then nobody bothered to go to the national parks, forests, or other protected lands because they wouldn't be able to get to their monuments/attractions. Then the government might cut back even more on conservation budgets, foresters and rangers might quit due to pay/hour decrease. If/when intense natural disasters within these lands happen, such as wildfires, they would be without the resources to control them. Lacking (trails) a way to lead, (protected lands) things get forgotten and taken advantage of. ----needs better wording.

Synthesis Matrix

Conclusion Statement

THESIS:
     Folk music, in every trueness of its origin, “is an expression of life in the communities in which music was developed” (Cultural Geography 2013). To discredit it as an invalid dissertation is to shun an entire culture.

OLD CONCLUSION:
     Values, norms, institutions, artifacts, the makings of a culture, all uniquely express the validation of folk music as a mode of discourse (Cultural Geography 2013).


  NEW CONCLUSION:
     Imagine an evolution of music from non-humble roots...the loss of culture and true grit.  

 

3 Column Notes...3 of them!

LINK TO GOOGLE DOC TABLE

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TRMKSLdAf4lA8ANenWcwZHjyHXZTy-wY_Y4meX6PeSY/edit?usp=sharing

Annoying Ways People Use Sources

In Kyle Stedman's essay, "Annoying Ways People Use Sources," he brings to attention six major quotation annoyances and conventions for avoiding the use of them yourself. Through metaphorical illustrations, Stedman walks his reader through parenthetical and cite page sources.

1.) Armadillo Roadkill: dropping in a quotation without introducing it first.
     Avoid this by using the quote sandwich method.

2.) Uncle Barry and his Encyclopedia of Useless Information: using too many quotations in a row.
     Avoid this by analyzing each quote's relevance, consider paraphrasing factual quotes.

3.) Dating Spider-Man: starting or ending a paragraph with a quotation.
     Avoid this by making sure your writing flows and that your sentence before the quote relates to it.

4.) Am I in the Right Movie: Failing to integrate a quotation into the grammar of the preceding sentence.
     Avoid this by adjusting your lead in sentence to make the two fit better.

5.) I Can't Find the Stupid Link: no connection between the first letter of a parenthetical citation and the first letter of a works cited entry.
    Avoid this by making sure the first letter of your in-text citation is the same starting letter that source is cited under.

6.) I Swear I Did Some Research: dropping in a citation without making it clear what information came from what source.
    Avoid this by using specific words or citations in your preceding sentences that will clarify where this source will be cited.

Read & Teach Group Project

Test on Annoyances-Tues.
http://daniellebowlden.wix.com/grccfall2014#!hw2/c1lb

Research Proposal

Three Possible Topics:

1. Trail Preservation- Call for people to care about, fix, or fund my cause.
2. Bullying- Call for more research
3. Causes.com- Call for people to care, fix, or fund the site. 

Body In Trouble

Reading Summary

     Nancy Mairs' essay, "Body In Trouble," is intended for feminist readers who, like herself, have a disease, disability, or who have a personal experience with similar difficulties. She sympathizes with her audience by stating how people with mental disorders where believed to be possessed by demons in biblical times. Mairs' use of figurative language and description holds the attention of readers both in and outside of her target audience. She illustrates her tribulations with a broken in credibility that helps readers make an emotional connection to her writing. As a disabled feminist, Nacy Mairs' essay has many identifying characteristics supporting her values and firm beliefs. Her use of language is applied in a way that conveys her inner strength as opposed to her weak physicality. For example, there is a metaphorical comparison in Mairs' essay of her inability to use sharp objects, however, she states with pride the control of her sharp tongue. She questions her readers of the usefulness of a "cripple" such as herself, then goes on to commend some her accomplishments-in spite of her disability.
     There is a binding influence made clear in Mairs' essay; The lack of power women give themselves (or in some cases are permitted) and the lack of independence (or control) that accompanies the disabled. These are the main elements used to explain how society negatively views her audience and herself through a very emotional appeal. These too are the elements she uses to ask for respect- Not the respect already given from her intended audience, but the respect deserved from the non-feminists, the physically, mentally healthy, and the most of all, the non-disabled readers.