Cut and paste

1. Before completing this exercise I was very much a skeptic of cutting up and taping back together my essay. in fact I thought it would be a total waste of time and paper and that there was no way it would be beneficial. However after completing the exercise and seeing its benefits first hand I am no longer a skeptic. However I do feel like it is a little kindergarten style and requires a lot of time but if you are willing to put the time in and reconnect with your youth it can be extremely helpful.

2. I was very nervous and worried to disassemble my essay. What if I found the essay to be completely unorganized? what if I lost all order and simply had a pile of cut up paper in front of me? as I was cutting apart my paper I was fearful it would do more harm than good. I was however pleasantly surprised but only afterwards.

3. The outcome to my essay was a complete makeover. I found many things including a new order to my thesis and my body paragraphs. My essay did not survive intact but I believe it was for the better. I had more paragraphs in my "Keep" pile, in fact my discard pile was almost empty, instead I found a new way to organize almost all of them. For my essay I found order and flow to require the most changes.

4. Overall I learned the helpfulness of picking an in depth research paper apart and examining it piece by piece instead of simply looking at the entire work. I also learned not to fear reconnecting with my kindergarten side, he's still down there somewhere just waiting to come out.

Wrestling with the Draft

Now that we have fought through those long nights of writers block and procrastination to pump out a rough draft the hard part is over! Its time to get down to the "nitty gritty" and edit our paper. When it comes to research papers it can be easy to fall prey to the trap of others ideas, facts, quotes, and sources to shroud our own ideas, analysis,, interpretations and definitions. A good writer with good ideas knows how to balance both, an understanding and an exploratory voice. That's why for this exercise we are going to start by choosing a random page of our draft. you will also need to highlighters or in this case two text colors. First, step is to choose a color and mark the parts where you are a less active author. That is the sentences that report facts, quotes, and sources. Secondly, Highlight in a different color the sentences the represent your ideas, analysis, commentaries, definitions, and claims. Here's my paragraph. Red for their ideas and blue for mine.


Skateboarding has developed over the past sixty years as a prominent sport and form of leisure across the country. Big cities and small tows alike have become flooded with young and old skateboarders alike. Since its inception in the 80s and 90s as an anti-establishment subculture however many places such as big cities have looked down on skateboarding as a destructive and socially unhealthy culture. How has society's view of skateboarders and laws regarding them changed from acceptance into the professional sporting world to laws that have suppressed and even in some places abolished skateboarding? Is there a way to discover skating community roots once again?

It all started in the early 1960s, a decade or so after the unknown spontaneous invention in California known as a skateboard. As the 60s were ushered in skateboarding had hit its peak of popularity with the formation of companies like Jacks, Hobie, and Makaha. These companies started holding competitions consisting of Downhill Slalom and Freestyle and through these competitions professionals arose like Woody Woodward and Danny Berer to pave the way for the future of skateboarding. For several years growth seemed exponential and then mysteriously in 1965 skateboarding seemed to fade away. It was said to have just been a fad that came and that went. No one is quite sure why the “fad” died out. Some blame it on the countless injuries due to dangerously unstable clay wheels and without the evolution of safer wheels and boards skating stayed in the dark. Then miraculously in 1972 a man by the name of Frank Nasworthy developed the urethane wheel in and skateboarding made its comeback. Competitions became more frequent and a skate group known as Zephyr (Z-boys) showed the public that skateboarding could be something exciting and and no longer just a hobby. Then in 1978 Alan Glefland nicknamed “Ollie” invented a maneuver that would revolutionize skateboarding forever. He would slam his back foot down at the tail of the board causing it to leave the ground and soar through the air and thus the Ollie was born. By the 80s and 90s skateboarding had developed into an anti-establishment subculture. Due to high insurance rates on skate parks kids began building there own ramps in their backyards. Not surprisingly this led to many problems with construction companies and with a new mentality of “the whole world is my skate park”. Skaters took to the busy streets and never looked back. As this modern evolution took place boards began evolving also changing styles and types to overcome obstacles previously thought impossible. Even the invention of the VHS played a pivotal role in skateboarding going world wide. A skate group known as the “Bones Brigade” began taping tricks and routines and they even created there own show. One infamous member of this original team, Tony Hawk. Now we find ourselves in the 2000s, where street boarding is much more popular than vert boarding, skate parks pop up everywhere, The X games, a popular extreme sports competition included skateboarding on their roster, and clothing and skate companies are making millions off of the skateboarding culture. Aside from all this however, it still seems many big cities and business have outlawed skateboarding in their area. Street skaters still are seen as destructive gangs taking over the streets. Are these laws suppressing a perfectly respectable art form or keeping in line a dangerous subculture.

Which color dominates? is your voice being overrun by facts and other sources? or are you ignoring them and rattling on about what you think? As you go through your editing process try to balance both facts and your voice.

Three ways in

 For this exercise we will be composing three different leads or beginning's for our research paper. This may seem redundant and quite a lot of work but the more you can pour out on paper the better chance you have of writing an amazing paper. Beginnings are the most important part of your paper.

1.  Skateboarding was invented in California in the late 1950s, by 1963 skateboarding hit its peak. popularity grew into real competitions such as downhill and freestyles and "professionals" of the sport like Woody Woodward and Danny Berer. Over the years, skateboards found their growth and evolution too with the develop of urethane wheels and smoother board styles. By the 80s and 90s skateboarding became its own subculture and along came the anti-establishment ideology that quickly mixed into the culture. People became obsessed with furthering the sport and culture and The X games were aired on ESPN, a well known sports television channel in 1995. This brought skateboarders more mainstream than ever and street boarding became the most popular style. Now in the 2000s we have mass media, video games, skate shops, and organizations. The history of skateboarding is a truly amazing story of evolution and the rise of a community based sport.

2.  Skateboarding has developed over the past sixty years as a prominent sport and form of leisure across the country. Big cities and small tows alike have become flooded with young and old skateboarders alike. Since its inception in the 80s and 90s as an anti-establishment subculture however many places such as big cities have looked down on skateboarding as a destructive and socially unhealthy culture. How has society's view of skateboarders changed from acceptance into the professional sporting world to laws that have suppressed and even in some places abolished skateboarding?

3. Skateboarders come in all ages and from all backgrounds. the community and joy of the sport has been essential in developing and growing the sport all across the country. Over the past sixty years skateboarders have seen the sport they love grow from a small time street side leisure to a prominent professional sport known to most people as respectable. However, as street skateboarders have multiplied and flourished in large cities society's views on skateboarders have changed. now many laws have been passed to stop skateboarders from skating in many places and many have bad reputations of gangs and destruction. How can we change this as a society and can skateboarding find its community roots once again?

Sharpening the point

So close to the end I can almost taste it! How's that rough draft coming along? If your anything like me you make procrastinating into an art form. Even better than procrastination is my persistence to let my mind wander as I write. After all with so many ideas and thoughts racing through your head its quite easy to get them all mixed up and lose the point. That is what sparked tonight's post. If your having that problem lets try bringing those thoughts into control. Lets sharpen the point.

The following thesis templates, although crude should get you thinking " here is my current understanding of my topic". Keep these in mind as you continue writing.

Thesis from a question value:
Based on recent studies in population density and of critical opinions in rural areas the evidence strongly suggests that people have become more accepting and caring of skateboarders.

Thesis from a question of policy:
In the debate over skateboarding in heavily trafficked public areas I am persuaded that the most important thing to do is be fair and balanced while still enforcing laws against intentional destructive behavior.

Thesis from a question on interpretation:
The pattern in areas who accept skateboarders and those who do not that is most significant is The larger cities are more accepting but contain more laws than the smaller hometown style areas in which sometimes skateboarding is unheard of.

Thesis from a hypothesis question:
Based on my research, the assumption that skateboarding is becoming more widely accepted and socially normal appears to be true.

Thesis from a relationship Question:
There is a strong relationship between common ethnicity of an area  and the amount of skateboarders in that area.

Dialogue with Dylan

Good Afternoon my faithful friends, amazing isn't it? We have already arrived at the drafting stage of our research paper! Time faithfully flies when your having fun. So, in the spirit of all that is exercises lets talk about dialogue. Imagine if you will your completed paper and imagine a smart and pretty nice guy reading your paper, call him Dylan. He may be smart but just like any reader who first picks up any piece of work he wants to know "why should I even care about the topic you are writing about?" Start your rough draft with a hook, something that draws the reader in and persuades them that in fact the subject you are writing about is crucial to them. Once you have snagged Dylan's' attention he will surely have some questions about the topic. This is where a good writer must be a good conversationalist. After all his questions are directed by yours and like any normal conversation it never seems quite right when forced. Just let it develop as you write.

For this exercise create a script of sorts. Just a back and forth conversation in which you dialogue with your reader and explain just why this topic is important.

Dylan: So honestly, why should I even care about this?

You: As we boil this down to the core it becomes a question of freedoms and rights. Looking through the eyeglass of skateboarders and how they are viewed and treated today can be just one way we see society changing from community into one for all and the view of skateboarders being common "street thugs". This paper is more than skateboarders, it becomes a challenge on society's norms and perspectives.

Dylan: But why do we need to challenge society's norms? shouldn't we just accept and move on?

You: I suppose we could just simply move on without a trace of challenging but let me ask you this. What if society moves past cars and saw their damaging affects just as they assume skateboarders damaging affects. If the stigma against your vehicle became negative and you were forced to walk everywhere who you just accept it and move on? Challenging social norms is how progress and change for a better community and a better world take place.

Dylan: Can you give me an example of how challenging something has been good for the world?

You: On August 28th 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. gave his infamous "I Have a Dream" speech. For the longest time black slavery and refusal of rights became a society norm and everyone accepted it. In fact it was illegal to speak against it. Until one man challenged this norm and fought back and surely for a good cause. Without him challenging what everyone thought to be right a majority of Americans would still be without their rights.  perfect example of challenging society for a good cause and in the future helping the world to progress.

Annotated Bibliography

Works Cited

"An Interview with Christian Hosoi, Professional Skateboarder/Pastor." Interview by Joel Rice. The San Francisco Chronicle n.d.: n. pag. Web. 4 Apr. 2014. <http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/column-3-an-interview-with-christian-hosoi-professional-skateboarderpastor>.

Johns, Helen Woolley Ralph. "Skateboarding: The City as a Playground." Journal of Urban Design 6.2 (2001): 211-30. Print.

Lombard, Kara-Jane. "Skate and Create/skate and Destroy: The Commercial and Governmental Incorporation of Skateboarding." Continuum 24.4 (2010): 475-88. Print.

Moye, Johnny J., and John M. Ritz. "Boards on the Move: Surfboards, Skateboards, Snowboards, and Kiteboards." The Technology Teacher. Resources in Technology, Nov. 2009. Web. 4 Apr. 2014. <http%3A%2F%2Feds.a.ebscohost.com%2Feds%2Fpdfviewer%2Fpdfviewer%3Fvid%3D3%26sid%3D64abdf5a-4404-471d-968d-c62dd2bf20ab%2540sessionmgr4005%26hid%3D4103>.

Shannon, Charlenne S., and Tara L. Werner. "The Opening of a Municipal Skate Park: Exploring the Influence on Youth Skateboarders’ Experiences." Journal of Park and Recreation Administration 16.3 (2008): n. pag. Web. 4 Apr. 2014.

This article is a credible source for my research paper because it shows a Christians perspective of skateboarding and why it should or should not be restricted. The authors credentials include dozens of other interviews and separate articles ranging on topics. Date wise this publication is important to include because it shows a fairly recent opinion by a recent professional of the start. The authors main goal in this article is to inform about the underground culture of skating. The publishing source for this article generally targets an audience that fits the following description: anyone interested in insider knowledge and experiences of a topic. This audience would be interested in this topic because they may be Christians seeking to understand the skating world and would generally agree with this authors perspective on the topic. The author incorporates the following types of evidence: his personal story. This evidence builds credibility because he has directly experiences what he is saying and it has been widely reported in the sport but its also limited because he is biased by his experiences. Based on my opinion, experiences, and research, I disagree with this author because I have never seen this kind of underground culture. I think this article is important to include in my essay because I believe its important to see an opposite point of view.

This article is a credible source for my research paper because it shows an all encompassing view of skateboarding and its view in cities. he authors credentials include many references and previously written volumes. Date wise this publication is important to include because it shows recent facts and absolute truths. The authors main goal in this article is to inform about the facts and culture norms of skateboarding. The publishing source for this article generally targets an audience that fits the following description: anyone interested in insider knowledge and experiences of a topic. This audience would be interested in this topic because it shows clear facts. The author incorporates the following types of evidence: court cases, laws and stories. This evidence builds credibility because it is proven facts and stories but its also limited because it doesn’t provided opinions. Based on my opinion, experiences, and research, I agree with this author because she simply states the facts. I think this article is important to include in my essay because I believe its important to see the facts.

This article is a credible source for my research paper because it shows government and authoritative views on skateboarding. The authors credentials include technology degree and countless other journals. Date wise this publication is important to include because it is very recent and will give the most recent facts and information. The authors main goal in this article is to inform the government and how it is reacting to skateboarders. The publishing source for this article generally targets an audience that fits the following description: anyone interested in media and higher law and resistance to the skateboarding movement. This audience would be interested in this topic because it provides very important information on a prevalent local and federal government issue and would generally agree with this authors perspective on the topic. The author incorporates the following types of evidence: laws and facts. This evidence builds credibility because it is clear and concise but its also limited because it doesn’t provide opinions. Based on my opinion, experiences, and research, I agree with this author because there is nothing to disagree with. I think this article is important to include in my essay because straight facts and laws are the basis of the topic

Academic research (its not that bad)

Hello again everyone I hope your finding your topic even more fruitful than you originally thought. By now you may have already done some research and Kudos to you! your ahead of the game. however whether you have or haven't started your research this next exercise should expand your horizons even further. Have you found it hard to narrow down your sources? after all "torture" is such a broad topic your bound to get millions of hits. I have found it incredibly helpful to make a list of keywords on your topic, starting broad and narrowing each word down to something more specific. In fact for tonight's exercise that's exactly the first step

Step 1- develop and try new keywords and combinations to narrow down your search results.

Take my rough inquiry question regarding skateboarding for example: How has the way society views skateboarding changed and why do some places pass laws to not allow it?

Start by pulling three keywords together: Skateboarding  Laws Society- now break those down into synonyms or variations of the terms:       Extreme sports Rules Community
                                                                  Athletes/pros   Regulations Stereotypes

Step 2: Sometimes different search engines will understand terms differently and therefore return different results. Try searching several engines at the same time using different variations of your search terms. Don't forget to save your results

Step 3: Time to do a little exploring. Noodletools can be an incredible tool and advantage to an online researcher! visit www.noodletools.com, there you will find a link titled " Choose the Best Search" follow that link and you will come to a page with a list of search engines both generic and specialized. Every handful or so of search engines are grouped into certain criteria's depending on what you might be searching for. Try as many as you can and as before don't forget to save all of your results.

I hope this has helped you narrow down your topic and find some new detailed information about it. Thanks for playing along and as always...

Explore on!

Proposal what!?

Most of us might be thinking "oh no anything but the proposal" but don't fret too much its actually easier than you may assume. In fact this is probably the smallest but most important part of the writing process. the way you craft your proposal can strongly influence the entirety of your paper and even its success. Lets do another short exercise that might help you get this started. Simple but effective outlines are always the way to go.

Start with your inquiry question. Whats that you ask? In its most basic form an inquiry question is simply any additional interests or discoveries you want to make and how that will help you awnser your research question. The topic I am choosing will be the history of skateboarding and how it has affected society today.

1. How has skateboarding grown to become a professional sport but still banned in some places?

Now we must understand our primary purpose. Why have you chosen this topic? What is your claims or thesis? Argue for your topic.

2.  I have chosen this topic because I believe skateboarding has grown due to its largely community based nature.  Skateboarding has been influential in how many businesses run and even in the creation of jobs through skate shops and parks.  Society has become accustomed to seeing skateboards in the streets why is that?

Finally, to understand the topic completely we must understand any prior beliefs, assumptions or preconceptions we have about our topic. Start to develop that "working knowledge" of your topic.

3. Skateboarding Is a fun way to connect with people and pass the time
Skateboards do not harm property by any means and should be allowed anywhere

This is the basic outline of your research proposal. Now that you know exactly what you want to research and how go for it! No matter your topic the information out there is abounding.

Explore on!

Building an interest inventory

"I'm just not interested enough in anything to write a research paper about it" If I had a nickel for every time I heard that phrase I would be a very wealthy man. When you stop and think about it though finding a topic your interested in can be a task of epic proportions in facet its what turns most people away from learning something new. Whether it be writers block or just plain confusion I have developed a short exercise to get the juices flowing. All you'll need is a piece of paper, a pen, and your thinkers. ill go through the process and then you give a try. you might just learn something new. We start by putting the following words into columns . Now under each title brainstorm words or phrases that come to mind when you hear these words. Maybe its something you want to learn or something you already understand. Don't worry if the columns seem small. you can always return to them and add more. Some words or phrases may even overlap categories.

Places: Earth, Mexico, Japan, The Great Wall of China, Niagara Falls, Bahamas, Disney world, NASA space station

Trends Drinking coffee, Rap music, concerts, Goth, "planet awareness", recycling, animal protection, social media, smoking, Designer clothing, celebrity photographs

Things cars, watches, bracelets, money, hats, shoes, books, computers, School supplies, Food, skateboards, IPods
 
Technologies IPods, computers, televisions, radios, microwaves, lights, refrigerators, heaters, headphones, cell phones

People President Obama, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, George Washington, martin Luther king Jr, Charles Darwin, Stephen King, Constantine, Hayley Williams, Johnny Depp, Tim burton, Einstein

Controversies same sex marriages, Marijuana, fossil fuels,  creation vs evolution, woman's rights, steroids, Justice system, Wars, economy, political parties, racism, religious freedom, Death penalty, Gun rights,

History Declaration of independence, Holocaust, World War 1, World War 2, Cold war, Vietnam War, Iraq War, Aztecs, Formation of language, Why were the ancient wonders built?, Who fired the first shot of the Civil War?

Jobs Doctor, Lawyer, teacher, minister, pastor, librarian, nurse, TV host, garbage man, post man

Habits chewing gum, whistling, drinking coffee, laughing loudly, hair twirling, habit vs superstition

Hobbies singing, playing guitar, skateboarding, writing, dancing, reading, acting in theatre

That was step one, and don't be discouraged the hard part is over, Now we come to the second part, Peruse your list again and ask yourself this question is there anything here that raises questions? something I wouldn't mind researching? Circle that word.

That's it for step 2! and now the final part. Start developing questions  about what you chose, write as many as comes to mind. I chose Einstein and here is what I came up with.

Who was Einstein?
How and where did he live?
Did he have any family?
Why is he famous?
Are any of his ideas correct or proven true?
How did he die?
is it true that he was truthfully a genius?
How did religious views tie into his ideas
Does he have any books or written resources?

I hope this strategy has sparked something deep down inside, Remember, this list is always open. Add and take away from it as you lease. Over time it will grow and show you what you find truly fascinating. That is the start of a great research paper and a wonderful opportunity to learn something new.

Explore on!

Rethinking the Research Paper

To understand our world! that statement packs quite the load believe me I know. 7 billion people, hundreds of political opinions, thousands of religions, and a countless number of fascinating facts and 'tid' bits of knowledge. With all that In mind how in Gods green earth can we possibly understand all of it!? My brain is seizing up just thinking about it. But wait! before you join me in the endless void of intellectual burnout I may have a solution to fix all our problems. Brace yourselves, for what I am about to propose has been called crazy, purely mental even! One word...Research.

In todays world I like to call a "well oiled machine of instant information uploads" we assume if it doesn't appear on the first page of Google or that "dude" down the street who you talk to during his daily dog walking's doesn't know that it must not exist. The incredible reality of it all is in this vast world we live in there is so much to learn and ponder. One hour a day exploring a topic that peaks your interest or even simply ten minutes in the morning to peruse your local paper may just blow your mind. Who knows what you'l be asking that trustworthy dog walker tomorrow. Now that your intellectual fire is stoked what do you do with all that stored up information ready to burst? Well, The answer is simple, let it burst!

A brilliant teacher of mine in my small town high school once told me "write for the sake of words and all for those who want to hear them". This statement hit me like a load of bricks and in my amazement engraved itself into my very soul. So, I did just that, I sat down with a mind full of goodies and I thought, thought how can I pull all this together and format it perfectly. Quickly I would find the information would slip away and the desire to write it would fade into the void. Now I realize, I was doing it wrong. In school most of us were taught to think before we pick up the pens but what if we tried letting the words lead us instead of leading the words? Let the thoughts write themselves. Fast-writing, as its commonly called and weirdly enough it works! Just write for the sake of the words. So all this sounds great on print right? but fear of the mere enormity of the task probably has you quivering? Asking how formal should this be? should it sound dry? should I have opinions in my essay? the answer to all of these is fear not! and let it be you! Unless your reading this as a Harvard grad in Law you don't have to sound like a Harvard grad. Most of us, by far the majority really, are just average Joes. College majors maybe or just everyday workers with bright ideas and the drive to learn. The fact of the matter is that's okay. Be yourself and let the words flow. They will show your readers all they need to know. If your opinionated give us your opinions on the truck load of information spilling out on paper. After all that's what great conversations start with isn't it? We all can be intellectuals and aspiring scholars. All it takes is the passion for understanding the world around us and the courage to face the fiery fear of the research paper.

Explore on!