(Exercise 5.3)

In class today we took our rough draft and cut it up as separate paragraphs. We look at each paragraph individually to see if the whole paragraph related back to our thesis sentence. If the paragraph went back to the thesis sentence we were to put it in a keep pile and if it went off topic we were to place it in a discard pile. At the end all of mine were in the keep pile except for one of my paragraphs. The reason I placed this paragraph in the discard pile was because one of the sentences led the paragraph away from my thesis statement. For tonight blog post we need to answer two questions: 1.) Experiment with the order/structure of your paragraphs. Try at least two different set-ups. How are they different? The new layouts are different from my original because my paragraphs were placed in different orders. My introduction did no change, but I arranged my other paragraphs to flow better and so that the paragraphs would follow after each other by topics.  What did you learn? That the way I had my essay laid out the first time may not have been the best fit. 2.) How did this whole process help you re-see your essay? It allowed me to see that there is multiple ways to organize my essay and it gave me better layouts for my essay.

Wrestling with the Draft (Exercise 5.1)

Today in class we worked with our rough drafts and distinguished between the difference between our thoughts and other author's writings and thoughts. In tonight's assignment we have a list of questions that we need to answer according to how we marked our rough drafts in class today.
Which color dominates? The yellow color dominated (The other sources)

Are you turning over too much of the text to your sources? Most of my rough draft was from other sources but some of it was my own thoughts. 

Are you ignoring them and rattling on too much about what you think? I am not ignoring the other authors. I am putting a lot of their information in my research paper but I am not putting a lot of my own thoughts in my paper from this first draft.

Or does your source use seem appropriate to support your purpose? I need to add more of thoughts in between the other author thoughts as well.

Next we needed to look at the color pattern on our rough draft and answer a set of questions:

What do you notice about this pattern? The color pattern started out as my thoughts as the introduction and then I moved into other's thoughts. It was mostly yellow for the rest of the paper with a few of my thoughts placed here and there. 

Are you taking turns paragraph by paragraph with your sources, or is your own analysis and commentary nicely blended within paragraphs, so that the information is always anchored to your own thoughts? The information is spread paragraph by paragraph not blended well.   

Do you surround quoted passages with your own voice and analysis? My first rough draft is not finished but I don't have any quotes in it at this point.

Who wins the wrestling match? The other authors voices.

Three Ways In (Exercise 4.3)

     For tonight's assignment we need to come up with three different leads or beginnings for our research paper. The leads need to be one to two paragraphs in length depending on what type of lead we choose: anecdote, scene, profile, background, quotation, dialogue, question, contrast, or announcement.
Lead 1: (Profile)
Craig Tanner is a professional photographer and teacher. Craig did not believe at first that what he did to be therapeutic photography but his way of taking the photos and teaching photography he has come to believe is therapeutic. He uses his approach to photography as a life message.Tanner is an example of how one can use a common use of photography as a therapeutic tool in life.
Lead 2: (Quotation) 
"It made me forget, every time I came here I forgot about all my worries, I seem to have left my worries at home. I mean to come back to them but its given me a focus." This quote is from a participant who went to a photography workshop. The client is describing photography being used as a distraction and how when he has the opportunity to go to the workshop his worries seem to disappear. He knows that when he goes home those worries are still going to be there, but that photography workshop offers a break from the real world. Not to mention it gives him a chance to be in control of his own world.
Lead 3: (Question)
Did you know that therapeutic photography can be beneficial when it comes to coping mechanisms? In this essay I want to express that photography can be useful in many aspects. Not only does it help our talents and abilities, but it teaches us about ourselves and our trials. Photography is an excellent hobby to use if you want to find something positive to help you cope. Photography has helped me and I want to express how it can be used to help people in a positive way.

Sharpening your Point (Exercise 4.2)

In tonight's assignment we need to establish a tentative thesis based on the purpose of our topic: policy, interpretation, hypothesis, relationship, or value. The book provided us with templates to use for our thesis based on the questions we may be asking.
Template-Thesis from a Relationship Question: 
There is a (strong/weak) relationship between _________and ___________.

Example:

• What is the relationship between photography as a therapy and phototherapy?
• There is a weak relationship between photography as a therapy and phototherapy. Photography being used as a therapy is the actually act of one going out and taking the pictures himself, developing the pictures, editing, and admiring them. Phototherapy is done by a trained therapist. He or she uses photographs, either pictures from a magazine or from the family, to cue certain memories, allowing the person to focus on the emotional task at hand  which allows the surfacing of deep psychic material.

Exercise 4.1

    For this assignment we needed to answer a list of questions a person would possibly want to know about our topic:
Question 1:
Why? To inform people that photography and photos can be used as a therapy and a copping tool.
Where? In the Untied states. 
Who? People who are dealing with a loss or one who is in need of therapy. 
When? When one is at their weakest and is seeking a cooping tool.
What? A useful cooping tool.
Question 2:
What do you mean by phototherapy? Phototherapy is the use of photos being used a a copping tool to be used as a reminder of the good moments in the passed
Question 3:
How do most people see this? How do you see it differently? Most people see photography being used just as a hobby. I see it as being so much more, I believe that it could help a lot of people. 
Question 4:
Are you kidding? I didn't know that. What else did you find out? I found out that you could not only take pictures as a means of therapy but there is also Phototherapy.
Question 5:
Can you give me an example? One example is, a client's loved one passed away he took photographs into his therapy sessions without being asked and he began to use the photographs as way to reminder of all of the good memories of the past and it was used as a copping tool.
Question 6:
Did that surprise you? No, I believe that photos are a great way to remember the past memories you share with loved ones. It's a great way to remember the good times and not the bad ones. Remembering these times can be used to focus on the good in the situation and not on the bad.
Question 7:
What other questions does this raise? What are ways to help people cope? Is taking pictures more productive than phototherapy? 
Question 8:
Who does this affect, mostly? This does not affect any specific person. It can affect anyone who has lost a loved one, who has gone through a traumatic experience, or one who is looking for comfort in a situation. 
Question 9:
What should we do about this?  We should make it known to others out there that this photography can be more than just a  hobby but that it can be used as a therapy to help someone if it was placed in the right person's hand. 
Question 10:
I'm not sure I believe this. Why do you? I believe that everyone should have a way of copping with a situation. This subject is very close to me. I love photography and a year and a half ago I lost my dad. This is what I used to help me cope with his lose. If it can be used to help others I want to make sure others know about it.
Question 11:
What do you think we should do about it?  I believe that we should get phototherapy in the hand's of clients. We should also find ways to introduce photography into therapy sessions as well.

Annotated Bibliography

For tonight's assignment we needed to find five sources for our research paper and write an annotated bibliography for each one.

Source #1

Rebecca Fochtman

Mrs. Byxbe

LAN 101

5 November 2013

Prins, Laura. "Photographs In Therapy." Therapy Today 24.2 (2013): 28-31. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Nov. 2013.

This article is a credible source for my research because the author Laura Prins is a transpersonal psychotherapist working in private practice in London. The author’s credentials include her MA in transpersonal counseling and psychotherapy. The article was published in Therapy Today in March 2013. The author’s main goal in this article is to express how photography can be a meaningful source of therapy. The publishing source for this article generally targets an audience that fits the following description: one who has an interest in learning about using photography as a therapy and how it can help people cope with a loss. This audience would be interested in this subject because they care about learning new perspectives on the subject of photography and how it could potentially help with the healing process. The audience would generally concur with and appreciate the author’s perspective on the topic. The author incorporates the following types of evidence: she talks about the different types of ways a photograph can help as a therapy. Such ways are photograph as a catalyst, transitional object, sight and seeing, and lost and regained. This evidence builds credibility but is also limited because the article doesn’t have too much depth to it, I would have like to see more examples of the subjects at hand. Based on my own opinion, experiences, and research, I agree with this author because she has respectable thoughts and opinions on how this could truly help with a healing or coping process. I think this article is important to include in my essay because it has straight forward and very relatable examples. 

Source #2

Rebecca Fochtman 

Mrs. Byxbe

LAN 101

6 November 2013

Erdner, Anette, and Annabella Magnusson. "Photography As A Method Of Data Collection: Helping People With Long-Term Mental Illness To Convey Their Life World." Perspectives In Psychiatric Care 47.3 (2011): 145-150. MEDLINE. Web. 6 Nov. 2013.

This article is a credible source for my research because it was published on a well-known and highly certified website. The author’s Annette Erdner credentials include possessing her RPN, MNSc, MD and Annabella Magnusson’s credentials include possessing her RPN and MD. The article was published on the web on MEDLINE on July 1, 2011. The author’s main goal in this article is to describe a method to help patients with long-term illness describe their life situations, through photography. The publishing source for this article generally targets an audience that fits the following description: This audience would be interested in this subject because of the the various methods and analysis and would generally agree with this author’s perspective on the topic. The author incorporates the following types of evidence: Theoretical perspective, data collection method their purposes and descriptions. This evidence builds credibility because it shows evidence that is process works and is valuable but is also limited because it is only experimented on patients with long-term illnesses. Based on my own opinion, experiences, and research, I agree with this author because this article has credible evidence that is can really help. I think this article is important to include in my essay because it goes into depth and it is made to be more understandable about how this can truly help the matter at hand.

Source #3

Rebecca Fochtman

Mrs. Byxbe

LAN 101

6 November 2013

Ryan, Joseph F., joseph_ryan@btinternet.com. "Photography As A Tool Of Awareness." Journal Of Transpersonal Psychology 44.1 (2012): 92-97. OmniFile Full Text Select (H.W. Wilson). Web. 6 Nov. 2013.

This article is a credible source for my research because it talks about this type of art from a spiritual perspective. The author Joesph F. Ryan’s credentials include his Ph.D. The article was published on the OmniFile Full Text Select on the web on June 1, 2013 The author’s main goal in this article is to demonstrate the potential of photography to develop awareness and deepen spiritual growth. The publishing source for this article generally targets an audience that fits the following description: people who are using this form of art at a deeper and spiritual level. This audience would be interested in this subject because understanding this article will help show what is meaningful and meaningless through the lens of the camera and would generally agree with this author’s perspective on the topic. The author incorporates the following types of evidence: the camera as a potential catalyst and how Minor White puts this into practice. This evidence builds credibility because it shows exactly how this can be successful through the eyes of Minor White but is also limited because it is only shown through the perspective of one person, I would have liked to read about more people using this process. Based on my own opinion, experiences, and research, I agree with this author because he does help us understand this art through a spiritual level. I think this article is important to include in my essay because it is important to look at this from all perspectives and sometimes we ignore things from a spiritual level.

Source #4 

Rebecca Fochtman

Mrs. Byxbe

LAN 101

7 November 2013

Struk, Janina. Private Pictures Soldiers' inside View of War. New York: I.B. Tauris, 2011. Pri

nt.

This article is a credible source for my research because the author has written an acclaimed book about Photography on the Holocaust. The author Janina Struk's credentials include a freelance documentary photographer, writer, and lecturer. The article was published in London by I.B. Tauris in June 2011. The author’s main goal in this article is to inform one about how photographs from war and the past can have an effect on one's life. The publishing source for this article generally targets an audience that fits the following description: people who want to learn more about the Holocaust from a different perspective. This audience would be interested in this subject because they want to know more about how the photographs can effect one’s life and how one photograph can bring back flashbacks from the past. I would generally agree with this author’s perspective on the topic. The author incorporates the following types of evidence: many samples and examples from various Lieutenants and Soldiers. This evidence builds credibility because it shows from a first person perspective how this is valuable but is also limited because it could seem to be focused on more of negative aspect and give an audience the wrong idea of what is trying to be portrayed. Based on my own opinion, experiences, and research, I agree with this author because I think this article is important to include in my essay because it gives a sort of light to a dark area

Source #5

Rebecca Fochtman

Mrs. Byxbe

LAN 101

8 November 2013

Stevens, René, and Evans H. Spears. "Incorporating Photography As A Therapeutic Tool In Counseling." Journal Of Creativity In Mental Health 4.1 (2009): 3-16. SocINDEX with Full Text. Web. 8 Nov. 2013

This article is a credible source for my research because it has proved to be a good source through their practices. The author’s occupation is a credible credential, they work at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The article was published in The Journal of Creativity of Mental Health on March 1, 2009. The author’s main goal in this article is to inform readers about counseling can help individuals communicate better through the use of visual aids and photographs. The publishing source for this article generally targets an audience that fits the following description: people who want to see this through a medical perspective. This audience would be interested in this subject because it has various examples of how it can work or be done and would generally agree with this author’s perspective on the topic. The author incorporates the following types of evidence: professionals who clearly use this method in their practices. This evidence builds credibility because it goes very much into depth about different concepts, approaches, and processes but is also limited because there is so much information that it is hard to choose which is important and which is not. Based on my own opinion, experiences, and research, I agree with this author because I believe that photography has a way of being used as a therapy. I think this article is important to include in my essay because it has a lot of good medical examples that can be beneficial for my research paper.

Academic Research on the Internet (Exercise 2.2)

     For today's activity we could choose step one, two, or three to aid us in researching our keyword combinations. Step 1: Using some of the keyword combinations we developed we needed to search in two general search engines such as AltvaVista, Ask.com, Bing, Google, Hotbot, Lycos, or Yahoo to do some research on our topic. Step 2: We could  launch a search on one or more of the metasearch engines such as Dogpile, Mamma, Search.com, SurfWax, or Yippy. Step 3: Or our finally option, we could visit Noodletools and find a specialized search engine that we have not used yet.
     I choose to do step 3, on Noodletools.com. Through Noodletools you can search by related topics, by narrowing your topic, searching a controversial issue, or by finding information on topics. When I search on Bing, I used my keyword combination "using photography as a therapy tool". The results I came across expressed photography as a means of communication for one to share thoughts, feelings, joys, or even frustrations. Columbia Encyclopedia mentions using therapeutic photography as a positive resource as self-expression. When I searched on Google about using photography as a therapy tool, I came across PhotoTherapy and Therapeutic Photography. PhotoTherapy is done by a trained therapist. He or she uses photographs, either pictures from a magazine or from the family, to cue certain memories, allowing the person to focus on the emotional task at hand  which allows the surfacing of deep psychic material. Or there is Therapeutic Photography, the act of making a photo image (photography) at any stage is the actual therapy. This activity was very helpful it got me searching in different areas and not just on Google. Although Google turned out to be the most helped with my keyword combinations the others would work if I was searching a small one worded topic. This activity gave me information that can help me get started on my research paper and was very successful.

Research Proposal (Exercise 1.5)

     For our assignment today, we were to jot down a brief proposal that outlines our research plan.
It should include the following:
1.) Inquiry question:
 What are the differences between photography as a hobby and photography used as therapy.
2.) Primary question:
 Explore: What are additional questions that most interest you and might help you discover the answers to your research question? Why do people enjoy photography as a hobby? What disorders do they treat photography therapy with? Can people use photography both as a hobby and a therapy?
Argue: What theory or hypothesis about your topic are you testing? What is your tentative main claim or thesis? Photography can be used both as a hobby but also as a healing therapy.
3.)  What, if any, prior beliefs, assumptions, preconceptions, ideas, or prejudices do you bring to this project? What personal experiences may have shaped the way you feel? Before you began developing working knowledge on the topic, what were you thinking about it? What are you thinking about it now?
     I believe that photography can be used as a hobby. You can take pictures of family members, friends, nature, or of random things just for fun. When you are hanging out with family and friends and having fun you can be using photography as a hobby.  Like some people who use drawing as a therapy, I believe taking pictures can be used as a therapy. It can be used to take one's mind off of the negative and it can also be used as a stress reliever. I know from experience that it can be used as a stress reliever. When I lost my dad from a heart attack a year and a half ago I used any time I could to get away and go outside to just take random pictures, mostly of nature. I find nature beautiful and therefore the pictures I was taking was helping keep my mind off the situation I was having to deal with. Before starting the topic, I was thinking about photography as hobby and photography as a therapy-two separate things. Now I am thinking about the two together as one.

Building an Interest Inventory (Exercise 1.1)

     For our second assignment, we had a list of ten topics and we needed to choose four of them. Under the four we needed to make a list of words or phrases that would fit under the topic. The ten topics were places, trends, things, technologies, people, controversies, history, jobs, habits, or hobbies. The four topics I choose were hobbies, habits, jobs, and technologies.

Step 1:
Technologies: Ipods, Ipones, Ipads, cell phones, computers, laptops, Bluetooth headsets, CD players, televisions, Water-pik cleaning system, Game Boy, Play Station, X-box, Wii, DVD player, and Soda Stream.
Jobs: firefighter, police officer, nurse, doctor, teacher, garbage man, dentist, pharmacist, game warden, cosmetologist, plumber, physical therapist, veterinarian, military jobs, taxidermist, taxi driver, zoologist, mother, author, illustrator, pastor, secretary, factory workers, and repo man. 
Habits: Saying sorry to often, texting at the table, biting your nails, smoking, chewing, swearing, alcoholism, nose picking, spitting, texting and driving, bad driving, brushing your teeth, taking showers, devotions, lip biting, procrastination, laziness, eye rolling, chewing on a pencil, eating junk food, gambling, doodling, daydreaming, lying, over eating, worrying, road rage, grinding teeth, cracking knuckles, humming, and whistling.
Hobbies: Croquet, knitting, drawing, mudding, fishing, hunting, golfing, scuba diving, sky diving, mountain climbing, racing, singing, dancing, collecting items, reading, poetry, creative writing, shopping, weightlifting, sculpting, watching movies, playing football, playing basketball, going to the batting cages, and photography.

Step 2:
For our second step we need to look over our lists and decide of the words and phrases that we wrote down which one seems promising.We needed to ask ourselves would this topic be one that would raise interesting questions that research could help answer and is this a topic that I have always wandered about and and something I would fascinating.  Once we found one, we needed to circle it. I would circle photography.   

Step 3:
For step three we need to come up with a list of questions for our topic that will get us thinking. These questions would be used in research as well.
*How many types of cameras are there?
*What is the history of the camera?
*When was the first camera invented?
*Who invented the first camera?
*What are the different types of lens?
*What are the steps for processing photos?
*How do you get the perfect lighting?
*What is the best camera care?
*What kind of equipment can you purchase for your camera?
*What are the best angles for a good picture?
*What is the best type of camera?
*Do you need a big flash on your camera?
*Is it easier to steady yourself with a tripod?
*How many types of photography are there?
*Can photography be used as a hobby, job, or both?

Rethinking the Research Paper (Exercise 1)

     We are starting this research paper project in English class. For our first step we have to pick a topic and free write on it for three minutes to explain why we believe it is true or false. The topics for step 1 are: You have to know your thesis before you start, You have to be objective, You can't use the pronoun I, You can use your own experience and observations as evidence, You can use your own writing voice, You're writing mostly for the instructor, and Your'e supposed to use your own opinions.

Step 1:
You're writing only for instructor. I believe that this is false. I believe that when you are writing you need to to determine a target audience and direct your essay and audiences toward your targeted papers. I do not mean to say that you can no write to your instructor but I am saying you should not make you instructor the only you are writing to. Your audience can be your peers, a church group, or a group on the street. Whoever your audience is you need to make sure your papers are reflecting that specific group.

     For our second step we have to choose one of the following statements and have another three minute fastwrite about whether we agree or disagree, and why. The statements for step two are: There is a big difference between facts and opinions, Pretty much everything you read in textbooks is true, People are entitled to their own opinions, and no one opinion is better than another, There's a big difference between a fact in the sciences and a fact in the humanities, and When two experts disagree, one of them has to be wrong.

Step 2:
People are entitled to their own opinions, and no one opinion is better than another. I agree with this statement. Everyone has opinions on the most randoms things throughout our day. It could be that sausage is better than bacon or that going to movies is better than sitting outside looking at the stars. We have opinions on such small things. But people get so frustrated with each other and get into arguments because they can not agree on things. But that doesn't mean one's opinion is better then the other's it just means that we need to accept other's opinions and find a common agreement in the middle.