Writing Project 2

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Urban Outfitters Proximity to campus *map What fashion magazines deem as trendy *People.com Price of clothing *urbanoutfitters.com quality of clothing primary source customer experience yelp.com Online shopping urbanoutfitters.com

Charming Charlie Proximity to campus *map What fashion magazines deem as trendy *People StyleWatch November 2012 Price and quality of clothing *primary resource customer experience *primary resource *yelp.com online shopping *charmingcharlie.com

Target proximity to campus *map What fashion magazines deem as trendy *people stylewatch *lucky Price *target.com quality *primary resource customer experience *primary resource *yelp.com online shopping *target.com

Buffalo Exchange proximity to campus *map Price and quality *primary resource customer experience *primary resource * Lauren Conrad's Style Online shopping *buffaloexchange.com

Places to Stay Trendy in Tempe

**Places 

Urban Outfitters, Divaz Boutique, Wet Seal, Charming Charlie

**Evaluative criteria and research ideas

How affordable the merchandise is

How helpful/ effective the employees are

Who has the latest trends from fashion magazines

How easy it is to find what you are looking for

**Sources

* Elle Accessories Fall/Winter 2012

*Lucky November 2012

* People StyleWatch November 2012

*Harper’s Bazaar October 2012

*Lauren Conrad Style

           

      In chapter eight: “Writing to Evaluate” in Joining the Conversation, Palmquist states that “writers typically evaluate a subject with one of two general goals: to determine whether something has succeeded or failed, or to help readers understand how something might be improved or refined.” After reading multiple yelp.com reviews on local retail stores, I have noticed that for the most part people look to define a store as succeeding or failing based on their cleanliness and organization, how friendly and effective the staff is, and how affordable the merchandise is. Most reviews include personal preference, tips on how a store can improve, and factors that make the store stand out. For example, one woman comments on Forever 21 by stating that you can’t complain about a retail store that sells trendy clothes for super cheap, but then offers a way to improve it by stating that it could be more organized as it is a little bit overwhelming. This is just her personal opinion, but she could easily use a fact to support her opinion to make her argument more enticing.

            Reading the reviews on yelp.com gave me a little bit of guidance as to how to write and review my places in Writing Project Number Two. Although retail can be subjective, in Writing Project Number Two I am going to use facts, data, and advice from fashion magazines to evaluate the stores rather than simply personal preference. Taking a blend of information from my sources and incorporating it with shopper’s personal opinions will add rigor to my evaluation. I see writing about fashion as a challenge since it can be subjective. Though, for the most part, fashion magazines align, which will make it easier to make my point. After reading chapter twelve: “Locating Sources” in Palmquist’s Joining the Conversation, it will be easier for me to find the information that I need. I plan to use the advice on page 480 that encourages a researcher to identify key terms in a research question or thesis statement, and then using these highlighted key words and phrases to put into the online search engine. I also plan to follow Palmquist’s advice on field research (page 506) because doing research in the form of interviews, surveys, observation and attending public events will help me better understand how to target the places on my map. 

Your paper was very well written and coherent. I like how you began your paper with the clear thesis statement: “The X-Files has the ability to make strong female characters, giving the show an interesting cast of well-rounded character.” I also like how you decided to focus in on the characters rather than the show itself. I agree with your opinion that the X-files does a great job at creating a strong female lead and role model. You backed up your opinion with great examples. However, I do not necessarily think that the role she plays is entirely believable. The events that she partakes in from her job and the way they are played out seem very fictional to me. I do, however, like how you point out her personality traits and how opposite they are from the stereotypical woman. Pointing out feminism in this show is a great example of critical thinking.

     Your review of “Workaholics” was very well written. It kept me interested and your thoughts were expressed clearly. However, it did not have much evaluation as the bulk of your blog was describing one particular episode. I would suggest beginning your paper with your ending conclusion that the show is always surprising, and continue your paper by proving this with various examples. I also disagree with your argument that it is very influential for young adults. The pranks that these men play are fun to watch, though they do not necessarily prompt this behavior. I also do not think I can agree with your opinion that it always surprising. I have found that most of the time the shows play out the same way. 

           

     A T.V. episode that I have recently watched is Modern Family. I saw the episode in season three titled “Disneyland.” In this sitcom episode, Disneyland is both satirized and glamourized through the adventures and plotlines of the characters in Modern Family.

     The episode begins at the Dunphy’s house where Claire, the mother of the family, is making breakfast. She tells her children to eat up because Disneyland is not only the happiest place on earth, but also home to the most expensive churro. This was a great opening scene, in my opinion, because I think that mostly everyone that has ever been to Disneyland can relate to the annoyance that everything is overpriced. Claire continues to inform her daughter that she is bringing a boy along with the family so she can (not so subtly) set her up with him. The plan works well until Haley, Claire’s daughter, ironically finds her ex boyfriend at the park. Although it is a sitcom, this was a little bit too cliché and ironic for my taste.

            In another plot line, Cam and Mitchell bring their daughter, Lily, on a leash. I loved that fact that they made this an entire plot line throughout the show, as it is the perfect way to satirize tourists at Disneyland.  Most people, as myself, who have been to a good number of theme parks have seen those parents with their kids on a leash. It was hilarious for me watch Cam and Mitchell’s thoughts on treating their daughter like a pet.

            On yet another plot line, Gloria is another tourist who does not know what she is getting herself into. She arrives at the park in five-inch stilettos. I thought that the writers did a good job with this plot line as well, as they cover so many different mistakes that people make when going to a theme park. In the end, Gloria ends up ditching her heels for a pair of mini mouse slippers. Her son is painted as the typical tourist who is too busy with work to enjoy the park. The catch is that he is a young teenager. I think that this view of a Disneyland tourist could have been dry, but the writers kept it entertaining and comedic by having a young boy take on this role.

            The final plotline is between Phil and his son. They are both adventurous and run ecstatically to each ride only to find a forty-five minute wait. Phil struggles with keeping up with his son, as he wants to be a “cool dad”. This is something that I think a lot of viewers can relate to, and again was played out well. In the end, it turns out the Phil could not keep up because he was not cool enough or getting too old, but was coming down with the flu.

            One thing that I must draw upon is the fact that Disney owns ABC, the channel that plays Modern Family. This makes me conclude that the episode was most likely written as a way to advertise the park. In my opinion, this would be a great marketing strategy. Whether it was, or was not written with the intention of marketing the park, I think that as a whole it was extremely well-written, entertaining, and relatable.