Monday, May 11, 2015

Working Thesis Statements

1. The way an author chooses to write, by changing their font, altering tone, or enhancing depth –adding context - can alter the reader’s interpretation, appealing to different audiences.

2. Culture is reflected through writing by altering and playing with word choices, tones, and different conventions. Within the text an author can guide their reader, demonstrating their stance and rhetoric.


3. Writing styles can affect different audiences, by using different moves, an author will manipulate conventions, tones, and stances.

Artifact Analysis

End Summer Hunger Campaign

The Endless Summer page is mostly an image with limited text which conveys a simplistic and effective message that is easily understood by the audience. This image (three children holding what seem to be carrots - with gracious smiles) shows the impact of giving food on children’s lives. A simple message is supported here through imagery and sets the stance taken by the program towards feeding the youth.

There are two different links on this promotional page, one saying “SIGN UP FOR FOODBANK ENEWS” and the other simply saying “DONATE”. Both of these links offer different options for the audience to respond or become involved, resulting in different experiences. Food Bank understands that people will respond in one of two ways: “I want to know more because I care,” or “I’ll give you my money so you can go away.” By signing up for Food Bank e-news, people can receive information regarding upcoming events and be involved with the organization for an extended period of time, offering an in depth experience. On the other hand, by donating, people can accomplish a feel good experience and know that they have contributed to an organization without forfeiting much time.

Fork and Cork Flyers

Why are there two different flyers one for online visitors and one for foot traffic on the street? There are two different flyers used to attract and appeal to two different potential audiences. One for online visitors (Flyer1) and the other for foot traffic (Flyer2). Flyer1 and Flyer2 have many similarities and differences. Flyer1 does not have a diagram/picture unlike Flyer2. The diagram/picture, a geometrical shaped object, with multiple colors, in Flyer2 does not send a clear message about the event and is confusing as a reader.

Both flyers have a simplistic black and white text which makes them easy to read. The black and white colors match the elegance and class of the event, foreshadowing the theme and taking a formal stance. Both texts have a direct way of conveying the event details. The descriptions about the event are easy to read and similar. Also in both, numbers are used to replace words drawing attention to the massive reach/impact this fundraiser will have.

Flyer1 is more appealing to affluent individuals who will be searching online in a philanthropic vibe and enjoy the preface of the ambiance for the evening to come. Flyer2 is more appealing to passer by’s who might be attracted by the participants and need convincing of what food and wine will be offered, ensuring their investment is worthy. Where Flyer1 gives a description of the event in additional text, on the side of the flyer, Flyer2 lists a description of the participants, companies involved.

There were also subtle differences between Flyer1 and Flyer2 that lead me to believe they were composed by different authors. Flyer2 left out the details about time and Flyer1 does not mention that it is the 2nd annual event. Another highlight is how many non-profits will benefit from the fundraiser, 300 on Flyer1 and 330 on Flyer2. This increase supports two theories: that there were different authors or there was an increase in beneficiaries.



Donation Page

The Food Bank of Santa Barbara’s Donation page stands for educating the community on healthy nutrition by selecting specific words. The header reads, “From Hunger to Health” which is implying that not only will a donation contribute to feeding people, but it will contribute to educating people about eating well, healthily. The language used throughout the page argues that educating the hungry about healthy eating is as important as feeding the hungry healthy food. This is a strong stance taken by the Food Bank on “health literacy”, as they put it, for the seniors and youth of their community. Supporting phrases such as: “healthy future”, “foster greater knowledge of health and nutrition”, “whole foods approach”, “fun and nutritious summer”, and “healthy lifestyle” are all promoting this stance.

A list of the key programs offered by the Food bank are listed with a description of each program offering insight into how a donation would be spent, securing confidence in a donor. By providing this information, the Food Bank shows how that it is targeting all demographics of the community: youth, teens, and adults. This demonstrates that they aim to educate everyone about healthy eating.


The application process to give money is not much of a process at all, allowing for convenience. Simply, select how much you wish to give, fill out your personal information, and select how you want to pay. The process for donating is very easy and therefore inviting for visitors to give. People would be less likely to give if the page was difficult to navigate. One option is offered for donation, that being payment with a credit/debit card. There is $50, $100, $150, $200, $250 increments for pre-selected amounts to contribute along with an “other” tap. Providing these automated tabs for donating support the convenience argument made on this page.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Interview Questions Draft


1.    What is your role at the Food Bank?
2.    What sort of writing do you do in our position? ( donors, clients, volunteers)
3.    Who is your main target audience? Donors, clients?

4.    Which values drive the writing done by your organization? (mission statement)
5.    Are you culturally sensitive when writing, do you use writing in different languages?
6.    Who writes in _____ language/s?
a.    Two people?
b.    Translator
c.    Same person who writes in English?

7.    How do you attract donors?
a.    How do statistical facts affect people?
b.    How do emotional facts affect people?
8.    Would you say that emotion, logic, or fact play more into the whether people donate or not?

9.    What genre would you classify the Cork and Fork flyer as?
10.  Who decides what to write; a committee, one individual, or do you write yourself?
a.    Website
b.    Pamphlets
c.    Flyers
d.    Donation Page

11.  How effective to you believe your organization is with its Flyers in attracting new donors?
12.  Have you considered incorporating some stories into your text?
13.   Why not use some more colorful, identifying conventions inside of the text, such as; italics, bold, or capitalized font?

14.  Do you think adding some quotes to the text would enrich it more? 

Email Draft

Dear Ms. Howard,

I have been interested in your organization for the past few years. After attending Antioch for the first quarter, there has been a lingering curiosity in my mind about what exactly the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County does. Therefore I am reaching out to you to find out more.

Currently, I am a student at Antioch University Santa Barbara, California studying for my BA in Business Management and Leadership. As part of the core curriculum for my Academic Writing class, we need to explore different genres of writing.

I am writing you today to request 3 writing artifacts and an interview. To clarify, by artifacts I mean, any composition of work that has been published for or within the company; pamphlets/flyers, administrative documents, or customer forms. I would like you to send three documents that you represent your organizations goals. In the interview with you, I would like to discuss how writing is used, expressed, viewed through your lenses. This email, the artifact(s), and the interview will all aid in my understanding of how different genres relate to their audiences.

I am willing to meet whenever you are available. Below are the times and dates that I have free to meet:
                *Mon:  8am-12pm
                *Tue:    8am-5pm
                *Wed:  8am-1pm
                *Thur:   8am -12pm
                *Fri, Sat, Sun: open availability
At your earliest convenience, let me know if you will be able to send me the artifacts by April 22nd and are willing to be interviewed. I would need to have the interview conducted by this date, May 7th. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Looking forward to speaking with you,

David Arnet