This article continues the discussion of Oral Histories and provides further understanding of the process of creating a good Oral History. A similar definition of Oral History is provided ("To summarize: oral history might be understood as a self-conscious, disciplined conversation between two people about some aspect of the past considered by them to be of historical significance and intentionally recorded for the record.") But this time, there is emphasis on a specific event that happened in the past.
It is important to have accurate accounts of historical events and the people who were involved. Since the Oral History project is ultimately an interview, it requires face-to-face communication with another person. The emphasis on the personal connection between two people is also important because during a time of so much technology, it becomes easy to replace face-to-face communication with emails or text messages.
Before reading this article, I thought an Oral History was just another name for an interview; however, I understand that producing an Oral History is a much more involved process than just interviewing someone. The article summarizes the purpose of an Oral History by saying:
"To summarize: oral history might be understood as a self-conscious, disciplined conversation between two people about some aspect of the past considered by them to be of historical significance and intentionally recorded for the record."
One part of this summary that caught my attention was the specific requirement of the importance of knowing it is being "intentionally recorded for the record." Sometimes it is easy to not consider the people who will be reading the piece in the future but without having concern for a future audience, the piece may become irrelevant. The several examples provided cited political figures who were participants in Oral History projects but it is clear that not only politicians are good candidates for Oral History
What Do Narrative Inquirers Do?
1. Throughout her narrative inquiry, she remains in her Canadian place while traveling back in time and place, in memory, to a China that no longer exits" (pg 55).
When i began reading this article, I was completely confused. I had never heard of a "Narrative Inquirer," and i did not understand the concept of the different views associated with the three dimensional space referenced in this article. As i continued reading, I began to understand that Narrative Inquirers examine literature from different angles in order to understand the different meanings of a piece of literature.
2. "She found little to clarify her sense of dislocation in this teaching and in the literature supporting it" (pg 53).
In the narrative provided to illustrate the dimensions of the Narrative Inquiry process, one of the characters expressed insecurity regarding her heritage. By understanding the writing process, it becomes possible to understand oneself.
3. "Both were told from his adult place and time, and in time, and in the bringing forward, both were placed alongside his present-day story" (pg 56).
The multidimensional aspects of Narrative Inquires allow for different understandings of the same situation as time passes.
1. How has technology impacted your writing/composing?
Personally, technology has impacted my writing more in the past year than it ever has. Between Dr. Teston's module in Introduction to Writing Arts, and Mr. Manginin's class, I have been encouraged to use technology to make my writing more dynamic. Being required to write online has also forced me to be more conscious of my writing style in comparison to other writer's. It has been extremely helpful to see my peers' writing style because it has helped me improve my personal writing style. Since the sharing ideas about assignments and readings is inevitable when writing is done online, it has allowed for more conversation between myself and my peers which has extended past the computer screen and into the classroom. Composing different writing pieces has been an ice breaker in many ways and has increased my confidence about my work.
2. How has technology connected or made you more mindful of your writing and place?
Technology has definitely made me feel more connected to my place (my grandfather's old house) because it is currently for sale so I have access to a lot of information about the house, including pictures. Because of this, I am more mindful of my writing because although I do not have a tangible connection to my place, the connection I have because of the Internet has allowed me to write more effectively about my place.
3. How has technology impacted your identity construction?
I am a naturally shy person but I do like to interact with people. Technology has allowed me to come out of my shell more because the conversations about writing online has given me confidence to speak openly about my writing in person. At home and with my friends I am more open and technology is helping me bridge the gap between my social style at home and out in the world.
6 Questions about Twitterive for Audience to answer
1) Is the story concept interesting?
2) What should my role as the narrator be?? Fly on the wall, "interested buyer, Realtor?"
3) Do my ideas flow the way a good narrative does?
4) Do I have enough/too many characters?
5) Is the story ending appropriate or did I take the easy way out in NOT selling the house (even though it currently is still for sale?)
6) Shou
!. Who - all of the people who are interested in buying the house are the main characters (college kids, newlyweds, divorced man, couple downsizing, elderly couple) my grandparents will also be central to the story
2. Connection - my childhood "home," where i spent many weekends, many family parties
3. When - past 2 years that house has been for sale
4. Where - 444 Fitzgerald Street
5. Why - have some closure - house will never be mine, should learn to be happy with memories
Blood sweat and tears go into training for a heavy weight fight and there's no exception to this rule when it comes to the fight that will take place between "Liv to Kill" and "Stephanie the Slammer." There is no doubt this fight will be one for the record books! Will "Liv to Kill" fist pump her way to victory again or will "Stephanie the Slammer" take the title and steal the spotlight?! Since this fight is "for realsies," the winner will win not only bragging rights but they will take home a cool $1,000! You'll have to stop by Education Hall, room 2108 to see the battle for yourself! Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity, be there by 10:50 AM to get the best seats!
Reading different genres has allowed me to accept writing of my own that falls into different categories of writing. My tweets have inspired me to create shorter, more concise writing. Because of Anzaldua's writing, I have come to appreciate the writing of author's who have had the courage to transcend the boundaries of "standardized" traditional writing confines and I am interested in trying different forms of writing to express myself to the world. She also inspired me to be my own person in my writing. There are not many opportunities in life where a person is given the chance to fully express themselves without limits and without being stifled.
By using the same words in different genres (for example, using tweets to write micro fiction), I have given the same words completely different meaning. The same quote or sentence or word can have a different effect on a piece of writing depending on the context. The tweet I wrote: "he sounded so sincere, so rehearsed" was from an interview with a person who had been assaulted as a child and he had the opportunity to confront his assailant in adulthood. The story was particularly impactful because it was recorded by the man who was assaulted. Sometimes the spoken word as opposed to the written word are much more powerful.
These genres have also inspired me to work outside the "box" I have chosen to place my writing in and I am not afraid to try something new! It is interesting and fun to play around with different forms of writing and it is exciting to see how different
"What are we going to do all day in this stupid snow?" my little sister complained,
"I don't know, I guess we could get some homework done since I won't be able to go to the shop and get my oil changed." i said regretfully.
"Mom said we should clean our rooms and then maybe do some wash for her.." My sister and I looked at each other and laughed, "maybe we will start that later.
After some debate about how to spend the day, we decided we would try a new recipe I found in an old cookbook in the kitchen.
"This is grandma's cookbook," I said excitedly, "the one that mom couldn't find all that time and it's been in this cabinet the WHOLE time!" My sister did not share the same excitement for the dusty old cookbook as I did but she was used to my crazy reactions to old things.
"Okay," she said slowly "We will try some recipes and then can you please take me to Alex's later on tonight? I haven't seen him in like a whole day!"
"Sure, I know for a fifteen year old girl, not seeing your boyfriend for a whole day is traumatizing." I giggled at her disgusted face and grabbed the flour from the cabinet.
"You know, you look really nice today, big sister!" The huge smile on her face went perfectly with the sincere, well-rehearsed compliment she had just given me.
"I told you I would take you to Alex's, you don't have to butter me up!"
I used the following tweets to compose my Haiku:
1. Going to the Pop Shop!
2. "He sounded so sincere, well-rehearsed.
3. The fact that my car is in the shop getting an oil change will hopefully force me to stay home and do homework!
4. It's a great day to have back to back classes in the same room!
5. Watching "The Princess Diaries" then going to work!
My Average Day
Going to the shop
Car man said, "nothing new here"
Time for some homework!
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