I went to the EMP this afternoon and it was interesting. I really liked the exhibition on Hip Hop and salsa, but my favorite was the one about the influence of Latino Music from San Antonio. As I listened to the Tejano music, I was taken back home to the Riverwalk. The sounds, the music, the beats, all reminded me of where I was from. These exhibits show sonic literacy, which is the ability to identify, define and construct our personal and cultural soundscapes. Basically, this exhibit studied the influence of Latino culture on U.S. music. The music from San Antonio has a large Tejano influence. Tejano is referred to as an influence from Mexico. Geographically it makes sense that Latino influence in Texas would be from Mexico. This music incorporates various forms of folk and popular music originating from the Hispanic people of Central and South Texas. There is some German influence on the Tejano music and they brought music genres such as polkas and waltzes. This exhibit explores the influence of different cultures on the Tejano music and in turn the influence of Tejano music on U.S. Popular Music. I really enjoyed coming to the EMP. Another style of music popular in Texas is Reggaeton. It is a mix of Spanish lyrics and Jamaican dancehall. I love listening to Raggaeton and it was interesting to learn about its origins as well as the origins of hip hop and salsa. I watched El Cantante a while back which was about the singer Hector Lavoe. He had started the salsa movement in 1975 and brought it to the United States. Through all the exhibits, the influence of different cultures and their music on U.S. Popular Music is shown through the movement of people to new places.   

For your second major paper, I recommend — first of all — that you start writing it soon, if you have not already.  Your 2.2 group presentations should be a good start.I also recommend that you collaboratively write your introduction and then parse out writing responsibilities for the balance of the paper.  An example scenario could be:

(1) Get together to write the intro and construct and agree upon a clear and complex claim.

(2) Distribute subsequent paragraphs based upon the intro, with Student A writing a paragraph or two on the context of your Club and your issue, Student B writing two paragraphs on “Media Approach 1″ and Student C writing two paragraphs on “Media Approach 2.”

(3) Get back together to collaboratively revise for flow and clarity.

(4) Collaboratively add additional paragraph(s) if need be.

(5) Collaboratively compose a conclusion.

As you collaboratively write, please be in touch with your questions.  Don’t hesitate to ask!  I’m here to help!

This is the final push, people.  Only four classes left!

All the best,
Jentery

Before we hit the list, first consider some examples:

• English 121 E-Portfolio by Megan Nordstrom
• English 121 E-Portfolio by Nick Johnson
• Sarah Wang’s 131 Portfolio with a “tags” theme (passcode is “sarah”)
• Zachary Brown’s 131 Portfolio with a robot theme
• Gareth Snow’s 131 Portfolio with an “algorithm” and “atlas” theme
• Jessica Vu’s 131 Portfolio with a “movement” theme
• Kendell Tylee’s 131 Portfolio with a diversity theme

What’s more, also consider the things that I read for in your revised papers and portfolio:

• Understanding of the course outcomes (showing them, not just telling them)
• Awareness of your genre, audience, context, and situation
• Diversity of “voice” or that you know how to write, when to write, and for whom to write
• Complex, risky, persuasive and sustained claims-making
• The three-step analysis (introduce, explain, and implicate)
• Productive conclusions that answer the questions, “So what?” and “What’s next?” (rather than repeating your introduction)
• Detail and specificity instead of generalizations and vague references
• Developed paragraphs, especially in academic arguments
• Awareness of your own writing choices and strategies (especially in the “meta-text” of your portfolio)
• Multiple forms of evidence (e.g., interviews, academic texts, video, sound, and even personal experience)
• Rhetorical flow, transitions, and rhythm
• Substantive, structural revision when necessary (as opposed to grammatical or syntactical changes)
• MLA documentation and formatting (for your Major Paper only), and
• Creativity! Wit! Brilliancy!

Ok, on to the list, then:

The Portfolio as a Whole

• Is published?
• Does NOT include “empty pages” for the papers that you did not revise? (Note: Click “delete page” when necessary.)
• Is creative, clever, honest, and engaging?
• OPTIONAL: Has a theme (e.g., personal/experiential, humorous/witty, conceptual, or service-related)?
• OPTIONAL: Is stylized (e.g., font, color, page body width, and layout)?

The Introduction

• Explains the purpose of the portfolio?
• Includes the outcomes (in your own words or verbatim)?
• Is appropriate as your e-portfolio’s “home page” (that is, as the first page your reader will see)?
• Lists each paper (3-5 RPs and 1 MP) that you’ve chosen to revise?
• Has a title?

Each Revised Paper Page (both Response and Major Papers)

• Includes the revised, final draft of the paper as an attachment?
• Includes an introduction to the paper (e.g., what the paper is about, how it functioned in the class, and how it represents your writing and portfolio)?
• Addresses at least two outcomes? (Note: You do NOT need to address every outcome targeted in the paper prompt. That’s too much work, friend, and quite redundant.)
• Does NOT include sections for outcomes that you didn’t address? (Note: Click “delete section” when necessary.)
• Includes the paper prompt (either a link to or attached as a .pdf from the course website)?
• Includes quotes from your own work?
• Includes evidence, evidence, evidence (e.g., blog entries, paper drafts, e-mails, blog comments, G-talk chats, letters, PowerPoint presentations, and captures)?
• Has a title?

Conclusion

• Summarizes what you’ve learned in English 121?
• Discusses your writing (and you?) as a process in revision?
• Discusses your participation in the class?
• Includes the balance of your 121 papers that you did not revise?
• Has a title?

Did you…

• View your portfolio as an end-user would in an internet browser? (Note: Click on the portfolio URL at the bottom of your “portfolio summary.”)
• Read your portfolio and revised papers aloud?
• Include a works cited page for each paper (when necessary)?
• E-mail me your portfolio URL before Thursday, March 20th at 5 p.m.?

Done? Then commence getting rad for the break and, heck, be in touch during the spring. I’ll be around, and I’d love to hear from you.

All the best to each of you!