FLEMING COLLEGE COMMUNICATIONS I (COMM 201)

Week 9 Seminar

Week 9 Seminar Agenda

TIB Debrief

Profile Assignment:

Looking at sample profiles

Conventions of the genre

Finding the conventions in sample profiles

Dirty Jobs

Watch “Dirty Jobs”

Take notes: How does the host engage the audience?

Reference

Discovery Channel. (2008, July 23). Hoof Trimmer. [Video File]. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4_Dsel8oRg

Discussion

1. Why do you think Mike Rowe chose this topic? 2. What role does humour, shock, or surprise play?

3. How does the program both entertain and inform?

4. How is an unusual subject given broad appeal?

5. Can you identify Mike Rowe’s perspective on the subject? How?

6. Is Mike Rowe a participant or an observer in his presentation?

7. Is there evidence that he has conducted research?

Conventions of the genre

Authentic voice

What makes Rowe’s voice authentic ?

His research? His participation? Anything else?

Conventions of the genre

Narrative coherence

How is this coherence achieved?

How does Rowe organize the details of the “dirty job”?

We only watched an excerpt, each episode follows a similar organizational pattern.

Conventions of the genre

Community relevance (= audience !)

How does Rowe build a connection with

his viewer?

How does he generate interest in something that is unusual or even disgusting?

Conventions of Profile Genre

A focused perspective conveys main idea / cultural significance

Profiles create a strong impression through description and stories. Butthey also analyze / interpret the subject

Profiles show writer’s perspective

1) Directly through commentary

2) Indirectly through tone (e.g. such as irony)

Conventions of the Profile Genre

Writer = detached observer OR participant observer

Detached observer: an outsider looking in (like reader)

Like the writer of “Last Stop”

Participant observer: gets insider knowledge by participating in activity (Mike Rowe in “Dirty Jobs”)

Conventions of the Profile Genre

Evidence of field research = detailed first-hand information about subject

Conduct field research — interviews and observations — to collect detailed, firsthand information about your subject.

Reading Discussion

What are the similarities and/or differences between “The Last Stop” and the “Dirty Jobs” segment?

Is one kind of profile more or less effective?

Is “Wikipedians do it for love” a profile? Why?

Discussion: Reflecting on the profile genre

Out of all of the profiles that you have read (assigned readings or from fellow students) which were most engaging for you?

If you were to give advice to a fellow student who was about to write a profile, what three pieces of advice would you give them?

What, if any, are the connections between your profile writing assignment and your program of study?

Group Activity

Find evidence of these conventions in one of the profile readings so far:

1. A focused perspective

2. Evidence of field research

3. Writer as detached observer OR participant observer

What is your approach?

Do I explore a new experience by 1) profiling an unusual subject or 2) presenting an everyday subject from a new perspective?

After making a tentative choice, ask yourself…

Do I feel curious about the subject?

Can I make the subject interesting for my readers?

Can I research this subject sufficiently in the time I have?

Your Profile Draft #1 is due before our Thursday lab this week!

Your profile should be of a person, a place, or an event

• that sparks your interest or curiosity

• that your readers will find interesting and informative

At this point, you should already have

• conducted an in-depth interview

• observed in detail with specific questions in mind (purposeful)

Complete your first draft in order to participate in Thursday’s Peer Review assessment