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Comp in New Genre

The purpose of my project is to spotlight the prestige of a particular television sitcom from the 1970s, The Mary Tyler Moore Show. As discussed in the inquiry-based essay, the show played a major role in television history because of its publicly praised cast, well written seasons and innovative content. It aired during a time when the United States was in the midst of significant cultural changes, the women’s liberation movement. The research conducted in this project sheds light on how much certain elements of pop culture, such as television, may affect audiences. “By not merely starring in, but also conceiving and shaping the show’s narrative arc, Mary Tyler Moore gently translated the realities of the emerging Women’s Liberation movement, not by its legal initiatives but rather by its societal shifts towards greater gender equality (Anthony).” The show was celebrated by critics and audiences, and in response the political climate of the United States changed. In addition to its innovative content, the show employed many women. Mary Tyler Moore was at the helm of the entire project. Her deal with CBS assured that she “would have control over the content of the series and could select the creative talents needed to put it together (Mitchell).” Moore was keen on hiring women and inserting more women’s issues into the scripts. This subgenre of comedic sitcom stepped into the mainstream after its success. The Mary Tyler Moore Show is a series that falls under an umbrella called term “feminist television”. Taking the research a step further would involve examining the succeeding pro-women comedy series. Many are successful, iconic and culturally significant in their own ways, and that would make a great continuation of this exploration of influential women in American sitcoms. Writing an article about this would involve creating a timeline and add the most important shows of the genre. Future studies would involve analyzing the most successful or popular shows and looking for ways they may have impacted the audience enough to readjust their values. Start with a few shows, and go further as needed. This is the most logical way to continue this kind of study.  By the end of the project, there would be a thorough exploration of the synchronicity between television and women in media. 

Anthony, Carl. “Those Seventies Women: Betty Ford on Mary Tyler Moore, Mary Tyler Moore at Betty Ford” Carl Anthony Online January 27 2017 https://carlanthonyonline.com/2017/01/27/those-seventies-women-betty-ford-on-mary-tyler-moore-mary-tyler-moore-at-betty-ford/

Mitchell, Pat “Mary Tyler Moore Television Executive, Actress.” She Made It, The Museum of Television and Radio. Feb 21, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070301201915/http://www.shemadeit.org/meet/biography.aspx?m=43

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Journal #9

This quarter went by quickly. Writing is a process, but parts of it felt rushed because of how I managed time. I may have overestimated my speed. Some of my other courses I thought would require more time were not as busy as this class should have been for me. I wish I had put more effort into the primary research. I liked learning facts and information about the show. It is a really good television series. Learning and writing about it has been a rewarding experience. I think throughout this project I have also been heavily critical about my writing skills, and I am certainly going to work on improving them whether it’s in a college course or not. Class is positive and everyone is smart and adds high value to the learning experience. I think together we learned a new way to think about writing, researching, and learning in general. Now I feel like a “writing” course teaches how to learn and retain information, how to share it. The course has opened my mind up to what it means to research and how to use the data effectively. I understand wholeheartedly that writing is more than a grade, but as of right now that is all I can think about in my head is the grade.

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Journal #8

Writing is a process. The best work is drafted, revised, and edited. Submitting the first edition of a piece is not advisable, because the rhetoric may not be as clear as it could be. In addition, there could be grammatical errors, or sentences that could be rephrased. Worse than that, the writer risks submitting work that may contain errors in a citation syntax. 

I learned the value of the Lit Review. Taking the time to find similar themes between the secondary research led me to new ideas to implement, which adds depth to my paper. Discovering synchronized information built confidence in me because it showed I was on the right track and that I selected effective articles. 

Throughout the writing process it is important to keep organized. Absorbing secondary research can be overwhelming. I found that color coding the synchronized themes within the chosen articles makes it easier to return to that information when I need it. I know which writers think similarly, and I can have good continuity throughout the essay.

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Maps #3

One word that comes to mind when I think of writing is “process”. Good writing comes from a series of attempts, drafts, and edits. It takes time and organization. I wrote the word down but did not know how I was going to fill up the page with doodles. I started by drawing large patterns around the word. Then I applied smaller ones. Finally, I added quick little doodles in between the bigger ones. The whole drawing is a step by step process, and I feel that the writing assignment is a process, too. 

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Journal #7

I have some favorite articles from the course so far. One is Kate Viera’s piece about the difficulty of writing. It’s a great example of an intelligent and interesting blog-style article. I believe that a good writer is able to work in different “genres”. She emphasizes the use of electronic mediums, which is relevant to my major at DU. It is a goal of mine to become writing savvy in different environments, and I think this course is helping with this. Everyone knows how important it is to read, but isn’t writing similar? In “All Writers Have More to Learn”, Shirley Rose writes about students who have difficulty with writing, and her idea resonated with me. She writes that “they struggle because writing is not just transcribing performed ideas but also developing new ones”. While I conduct research and learn more about my topic, I am pleased with the newfound knowledge I am discovering. In the middle of the quarter, I am able to look back on my progress so far. This makes me think of David Higgins and his paper on reflection.

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Homework 8

Transfer of knowledge is an interesting concept. In Disciplinarity and Transfer: Students’ Perceptions of Learning to Write, Linda S. Bergmann and Janet Zepernick conduct focus groups to learn about students relationships to writing and how it applies to their scientific majors. I admit I was surprised by the reactions of the focus group. One of their complaints about the first year composition courses was that they didn’t teach skills from high school writing classes. Bergmann and Zepernick describe how the students felt about college writing, that the “students seemed to be completely unaware that the purpose of FYC might be to help them turn their rhetorical ‘street smarts’ into conscious methods of analysis–of situation-specific audiences, discourse communities, rhetorical situations, and relevant textual models–that they could then apply to writing situations in other contexts”. The students have a narrow minded view of what writing means and how improving the skill can help them certainly in their majors but also in all aspects of life. When it comes to writing, every college course I’ve ever taken has helped me improve that skill, even the ones that were more expressive and creative. I strongly agree with the authors, their teaching methods, and the whole concept of transferability of knowledge. When Bergmann and Zepernick write : ”Such an approach to teaching students how to learn to write would help students recognize that they are making choices, and how to make those choices consciously, based on knowledge about the discourse community and rhetorical situation in which they are working.” This was certainly the most noteworthy part of the reading, because it applies to every aspect of life. I never thought of thinking this way about writing, and now that I have I realize how much more I have to learn.

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Research Journal #6

I am weighing out options of who to interview for this project. One option I have recently added is April Rose Vallmer, the Her Campus University of Denver Correspondent and Writer. She may refer me to someone within the organization.  Her Campus is a media outlet directed towards college women. Journalists, writers, or any staff member from there would provide valuable information for my paper. They are staffed with people who specialize in gender and media studies. A fellow student offered the contact information of Ava DuVernay, a filmmaker whose work is known to be thought provoking, powerful, and dramatic. Her insight and perspective on the subject of women in media would be perfect, and what an experience that would be to be able to be in contact with her.  

In conversation, the topics I will ask about include :

-What are the most monumental moments for women in television history?

- how did television tie into the new era of women’s rights activism 

When did t.v programs specifically made for women audiences begin? Did they promote and represent women’s rights?

-In regards to the The Bechdel test, what are some examples of popular television/movies that adhere to its rules and engage popular audiences?

-In what ways are women misrepresented in television programs? Within the television industry? How does that affect audiences?

-Who are some of your favorite women characters in television? 

- when is sexism on television ever caught or corrected?

-who are some individuals/groups who have championed inclusivity? 

-How has working in the television industry changed for women (writers,producers, directors)...? 

-How does adding diversity into a show’s cast or staff affect its content, ratings, or public approval?

I might bring up the Battle of the Sexes tennis match, women in sports and female athletes. 

My objective here is to analyze the progress from the time The Mary Tyler Moore show started its first season to the present day. Television today is different than what it was back in the seventies, and I intend on reporting what those differences were so that I can assess how much of that change started with the show.

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Homework 7

Failure does not necessarily mean it is the end of the writing process. It is an integral part of the development. The idea is to edit any mistakes made in the first efforts. Every opportunity to revise a draft is rewarding because it adds more perspective to the topic and depth to the final product. Total failure insinuates that none of the requirements are met and that the writer’s work is absolutely unsatisfactory. Failure is typically not an option one chooses to face. There are steps taken to avoid it. The most important thing is not to dwell on the errors. Correcting edits on one piece of writing may prove useful for future projects. As a skill, writing can be improved. One can practice writing. Kathleen Blake Yancey’s piece in the reading assignment wrote in depth about the concept of failure being synonymous to practice. Doug Downs contends that failure in writing does not report a student’s skill. Therefore writing is a skill that a person carries with them throughout their lives. Shirley Roses states there are strategies or habits that a person learns when they practice writing. All the authors have an interesting perspective on what it means to progress or develop as a writer.

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Conference Part 2:

In this new map, I used icons from NounProject to represent the journey of the writing process. The Mary Tyler Moore show, the topic of interest in my project, is on the left side in the 1970s T.V. On the right is the modern day comedians inspired by the show. As I’ve conducted more research, I found themes that amplify the topic’s depth. I was able to come to a solution for an issue I was having with my topic. In addition, I need to be aware of the tone of my writing. Different styles of writing apply to different situations and it’s crucial to learn as many as necessary. The main thing on my mind is working with primary sources. Working on this earlier on will help avoid last-minute problems. In the end, my skills as a writer will have improved, but I had to start somewhere to get where I’m at now. 

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Practice Run || Primary Research

We began conducting our interviews in front of the Williams tower with the intent of finding out whether passers-by thought the gold on top of it is real. Timmy proposed this question after hearing speculation that the gold was in fact real, and we attempted to confirm this by contacting the University of Denver’s architecture department. The head architect was out of the office, so we continued our investigation by striking up conversations with students and pedestrians who were in the area. We remained outside for about 2 hours, and most people we interviewed were students on their way to class or people who live in the area. We asked each participant 

Whether they have noticed the tower 

If they think the spire was made of real gold

If not, what is it made of? 

Did anyone mention whether the gold was genuine when they toured the school before becoming a student? (This was how Timmy first heard about it.)

How would they feel about the school if it were real? 

Do they think it contributes to the status of the school?

16 interviewees were very certain it was not real. Most of those people said they never really thought about the tower, and no one had ever mentioned it to them before now. One woman was very vehemently convinced that it was only copper, but the others did not have a guess about what material it was made of.

7 of the people who did think it was real made their guess simply by looking at the tower. Many of them felt that it added to the status of the school and made them proud to attend here. 1 person interviewed was a legacy student whose parents, DU alumni, had told him the gold was genuine. Julian also interviewed a woman who works in the athletics department and was on site the day the gold was put in place. She confirmed that much care went into its installation. Specifically, the installers had to ensure that weather conditions were acceptable due to the specific variables that must be considered in order for the gold to adhere. Timmy also found evidence through an article from the Denver Post [1999] that the spire is comprised of 28 pounds of gold leaf.

Summary -

16 people claimed they do not ever notice the tower

Those same 16 people did not believe the gold was real

7 people thought the gold was real and believed it contributed to the status of the school

Only the lady Julien interviewed had ever had the tower mentioned to her prior to our inquiries. 

There is in fact real gold on the tower, though it is only gold leaf. 

In conclusion, we discovered that the gold on top of the Williams tower is in fact real, though most students and passers-by have never thought about it or heard it discussed. Our inquiries were confirmed by a woman who worked in the center, but our inability to get in contact with the school’s architect left us without insight into the reasoning behind the placement of real gold on the tower rather than a less expensive material. 

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Lit Review: Self- Analysis

I want to organize and review my research so that I may find common traits between sources. I was able to separate articles based on whether or not they mention the show directly. My intention is to have sources that discuss television, media or entertainment industry as a whole, and the show’s impact within that system. The articles that refer to the show directly highlight its importance within pop culture and that relationship with the socio political climate at the time. The connections I develop help me figure out how today’s content is inspired by it.

In a broad sense, the intention is for the reader to discover the relationship between social progress and television. The changes in media reflect changes in pop culture and national identity. This show was one of the first to challenge the status quo and open doors for new content. Highlighting the difference between television media before, during, and after the show’s time on the air will illustrate the show’s impact.  

I need to specify exactly what it was about the show that made it so compatible with the social movements at the time. The audience does not yet have context or reference to why the show was important yet.

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Research Journal 5

Reading articles about my topic in academic journals is interesting, but I feel as if what I intend to write is repetitive. I wonder how I can add anything new to this topic. The only way I could is if I add information from a primary source. I don’t know who I would speak with. I try to think of keywords, like “Television”, “Feminism”, “1970s”, “USA”... I can’t seem to narrow down who I would ask for more information.  Who would I interview? Somebody who worked on the show fifty years ago? That does not seem practical. I suppose I could get in touch with women’s advocacy organizations and ask them what they think about the show. I’m interested in finding out who watches the show today in 2019. I don’t know how I would conduct a survey with this topic. I’ve thought about it since the project was explained. How do I incorporate interviews and surveys into this? Not being able to come up with an answer for that thus far makes me think I chose an obscure topic, yet the topic does not seem particularly complicated! I don’t know who would give me information that carries any more value than the sources I’ve already seen. 

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Peer Review : Kenzie

What is the writer’s main claim about the current research? Summarize it in two-three sentences:

There are many articles that are published in well known political science journals. They can be summarized as analyses of the ideological polarization between the two established parties. The writer has many opportunities to use references and citations about each opposing side, and study the political system as a whole. 

·       How does the writer break the research into themes? Be specific

The writer combs through each article and finds recurring data that is then narrowed into two main points. One is sociopolitical while the other is psychological or behavioral. The author’s sources contend that the current system is historically in disagreement, and in the review the writer explores different points of view. 

 ·       How does the writer synthesize his/her sources? Do you understand the connections between sources? If so, how? If not, explain this to the writer.

It is easy to understand because the subject is a conflict between the two parties, meaning the writer provides information about each one and follows with a critical analysis of the system in its entirety. The writer is able to navigate a variety of sources and avoids a bias perspective.  

 ·       Is the writer’s language and tone appropriate for an academic audience? Is there too much casual language? Is the tone too instructional or informational, rather than analytical? Is there too much summary of sources? If so, point this out for the writer.

The tone is appropriate. There is no indication of bias. The sources are not summarized. The citations are used sparsely, but there is more opportunity to add hard hitting quotes and valuable data. 

·       Does the writer use evidence to support his/her claims? Are there in-text citations (parenthetical citations)?

Yes, the writer advances her claims with thoughts from the sources, both in quotations and paraphrasing. It is important to find lines from the text that the writer can use as motion towards an engaging conclusion.

·       Does the writer use supportive sources (i.e. using direct quotations)? What are some of them—point them out. Do you understand how and why they were used? Are they incorporated smoothly into the paper? Tell the writer if not, and tell him/her why it doesn’t work.

“Though this caused the two parties to essentially switch sides over time, the chasm between them remains just as wide due to the balance of power that causes fierce competition and keeps them from being able to reach agreements” (Poole, Rosenthal, 1984)

The writer uses this quote to help explain a key point. This one in particular is effective, and a roster of lines such as this one would increase the depth of the paper. 

 ·       Where do you feel the writer could develop his/her claim more fully? Where do you feel the writer limits his/her synthesis?

Use the most important and relevant sentences from the source and try to make them flow naturally with your own points. 

·       Does the writer use the appropriate style (MLA or APA) through the paper? This includes in-text citations, work cited/reference page as well as correct use of a heading, punctuation and spacing.

The works cited list is good to go. Some of the references to the sources were not as clear as they would be in the next draft. 

 ·       Does the writer have any misspelled or misplaced words? Any awkward phrasing? If so, where, point them out. 

Spelling mistakes are rare, but some sentences tend to run long. Sometimes writing a shorter sentence is more effective. 

·       What did you learn as a reader of this paper?

There is an entire field of work that studies the political parties and ideologies of this country. Entire careers are dedicated to learning about something historically profound. 

     What are the two most important revision suggestions for this writer to address before the next draft? 

Let the information from the sources flow naturally with the points you explore. Be on the lookout for citation errors as they may stack up.

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Research Journal #4

This is an article from Commentary, a periodical specializing in social science and political commentary, with an emphasis on Jewish culture. It was written by Terry Teachout, an author and critic whose career spans from journalism to theater. He gives insight into certain television programs that aired on CBS during the 1970s, including the subject of my paper, The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Teachout notes the significance these different shows had on American culture at the time, and compares them with modern sitcoms. The most relevant portions of the article are exactly what I am looking for because there is little to no bias, and the information that I extract will not be based on whether the show was good or not. In addition, I will have a better understanding of other shows that shared the airwaves with the one I am examining. This is important because my paper’s reasoning is that the show stands out from the other network television slots. Teachout’s opinion mirrors my own when he states that  “Not only was The Mary Tyler Moore Show less deeply rooted in TV's past, but it was stylistically original [...]” (Teachout). The article makes references to specific actors, writers, and producers. It would be better if I refrain from using names so my audience can relate to the paper more. 

TEACHOUT, TERRY. “Saturday Night Strive.” Commentary, vol. 136, no. 1, July 2013, pp. 70–73. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=89867098&site=ehost-live&scope= site.

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This is an article from the pop culture magazine People. After the passing of Mary Tyler Moore in 2017, a biographical exposition was published. Several authors contributed to this commendation piece. While the article touches on some valuable information about The Mary Tyler Moore Show, the details about her life outside of her career provide insight into how she touched the hearts of audiences and those close to her. “It’s a testament to Moore’s profound imprint on popular culture that her loss was keenly felt even though she had all but disappeared in recent years” (Gliatto). The authors highlight the monumental moments of her career, as well as her work with charities. It is good to include a recent article from a pop culture magazine as large as People. An article such as this certainly touches on difficult subjects, but I will tread lightly because there are only certain sections I intend on using.  

Gliatto, Tom, et al. “1936-2017 MARY TYLER MOORE. (Cover Story).” People, vol. 87, no. 7, Feb w0q7, pp. 54-62. EBSCOhostsearch.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=121093537&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

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This Washington Post article was written by Bethonie Butler, a journalist who covers pop culture and media topics. The title certainly fits well with my paper’s topic. Sometimes I am skeptical of list style articles, but the content here is well researched and includes primary sources from several writers who worked on the show alongside Mary Tyler Moore. The article was published shortly after Moore’s death, which suggests that the research was well managed. The author speaks about the show fluently; she has seen many (if not all) of the episodes and has studied them extensively. Her take on the main character Mary Richards is that “her career choices had wide-ranging influence, inspiring future journalists, actresses and even former first lady Michelle Obama” (Butler). I see the article as a base to start from, because the points the author makes are valid and backed up by primary sources. In addition, my other secondary sources support many ideas on her list.

Butler, Bethonie. “Five Ways 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' Revolutionized Women on Television.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 26 Jan. 2017, www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/01/26/five-ways-the-mary-tyler-moore-show-revolutionized-women-on-television/.

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This is an article from Television & New Media, an academic journal that analyzes the different dimensions of television and its relationship with audiences. The author is Professor Jennifer S. Clark who teaches film and media studies at Fordham University. Clark states that during the 1970s, the same time the Mary Tyler Moore show was on the air, television networks intended to profit off of the new wave of progressive values inserted in the shows. “Feminism helped rebuild an image of America that accommodated a new sense of gender and proved a visible sign of America’s progressive politics and cultural importance” (Clark 452). Programs that followed suit were considered innovative, which attracted viewers. The feminist movement values individual liberty, which is what female protagonists offered to their viewers. This article is important because it does not reference The Mary Tyler Moore show directly, expanding my spectrum of content. The author uses examples from the same network as my topic (CBS). With this source, I can strengthen my argument that the show prospered other kinds of content that shaped a new generation of viewers. 

Clark, Jennifer S. “Liberating Bicentennial America: Imagining the Nation through TV Superwomen of the Seventies.” Television & New Media, vol. 10, no. 5, Sept. 2009, pp. 434–454. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1177/1527476409333666.

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Homework Post #6

To reflect is to direct the mind towards an actual goal, to learn something or to make sense of it. Reflection is distinct from other ways to direct attention towards the past. It takes more effort than just remembering. Instead of replaying scenes from a memory, which typically revolve around what a person sensed physically, reflection is the process of breaking down, rearranging and analyzing the past. Higgins writes in the editorial: “The practices of reflection suggest a method of inquiry which is characterised by engagement, pondering alternatives, drawing inferences and taking diverse perspectives, especially in situations which are complex and novel, calling for situational awareness and understanding” (Higgins). Reflection should be objective, and present to the person a better understanding about himself. Memories can be biased, and to truly reflect is to move beyond the subjective point of view. Higgins states that reflection is a crucial tool for management development. Groups are able to review content, but also deliberate about its meaning. When the whole team is on the same page, it is easier to move forward. A group separated into individuals with different accounts of what happened in the past is not ready to grow. 

Sometimes reflection is provoked out of people through art and expression. It encourages consumers to ponder over the work and their own existence. A writer can create a piece of work, and that person can reflect on the content. Readers will do the same. One can learn new information from reflection, because it opens up perspective and possibility. This is applicable in all corners of life, whether it’s in management development or writing. It is important in life to stand for values and truth, and through reflection one is able to really think about what is important to him or her. When I write I feel as though I am commiting to the words I chose to put on the page. I should be more conscious of this, because sometimes I regret what I wrote. This goes for all forms of writing. Assignments, yes, but social media posts or text messages too. When I look back on certain situations, I can reflect and try to find out why. 

David Higgins (2011) Why reflect? Recognising the link between learning and reflection, Reflective Practice, 12:5, 583-584, DOI: 10.1080/14623943.2011.606693

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Homework Post #5

I consider myself a good writer, and I base this off of the fact that I got A’s in all my preceding college-level writing courses. Having said that, I’m not sure whether or not there is supposed to be an apostrophe when I pluralize a letter like I just did. Perhaps I am not as good as I thought. Good writing is a big theme of our current course. What is good writing, Dr. KT asks us. The question echoes. There doesn’t seem to be one obvious answer. However, one thing is clear to me. Good writing is difficult. 

Kate Vieira’s post about the difficulty of writing is an insightful piece. She writes well. Reading the text I feel like she is talking to me. And what she says about the struggles of writers’ block may seem obvious at first, but her reasoning is backed up by credible and relevant sources. Her cited works certainly added weight to the strength of her words, and she drops their knowledge so naturally. It made me think: did it come to her naturally? Or is she applying her expertise and writing crystal clear unclouded blog style structured essay? How many times did she press backspace/delete? She uses a certain style of writing. This made me think of the Frameworks for Success in Postsecondary Writing.

“As electronic technologies continue to spread and evolve, writers (and teachers) need to be thought- ful, effective users who are able to adapt to changing electronic environments.“

Reading Vieira’s article was published as a blog post. There is a certain criteria, syntax, structure, or format for a blog post. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I know it exists. But this makes writing even more complicated: the fact that one has to be good at writing in these different contexts. Tweets, emails, essays, novels, poems… they all have their own code. Does a good writer know them all? Or are they experts in one particular style of writing? Screenplays, airplane safety pamphlets. I may have gotten good grades in writing certain kinds of college papers, but can I write concise, effective instagram captions, tweets, facebook posts, tinder bios. 

I’ve heard about the whole left brain vs. right brain thing. And for the record, it’s accurate. Vieira states that writing involves the two working together. This creates noise while one works. Personally, I tend to overthink and second guess my own work. It slows down my writing process, I can feel it. It’s frustrating. Perhaps that’s all part of the process. Viera boldly said that writer’s suffer. I’m big on giving and receiving feedback, positive or negative. No sugar coating. There’s no reason to, especially when a grade is on the line. I’m talking about more than just spell checking and grammar checking. There is a difference between proofreading and editing. It’s like getting slapped back to reality.