Multimodal Genre Studies Profolio by Melanie Figueroa

Circle of influence

melaniefigueroa25 — 2025-09-22 20:12:41 UTC

1. I have the biggest influence in my friend group because they are more inclined to go since they know they will not be alone.

I have the least authority at home because I am the youngest child.

While I did state that it is where I have the least authority, my influence still did expand. With family, every year I get older, I am taken more seriously.

melaniefigueroa25 — 2025-09-22 20:30:26 UTC

melaniefigueroa25 — 2025-09-22 20:38:29 UTC

melaniefigueroa25 — 2025-09-22 20:42:58 UTC

These images represent loneliness because they are all very empty, dark, and cold.

Ranking Reasoning

melaniefigueroa25 — 2025-09-24 05:58:07 UTC

Students should get free bus passes.

Strongest: Public transportation reduces traffic

It helps the environment

Students pay tuition

Weakest: Riding the bus is fun

I chose public transportation reduces traffic because with less traffic on the street, people are able to get around faster.

Classes should start later in the morning.

Strongest: Students will be more focused

Teenagers naturally wake up later

Teachers are also tired in the morning

Weakest: Cafeterias could sell more breakfast food.

I chose that students will be more focused if classes start later because sleep is an important part of brain function.

Everyone should learn how to cook.

Strongest: Cooking is healthier than eating out

Cooking saves money

You can impress your friends

Weakest: Cooking shows are popular

I chose cooking is healthier than eating out as my strongest reason because a lot of people are concerned with their health, and this can be backed up with research.

Reading fiction improves critical thinking.

Strongest: Fiction helps people imagine perspectives

Fiction builds character

It strengthens empathy

Weakest: Some novels are boring

I chose this as the strongest reason because understanding perspective plays a huge role in critical thinking. To add to this, not everyone thinks that novels are boring.

Voting should be mandatory

Strongest: Democracy works better with more participation

It would make elections fairer

Other countries have mandatory voting

Weakest: Some people don't care about politics

I chose that democracy works better with more participation because that way, there is a larger opinion given by the people.

Homework should be reduced

Strongest: Students get stressed from too much work.

Students are too busy with jobs and activities.

Teachers spend too much time grading.

Weakest: Extra practice improves learning

I chose this reason as the strongest because, as a student, sometimes juggling school work and personal life can become too much. Mental health is important, and with too much work, some people can forget about that.

Social media does more harm than good

Strongest: Social media spreads misinformation

People waste time scrolling

It creates anxiety and comparison

Weakest: It helps people connect with friends

I chose social media spreads misinformation because everyone has fallen for fake news at least once. With this, my weakest reasoning is actually going against the claim being made.

Video games should be considered a sport

Strongest: They require strategy and skill

Players practice many hours

Gaming competitions draw huge audiences

Weakest: They don't involve physical activity

I chose They require strategy and skill as my strongest reason because something that requires planning and quick thinking is just like any other sport.

College students should take at least one art class

Strongest: Art encourages problem-solving skills

Creativity is useful in any career

Art classes reduce stress

Weakest: Some students dislike art

I chose art to encourage problem-solving skills because it allows one to think outside the box to fix any mistakes.

first draft

melaniefigueroa25 — 2025-09-29 21:03:05 UTC

Revised

melaniefigueroa25 — 2025-09-29 21:12:41 UTC

I changed what was suggested to me, which was to maybe add a picture of someone using product. For this, I chose the iconic moment of Rihanna using her own makeup product during her halftime performance. I also added a bit more explanation on how some makeup products can be beneficial to the skin.

Walking Research

melaniefigueroa25 — 2025-10-21 17:38:14 UTC

I went for a walk around Third Ward Memorial Park, a park in my hometown of Passaic, New Jersey. This park is quite large and is known for its various activities, as well as the small river that runs through it. It is a space for people to walk around, kids to play on the playgrounds, ice skating when in season, play volleyball, basketball, tennis, eat at the boathouse, fish, or sit and enjoy the scenery. It is a memorial park, so there are numerous stones and trees with tributes to those who have served in the US Army. People are respectful of the park for this reason. It is exceptionally clean with minimal garbage. Anyone can enter the park, even in their car, as long as they stay on the roads. It is encouraged to be there because when I went there, there was a birthday party at a wooden table. It seems, at least to me, that anyone can feel welcome in this park because everything is separated into sections. The playgrounds for the kids are located on one side, the baseball field is situated across the street, the tables are set out in the open, and the benches are positioned in front of the water. Not to mention, the park is accessible, as there are no stairs to navigate anywhere, except for the back patio of the boathouse restaurant. Even then, there is a ramp to access the back patio, but you have to go around the outside instead of directly out the back door. The city has full control of this park due to the extensive staff it has hired to maintain the park. It is completely free to go in and out of this park, but if you get hungry, the boathouse restaurant in the park might get you with their high-priced goods. Everyone, regardless of age, comes to this park, so there is no stigma associated with it. The only control around the park is the signs that say 'no feeding the geese.' All I personally know about this park is that it is where my parents would take me growing up, and there are constant events going on. Every time there are holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the park is adorned with decorations and small flags on each memorial stone. Many people visit the park to walk, or if they have company, to catch up. If they had a kid with them, I immediately assumed they came to the playground. I feel that reading the memorial stones around the park and visiting the local library to research the park would give me a better understanding of its history.

Overall, walking research is a great way to collect data because you are there in the moment, experiencing firsthand what it is like to walk around the area. Perhaps you go on a day that is extremely high-energy, with kids running around and people working out. Or you might visit on a quiet day where everyone seems deep in thought, sitting by the water and reflecting.

Interview questions

melaniefigueroa25 — 2025-10-30 20:29:36 UTC

Person I would like to interview: Albiona Cala

How would you describe your experience so far at St. John's as a first-year college student?
Would you say that you are learning outside the classroom as much as you are in the classroom?
What are some things that you miss from home?
Do you feel as though there are more opportunities in the city compared to your hometown?
Are there any culture shocks that you experienced when you first moved to the city?

5 Minute audio interview

melaniefigueroa25 — 2025-11-07 14:52:26 UTC

Humans of Campus Project

melaniefigueroa25 — 2025-11-07 21:47:38 UTC

Research Artifact

melaniefigueroa25 — 2025-12-01 21:40:32 UTC

Research Artifact infographic

melaniefigueroa25 — 2025-12-01 21:41:30 UTC

You're Here Map

melaniefigueroa25 — 2025-12-15 20:09:52 UTC

On my map of the F train, each stop represents what I have done or achieved this semester. The first stop of 169 St. is the station closest to St John's University. I used to go home and come back frequently. The next stop, Parsons Blvd., is labeled as a place to meet new people and make friends. I have met and made so many great friends this semester, and I feel like I have been more social than usual. Then there is Sutohin Blvd. labeled as volunteer work. This is because for the first-year seminar at St. John's University, community service is mandatory, and I had a wonderful time with min,e which was a beach cleanup. Van Wyck Blvd. Was put as exploring New York because I am from Jersey, and the farthest I had explored New York was Manhattan, so Queens is something new to me. Lastly, I have Forest Hill surviving finals week because it is not the last stop that the train will make. There are more stops to make and explore.