Final Notebook Activity by Katie Edwards Christlieb

1. What were the notebook activities that made you think differently about a project, or about your writing (or research or revisions)?

-5i. Use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and/or Pinterest as a way to explore how people communicate messages/information about your issue. Try posting some information about your issue and then pose some questions to your audience. What happened? Explain why you think you received the answers/feedback that you received. Create a Wordle word cloud with all of the responses OR create a collage of the photographs and other information that was offered.

This activity was a bit out of my comfort zone. Asking my fellow facebook friends their opinions and views on my issue. Their opinions opened up a new window, I no longer had tunnel vision on the subject I asked them about.

-2e. Write two lists entitled "What I Know" and "What I Don't Know” about my issue. Develop a list of possible resources that you could help you explore what you “know” and find answers to what you “don’t know” about your issue.

This one made me dig deeper into my issue, really find out what I thought I knew and highlight the things I did not know at all.

2. What notebook activities were the most interesting or fun?

-6o. Create an annotated playlist related to your issue. Choose a set of six (or so) songs--you could even make the playlist on Spotify--and write a 50-100 word annotation for each, sharing how each song comments on the issue.

I really enjoyed this activity because I was able to use songs that connected to me on a personal level and explain why I believe they are associated with my issue.

I thought this one was fun as well because along with the opinions I received, I correlated some photos to go along with my responses. I just really liked the layout and the way it presented itself.

3. Which notebook entries do you like the best now?

My favorite one is this one, because I didn’t have a lot of restrictions on what I could and could not do. I love music and it was nice that my notebook assignment was digging into the lyrics of songs that connect to my issue.

4. Which notebook activities might you try again, in other writing circumstances?

Honestly, I would use them all. The reason why is because those assignments made me look at different perspectives on my writing. It gave me a fresh new look and it helped strengthen my writing altogether. I found those assignments very helpful.

5. Name three new tools or strategies you now have as a result of doing the notebook activities, ones that you can use with some confidence going forward.

I really liked the assignment where it showed you what words to take out of your writing. The words were meaningless and did not add anything to my paper. That was an interesting tip, I think that will help me if my writing had to be within a certain word count. I could help me eliminate meaningless words.

I also liked the activity where it had you think about different modes you could use to portray your writing. Using different organization strategies to display it. Sometimes your writing looks okay, but it may be even better if you rearranged some parts, added some here and take a little away from another spot. It’s all about revision!!!

I think asking for others opinions and views on your piece is important. I think they bring a new idea or a different view that you may have looked over. Obviously we are not professionals on the subject, help and feedback is very important. Although I am shy, I really want to start using my peers as a tool instead of thinking of them as competition and trying to be the best.

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