Peer Review for Katie Russell

I reached out beyond my section and peer edited Katie's podcast (remains untitled) which she talks about in this post.

"Pencil" 10/27/15 via pixabay. C00 Public Domain.

I made a recommendation about form and left the following advice:

• Sound as engaged as possible during the introduction
• Ensure the interviewee segments do not distract from your message
• Add a closing section that focuses on why this topic matters
• Add music or sound effects to meet podcast conventions

I think my advice to Katie will help her meet the genre conventions. She has the content down and explained and ready to go, but is struggling with meeting the convention requirements. I gave her some reminders on how to make a podcast strong, which I think is helpful because since this is the first time most of us are making a podcast, reminders keep us on track.

I incorporated information from the Project 2 Guide, because I think that is one of our most valuable resources, since it tells us exactly what the goal of the project is and how to approach it. I suggested that Katie add the podcast conventions ASAP to really make sure the project requirements are being met.

One thing I like from Katie's podcast is her explanation of writing in the medical field. When reading her explanation, it clicked in my mind like an organization tree. She mentioned two sections, then mini subsections and I understood the breakdown. It is difficult to explain writing in he medical field, because there isn't much of it and there are not really "sections" or clear cut genres.

Peer Review for Marisa Kubacki

This week I peer edited Marisa Kubacki's podcast titled "What did one psychologist say to the other?", which she talks about in this post.

"Soundwaves" 4/4/14 via pixabay. C00 Public Domain.

I decided to make a copy-editing suggestion on language use. I gave Marisa the following advice:

• Add music between the intro and genre 1 segments
• Use more psychology terms to engage the audience in the podcast content
• Spend less time explaining the genre to allow more time for explaining the rhetorical devices used

I think my advice will help Marisa decide how to organize the transition music and how to voice her opinions in a quick yet effective manner. She was worried about her voice sounding bad, but I do not think these are issues at all. I really enjoyed listening to her podcast. With that said, I think she can now worry about other things she mentioned in her post such as audience engagement and content.

I incorporated the Project 2 Guide into my feedback. I advised Marisa to spend more time explaining the devices and less time with introducing the genres because the goal of project 2 is to analyze and explain the devices.

One thing I admire from Marisa's podcast is her tone. I loved listening to the podcast! She makes the material engaging by sounding interested and lively. I personally struggle with this because I think I always accidentally sound critical or confused. I will definitely try to learn from her voice inflections and hopefully incorporate this kind of energy into my podcast as well.

Reflection on Post-Production

About a month ago, I was feeling the relief of having finished project 1.

I am once again in that same boat. Woo! I just finished project 2 and couldn't be happier.

Found on tumblr.

I'll admit, I felt calmer during this project because I was used to the pace and the workload. But I struggled so much more with time.

It was an interesting process, but I am honestly glad I did it. I can now say I have created a podcast. The high school world of only essays and presentations seems so far away.....and I love it! 

So, reflection time.

What were some of the successes during this week's process?

• I was finally able to figure out Audacity! So my podcast has sound effects, intro music, and meets the form requirements.

• I finally figured out the content, and heavily revised the content outline and the order I presented things in.

• Me, a person who is terrible with audio editing programs and not the best public speaker, made a podcast. I'm kind of surprised I did it in all honesty. 

• I actually had fun, which I consider a success. I did not expect to enjoy this project at all because I was not familiar with podcasts and writing in the medical field is not exactly a thrilling topic. But I learned so much and feel better prepared for working in that field. And I feel more confident in my abilities to figure new things out.

What were some challenges?

• Time management!! I feel like I always have 500 things going on and not enough time. 

• Because of spring break, I was behind during production week, which lead to being behind in post-production week. I was very stressed the whole time.

• Uploading the final version of my podcast took an hour and a half. And my internet connection was not strong, it kept failing, so I was just not having a good time. Especially since I submitted the project last minute.

• I couldn't figure out how to use Audacity for such a long time. I imported the 30ish segments into a file, but as soon as I tried editing, I could no longer export the file. And if I edited connected the tracks, I was unable to edit them. It is a very weird program and set up. I ended up having to make around 20 individual Audacity filed, import only 1 segment, edit it there, then export that edited segment onto my desktop. Then, I created a folder of all the edited segments, numbered them, and made a list in my notebook of the completed podcast (factored in sound effects, transitions, my recordings, the interview recordings). Finally, I opened up a final Audacity file and imported everything from that folder of edited content. I had to be super careful to not let the segments connect to each other, because if they did, I would not be able to export. It was complicated.

• I was bummed Sunday afternoon because I couldn't spend time with my family on Easter because I had to finish re-recording and fixing the Audacity mess.

How do you think next week will go?

• Next week, we are starting Project 3, the Public Argument. I feel like I kind of under performed for project 2 because of the time constraints. If I had more time, I feel like I would have created something better. 

• Because of this, I feel like next week, I will work extra hard to find a topic that really interests me and that I can argue for creatively. I am thinking of doing the video essay, so I want to be as prepared as possible so I can really allow my creativity to flow.

• Overall, I think I will be more motivated, because now I know I am capable of figuring things out and remaining relatively calm during stressful times. I'm ready for project 3!

How are you feeling about the project overall?

• I enjoyed the process. I wish I had more time so I could make my podcast better though.

• I am still worried about the length. I've always had the tendency create longer projects, I don't really know why. But I do feel like everything I added in the podcast is there for a reason. It wouldn't have been the same otherwise. 

• I think I thoroughly explained everything and was detailed. Overall, I think I did a good job.

Editorial Report 9b

One section that I was particularly nervous about was personal statements.

"Notebook". 3/8/16 via pixabay. CC0 Public Domain.

I thought it would be interesting to use my own personal statement as an example of this genre, because it will be funner to analyze my own than some random statement. I just wasn't sure how to record this segment or what to say.

Selection from rough cut:

This and this are the rough content (intro and conclusion).

Re-edited selection:

This is the edited segment.


How did the content change? Why do you think the content is being communicated more effectively?

• I wrote about the personal statement process, specifically how I felt while writing it.
•  This helps establish credibility and allows for more dialogue/conversation, This helps meet the form requirements.

• I simplified the two main focuses of the personal statement.
• I talked about the divison in writing in the medical field early in my rough cut, so I am reminding the audience of this so they can organize the 2 sections and the genres under each section. Since audio is the only form of communication, I think this reminder is effective and allows for greater understanding.

• I add a bridge before I start reading from my personal statement.
• This allows for better communication because now the audience actually knows what is going on. They now know I will be reading something first, then analyzing it. This keeps them more engaged.

• I add analysis of the devices I used when writing.
• This is extremely important because it is the "so what". I tell the audience what I did and why I did it, which is the purpose of the podcast.

• I explained that personal statements are kind of a great oddball in the medical field.
• By telling the audience this, I am showing the uniqueness of personal statements and emphasizing their importance. I think this will get their attention and they will follow this section closely because of this information.

How did the form change? Why do you think the form is presenting the content more effectively?

• I accidentally added a sound effect between the intro and conclusion of my personal statement. I did not mean to do this tbh, but it worked out!

• I have added clearer divisions between the segments, but I should still add some kind of sound effect or music to really solidify the transitions.

Editorial Report 9a

Now that I have a rough cut, it is time to enter the editing stage!

"Headphones". 4/12/13 via pixabay. CC0 Public Domain.

This stage is honestly not my favorite, but it is still important.

I have taken a section from my rough content and have edited it to fit the goals of project 2.

Selection from rough cut:

This is the rough content. I asked Ned the question "Are we being adequately prepared for writing in the medical field?", but I was unsure of what to do with the response.

Re-edited selection:

This is the edited segment.


How did the content change? Why do you think the content is being communicated more effectively?

• I added a bridge to this segment. I am talking about how "well, clearly writing actually is important in the medical field". This makes the content more communicative because it allows the audience to follow it more easily. There are clear transitions that make logical jumps from one section to another. I think this will keep the audience engaged because they will hear the purpose of the things I am saying, which will make me sound less boring.

• Then, I state that I asked my interviewees a specific question about writing preparation in the undergrad years. I also explain the writing/English requirements for Physiology at the U of A and most medical schools. This helps me establish credibility because I am showing my knowledge of this topic. Also, by explaining the requirements, I am making sure everyone is on the same page. Once they know the requirements, it is easier for them to form their own opinions on this question and better understand the answers provided by Ned and Dr. Cohen.

• I also significantly condensed Ned's answer. I liked everything he said for that question, but I decided to spread that answer throughout other sections. This is better because spreading little portions of other people's voices does not distract from my own, but rather supports my claims.

How did the form change? Why do you think the form is presenting the content more effectively?

• I cut out that little section in the beginning and middle where I am asking Ned questions. I sounded like I was mumbling because I was not close to the microphone. It is easier to focus on the content when the mumbling is taken out.

• I added a sound effect/transition in the beginning (heart monitor sound). This is more effective because the audience knows I will be switching topics and the audio provides them a few seconds to gather thoughts before the next segment. 

• I also added bridges between speakers, like "Dr. Cohen said...", "Ned said...". This makes it easier for the audience to follow along and differentiate between the 3 opinions that are being expressed.

Open Post to Peer Reviewers

"Books" 3/18/12 via pixabay.CC0 public domain.

Well, the time has come to release a rough cut. I apologize for the delay. I was volunteering in Peru over spring break!! I did not have access to my computer or the internet.

But here it is, friends.

What you should know

• I want this project to be detailed, but am not really sure what time constraints to follow, so advice on that would be great!

• My project is about writing in the medical field, which is tricky business. I want to explain things as simply as possible, so hopefully that is achieved.

Major Weaknesses

• I am 100% aware of the fact that public speaking is NOT one of my strengths. Even when I am not actually in front of people, I still sound terrible. Just knowing other people are going to be listening to this makes me feel all weird and nervous. I am trying my best so please let me know what specific sections need re-recording. Trust me, I know my voice is terrible, I'm kind of just aiming for decent at this point.

• I am not sure if I am adding information that is not necessary. I do not know how long podcasts typically are. Is mine too short? Too long?

• I am not tech-savvy so I did not add sound effects yet, but I will figure it out eventually.

Major Strengths

• I think I do a good job at explaining the different genres. They are fairly straightforward.

• I use the interview segments adequately and to a reasonable extent. Those segments serve as back ups to my claims, but do not drown out my voice.

• I use good examples that illustrate the structure and content of the genres.

The Hyperlink

Here is the Rough Cut. Please be critical but don't make me cry.

Reflection on Production

Production week was kind of combined with pre-production week. So overall, that time was stressful.

As always, it is time to reflect. Mistakes definitely occurred, but I learned from them and hopefully use them to better myself for future projects.

"Dog sleeping". 6/15/12 via pixabay. CC0 Public Domain.

What were some successes during this week's process work?

• I recorded all of my content. Yay!

• I stuck to most of my production schedule. It was mostly the final two days that got me.

• I started to think more about the message I want to deliver through my podcast and shaping the content around it.

What were some challenges?

• I traveled to Peru over spring break to volunteer with doctors and other pre-medical students. I had a blast!! But because we were in volunteering, we did not have access to internet most of the time, and we did not have time for schoolwork. So I was unable to work on this project after 11 am on Friday (I left Friday afternoon). 

• I was unable to start piecing things together in Audacity, as I had planned in my production schedule.

• So, I did not complete the production reports or the rough cut until after I came back from spring break. 

• Once I was back, it was difficult to figure out Audacity, so I tried to download Garageband for PC and that failed. So I kept trying with Audacity and eventually figured it out the day before and the day of the final deadline. 

• I rushed to upload everything to google drive, but I also discovered Spreaker at this time, so I uploaded everything there too.

How do you think next week will go, based on your experiences this week?

• This week was kind of terrible. I did not have enough time to finish everything.

• I know I have a lot of assignments due the week after spring break, so I know I will be extremely busy. I will have to manage my time very effectively in order to finish everything.

How are you feeling about the project overall at this point?

• I feel confident in the content, but not too confident on the form.

• Audacity was hard to use and I am not tech-savvy so it's just an interesting road block.

Production Report 8b

One genre I am analyzing for this project is the personal statement, which is a portion of an application for medical school.

I thought it would be interesting to incorporate my own experience with this genre, since I just recently wrote one.

I recorded myself reading the introduction and conclusion of my personal statement. I know, its probably awful.

"Microphone" 3/16/12 via pixabay. C00 public domain.

I am unsure to what extent to read from my personal statement or how to incorporate the analysis.

This and this are the raw footage.

This is the content outline portion:

• I will be sharing the opening and concluding sections of my personal statement. It is still very rough and is 100% going to change a lot by the time I submit it to medical schools, but this is what I have so far.
• *insert PS intro*
• In my introduction, I am logical. I lay out the three main reasons why medicine is for me. I am brief because I want to lay out my opinion then spend most of my time further explaining those claims. In the middle, I write about the logistics of why the medical field’s structure fits my personality. I also used imagery and storytelling to explain how some of my personal struggles have made me the person I am today.
• *insert PS conclusion*
• The conclusion, I wrap up how I identify as a person. I am slightly more emotional because this topic is something I hold close to my heart, and I truly believe I fit in a place that cares for people. I cannot imagine being anywhere else. I plan on making edits and using more imagery and typical writing devices like allusions and syntax to make the writing stronger.

How did you decide to use form to present your content? How did the conventions influence your choices?

• I tried to pick nice, short sections from my personal statement, so that way they can fit nicely into the time constraints of a podcast, but still have enough info for me to analyze.

• I went a bit off script for this section because I am talking about myself, so it is easier to make this section sound like a conversation, which is the goal of the project. 

• I used a different tone of voice when reading from my personal statement to make it easy to differentiate between the personal statement passages and the podcast content itself.

How did production go? What challenges occurred during process?

• Well, I was home during the time I was recording myself reading from the personal statement, so I think there may be some noises in the background. I might have to edit those sounds out or re-record.

• The main challenge with this section was figuring out what portions of my personal statement I was willing to share. I did not want to read too much from it, because it contains personal info and such, so I decided to just go with the intro and conclusion. 

Production Report 8a

Okay, here we go. I now have raw content but I am not entirely sure what to do with it.

"Recording" 1/27/16 via pixabay. C00 Public Domain.

I interviewed Ned, a medical student at U of A.
I asked him "Are we [pre-medicine students] being prepared for writing in the medical field?". I really liked his answer, but I am not sure how to incorporate it or this question into my final project.

This is the content outline:

• With all those examples aside, it is evident that writing is a big deal in medicine. Just not in the way we typically see writing. In the medical field, it is supposed to be condensed, logical and straightforward. So I asked my Dr. Cohen and Ned if they thought pre-med undergraduates are being adequately prepared for writing in the medical field.
• At the U of A, physiology majors are required to take a freshman level English course and an upper division English course sometime before graduation. Medical schools typically ask for this.
• Ned said *insert segment*

This is the raw footage (adaptation of content).


How did you decide to use form to present your content? How did the conventions influence your choices?

• I want to make the podcast sound as real as possible, so I want to be the host but have segments where my interviewees are providing their input, which will add variety and make the podcast more interesting. 
• The conventions of a podcast immediately led me to think of this project as a talk show kind of thing. So I know I need to have a lively tone and be detailed but not overwhelming.

How did production go? What challenges occurred during process?

• Production was generally easy!
• Pre-production kind of reduced me to a stressed out puddle. 
• After I learned how to record and convert files, the process seems much easier.
• The interviews were fun so I have a lot of content to work with. Hopefully I will find a smart way to piece everything together.

Reflection on Pre-Production

There have been some minor setbacks, and this deadline has been moved back a few days.

Pre-production week was longer because of this, but I still struggled to get everything done in time.

"Studio" 10/29/15 via pixabay. CC0 public domain.

Nevertheless, I now have a content outline, production schedule, and raw footage from interviews.

What were some of the successes during this week's process work?

• I created an outline! I definitely consider this a huge success because I think outlines are extremely helpful. It's not very good or very detailed yet, but I have a general direction. I can fix and modify it later.

• I recorded everything on my outline. I am not sure about the audio quality though, but I can deal with that issue during production week.

• I loved the interviews. Ned and Dr. Cohen both gave me so much information. I know I will have a lot of options and ways to use the material throughout the project.

What were some of the challenges?

• My time was very limited. I am traveling over spring break so I was unable to explore Audacity, the audio editing software, so I hope to find time later to explore it. I am a little nervous though, because I have not done this type of project before, so I feel like I don't know what I am doing.

• I have a lot of content from my interviews. A lot. It is hard to decide which content to use and how to incorporate it. I need a better grasp on the goals of project 2.

How do you think next week will go, based on your experience this week?

• I am nervous for next week, because I know very little about audio editing. I anticipate that it will be hard to use and I will have some trouble with it.

• I am also still unsure of how I want to construct my podcast's content outline. I'm probably going to change some things, so I will probably have to re-record.

• I will not have access to my laptop or the internet during spring break, so I know I will not be able to work on this project.

• When I come back, I know I have a lot of other assignments due that week and the next, so I know time management will be difficult.

How are you feeling about the project overall at this point?

• Above all, I am feeling nervous. I do not know how the final project is going to come along because of some of the issues. 

• But interestingly, I am having fun. I like voicing my opinion and creating things. 

Production Schedule P2

Okay, here comes the part I don't like so much. Schedules are hard for me. Not in the way you would expect though.

I love having a schedule, it allows me to figure out what I have to do and when I can do it.

I hate creating schedules. I never know if I am giving myself enough time nor what types of unpredictable life curve balls will be thrown my way. And honestly, making a schedule shows just how much I have to do, and how little time I have. It can be stressful.

"Clock". 6/8/15 via pixabay. C00 Public Domain.

But nevertheless, the pros do outweigh the cons.

My production schedule is tentative because of personal reasons. I am like 85% sure I will be making changes later, but for now, this is what I plan to do.

Content Outline P2

I love outlines!

I outline basically everything--planners, studying plans, shopping lists, phone conversations, chem lab report responses, essays, speeches. Basically everything that I do, I outline. I think it is a fantastic organizational tool.

As of right now, I have conducted two interviews and have explored three genres. There is a lot of information in my head and I need to organize it, as Michael Scott would say, ASAP as possible.

Courtesy of Riffsy.

This outline I have created is rather rough and likely to change, but this is what I've got going on.


How are you outlining your project? What is different? What is similar?