Guided Notes

Writing Project #1 Worksheet

Your Space: Track

What are the intended functions of the space?

-For runners to train and compete on.

What overt messages does the space send (i.e., openly communicated through signs)?

-to run as fast as you can

What covert messages does the space send (i.e., hidden messages)?

-to work as hard as you can

Have previous users left traces behind in the space?

-no really, just the mental knowledge of who has ran there

Has the space been re-appropriated (i.e., beyond its original functions)?

-no it has not been re-appropriated

What social or cultural customs did you observe (i.e., rules governing appropriate behavior)?

-The track breeds competition

Who has access to the space? Are there insiders and outsiders?

-Anyone has access to the track but the athletes on the team are the insiders

Who owns the space?

-ASU owns the space

What is the space’s value (i.e., monetary or otherwise)?

-probably a lot of money and memories for the athletes who have competed there.

Are there official representations of the space (i.e., online, in promotional materials)? Do they accurately capture the space as you experienced it?

-Yes the sponsors for the team.

Is the space in transition, a changing space?

-no it is not.

What conflicts or tensions are there in the space?

-the competition of who is faster between runners

What is the space’s history? Do you see evidence of the past there in the present?

-Its relatively new but Olympians have competed on it, but you can see it unless you go to the trophy case in the stadium

How does this space differentiate itself from other spaces? What other spaces is it similar to, but how is it different from those spaces?

It’s the only track at ASU but its similar to the football and basketball stadiums because people go and watch them compete to see who is better at each sport.

Key Features / Profiles (taken from the Norton Field Guide (Goggin and Bullock) Chapter 16, pages 165-166)

An interesting subject. What is unusual about your space? Alternatively, is there something ordinary about it that you can show in an intriguing way?

-The only Track at ASU but it’s the same size as every other track in college and high school

Any necessary background. What background information will you need to include about the space in order to situate readers?

-story about a Olympian that competed on this track.

An interesting angle. Rather than trying to tell readers everything about the space, what angle(s) might you use?

-my experiences in track

A firsthand account. Did you interact with people in the space or participate in some way? What experiences did you have there that you can write about using “I”? (Yes, first person point of view is encouraged, especially for this paper.)

-yes I did when I tried out for the team

Engaging details. What specific information must you include in your description of the space? What potential does your space have for the use of sensory images, figurative language, dialogue, anecdotes, and showing rather than telling? What do you want the dominant impression to be?

-A place where some of the best go to compete

Generating Ideas and Text (taken from the Norton Field Guide (Goggin and Bullock) Chapter 16, pages 168-169)

Explore what you already know about your subject. Why do you find this space interesting? What did you already know about it?

-Because I love track, I know that ASU has one of best men’s track teams on the west coast

If you’re planning to interview someone, prepare questions. What would you like to -ask someone in the space in order to better understand it?

-What they run in track, where they went to high school and how fast do they run.

Do additional research. Does your space have an online component? How else might you gather additional research?

-The Track team has a website

Analyze your findings. What patterns, images, or recurring ideas or phrases did you use to describe your space? What contrasts or discrepancies do you see?

The lines in the track that create lanes and decide where a runner stops and starts. I usually talked about running fast and competition.

Come up with an angle. What is most memorable about your subject? What most interests you? What will interest your audience?

The great athletes that have competed on the track.