Reflection of my Blog Experience

This image is representing the success of college graduates. It is the day I am looking forward to and talk about often.  This is the visual that I keep in my mind constantly.  It is what keeps me motivated to persevere through the times I think I cannot achieve a task.  I am focused on the "prize" and that is what keeps me going as a nontraditional student.      

Even though I knew social construction was popular, it was something I never took the time to engage in.  I have been use to the traditional social contact with others and to relate my issues and connecting researched information was only done in writing in essay format and was not publically available such as my blog.   I was intrigued with this project and learned that my intellect and emotions where not just my own.  I was interest to find that there was research connected to my thoughts and that they were indeed interesting enough for others to think the same as I.  I also found that this nontraditional online format was similar yet different compared to the traditional format I am accustomed to.  To see my work on the internet was a new experience for me and different in the way of that I could actually take my personally connected issue, collaborate it with research and invite others on the web to comment on my views of my topic.  The images I searched for connecting them to my context was also a very new experience and to add the visual rhetoric strategies engaged me to think at a deeper level.  I have however, had subconsciously used rhetoric strategies but never connected the thought at the level I had in this project.    I can now see why others are engaging in the activity of blog posting.  It is very unique and interesting on every level and now having done it myself I am a big fan!

Image from Google Images, Retrieved December 10, 2010, http://www.good.is/tag/nontraditional-students , WWW.

Visual Rhetoric

               Image about nontraditional students graduating college, (n.d.) Retrieved December 7, 2010

                      from Google Images, http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/dre1402l.jpg, WWW.

This image illustrates the new age of college students.  The homogeneity of older returning students could indicate their belief in lifelong learning.   The importance of many older adults to obtain higher education is rising because of lack of employment in today’s economy.  Another reason, my primary reason, is that even though I have ventured many job professions and titles I have never majored at any of them.  Motivation to persevere and obtain a degree in a career path of my interest excites me.  Audience for this image may be a stay at home mom or dad or one wanting to expand their academic knowledge and connect it to their already established life and experiences.   

Mythos is a term meaning to engage community.  I feel this image represents mythos by encouraging anyone interested in returning to college to do so. Diversity in the college community is widespread as I have experienced. 

Pathos in this image connects feelings of accomplishment regarding age or gender.  Showing that education is achievable and success is possible for ones with the emotional mind set.  The image shows emotion of success as they walk toward receiving their diplomas. 

Ethos meaning creditability is another strategy illustrated in this image.  I would think that a younger student viewing this image would make them realize that education is important enough for an older person to return to college, and would encourage them to strive forward with their academic studies.  As well an older person unhappy with their current job or wanting to advance to a higher position, this image may motivate them to broaden their education.

This image lastly shows logos which mean words engaging showing rational appeal.   The words are in bold above the image and it validates that the nontraditional student is a reality.  The words encourage the viewer to look at the people illustrated in the image, they appear to be different age groups and the last one looks rather old but what it is basically stating is no one is ever too old to learn and achieve. 

Image showing college student going to study (n. d.) Retrieved December 7, 2010 from Google Images, http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/m/midnight_oil.asp from WWW.

                This image illustrates an adult student going to study.  He has his gear including coffee and food.  I found this image to be humorous but serious at the same time.  As you can see he is loaded down with a bulging backpack.  This is a reality for any college student, in fact for a nontraditional student like myself with other responsibilities as a mother and wife, I spend many days after classes, days off from classes and late nights doing homework and studying.  The intended audience would be in particular a nontraditional student.  I feel this image strongly shows the effects on personal life.

                I feel this image shows pathos by directing to his loved one not to wait up for him. His loved one looks disappointed in this image.  I have seen this look before in my family’s faces.  I feel the emotion of this image because though I have family support with my decision to go to college, I tend to feel guilty at times because I do miss out on quality family time.  It is challenging enough to just get the necessities of my personal life complete; to spend an entire day with the family would only make me feel the stress of getting my studies done. 

                  The image contains a caption, logos, engaging words to the image to help clarify the illustrator’s message.  Without the words, you can assume maybe the person is leaving home, or going to visit a friend for dinner and coffee. 

 

Ethos, giving belief that college is hard work and can interfere with personal life is shown in this image.  One has to be focused, with understanding and support from their loved ones to handle the stresses of being able to embrace school and personal life.