After completing the Details module of Project 1, turn your attention to the Structure module. Its instructions are included below:
Create an outline for your think piece essay. Typically, these kinds of articles
begin with a problem or question or issue, and the writer discusses, grapples with, and
works through the issue in the subsequent paragraphs, and concludes with a resolution or
better understanding of the issue at the end. Your outline is a way to help you think
through how you want to write your think piece, which will save you time in the long
run. Without a good structure for your think piece going into it, writes often get bogged
down in details or tangential points, which have to be cut from the final essay before
publication. Save yourself time in the long run by creating an outline that you stick to as
you write the think piece. Besides aspects of the issue that you will be writing about, you
can select quotes/observations/points raised in your research as a paragraph in your
outline. Each paragraph should be about a single issue, discussed, and leading into the
point of your next paragraph. If it seems like you have one paragraph on your outline
with several quotes or points, you should break it into smaller paragraphs. For those
paragraphs where you plan to discuss a quote from your research, copy-and-paste the
quote, citation, and bibliographic info into that point on your outline. Again, you are
setting yourself up for rapid writing and saving time in the next step.
Format this document as a memo, save it, and then copy-and-paste it into a comment to this blog post. If possible, complete this part during class, but if needed, you may take more time with this module. It is due before class on Feb. 16 so that we can focus on the Execution module during class on that day.
To: Jason W. Ellis
From: George Gordon
Date: February 16, 2016
Subject: Project 1, Structure
1. YouTube and their Content ID System. (Much of the problem stems from the fact that this is an automated system and when the system was expanded to include videos affiliated with a multi-channel network.)
A. ”The problems with ContentID have always been in the news over the years, but lately have become more common, even comically so.”
2. Content Creators.
A. Let’s Plays. (Nintendo, who monetizes those who make videos on their content and Sony who tried to trademark Let’s Plays.)
B. Reviews. (IHE, NC, Top15s.)
3. Channel/Video Takedowns.
A. Three Strikes Clause/Unfair Use. (What happens to channels and the charges brought against them.)
B. Community to the Rescue. (How YouTube doesn’t have a method for creators to contact them aside from some automated emails and their counterclaim system being useless thus having the community to come and help them.)
C. Fair Use/DCMA. (Explaining fair use and how most of these videos/channels are correct.)
D. “Most fair use analysis falls into two categories: (1) commentary and criticism, or (2) parody.”
4. YouTube’s Response.
A. The 2013 Response. (“You won’t see an apology here. You won’t see a change in policy. You’ll see support for the Content ID system that’s been more broadly unleashed on the reviews, features, Let’s Plays and other video pieces created by YouTubers and watched by millions of gamers.”) How YouTube did not and still has not created a system that can protect its content creators.
B. The 2015 Response. (“We’re doing this because we recognize that creators can be intimidated by the DMCA’s counter notification process, and the potential for litigation that comes with it”) The fact that this only takes into account channels from the U.S. and will only apply to cases YouTube believes can win. However, these cases could set precedents.
C. Viacom vs. YouTube. How YouTube spends millions defending their use of copyrighted content and yet do not help the content creators who made their site.
5. Conclusion.
A. Steps to correct this system.
To: Professor Ellis
From: Christopher Navarrete
Date: 2/16/2016
Re: Project 1 Structure
Paragraph 1
1. Violence in video games
A. Discuss the origins of violence in video games. (Ex. Mortal Kombat, GTA, Death Race)
B. Quote: “At one point in time, games were just meant for children, and nobody really took them seriously. But it was with the launch of Mortal Kombat that people who controlled the media vegan to look at it differently.”
C. Talk a little bit about the controversies that sparked in those games.
Paragraph 2
1. Findings that say violence in video games does cause harm to children
A. Use academic articles as sources for this information
B. Find articles that explain the long term effects
C. Quote: “A new report from the American Psychological Association (APA) found there is insufficient research to support that link. It found that there is evidence showing the games increase aggression but not enough to demonstrate that playing the games lead to criminal behavior or delinquency.”
Paragraph 3
1. Findings that say violence in video games does not cause harm to children.
A. Use academic articles as sources for this information
B. Possibly compare these findings to the previous paragraph’s findings.
Paragraph 4
1. How video games benefit us
A. Find articles that talk about how video games actually help in some way
B. Quote: “A new study indicates people who play fast-paced video games have better vision, multi-task better, and retain information better than those who don’t.”
Paragraph 5
1. End with opinion and summarize previous paragraphs
To: Professor Ellis
From: Ashley Dunlap
Date: 2/16/2016
Re: Project 1, Structure
1. Examples given of cultural appropriation (Cosmo) and cultural representation (Oscars & Grammy Awards)
A. Introducing the idea that there is an issue with the way African American culture is presented, manipulated, and respected in the media.
2. Defining cultural appropriation & representation
A. Cultural appropriation
B. Cultural Representation
3. Cultural Appropriation
A. Content from Tumblr blog
B. Content from New York Times
4. Cultural Representation
A. History of diversity in Hollywood
B. #OscarsSoWhite: NY Times article
5. Conclusion
A. Personal opinion on the issue
B. What changes should be made going forward?
C. Leave with the question raised by actress Amandla Stenberg: “What would America be like if we loved black people as much as we love black culture?”
To: Professor Ellis
From: Rownak Choudhury
Date: 2/18/2016
Re: Project 1, Structure
My issue/purpose: Raise awareness for the increasing need of knowledge and skills is using computing technology in today’s work force.
A) Introduction into Topic:
Paragraph 1: Connect to the audience by discussing practical uses of computerized technology in today’s work field. USE ACADEMIC RESOURCE.
B) Background/Necessary information
Paragraph 2: What do I mean by “intermediate knowledge” when I say that it is essential in today’s work force? USE ACADEMIC RESOURCE. (Break into two paragraphs if necessary)
Paragraph 3: Is it necessary to have intermediate knowledge of computers in your particular field? USE ACADEMIC RESOURCE.
Paragraph 4: Consider and discuss the different backgrounds/experiences one may be coming from in trying to master intermediate knowledge of computers.
C) Provide solutions:
Paragraph 5: Real world solutions to gaining more knowledge. E.g. Classes one can take to make themselves more tech-savvy; Books that can be read; Systems that can be used.
Paragraph 6: Provide realistic hope for the audience. Let the audience know that understanding one system of technology is a gateway into understanding many more. Give examples.