Journal Blog #5: What is your area of interest?

We're looking towards the end of the course. In these last 4 weeks, we are writing for a reader. We are narrowing down to an interesting and academic topic that we will research, support, and communicate. The narrowing process is the first, and really the most crucial step. It is this step where you work to understand a particular situation that comes from a particular subject that comes from a particular field or area.

Let's start making the first baby steps. We are all starting from the same place: Innovation and/or Inspiration. The next step is to identify a field or area of interest that you can link to the theme. It may be your major, or it may be another area that we have read about this term. There are no rules at this step. You can go wherever you want, but every step after this must follow from here.

In this journal blog, please explain your area of interest and why. Include your ID# and Section # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #4: The perfect face.

We have thought about how to start an essay with an introduction. Starting is absolutely the hardest part because there is so much that we're trying to do in that paragraph: introduce the topic, provide background and context, state the point of the essay with a thesis statement, and hopefully, catch the reader's attention. This all has to happen with about ten sentences.

We look at the Mona Lisa, and regardless of whether or not you enjoy or appreciate art, there is something about her face that we cannot deny, nor can we quite understand. Artists for generations have studied this face and millions of people per year visit the Louvre museum in Paris, just to catch a glimpse of that cheeky smile.

Try your best introduction for the thesis statement: DaVinci's Mona Lisa has inspired all artists after about how to paint the perfect face.

The best introductions will be reviewed in class. Remember to include your ID# and Section # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #3: In what area will the next most important innovation be in the next 20 years?

Up to now, we have been reading about where ideas come from and how problems inspire innovation. Now, we are going to start looking for our own inspirations for topic ideas that will motivate us to write.

In the last 20 years, I would have to say the innovation of the internet has really been the most important and world-changing technology. It is hard to imagine a world without it now, and what it has done for all areas of life: for business, for society, for politics, for entertainment... the list goes on. There have been other innovations as well, like in  health care and in transportation, but the internet and the wide access it gives has really expanded the opportunities for all of these other fields.

Let's now look forward. What can we expect or predict for the next 20 years? The world is facing global warming, and it seems to be worse than we originally thought. There are constant wars and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere. Ebola is breaking out in West Africa and could spread to other places. Cities around the world are over-crowded, and the gap between rich and poor is widening in every society.

From problems comes innovation. In this journal blog, I want you to think about from what area or field will the next big innovation come? Will it be an innovation in health care? In economics? In technology? Another? Make your own prediction and explain why.

Remember to include your Section # and ID # in your post. Aj. M