Project 3 Reflection: Interviews

           Of the three projects in my English 101 class, I found project three to be the easiest. I did a few things well throughout the project that helped make it easier. I did not procrastinate as I usually do, which helped me come up with better ideas, a better draft and a nicer final draft. I think I did a nicer job at giving feedback to others while peer editing. Although I found having to choose an interesting topic quite strenuous, I thought I chose an effective topic that was unique. When I first heard of project three I thought I was going to have a challenging time making an audio recording because I am not skilled at all in that area of work. I was surprised to find that I did do a great job at knowing how to work Garage Band. I believe I adjusted to the program fast and I learned how to cut things out, add things and join things together quickly.
            I struggled with writing the context of the paper. My draft was not what was expected and it was very poorly written because most of my paper was filled with interviews. I think that since I did not know what to write about at the beginning I filled my paper with interview questions, rather than information. I struggled with coming up questions for me to answer in the paper and with knowing how the proper format of the project should be. I did not know when to include interviews so that it could flow well with my paper. For my interview I found someone who was against what I was talking about and I included what he had to say into my draft so that I could write an opposing argument but I did not know how. Instead of helping my argument, it weakened it so I had to exclude that whole interview from my project.
            I learned that to receive what I wanted to hear in my interview, I needed to dig deeper. I asked very broad questions that did not help my argument for my paper but I soon learned to ask more detailed questions that could really strengthen my argument. I learned how to write as if I were a reporter and how to properly write an introduction with background information for my audience. I learned to minimize the amount of quotations I use from my interviewees in order to include more factual information from my part and how to record and properly put together an audio recording.
            I would have to say that I did make a strong argument. I listed ways that ASU benefit from having my topic and incorporated it into my essay. I interviewed students as well as people who took part in my event, so that I could get a closer look. My interviewees gave me the responses I wanted that helped strengthen my argument and prove my point. I will apply this work outside of the University in case I ever need to make an audio recording again, perhaps to apply for a job or while working. This project was very useful to me because I had never done anything like it and it really helped me as a writer and also with learning how to use technology to record.