Workshop Feedback...

The oldest continuous standing Texas zoo is located right here, in Fort Worth-This is very interesting – maybe describe why you believe it is the oldest/has lasted as long as it has

I think you can also expand on the history of the zoo and what is has done for Fort Worth as a community and how you, as a college student, have been affected. 

• I like this idea because I could focus my argument about the economics of the community and how it could effect the zoo, added to the fact that the zoo once was going under, but turned around and got sponsors (money); or I could just elaborate more on the facts/history of the zoo...

 I think having a membership entitles you to so much more; it allows you to realize that you hold the power to a lot of useful information, What has it been like to be a member of this community?

• I like this idea because I could say my personal reasons for becoming a member and how it has affected my view of the zoo.

I also plan to add more description about the the zoo itsself, the surrounding area, where it is located, the signs, smells, and possible tastes that are located at the zoo as well. Then I plan on mentioning how the high prices could effect the zoo in possible negative ways and what it could mean for the local community.

Draft 1: Authors Note

In Draft I decided to organize my paper to see how the flow would go.  I feel that the argument->Inference/Analysis: discuss for each of 2-3 arguments you’re focusing on…Would work the best, using my two most powerful arguments as my “topic” of each paragraph then breaking them down with smaller but interesting points. I chose to talk about the money factors at the zoo and the economic decision factors one must make while attending. In my first draft I didnt get to talk much about the rest of my paper and the other main arguments I was choosing. I also want to argue the knowledge/conservation issues that the zoo holds and how they are great attributes to the local schools of Fort Worth. Please let me know any ideas you might have or helpful hints, thanks. 

The Meaning of My Chosen Space...

A zoo is an important attribute to any city. The Fort Worth Zoo is a renowned zoo that has been named the top zoo by many known magazines and is the oldest continuous zoo in Texas. To me being the oldest continuous zoo in Texas is an amazing title. It has to hold value for a lot of the local audience because they too are from Fort Worth, therefore that hometown feeling has to be there. It means that the city wants to protect the animals and preserve their extinction. After asking a few of my friends who are from Fort Worth, they all agreed that the zoo has been a landmark for them their whole lives. They said that since they were little kids they have been going to the zoo and most of them continue to go with their younger siblings or close family. The zoo is a great place to hang out and gain knowledge about animals/nature, while having a great time in a safe and relaxed environment. The zoo can also be an important feature for local schools to go on field trips. To my audience it can mean so much more. Most people have a "favorite" animal that they wish to go see. Well at the zoo, you can go see your favorite animals any day of the week. For members its an even greater thing because you can attend an unlimited amount of days throughout the year, seeing your "favorites" as much as you want. 

Observing My Space...

While walking up to the zoo I had to get my membership card because the previous time I attended the machine was not working. They took my picture and printed it out on a plastic "id" card. After getting my card I asked the manager where the most crowded places that visitors go to and he told me the special exhibits. He also noted that the MOLA (Museum of Living Art) would soon be opening, but the opening date got pushed back to the summer because of construction issues. I left the membership office and walked through the primate portion because they are one of my favorite. At the end of the primate path I came across a cabana hut with benches and a plug, that way I could plug in my computer to type my observations. Just from the bench I was sitting on I could see the meerkats, the elephants, and the rhinos. After observing for a little over an hour and typing all my notes I gathered up my things, talked a little with the meerkats and left back over the bridge that is the entrance to the zoo. 

Observation Notes...

Observation Notes
1) What are the rhetorical objectives or aims of the space?
a) Pathos – cute animals and little children
b) Ethos – zoo knowledge/keepers
c) Logos – people come to visit/view animals in their environments
2) Who is the audience, the stakeholders?
a) Anyone and everyone; primarily younger children under 12
3) How does this space function within the larger cultural framework of identity politics?
a) It revolves year round around the local and possible traveler coming through Fort Worth
4) Describe the physical layout of the space and how people move through the space:
a) The paths wind and go through a snake-like line throughout the whole entire park; there are also resting places with many benches and places to eat; in the Texas part there are things to do for the little ones and lots to participate in (depending upon the day you visit)
5) What kinds of people move through this space?
a) All kinds of people; all races, genders, and ages
6) Purpose:
a) What is the motive/purpose of the argument?
i) To discover is special exhibits draw more people.
b) What is the author’s desired end?
i) To figure out of the special exhibits attract more people to attend the zoo than on a regular basis
c) What genre is this argument presented in?
i)
7) Author:
a) Is the author doing this for benefit? Personal gain?
i. Not for benefit; for personal knowledge and informational gain
b) Does the author have a social or economical aspect in the writing?
i. Yes; socially this place attracts so many people, yet the economy and recent hard times could be attracting more or less people (depending on their idea of fun or entertainment)
c) How is the author trying to influence or inform the audience?
i. By studying the area of the zoo and its inhabitants (people not animals)
d) Is the author a part of that specific audience he/she is writing for? Or what group does he/she belong to?
i. Yes, I am a Zoo Crew Member
8) Audience:
a) How many audiences is the author targeting? What do we know about the audience(s) targeted? Age? Gender? Race/Ethnicity? Class? etc.
i) Many different types of audiences; We know very little about the audiences, except that they are mostly younger aged kids or anyone from any age, gender, race, or class (all types of people attend)
b) Which appeals might be most effective with the target audience? How does the author use that/those appeal(s)?
i) Pathos; with so many cute animals and interesting facts of life all around, pathos would be my choice of appeal
c) What might offend the target audience? In what ways does the author handle potentially offensive information?
i) I really cannot think of much that would offend the target audience, besides running out of snacks or things to do for the little ones
9) Context:
a) Where/when does the argument occur? (type of source, year)
i) Fort Worth Zoo/2009
b) What shape does the argument take?
i) A personal interest thought taken to the next level
c) How is the argument presented or arranged?
i) Through a hypothesis-style question
d) What media does the argument use (written, spoken, visual, etc.)? And how does the media impact the argument?
i) Written – there are all sorts of useful information all around the zoo everywhere (pamphlets as well)
ii) Spoken – the zoo keepers give chats/talks
iii) Internet – the zoo’s website provides the most up-to-date information about the zoo regarding its visitors and animals
10) Pathos:
a) How much do emotions affect the audience? The author?
i) Quite a lot; the audience can see something they do or do not like the animals do, and therefore changes their emotions; Emotions do not seem to affect me as much because I have been here many times and seen some of the animals actions
b) How does the author balance the importance of emotions with the facts?
i) The animals only know how to act natural and out of instinct, with the facts providing back up information about their actions
c) If the situation presented has not personally affected you, can you still relate and sympathize with the author?
i) Yes; if you have visited before then it can affect you
11) Ethos:
a) Does the author have a background that implies that he/she is credible and trustworthy?
i) Yes; the zoo provides only legitimate facts and information
b) Does author give proof of all claims within the argument?
i) No, not yet, more information is required
c) How credible is documentation presented in the argument?
i) Its fine; the zoo provides real facts
d) What are the author’s motives while making and presenting the argument?
i) Personal interest knowledge gain
12) Logos:
a) How accurately are the facts being presented to the targeted audience? How reliable is/are the source(s) of the facts?
i) The facts are accurate and the sources are reliable
b) If there is not actual hard evidence, how clear is the author’s reason or logic off base? Does he/she try to confuse the reader with difficult words or jargon?
i)
c) Is the "common sense" presented in the argument truly common and strong enough to stand when tested in the real world?
i) Yes; it’s very logical
13) Style:
a) How does the author’s diction (word choice) and syntax (sentence structure) impact the audience’s reception?
i)
b) What specific stylistic elements are used? Contractions, highly technical vocabulary, etc.)
i)
c) What is the effect of the stylistic elements used in the argument?

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Spradley’s List of Concerns
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Space: the physical place or places
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Actor: the people involved
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Activity: a set of related acts people do
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Object: the physical things that are present
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Act: single actions that people do
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Event: a set of related activities that people carry out
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Time: the sequencing that takes place over time
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Goal: the things people are trying to accomplish
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Feeling: the emotions felt and expressed

Space: very outdoor looking; lot made of wood and rustic/old looking; cold pavement; animals everywhere you look
Actor: the people are of all different ages and races; everyone can enjoy the zoo regardless of their set backs or being embarrassed to attend
Activity: walk around and view the animals; kids have things to climb on and activities to do (color, build, petting-zoo, Boo-At-The-Zoo, MOLA, etc.)
Object: benches, cages, animals, wires, pavement, wood fences, food machines, restrooms, cabanas that serve food, fans, lights, signs, poles, trees….list goes on
Act: use the restroom; little kids yell/scream; parents talk to their children with “young/cute voices” to make their kids feel excited; eat; run; write; read; talk
Event: people look at the map and then decide their layout of the day; they choose what animals they want to see based on their personal interest or the person they are with (their kids, grandkids, nephews, ect.)
Time: People usually pick out a pretty day, buy their tickets when they arrive, decide what animals they wish to see, see some, eat, see more animals, take their kids to the activities for them, then go home
Goal: Personal knowledge; entertainment for people to view animals
Feeling: Excitement, sadness, interest, curiosity

Arguments of Facts

The day of the week for the zoo varies. Typically around Holidays there are more people because kids are not in school and therefore are bored/need something to do. People enjoy the special attractions versus any normal day at the zoo because of their personal interest or just to see the new exhibit for the first time. Its an exciting event for the zoo because new animals are being brought in and new buildings are being built for the special exhibits. Pricing is not that bad at the zoo, especially for members because it is unlimited access year round. There is even a day every week or month (I forget exactly when) when the zoo is open for FREE to the public.

Space to Analyze...

What public space do you plan to analyze? Why did you choose that space?

I chose to analyze the Fort Worth Zoo. I choose this space because it is a place I am a member of and have access to it on a daily basis. I get special hours to attend and keeper talks, and even free parking. I figured this would be a great place with a lot of useful information inside to analyze, seeing that its all Mother Nature (science) and wildlife, as well as a good place for this essay. 

When do you plan to observe your space? (specific dates/times)

Any day between next week: 10a.m. - 4p.m.

What ideas do you already have about the space? Or what do you expect to discover?

The zoo is a place of learning. It seems every time I visit the zoo I feel as though I have so little time and so much to see/do. I enjoy studying nature and figuring out how intelligent animals are. With the zoo open 365 days out of the year thousands of visitors come annually. Although I am a member there are many parts of this zoo that I have yet to see. In fact, I have only attended this zoo about 5-6 times and every time I go they seem to be changing it. They are adding new buildings and new animals year round so it is a different experience every time. What I hope to discover is some of the keepers intelligence, what their lives are like, and how taking care of the animals makes them feel. I would also like to discover the zoo's plans for the new buildings and any other useful information that can be obtained from the Fort Worth Zoo.