Project one Notes. take 2

Project #1 Worksheet                                                           

Your Place: Palo Verde Bridge

What are the intended functions of the place?                       

 The intended functions of this bridge are to allow people to cross the street safely and quickly. By having a bridge carry pedestrians over traffic it is less that the school needs to worry about.

What overt messages does the place send (i.e., openly communicated through signs)?

 An overt message that this area gives the message of comfort and security. A bridge is a sure safe passage to the other side.

What covert messages does the place send (i.e., hidden messages)?

 A covert message coming from this bridge would probably be more of an urge or idea to throw things off to mess with others. Another hidden message could be that people do sometimes get hit and as a result the school decided to build a bridge, so be careful and conscience.

Have previous users left traces behind in the place?

 I only trace I can think of would be the memories that are kept of all the walking people do on it.

Has the place been re-appropriated (i.e., beyond its original functions)?

 This bridge is a normal bridge to help people cross the street.

What social or cultural customs did you observe (i.e., rules governing appropriate behavior)?

 There are no social or cultural customs that are involved with this bridge.

Who has access to the place?  Are there insiders and outsiders?

 This bridge is for anyone to cross at any time. There are no insiders and outsiders.

Who owns the place?

 ASU owns this bridge because it is on the property.

What is the place’s value (i.e., monetary or otherwise)?

 The value of this bridge is probably quite expensive because of what it is made of and because it is over an often used 

Are there official representations of the place (i.e., online, in promotional materials)?  Do they accurately capture the place as you experienced it?

Is the place in transition, a changing place?

 This place is not in transition.

What conflicts or tensions are there in the place?

 Two conflicts are that it is difficult to get bikes over the bridge and how steep and mall the stairs are.

What is the place’s history?  Do you see evidence of the past there in the present?

 The only history that I can think of are the accidents that have happened in the past. I see no visual evidence of the past and present.

How does this place differentiate itself from other places?  What other places is it similar to, but how is it different from those places?

  This place is different from others because little bridges like this aren't everywhere, I have only seen two others like this one. Its simular because it is on a college campus but it is different because it has ASU on the side and is on the ASU campus

What questions do you have about your place?

 I want to know how long this bridge has been around and how many different types of materials it takes to make it.

Key Features / Profiles (taken from the Norton Field Guide (Goggin and Bullock) Chapter 16, pages 165-166)

An interesting subject.  What is unusual about your place?  Alternatively, is there something ordinary about it that you can show in an intriguing way?

 The unusual or interesting thing about this bridge is, because each stair is about three inches, walking consistently over the bridge every day for about 365 days will put your spine into perfect alignment.

Any necessary background.  What background information will you need to include about the place in order to situate readers?

 Background info that I could use is how it was built and why it was built.

An interesting angle.  Rather than trying to tell readers everything about the place, what angle(s) might you use?

A firsthand account.  Did you interact with people in the place or participate in some way?  What experiences did you have there that you can write about using “I”?  (Yes, first person point of view is encouraged, especially for this paper.)

 I notice that once a group or a solo walking persons begins to walk over the bridge, not much eye contact is made. You can watch someone walk by without them looking at you or noticing you. It is probably the fact that there is no shade on top but a lot of people look down or get their phones out right before they get on the bridge.

Engaging details.  What specific information must you include in your description of the place?  What potential does your place have for the use of sensory images, figurative language, dialogue, anecdotes, and showing rather than telling?  What do you want the dominant impression to be?

 I need to include how long it has been there, how big it is and a couple interesting facts. Its difficult to describe a bridge as plane as this but everyone has experienced some sort of bridge at least once in their life. The dominant impression is going to be that even a bridge this small is used and praised without being noticed.

Generating Ideas and Text (taken from the Norton Field Guide (Goggin and Bullock) Chapter 16, pages 168-169)

Explore what you already know about your subject.  Why do you find this place interesting?  What did you already know about it?

 I find this place interesting because so many people walk over the bridge everyday and dont really take the time to think about what it is they are walking on. I know that many 

If you’re planning to interview someone, prepare questions.  What would you like to ask someone in the place in order to better understand it?

 I would like to ask someone why they prefer this bridge rather than the cross walk. I would ask about their other uses of transportation.

Do additional research.  Does your place have an online component?  How else might you gather additional research?

 If I was going to gather additional research I would search the accidents that have occurred under the bridge and the way this type of bridge is held or built.

Analyze your findings.  What patterns, images, or recurring ideas or phrases did you use to describe your place?  What contrasts or discrepancies do you see?

Come up with an angle.  What is most memorable about your subject?  What most interests you?  What will interest your audience?

 The most memorable thing about my subject is the height it has over the street. I feel like this small deal bridge shouldn't have to be too big.