Research
Introduction
I am grounded in many years of conducting and analyzing primary and secondary research added not only to my knowledge but to tangible fields of study, such as undertaking an independent study on the legitimacy of lyric essays within creative nonfiction. I have determined in research methods as diverse as interviews to codifying and theme analysis to meticulously focus on whether my sources and research analysis papers are legitimate, relevant, identifiable, and/or historical.
The smallest details, for instance in personal interviews may affect documentation in writing about the subject. What was the tone of voice and appearance of face with which that was spoken? What colors stand out in the room? Who is this person of which you write? What is my reaction and how does that affect the subject matter? All these details and more make up the knowing of objects and others. Research is knowing details that evolve into knowing moments.
Grant Writing
At the start of the working relationship between myself and the client and its Director, I drew up a Working Agreement with options throughout for the client to develop. We had a good consistent working relationship because we both were diligent and because we had guidelines for how to operate.
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After a good deal of time searching, comparing, and reviewing, I offered three funder profiles with my recommendation to the client. Extensive conversation with and requests for information from my client, a Google search that provided the founder’s ideology and relationship to the other foundation members, and Candid research of information regarding where, to whom, and the amount of grants DJ & T Foundation offered enabled me to rough an idea for a proposal appeal. I need to drill down on the lack of funds that enabled the client to fulfill its mission of the well-being of pets and care and appeal to the foundation’s own sensibilities.
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A space for previous grant recipients requested photos, so I used photographs to add to the emotional appeal to DJ & T Foundation. Personal experience with and possession of photo editing software enabled me to improve Clyde and Maggie’s pixelated or grainy photographs, altering the discordant and distracting surroundings.
Only 1 in 10 grants proposals are funded. I’ll count down the 6 months it could take for DJ & T Foundation to respond to this grant, checking in with the client to see if at minimum an interview took place. The client will succeed.
From Proposal to White Paper
These documents are the work of creating a whitepaper. Though the company from which I received approval of the project was fictional and the topic of my choosing, you see that I worked every element that goes into creating a whitepaper for a business, including internal and external office communications, research, and writing. Plus interactions with my fictional staff considered various personality types in communications and assignments.
​I We Will Bid Response to RFP
II Proposal for Whitepaper on Criminal Profiling
IV Interoffice Request for Green Paper
VI Support Argument for Criminal Profiling
VII Opposition Argument for Criminal Profiling
Red Cross Immersion
For this project I chose The Red Cross as a way to learn more about an organization I had a passing knowledge of as a donor and as a way to volunteer to serve as I worked on the assignment.
The purpose of "Red Cross" was to create a piece of nonfiction that exemplified what the organization--its' people, places, and objects--is about. It is a group of people of which I was unfamiliar to immerse myself in and to write about. This piece called on me to learn without judgement while writing my impressions. I told the truth, relying on my experience of that truth to weave a colorful narrative.
Within the Multimedia page the Red Cross finds new life.
Legal Writing
The Cat in the Casket is a legal case to which I applied the jury instructions and the law of Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress. The assignment was choosing a side to write up an opening statement for the jury.
The opening statement for a jury trial tells the client's story, recounts events leading to the trial, grabs the audience's attention, summarizes the key evidence, describes the witnesses to be called, explains main legal principles of the case, and, finally, tries to create a favorable impression to the judge and jury.
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The keys to my opening statement are pulling the implicit from the story to expand pathos, weaving the legal principles within the story, and minding the mix of the jury audience in such a way that they may all relate in some way. I include here my notes, developing the narrative within all the parameters as an example of how I approach such writing.
Rough Preparation Notes for Opening Statement
Opening Statement with Original Case and Parameters
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As part of my legal writing experience I wrote a legal brief on another case.
Legitimacy of Lyric Essays:
Analysis of Genre
As a result of my analysis of of my own "9-11 Ghosts" that focused on the genre of lyric essays, the professor suggested the topic of lyric essays worth pursuing since lyric essays have little solid text. I decided to use it for a semester-long independent study which appealed to me as an exercise in research and in freelance career.
Through the works of Lyric author, Scott Brewster, and essayists, such as Gorgias, Thomas DeQuincy, Anne Dillard, and Virginia Woolf and M.M. Bahktin’s philosophy of generic meaning, "Legitimacy of Lyric Essays: Analysis of Genre" provides a theoretical framework for lyric essay as a legitimate genre. This study of genre such as lyric essays engages mindfulness and meditation shows authors and audiences perhaps newer, greater, and more distinct ways to write and study literature.
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My independent study of lyric essays won the U of AR Little Rock Rhetoric and Writing Research or Theoretical Writing Award, and I presented the paper at the 3rd Annual College of Social Sciences and Communication Research & Creativity Works Showcase.
Interviews "Highlighting Students:
One Story at a Time"
Providing copy for e-newsletters I refer to in the Multimedia page included "Highlighting Students: One Story at a Time" non-traditional student interviews. One interviewee, Amber Gossett, was a journalist major, so though I always reviewed copy with the interviewee before publication, she was especially worried and adamant about seeing it before it published. Upon reading it I didn't need to change one word and she was surprised and pleased with the light my writing shown on her.
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These are but three interviews taken in 30 minute increments, additionally working with the subject to include photography which best represented them and that they were happy to show. It was important to me to draw a picture of life in general, in overcoming, and in university.
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Previously posted on web page "Highlighting Students: One Story at a Time." Office of Campus Life Non-Traditional Student Programs E-Newsletter, University of Arkansas at Little Rock:
Ethnography Proposal and Field Notes
Over its approximately 200-year history, Little Rock, Arkansas grew from wilderness to thriving metropolis. Its' rich history includes the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the beginning of a president. It embodies both the historical and the contemporary in its culture, including old and new architecture, music, art, traditions, and businesses.
My proposal laid out a plan to explore this rich and diverse culture, visiting six events, exhibits, and locations and supporting and seeing other people support the local community. Through this immersion in Little Rock's people and culture through a variety of mediums I learned more about the community in which I live and therefore became a more involved participant of its culture, shown here in two field notes.
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Floral Arrangement from River Market Immersion
Observation and Analysis
The research I accomplished at university included a variety of methods toward the goal of analysis. In this document are samples of observation, interview protocols, analysis student body observations, condensed transcripts, leading to codifying in two of the several means and deducing themes for final analysis statement. All of the research here provided follows all IRB requirements either by redaction or, in the case of the transcript, provision from textbook content.
Preference Testing
This experience with preference testing was for two brands of Pinot Noir--one of the most collectible wines in the world. I was keen on the researching, developing the lexicon, and being the subject of the test. My source was a wine steward of extensive knowledge at a well-established wine and liquor store. He told me the differences in European or Old World and Californian or New World wines and about the variety of quality. I developed the lexicon from online research and my experience of wine tasting.
