Blog # 10 --Excerpts

For Excerpt # 1 on the single handout, we discussed several methods of how an Author can use Discourse Analysis to interpret the interview. First, "the use of Pronouns" comes into effect by identifying, counting, and grouping each pronoun to see whcih character speaks longer, as well as who seems to have the most affect in the interview. They also represent "Self-Representation. For instance, the "A" spoke more frequently in this part, than did "Sally". Second, "the use of feelings/danger" is shown, as the "A" discusses how dangerous Chat Rooms can be, causing it to become a scary experience. The deep voice and threatening ways of how the subjects' parents didn't know what was occurring made this even more intriguing. Third, the "gender of a person" is shown as being important here, as well. Usually, in a case that involves a man, the victim would be more suspectful.

Questions: What affect did the internet have on the "A"? And, how did the interviewer affect how the "A" felt?

For Excerpt 2 on the single handout, we come to see how much control the "we" has in the interview. The use of pronouns becomes a main focus, when someone does Discourse Analysis, considering it gives you the understanding of who has more control over a topic. Also, there are several transitions represented by laughter. The four transitions discuss the "funny story" which then lead to it becoming a "wierd story" of when the A was part of a chat room. The various emotions/actions develop ways of how the story lines change or become interconnected with one another.

Question: How did the interviewer feel?

In Excerpt 1 on the stapled handout, it seems as if both Chandler and "M" have equal say in the interview. They discussed how computers can help someone learn Math and Education. Also, the feelings being portrayed reflected on what was happening in the interview. For instance, learning how to use the computer would seem to cause the "M" stress and fear. However, sometimes, things just can't be known even during an interview, such as when Chandler mentions "I wish I had asked why at this point." "M" seemed to not know how the computer program could actually be beneficial to helping her learn the Math. "M" was "fighting the thought". Interviews can tend to leave questions unstates as in being open-ended.

Question: Why couldn't the interviewer return to her last point to discuss more of the open-ended concerns with the "M"?

Lastly, in Excerpt 2 on the stapled handout, "M" seems to do more of the speaking. They discuss how the "M's" school experience was in the Fall. Again, the pronouns come into the interview by the use of "I", "we", and "you". They discussed how the internet was beneficial, where "M" expressed feelings of how it did help to gain more knowledge about the subject material.

Question: How was the internet beneficial for the "M"?