Reading Synthesis for 9/16

   As I read pages 17-37 in the DK handbook, I looked at some great techniques for writing papers in general.  The first topic discusses the differences between "composing to learn", which is how writers become better,  and "composing to communicate", which is writing for your peers.  The process of research is described, and over several pages it gives examples about how the topic should start off general and then be narrowed.  On page 25 it mentions that laying out a schedule for your writing helps keep you on task and reach your goals that you want for your paper.  I like the way it gives an example of how a schedule could be made for a specific paper.  On page 29 I like the recommendations it gives for beginning your research, giving the examples of google, newspapers, television shows, and simply communicating with others.  Towards the end of my DK reading, it describes brainstorming, freewriting, clustering, and research guided questioning.  I believe these are all good techniques to use to help develop ideas and I personally use at least a couple of these each time I write.
   In my Ch.11 reading, I chose pages 293-296.  It discusses the differences of Myspace and Facebook and why people choose one or the other.  The article mentions that Myspace is sometimes considered "tacky" and "cluttered", but goes on to describe Facebook as considered by some as "boring".  These opinions were gathered from interviewing teens of different races and different locations around the United States.  One thing that it credits Myspace for is that it lets people express themselves, and can easily relate to Hip-Hop culture well.  It credits Facebook with having good profile personalization.  Ultimately, the article concludes with the fact that the preference of Myspace or Facebook is shaped by factors such as taste, class, and race.