mine or yours? [plagiarism]

It’s very few and far between that I have personally had to encounter any type of copying or plagiarism. Throughout my education I have been constantly encouraged to create my own works. I am thankful for the teachers and professors that took the time to teach me how to be creative, think for myself and make authentic fresh thoughts and formed opinions. The classroom has always been a safe place to create and find ourselves in our writings as we find out who we are. When researching and putting together papers and essays I have spent time on the internet hoping to find sources to guide me along in my writing. As I have spent time in researching I have used these as sources as tools to create something better and then began the writing process of forming my own thoughts.

As we use writing as our creative outlet we are able to tap into our emotions and heart. I am thankful that I am receiving an education that teaches me about how to be original and creative. One thing my professors haven’t taught me is how to deal with situations in which plagiarism or copying happens. In high school you would receive a referral or detention, but those consequences don’t happen in the real world. When we take the leap out into the world of offices and bosses and join the working class we are taking the opportunity to be involved with professionals and sometimes nonprofessionals. Unfortunately not every person will respect you as a writer or a fellow co-worker. More than one issue will arise within any work environment and it is best that you come prepared for any and all situations. When these conflicts arise it is best to have a plan for the way you would handle the issue.

If I was in a situation in which my writing was plagiarized I would first rate how important the piece is to me and how hard I worked on it and how much time I spent. If it is something simple, I might not fight as hard to receive the credit for it. If the piece was of high importance I would most certainly take the steps necessary in receiving the credit for taking the time to write the piece and do the research and make sure the person was reprimanded and make sure the plagiarizer received a true consequence. Hopefully I never encounter this issue and as I respect the work of others, they would respect mine in return.

Ap Style

Associated Press Style is a style and grammar usage guide used by newspapers and most publication companies when creating articles and press releases. Used in the United States and revised yearly by the Associated Press editors this guide is extremely helpful. Primarily used in the fields of journalism and public relations, it has become a guide for grammar, punctuation, principles and practices of reporting. Journalists and social media news reporters would be lost without this constant foundation to reference when writing quick and informative stories. Thankfully when question arise we have something referance and teach us as language and the many ways of communication grows and changes.

Most writers use this format and will continue to throughout their career. I have been thankful to have it just in my short time in working towards my Bachelor’s in Journalism and Public Relations. The only downside I have found in the style guide is its size and slight inconvenience. Unfortunately most of the time when I am writing I tend to reference google. It’s an easy 1,2,3 without having to flip through the pages of a book to find the answer to my questions when I could simply look online. While writing papers and articles I have been able to reference the style guide and find helpful tips, I also reference the internet in improving my writing. I will continually be doing so in my ministry and career to best benefit my readers and followers. As my writing continues to grow so does my use of new grammar.

One thing I have learned is that the simply use of a semi-colon, colon and dash can bring a great rhythm and sometimes much-needed break in writing. Having a good basis of grammar knowledge carries you far when desiring to bring the best possible news and information to your reader. The main readers I will be reaching through my blogs is my family and supporters in missions. They will be able to stay informed on my travels and ministry while being apart of what I am doing. Though I dont always use the style guide my writing, hopefully, is improving.

Talking to the Groundswell

So far I have really enjoyed what I have learned from reading Groundswell By: Josh Bernoff.

In Talking with the Groundswell I learned the most from reading the following section on “Tips for Successful Blogging”, here are the tips given to those wanting to enter the blogosphere.

• Begin by listening to those who you know will be reading you blog. Listen and learn how to join in on their conversation. Monitor blogs already in your industry to see what is being talked about.
• Set a goal for your blog
• Determine the cost and pay off of the blog by setting up a ROI, Return on Investment.
•  Develop a plan. Decide who or how many writers will be contributing to the blog.
•  Rehearse. Write five or ten posts before allowing them to go live. It allows you to explore what sorts of topics you’ll cover. It you can’t write five practice posts, you’re not ready for the big leagues.
•  Develop an editorial process. Who is going to review and edit your posts before going live? This process needs to be built for speed because sometimes you will have to respond to events and news quickly.
•  Design the blog and its connection to your site. This will communicate how official your blog is. Choose whether to post it on the company’s site or not. Choose a design that is readable and pertains to your product.
•  Develop a marketing plan so people can find your blog. This includes press releases and emails to your customer. Remember that the blogosphere is a conversation-you’re talking with people, not shouting at them. Include links to your blog when leaving comments on other blogs to lead people back to you. Also put the name of your company or product in your titles and texts on post, this will make it easier for people to find your blog in their search engines.
•  Remember, blogging is more than writing. Your blog is also a consistent dialogue between you and the reader. Your blog will receive comments and comments need to be monitored and questions answered. If you don’t have comments and do not answer, there is not dialogue. You want to be talking with people as they make decisions about your product, that is the whole point on a blog. In developing your plan, choose who will delegate blog comments and monitor them.
•  Final advice: be honest. Be genuine and truly show the heart behind the company. If a poor choice is made or a faulty product has been released, own up to it and your customer and reader will respect you more because of it. You create a better and more authentic community within your blog when you are genuine and open.

An example that came from the chapter was, beinggirl.com by Procter & Gamble. A website created as a save and honest way to reach its audience potential product user.

“The Tampax Brand sponsors the website, beinggirl.com created by girls for girls, provides teens a safe and discreet way to get information, ask questions, and interact with peers facing similar issues.” -Procter & Gamble

 

A recent tutorial that is linked to the Youtube beinggirl.com channel:

Though we can all see that this is very detailed, hopefully it helps those in need be a little bit more informed and know where to buy the necessary products. At least that’s what  Procter & Gamble are hoping for.

Peer Comments.

1. Elizabeth Telg / My Very Rustic Wedding

I love how you already have your venue picked out. I thought I had my whole wedding plan, but you’ve got me beat girl! I love how you have put so much effort into creating such a masterpiece of a ceremony and party. Just remember to put that much work into your marriage and it will be an absolute success!

2. Jessica Winstead / Love is in the Air

These are such great ideas! I am addicted to Pinterest, like all of us, but I haven’t seen any of these Valentine’s Day ideas. Hopefully I’ll have sometime to make some of these yummy treats!

3. Liz Colburn / Club Rush

Thank you for posting so much about what’s going on here on campus. Now I know where to go to fill my planner with Southeastern activities. Since you’re involved in Senate, could you tell me more about it? What’s your favorite part about being involved in Senate?

photography.

There is always more to the story and besides loving the sea, I also enjoy my fair share of photography. I have not yet created a blog dedicated to my photography but this hopefully is the beginning.

purely adventurous. 

crafted birds

my who owl

Alaskan travels. 

modern day pirate

 Tuttle Wedding June 2011.

hope you enjoyed just a small preview.

a treasured [love]

I have been unable to pin point a specific time when this love was birthed in my heart. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I have always lived by the sea or perhaps the fact that I knew the Little Mermaid by heart at 5, but somewhere along the years of my life I have fallen in love with every little nautical, by the seashore thing.

The smell of the salty shore makes my heart beat faster and my soul happier. Being a Florida girl, born and raised, the love for the ocean flows through my veins. Growing up I begged my parents to take me to the beach more often and let me roam the ocean waves and bury myself in the sand. It was very seldom that they actually allowed this to occur but  I took every chance that was given to me. I remember pretending I was a lovely long-haired whimsical mermaid, a princess of sorts. As the sea and I have grown in our relationship it has gone far beyond sea shells and salty waves, it has grown into an admiration of the culture of the sea. This is where my love for the history and rustic lifestyle of a pirate and its ship began. I could read for days about these ocean rode waves and the tales of the lost and found, the treasure and the beauties of all the stories.

My love for the sea goes beyond just the sand and ships, it goes farther out, it goes on for miles to find my own treasure.

My love for the ocean blue has taken me all the way to Homer, Alaska and Hawaii. My first trip to Homer was when I was 5 years old and I have continued going every other summer since. My parents and I fly across the state to live out life with my dear grandparents for two weeks. Not only do we build memories that will be stuffed in my heart forever but we conquer the open sea on an adventure to place a ‘oh so tasty treat’ on our plates. We sing a, ‘here fishy fishy’ tune and the fish come along. Fishing with my Grandpa and Dad are memories I will forever be grateful for. Fishing has become a family tradition in my home, and it has allowed me to be a somewhat pirate in my own wanderlust way.

So when I see nautically chachkas, trinkets and dust collectors alike, I have joy. I share all of this with you so somewhere along your reading you carry a greater understanding of who I am and what I love.

pro comments.

1. Melissa Hesler: Worship Leader and Mom / The Hesler family West Coast/Hawaiian Excursion / http://melissahelser.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for sharing this story with all of us. I lost a sister to stillbirth when I was 10 years old and I will forever remember the moment I found out. Your strength and the way you supported your sister through the whole thing challenges me to be a better supporter in my family as well. Also thank you so much for taking your time to be apart of what is happening at YWAM Kona. I am a fellow Hawaiian YWAMer (I did my DTS in Maui) and I will forever love and miss the community of YWAM until I go back one day after finishing my degree. Your pictures made me miss it even more and I cannot wait until the day the Lord releases me to go back.

2. Hallie Hudson: Designer and Mom / duo. / http://www.sailorandme.com/

I cannot wait to see you and Sailor boy dance together at your wedding, well hopefully I’ll be there. Friend thank you for sharing these little quotes that inspire you and give you joy. I’m gonna be posting a plethora of comments on your beautiful blog for my Public Relations class so get used to hearing from me even more my love. Your love for your son, love for life and your amazing talents constantly give me the inspiration to dive into all that I love even more. xoxo

3. Not For Sale: The Movement to Re-Abolish Slavery / By: Holly Boles / Stories of Hope / http://notforsalefellows.wordpress.com

Thank you so much for sharing some stories that have given you hope recently. I feel the same way sometimes after reading and hearing about so many stories of brokenness and apathy. Thankfully we do have tons of testimonies that we can read and listen to and rejoice together when the captive are set free. Thailand has such a huge part of my heart and I cannot wait to go back one day and do ministry alongside the Thai people.

4. Patrice: Mom to EB / our story… / http://patriceandmattwilliams.blogspot.com/ Feb 7, 2012

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I lost a little sister to stillbirth when I was 10 years old and it forever changed my life. Reading Jonah’s story and Tripps story has allowed me to grow in such compassion and understand of the amazing love of God. He is so good to us in the midst of our hurt. I am so thankful that I serve an all powerful God!

5. Hallie Hudson: Designer and Mom / set.sail / www.sailor&me.com / Feb 22, 2012 

I love that quote. It is definitely so appropriate for you and your little man. You both have such beautiful lives you are living and I am so excited and blessed to be apart of it. Thank you for the way you mother this little guy and how much love you constantly are pouring out on him. He is so so blessed. I love you.

social monitoring; techi or creepy?

‘To each is own’.

This is what I think of when I first heard about Social Media Monitoring. Some might consider it an intrusion on their privacy and others a reasonable step into the hiring or monitoring process. Not all will agree but in my opinion, once you put your information on the world-wide web, its free game. Thankfully, most of our typical social media sources have spent the time in creating a privacy system of sorts to allow their users to feel more comfortable and safe. Though these systems are not full proof.

We have many computer savvy folks who now how to hack into the facebook or tweeting lives of whom ever they want, and if they want to, they will stop at no cost to intrude somewhere. Due to this, it is always best to play it safe and not put any piece of information on the internet that you wouldn’t want your employer, family or in-laws to see. Haha

Through out the years as my use of social media has grown I have taken each precaution that I can in protecting my privacy and keeping my photos and information as protected as I can. Thankfully facebook as great ways to keep prying eyes away.

Source: facebook.com

Though these tools aren’t fool proof, you’re better safe then sorry.

I’d go ahead and check all the nooks and cranny’s of all the social media you use on a daily or weekly basis and triple check that you information is safe. Also that you don’t have anything posted you wouldn’t want prying eyes to see.

Grammar Girl

My Lesson in Grammar for the day.

What did you learn?

1. “blond” is the more common spelling and can be used for males or females; however, “blonde” can also be used to describe a woman or girl with fair hair.

Considering I am a blonde, I’m thankful to see my questions finally answered as to how I should spell it. I remember being unsure when I was younger and thankfully I can now feel more confident when using this descriptive term.

2. It’s common to hear people use the noun “quote” as a shortened form of “quotation,” as in “I filled my notebook with quotes from The Daily Show,” but that is technically wrong. It should be, “I filled my notebook with quotations fromThe Daily Show.”

What surprised you?

I am an avid Starbucks fan and go several times throughout the week so when my favorite coffee shop came out with a new coffee blend I was well aware but didn’t pay much attention to the fact that the brand is marketing the new blend as female. Thankfully Grammar Girl pointed out the fact and set me straight. I’m drinking lady coffee. haha.

What do you want to know more about?

Nothing is coming to mind now. Thankfully I found the posts I need to review. I was thankful for the review in: directly and indirect quotation marks and single quotation marks versus double quotation marks. It was a much needed review, thank you Grammar Girl.

imagery

The eyes we carry were made by the ultimate creator of beautiful things to be seen. God gave us the ability to do more than just see, but hear, and taste, smell and touch. The most fulfilling way to see his creation is through the same lens he sees us, through the eyes. We are a visually stimulated society and have become used to the constant flow of images directed right towards us, whether it be advertisements or trees along the frequently driven roads we cross.

In the midst of this common occurence in our day-to-day lives we have become accustomed to it and thoroughly enjoy the influx of beautiful things we are blessed to see. Without an image next to a description we often feel jipped of the full experience. When we flip through the pages of a cook book or Kitchen Magicians Blog we look forward to those images that will give us proof that all the sweat spent slaving away in the Kitchen was worth it. When choosing images make sure that what you are describing or perhaps the topic in your blogs meshes well with the image you choose to accompany  your words. The photo or photos chosen need to be aesthetically pleasing to the eyes of the reader. When they see the image you want them to feel inspired or content in seeing an abundance of beautiful things or simply an image that gives reality to the text.

As you are searching for your images make sure that you choose an image that the photographer or designer has allowed to be reposted and used by other social media users. The websites you are looking at will inform you of the policies and standards that they expect the user to follow. In every image used you will want to give credit where credit is due by linking the image to the original source in which the image came from. You wouldn’t want your work to be floating around the internet without being sourced to you, so be courteous and do the same for other creative minds alike.