Adelina Ruffolo, W14: Final Thoughts

Good Afternoon,

      After listening to our podcast I am happy with the way it turned out. A great deal of hard work went into the creation of this podcast. I think that our topic was good, our tone was good, we had a good pace and the audio clips we used applied well to our topic.

      If we had more time the only thing I would use that time for is becoming better acquainted with the audacity program. Seeing as neither myself nor my partner has ever used this program or one like it before, we did the best we could with the time we had. I don`t think I would necessarily change anything.

 
      If I could give one piece of advice to students starting this course, I would tell them to start thinking about every step in advance. Planning and preparing are important factors to do well in this course because you need to plan a topic and learn how to use programs you may not be familiar or comfortable with. This course is a lot of work and requires a lot of attention. Research is important and knowing how to do proper research is useful.

Adelina Ruffolo and Alyssia Pacheco, W:14: Listen Now!

Hi all,

So me and my partner Alyssia`s podcast is about Brand names and specifically Heinz Ketchup. We examine different techniques Brands like Heinz use in order to bring them to Brand name status. We look at advertising and marketing (relationship marketing) techniques in order to solidify our argument. We found this to be a very interesting topic in terms of looking at the different ways brands hook us in and keep us committed for life.We look at why are brand names more popular than no names and why people will continue to always go for Heinz Ketchup over any other ketchup brand.

Adelina Ruffolo, W14: software

Hey all,

        So after looking into the different types of editing and recording software I found that the best one to use is Audacity. It is free and easy to download. There are a lot of different websites providing tips on how to use Audacity, which will help me and my partner with our podcast.

       Some advice I found on using Audacity are the following:

             -http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Audacity
             -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w5L3gy9IJI
             -http://audacity.sourceforge.net/manual-1.2/tutorials.html

      The first link just provides you with a few cool things you can do with Audacity and how to do it. Like how to use clips. The second link is a youtube video on the basics of Audacity, it is pretty much a step by step process of what you need to know to use the program. The third link is from the Audacity website, it is under a tutorial section, which outlines some basics for beginners. It outlines how to record, how to edit, how to cut and copy and use sound clips.

     I think the first few times using this program will be somewhat difficult for me because I've never used anything like this before. After a few times using the program, I see it getting easier to use. With all the guidelines out there helping us learn how to use the program, it should not be that hard. After downloading the program and recording something short and playing it back, I like the way it sounds. So me and my partner may use this for our podcast.

Adelina Ruffolo, W14: structure

Hey,

   When looking at structure,I feel that my partner and I's podcast closely resembles this structure that I saw on the link provided to us (http://howsound.org/2013/03/my-kingdom-for-some-structure/).



   
    I feel our podcast resembles this story structure because we talk about current changes in the field of marketing.We start with our opening scene, we then provide our listeners with a background context to the reasoning behind why brand names are so effective. We also refer to references from the past and present, and illustrate changes. Our subtopics are interchangeable and relate to each other in many ways. Each subtopic is always related right back to our main idea. I think this structure emulates the 'Under the Influence' podcast.  They use examples to get their point across, all relating back to the main idea.

The total number of citations I counted was 18 in the 102 "Icon for Access" of 99% Invisible episode.

Adelina Ruffolo, W14: Search Strategies

Hello again,

Google Scholar vs. Library Database, both provide us students with a variety of options to find answers to our research questions. Which is better? I look at this question from two perspectives. Google Scholar provides students with tons of information online that is easy to access and we receive it anywhere. I have now done research for two different subjects, Psychology and English. 

From a psychology student perspective, Library Databases are crucial because they lead us to psychology databases such as PsychInfo and WebScience. These two databases are very important for psychology students because they provide us with a great deal of information and psychological studies. When writing my final assignment for my research studies class last year, I strictly used sources I found on PsychInfo and other library databases. I did not use Google Scholar at all to find any sources. This may have been out of a fear that some sources may not be credible and I knew what I was getting with library databases. From an English student perspective, I think that both Google Scholar and Library Databases can be useful tools. Looking online for information for this assignment has shown me that databases such as Google Scholar can be a helpful tool in finding useful information. 

I prefer using Library Databases. Library Databases provide students with online links, books, ebooks, clips, films and a great deal more. I enjoy being able to hold a book in my hand and read (even if it is for research). I know exactly what I am getting when I use a Library Database and I know the information I use (for the most part) is credible and reliable information. The two can be used in combination because you may want to use all the options you have at your disposal. You can find a book on a Library Database and find other works that may have cited that particular book and if it helps your research you can look it up on Google Scholar. Some key differences between the two, I feel, is just that the Library Database provides us with more options (some that are tangible as well). When using Google Scholar, the key words you use have to be very specific because you can get a great deal of information that is not useful to what you are looking for. Google Scholar is very much online based information that can be credible or not. I find it helps to look for written works that have been peer reviewed or published in a journal (or something along those lines). In the future I will still rely mostly on Library Databases and to give myself more options, I will use Google Scholar. It is always good to try to find as much information on a topic as possible. 

Adelina Ruffolo W14: Topic Refinement

The pitch exercise, I found, did help me and my partner with our topic selection. During the writing process of our topic, we found our original selection did not really fit with the podcast show we selected. We went through three different stages until we settled on a new idea, which we found suited the Under the Influence podcast. We really had to take into consideration audience and other topics that had been discussed on the show in order to decide on a good idea. The research that we had to do helped a great deal in our topic selection. We looked at the podcast show's format and the description on the website in order to figure out if our idea was a good fit for the show.

I don't really know if the pitch would be a good fit for other assignments but I can see it be a valuable tool to get started on thinking about an assignment in the early stages. It could be helpful to use the pitch format to get started on thinking about if a topic is a good fit or even a good idea.

Our original topic was how humor in advertising is effective. We decided that we wanted to make our topic more specific and illustrate the changes in advertising and marketing. Under the Influence is a podcast that looks at concepts in marketing and advertising that deal with that significant shift, a persuasive dialogue. We narrowed down our topic to deal with branding. How brand names are so effective and how they market to people (through relationship marketing). We felt it would be a good idea to go with this topic because it looks at a shift in the marketing world from traditional forms of marketing to a more contemporary format. Relationship marketing focuses on building relationships with consumers, therefore making them loyal costumers for life. For instance when someone says once you're a BMW driver, you're a BMW driver for life. People create lasting bonds with the brands they are loyal to and it is an effective way to keep people coming back. These brands do not need to advertise heavily because people have been loyal costumers to them for a long time. These companies use techniques in order to keep costumers coming back, for example costumer service and loyalty programs. Or like using Advil and refusing to use any other brand besides that. Our topic will explore why this is and how it is so effective.  

Adelina Ruffolo, W14: pitching

The first source I found online offering advice on writing a podcast was from the University of Cambridge website. One of the things the suggest that I found important was to have a passion for the topic you are discussing. They also advise to have a good energy in your presentation. That the presenter should be able to tell a compelling story that people want to hear and to answer questions that are difficult. They say to think differently and to think about the audience you are pitching to. (Warren Bennett and Alan Barrell, http://www.cfel.jbs.cam.ac.uk/resources/multimedia/pitching.html)

The second source I found online was advice from the San Francisco Book Review. Stephanie Barko, the author of the article, says she created a template on what a pitch should contain based on advice she received from a radio producer who received tons of pitches. She first suggests that the subject line (if it is an email) should be attention grabbing and interesting. Next is to show the producer you have done your research and find a way to relate to them, whether it is by referring to them by name or by showing you know the type of topics and guests that are featured on the show. Then discuss the relevancy of your topic, things you will reveal to your listeners and why it would be good to book you. Lastly, list where the company can get a hold of you along with web and social links. (Stephanie Barko,  http://sanfranciscobookreview.com/2013/02/how-to-pitch-a-podcast/)

The third source I found online was advice from CBC on how to do a radio pitch. The site tells audiences what they are looking for and important things to know (such as that they are looking for Canadian ideas). The also give advice on questions to ask yourself such as: what excites others when you discuss your pitch with them? Is your show original and does something CBC has not done before? Does it fit the Canadian audience? What is the sound of the show? (flow, serious or funny) Who is hosting the show? Is there opportunities for social media? The format of the show? (weekly, monthly, holidays) They go on to say the pitch should include some information about who you are, the roles individuals will take on the show, the role of social media, support, timing and how they can reach you. (CBC, http://www.cbc.ca/pitch/radiopitchguide.html)

I found all these references to be credible because they are reliable sources. CBC is a reputable company that many people have heard of and trust. The San Francisco Book Review article was written by an author who has been published and the website features information about her and her work at the bottom of her article. Lastly, the University of Cambridge is a institutional setting offering advice to students like us on how to do a pitch. The authors of the article have their own podcast discussing business ventures. 

Based on the information I gathered I can tell I need to do some work in creating an effective podcast. The best advice I found was from the CBC and the San Francisco Book Review. It is important to know who I am pitching to and the typical audience of their podcast. It is also important to discuss new and original topics that have not been talked about before. A great deal of planning has to go into creating a pitch, one that indicates that I have knowledge and passion about the topic being talked about. I have to make sure I create an outline that covers all the questions a producer may want to know about my podcast.

References

Barrell, Alan & Barrett Warren, Learning How to Pitch Your Ideas,2013,  http://www.cfel.jbs.cam.ac.uk/resources/multimedia/pitching.html.

Barko, Stephanie. How to Pitch a Podcast, 2013, http://sanfranciscobookreview.com/2013/02/how-to-pitch-a-podcast/.

CBC Radio Development Group Pitch Guide, August 2013,  http://www.cbc.ca/pitch/radiopitchguide.html

Adelina Ruffolo, W14: Topic Selection

I chose to listen to the 'Under the Influence' podcast. The topic of discussion was 'The Psychology of Price.' Not only do I find this topic interesting in general, but it also took a psychological perspective on the subject, which interests me a great deal. I enjoyed the use of music in the podcast in the introduction and as breaks between speech. The music chosen also fit in well with the topic being discussed. The pace of the speaker is also fairly good, he is not speaking too quickly or too slowly but at a pace that he can be understood and heard. I also liked that the language is not overtly complicated but not 'dumbed' down. It was beneficial that the speaker explained certain terms that may not be well known by the average person. The speaker is convincing and well-informed on the topic they are talking about. It is clear that a lot of consideration and research went into getting information about this topic. 

I have two topic ideas for my podcast and cannot decide between the two yet. The Under the Influence topic interests me because advertisements sell people goods and services, they can be presented to the public in both ethical and unethical ways. Advertisements get people talking for both good and bad reasons, they want to be remembered and leave a lasting impact. Some advertisements target people in an overtly obvious manner. For instance, there was an advertisement that a Canadian company did for an mothers against guns group in America. The ad depicted one child holding an item that is illegal in America and another child holding a gun. The message of the ad was clear, but many felt it was unethical to show children holding guns. The ad and the controversy surrounding it says a lot about our culture and the generation we live in. The other topic I am interesting in doing my podcast on is 'On the Media'. Journalists produce stories that are both ethical and unethical. The Rob Ford case is particularly interesting because not only is he the mayor of Toronto but also apparently a drug addict. The question to bear in mind when it comes to this particular topic is, is it ethical for reporters to discuss and uncover Rob Ford's drug addiction? Should it have been discussed because he is a public figure and therefore, his rights as a private citizen no longer apply? Or should what he does in his private time be kept from the public? Ralph Potter created what is known as a Potter Box which is a step-by-step guideline on making ethical decisions in journalism. The Potter Box helps journalists decide whether or not to publish a story that may or may not be ethical. 

The Spark website did not really help me much in regards to making decisions about my podcast. My advice to fellow students in my position is just to take the time to do proper research and not be lazy. Improper research can lead to faulty information and even at times plagiarism. Also, to get as much information from multiple sources as possible.  

Adelina Ruffolo, W14, Introdutions

Hello,

My name is Adelina Ruffolo. I am currently in my third year at York University, majoring in Psychology and Professional Writing (Institutional Stream). I enjoy reading, watching movies, listening to music and writing. I am a book fanatic and I hope to one day own a gigantic library filled with novels. I love writing non-fiction because I feel some of the best stories come from our own experiences. I chose to study both Psychology and Professional Writing because I think possessing the skills that come from learning these two topics are extremely helpful. With writing it is always beneficial to know your audience and what they may or may not be thinking. Psychology is helpful in understanding the way individuals think and form opinions. I just started reading The Iliad and hope to finish it before school officially re-takes over my life with assignments and readings. I like the colour purple, soccer, The Beatles and Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favourite movies of all time). I hope to one day work in communications or in public relations.

I feel that research is an important concept in both writing and psychology. When writing a piece of work it is important to get as much information as possible on your topic. In order to get accurate and detailed information we must do research. When doing research it is important to know how to properly cite and give credit to sources. What do I want to learn about research? Well I guess I would want to gain as much knowledge as I can about the topic. It is never a bad thing to learn something new and gain new skills that are essential in the everyday world. I would want to learn new ways to research topics in the writing field, as I only have some experience with research in psychology.

I have never used any information software, the extent of my experience with research engines are PsychInfo and WebScience. In my time at York, I have taken two courses that dealt specifically with research (Introduction to Research Methods and Intermediate Research Methods). In the latter course I had to come up with a research study and part of the assignment was providing a Literary Review, this required a great deal of research. I had to spend lots of time on PsychInfo, looking up past research studies that were similar to my own and properly cite and reference over 10 sources.

I have little experience with creating a podcast, in my high school creative writing class we had to create a radio show and do some social commentary. My topic was on pop culture and what I disliked about it. I did not really put the show together, my friend who had more experience with computers helped me piece my assignment together. I am somewhat excited to create a podcast but also, slightly nervous because I am typically a quiet person and have no real experience with this. After looking over some of the podcast topics I am interested in either the Grammar Girl topic or On the Media. I just completed a course called Ethics of Publicity and I feel that, that course would help me with the On the Media topic.

Thanks for letting me share,

Adelina Ruffolo