First, I would like to publicly say what a joy it has been to work with Paula, Madeline, and Taylor. Although we have much in common, as writers our thinking varies. Yet, through the process of collaborating our research, our unique writing talents have helped us produce a product of which I am not only proud of, but one in which I could not have done alone. Our Collaborative Research Paper meshes our thoughts and our creativity to form a unique writing piece.
The Google Doc feature was priceless to us. Through the use of this technological tool, we were able to collaborate no matter where we were or the time of day. We could discuss through the “chat” box any questions or points with which we needed help. We were also able to edit each other’s sections as needed.
The finished product includes a traditional research paper, a video clip, a chart depicting our survey results, and a glimpse of the Google Doc we used to collaborate on our piece. The research section contains the facts about ammonia, the purposes for which ammonia is used, a highlighted section of how it specifically used in meat manufacturing, and finally, a section discussing possible alternatives to ammonia as meat filler.
We included a clip to reinforce to the reader the risk of using ammonia and to connect the reader to a personal testimonial of how ammonia affects our food. The video clip is very compelling and we felt the reader would be just as horrified to hear the meat manufacturing process as we were. The pie chart depicts the incredible issue of awareness. The fact that, as chart indicates, an overwhelming number of people do not realize that ammonia is used in meat manufacturing, solidifies one of the key points of our paper. Most people are not aware, and therefore do not know to challenge or question the health risks.
Ultimately, the goal of our paper was to bring awareness to people regarding ammonia and how ammonia is used in manufacturing beef. I think we accomplished this goal, at least within the realm of our world.
To begin our Collaborative Research project, Madeline, Paula, Taylor, and I discussed the many riveting details of the movie Food Inc. We discussed the key points that led us to want to know more. The one resounding topic that entered all of our minds was the use of ammonia in meat filler. None of us were aware of the fact that not only was ammonia used, but what the underlying health risks would be. Based on our current knowledge, ammonia was a highly potent and gaseous cleaning product. As a group, we decided to each set out and do some independent research and form ideas on how we should approach the project.
The following week we met and had learned many new things. First, we were made of the fact that ammonia is actually produced in the body and within the environment. The controversy arises as to how much ammonia is deemed safe within the human body. At the same time, we were able to devise a plan as to the elements we felt were important to our Collaborative Research Paper. We felt it was key to bring awareness to consumers as well as present the factual information about ammonia and its varying uses.
At this point, we each took a section of paper that we would like to investigate and to report our findings. In order to effectively collaborate, we set up a Google Doc. This technological tool affords us the opportunity to not only write our own sections, but to help each other through the editing process. We were also able to collaborate in effectively making the paper cohesive and have a natural, appealing flow and presentation.
While in the process of forming our written piece, we were able to add other forms of genres to help enhance our piece. The idea of adding a video clip as well as conducting our own survey came to light. We all agreed this would add a nice touch to our Research paper.
The polished product is in its final stages…the finished product is yet to come!
Pollan, Michael. "Our National Eating Disorder." Pollan, Michael. The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. New York: The Penguin Press, 2006. 1-11.
Pollan, Michael. "The Farm." Pollan, Michael. The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural HIstory of Four Meals. New York: The Penguin Press, 2006. 32-56.
Within Michael Pollan’s book titled The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, Pollan discusses the violent change in society’s eating habits which has led to a societal eating disorder. In a frenzy to eat healthy, unhealthy people have become obsessed with eating right. The food industry has taken advantage of society’s food obsession by producing more and more products to add to our anxiety. At the same time, misleading labels contribute to our unhealthy eating habits. In addition, Pollan denotes that society is constantly modifying the food chain to accommodate what the like to eat.
In Pollan’s chapter titled “The Farm,” he describes the impact the mass production of corn has made on business and society. To authenticate his story, Pollan temporarily resided with George Naylor on his farm. Through Naylor’s insight, Pollan describes how the industrialization of farming, namely the producing of corn, has led to global warming, the depletion of fertile land, and water contamination due to chemicals used to increase production. In addition to affecting the earth, excessive corn planting has “pushed out” animals who no longer have a place to live, people whose jobs are not longer required, and other plant growth since soil is used exclusively for corn planting. Pollan reports that the federal government plays a large role in the industrialization of farming. After WWII the United States had an abundance of ammonia nitrate (used to make bombs). To utilize this resource, Fritz Haber, chemist, discovered a way to use the ammonia as a synthetic fertilizer. Despite the destruction industrialization of farming has made on society, “to the factory, time is money and yield is everything,” therefore, the government will continue to demand it’s production no matter how detrimental the process is to society.
Schlosser, Eric. "Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation: Why the Fries Taste Good (Excerpt)." 26 March 2010. pbs.org. 26 November 2010 <pbs.org/pov/.../fastfoodnation_01.php>.
In Eric Schlosser’s Fast Food Nation: Why the Fries Taste Good, Schlosser discusses his visit to the J.R. Simplot plant in Aberdeen, Idaho. Schlosser interviewed J.R. Simplot, founder and owner of the plant. At age sixteen, Simplot started potato farming and is now one of the major distributors of French fries. Over time, Simplot and his chemist discovered a way to mass produce frozen French fries without completely compromising the taste. Cooked frozen French fries are yet another one of the simplistic, fast moving, food eating items society loves and demands. Notably, Simplot is the sole producer of Mc Donald’s French fries. “J.R. Simplot, an eighth-grade dropout, is now one of the richest men in the United States.” He is also one of the nation’s largest landowners, possessing 85,000 acres of irrigated farmland and twice that amount in ranchland. Simplot also leases 2 million acres of land from the government. Schlosser’s interview brings a profound awareness to society about how high our demand is for potatoes, namely, French fries.
Food Insight (2009). Questions and Answers about Ammonium Hydroxide Use in Food Production. Accessed November 21,2010. http://www.foodinsight.org/Resources
Food Insight addresses the many questions and answers people have regarding the health risk factors of Ammonium Hydroxide used in food processing. According to Food Insight, the FDA has approved the use of Ammonium Hydroxide in the sanitation of meat products. According to Food Insight, the human body naturally produces Ammonia. “Probably because ammonia is also used as a sanitizer in many household and industrial cleaners,” consumers’ health concerns arise. Food Insight points out that ammonia cleaners have extremely high pH levels, much higher than those used to combat bacteria in meat products. Food Insight concludes that as long as “good manufacturing practices” in accordance with the FDA regulations are utilized, the food products are safe to consume.
Berry, W. (1990). The Pleasures of eating. In What are People for? North Point Press.
Wendell Berry states that consumers are a part of agriculture. As such, consumers need to realize the processes used to produce and manufacture the food they eat. Members of society are always in a hurry, and therefore, continually in search of fast and convenient food products. However, they do not realize the detrimental tactics used in processing convenience foods. Additionally, industries cover up their unethical food production by falsely advertising the health benefits of their products. Berry believes society needs to start growing and making their own foods. And, when purchasing their meat and produce, purchase locally and be aware of how the food is manufactured. As consumers, we need to exercise our freedom to choose, including the right to choose how our food is should be manufactured.
Schneider, Stephen. (2008) Good, Clean, Fair: The Rhetoric of the Slow Food Movement. College English 70.4, 384-401.
Schneider defines and concurs with the theories of Carlo Petrini, founder of Slow Food. Slow Food is a movement focused on educating consumers and producers about the significance of healthy food production. Petrini believes food should be “Good, Clean, and Fair.” Good food is qualified as food that tastes good and is multicultural. Clean food is “sustainable” and manufactured in an environmentally safe way. And, food should be produced fairly, without producers and consumers being treated inhumanely. According to Schneider, Petrini believes that society must unite and stand up for the value of healthy food production. Schneider argues that by bringing awareness and education to society about Slow Food and the beliefs they advocate, we can create a better environment for all.
Kenner, R. (Producer, Director) and Scholsser, E. (Producer). (2008). Food, Inc. [DVD]. Magnolia
Home Entertainment.
Food Inc. is a documentary addressing the extreme measures meat companies utilize to cultivate our food. In order to produce mass quantities of meat, farmers, as well as the animals they raise, are being treated inhumanely. Steroids and other drugs are given to the animals enabling them to develop faster and increase the slaughtering process. Since the animals are being raised unnaturally, they are most often diseased. To counter act diseases, companies use chemicals such as ammonia to eliminate the contamination. In turn, unknowing consumers are ingesting the chemicals. Notably, if the animal diseases go untreated or not treated thoroughly, consumers are infected with viruses like e.coli, and salmonella poisoning. Food Inc. also addresses the production of corn feed. Corn is inexpensive to produce and therefore its mass production reduces cost. Corn feed, aside from steroids, is used as the primary food source for animals.
1) Is the story interesting and compelling?
§ Although I found the story very intriguing, will my readers? Although I know English Language Learners struggle with literacy, hearing Midge’s personal story makes the struggles more compelling to me. Will my readers feel the same way and want to hear her story?
2) Should I include more information about Midge’s parents and their struggles to come to America?
§ During my interview, Midge told me some details about her parents arranged marriage. She also told me that their respective families did not every see them once they came to America
§ Midge’s mother’s family disowned her because she married Midge’s father
*Although this information is not directly related to the story, I was wondering if I should include the information to add flavor to her story.
3) Does the story flow nicely or does it seem choppy?
§ I wanted to be sure I stuck to Midge’s words so this makes the task of making each paragraph flow smoothly into the next without sounding like an interview. I was able to use only Midge’s words to produce this piece. I want to be sure it works well.
4) Should I add more to the story in regards to her High School Education and learning to use a computer as an adult?
§ I have more information regarding Midge’s high school experiences, yet they are not related to literacy, it was more in the conflict between her friends and the line divide with the American students she references as a child.
§ I also ask Midge about her experiences with the computer since she uses one at work. Although she did not say too much in this area, I was wondering if I should add it to the piece
§ Overall, I did not include the above information because I did not see it relevant, it is more that I could not get it to work in to her story and flow nicely. I did not want to force the information in just to include it; I wanted it to make sure the story was cohesive.
5) Is there any components missing in the story?
§ At first I was concerned with the length of my story. Is it long enough? However, I realize that it is quality not quantity that makes a good story. Is this a quality story that has a beginning, middle, and an end with good details?
6) Is my story title okay?
§ I had trouble coming up with a good title. Not sure if it should be more personal, for example: including Midge’s name, or more general as I chose to do.
7) Does my prologue contain enough information about my interviewee?
§ I was not sure if I need to add the setting of the interview or even more details about Midge, like her DOB, maiden name, etc.
As a child, I remember interviewing my parents and grandparents for school assignments. I also remember listening to my grandparents tell stories about their childhood. I was always intrigued by their experiences. My level of comfort was always high because they were my family members who I loved and cherished. Their stories only drew me closer into their loves. Therefore, when I interviewed Mrs. Goldyn, I did not feel awkward or strange. But I did feel grateful to get to hear her story on learning literacy. I also welcomed the opportunity to get to know Mrs. Goldyn on a higher level. Her experiences as a child made me appreciate her more for the person she is today.
As Mrs. Goldyn and I walked to the P.E. Teacher's office to conduct our first interview, she asked, "This isn't going to take long is it?" As much as I find many Senior citizens are impatient these days always wanting to keep things moving along, I think she was a bit nervous about what i was going to ask her. Although she was fully aware that I wanted to talk about her literacy experience, I think some of her past, especially admitting her parents were illiterate, may have made her feel uneasy.
During the interview, Mrs. Goldyn said several times, "my life was dull." Yet the more questions I asked, the more her memories were recalled and relayed to me. I think she surprised herself to realize she does have a lot of history to share about her childhood and family. By recalling her school experiences, she was compelled to remember her friends and neighbors who she has long forgotten. Once we were finished our first interview, I said, "See you life was not dull. And I am happy to hear all about your childhood. I find it very interesting." Mrs. Goldyn walked back to her desk a bit taller than I remember her to be, and most impressively with a warm smile on her face. Her concern to be quick seemed to be a vague memory as our interview lasted much longer that she had thought it would.
I have since interviewed Mrs. Goldyn a second time. I found it very amusing when I would turn off the digital voice recorder to indicate I had all the information I needed for the time being and she would start to tell a story. I would have to ask her to hold her thought so I could turn the DVR back on again. I would no sooner ask if she would like to add anything else, she would respond “No” and then she would again add another story. I, as the interviewer wanting to learn all I could would keep clicking the record button. I love the fact that Mrs. Goldyn wanted to share her story with me. Her divulging her private past to me, made me feel significant.
My only struggle with the interview was trying not to add my thoughts and feelings to the memories Mrs. Goldyn shared with me. I often found myself wanting to share my grandparents’ struggles and stories of the past with her since they had some similar experiences. As an interviewer, I know it is important to make the interviewee feel comfortable, yet it is equally important to let them tell their story devoid of my thoughts.
I enjoyed my role as an interviewer. I found the task to be rewarding. I feel as though I have grown as a writer. By doing this interview, I will be creating an oral history of Mrs. Goldyn’s life from her viewpoint. This will be a unique experience for me since all the stories I have every written about concerned fictitious characters. I look forward to working through the oral history process and seeing my finished creative nonfiction piece come to life.
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