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.

 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. 

    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.