Hey everybody! Hopefully you've all had a great weekend and hopefully you're all making good progress on your essays as well! Here's a copy of my new progress report:

Lewis University

April 14, 2015

 

To:                  Dr. Kyburz

From:             Ashley Nelson

Subject:          Progress Report of Current Status of Rational Argument Essay

 

Introduction

Background on the project itself:

Throughout my paper, I discuss the problems that arise with the beauty industry naming cosmetic products with scandalous names. Are consumers just oblivious to these names or do they actually buy them because of the scandalous names? My paper also defines the term “cult following” which is where a beauty product becomes so popular, whether it be through magazine ads or YouTube tutorials, that many people begin to form the same opinion about that product. A common way that we all hear about whether a product is good or not is usually through YouTube. Many people and beauty experts post how-to videos and their opinions on certain products. With scandalous product names like “Deep Throat” and “Orgasm,” which come from the brand NARS, how do people formulate their opinions around these names? My paper goes on to explore people’s opinions as well as how to react when a young teenage girl wants to start wearing makeup, especially if it’s from the line of NARS. Another important aspect of my paper deals with women using more makeup during the times that they are fertile throughout their monthly cycles. Two studies were done and both portray results of this being true.

Discussion of achievements since last reporting:

One of the biggest achievements I have made is finding three scholarly sources as well as two additional sources. Also, at the last reporting I only had about two pages of my essay drafted and it was just thrown together because I was still struggling on a pathway to focus on. Staying after class that day to get some opinions and help from Dr. Kyburz was very beneficial because she helped to open up my eyes to all of these different paths I could potentially choose for this paper and I was able to choose one and focus on it. After receiving that help, I was able to go home and find some new sources and draft my full paper. I know it could still use a lot of editing but I’m just glad that I have a full draft done and that I have a decent amount of sources.

Discussion of problems that have arisen:

Some problems that have arisen since the last reporting would have to be my scattered thought process throughout my paper. I noticed that I ask a lot of questions geared toward the reader and I’m not sure if this is a good approach or not. I also feel like I have a bunch of my thoughts and ideas mixed around in my paper and I know that the order of my essay could use a lot of work. I emailed Dr. Kyburz my essay and she gave me some really great feedback which I intend to use to help edit and keep drafting my paper. I know I still have a lot of work to do from here and I know I need to get my ideas arranged in a better order throughout my paper.

Discussion of work that lies ahead:

From here, I plan to use the feedback I received to help further lead me in the right direction. I need to continue to keep editing my essay and drafting consistently up until the day that it’s due. This is our last paper that we’ll be working on for this semester and I want to make it sound good. In my head I have all of these different ideas and ways that I could structure and tweak my paper but I just have to get myself to sit down and really focus on working on them. I still have a lot more progress to make from here.

Assessment of whether you will meet the objectives in the proposed schedule and budget:

I believe that I will meet the objectives in the proposed schedule. I was running a little behind at the start of this drafting process, but now I’ve caught up and I feel pretty good with the progress that I’m currently making. I’m usually always on top of getting assignments done and always have them finished in time because I don’t want to be docked for easy points that can be earned by simply just having the assignment completed. I want to set a goal for myself to do as well as I possibly can on this paper, and if I set that goal for myself, then I know I will be able to meet all of the objectives within this assignment.