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Social Semiotics

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 Social Semiotics was first founded by Michael Halliday in 1978 in his book called Language as Social Semiotic.  The basis of this idea is that the semiotic resources of language are shaped by how people use them to make meaning-the social functions they are put to (Bezemer 2009). They also serve 3 functions: Ideational metafunction which is that they express something about the world, interpersonal metafunction meaning they position people in relation to each other, and textual metafunction which forms connections with other signs to produce coherent text. Hallidays ideas further inspired Robert Hodge and George Kress in 1988 with their publication of Social Semiotics. They include a methodology but in a sense, semiotics is the study of signs across all medias and forms of communication.  Here are some of the few rules associated with the methodology: Signs “‘Signs are made-not used-by a sign maker who brings meaning into an apt conjunction with a form,  selection/choice shaped by t
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Online arguments

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 The online argument I am highlighting in this weeks discussion board is sourced from Reddit but it is from an online bodybuilding forum basically arguing about how many days are in a week. While this seems like a silly topic I could not find anything on my Facebook account worth this discussion post. It goes back and fourth for PAGES…  I have a few concerns, Why are they arguing over this? Is this conversation actually useful? Is anyone learning anything from this? If you would like to laugh you could go through and read this yourself…  Link From this argument, I believe an argument should have these 5 factors? 1. I think people should have respect for themselves and others. Don’t accuse someone that you don’t know of x,y,z.  2. The argument should have some sort of organization, Where are you going with these ideas?  3. Know when to leave. Sometimes it might be better to be the bigger person and leave the argument.  4. Is there any evidence. Here they literally attached a calendar to
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Toulim Method

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 The Toulim Method is a way of evaluating the logic of an argument. What is different about the Toulim Method compare to other method is that after identifying a claim, you will need to look for qualifiers or an exception. Asking how is this information legible will lead you down the right path. Then you will state your reason or belief and examine the evidence. This further condones if he information is true. Once you do that, you will need to examine the warrants. This is basically questioning the information again and correlating its connection back to the thesis statement. Finally, looking for  counter arguments or rebuttals confirms the author is well versed in heir argumentative topic and has considered all potential objections to their research. This information was obtained from textbook pages 39-49 in Communicating Online by Julia Green.  The online website  Here  discusses the decriminalization of drug use over the past few years. The website discusses the rationale for drug
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Research Podcast

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The podcast I listened to was by Adar Cohen. Cohen discusses the 3 ways to lead tough, unavoidable conversations. I will also be refrering to this weeks reading material, The Agenda Setting Theory. Cohen makes a great explanation of how when we have these difficult topics of conversation people are afraid to have these talks, their frustration will kick in, communication often restricts, tensions often rise, trust is broken, and there is little to no collaboration being done to help resolve the conflicts we are intrested in. For example, on page 372 there is a list of what the media highlights on the discussion of immigration in 2016.  “Jobs : Immigrants do work Americans just don’t want to do. Government spending: Can America really afford to build a wall along the southern border? Law and order: If they broke the law coming here, they’ll keeping breaking laws while living here. Education: Children of immigrants shouldn’t be denied admission to college on the basis of their citizen
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The Battle for Public Opinion

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Over the years we have become witnesses to more and more information on the current events happening globally. Social media has become the new wave to fundraising for natural disasters, helping spread the word of civil rights movements, and even posting gathering information for people to protest and express the causes and beliefs they are fighting for. For example, there are orginizations that will post the option to donate through SNS so users may feel involved in that given area. One account I follow that has this feature currently on their Instagram page is The Marine Mammal Center and they are currently in need of funding for marine mammal rescue, rehabilitations, scientific research, education, and of course feeding the mammals they are currently taking care of. I use this as an example because being a ocean lover, I often find my voice is most passionate and useful in this area as I am more knowledgeable about it. On the conterary, some people may be more passionate about civil
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Online Communication, Business Assessment

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The company I am going to be reviewing is Kodiak Cakes. Kodiak Cakes main message on their site is "Before the days of over-processed, nutrient-deprived wheat, people on the frontier relied on whole grains to help them take on each day. Kodiak Cakes stays true to this legacy by offering nourishing, great-tasting products that provide the hearty nutrients you need to explore your frontier—whatever that may be." This is featured as you scroll to the middle of the page. In the beginning of the site they showcase a man in nature passing one of their products to a mother with her son standing next to her. This marketing photograh falls in line with their message about their products with their word choice of "explore" and "frontier". As I scroll down their website they have recipies, their products, and a link to a conservation effort they are supporting with the grizzly bear- which is also their mascot. I believe their layout is effective, informative, and use
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Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants

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For this weeks discussion post I will be talking about Marc Prensky's article Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants . According to Prensky, A digital immigrant is someone who did not grow up with technology and had to learn it later on in life. The digital native is someone who did grow up with technology. How Prensky develops this divide to readers is by talking about the educational benefits and conflicts one has as being a digital native. He describes in his article that there has been a misscomunication between teaching and learning styles to present day learners. I feel like I fall under the native learner. I grew up with computer classes in school, using my cell phone to take kahoot quizez, seeing the transition from white boards to smart boards, having chrome books in class, and now I am recieving a college education online. I honestly do prefer classes in person but the succession and development of technology has advanced my educational career in a number of ways and I a
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