Unit 1 Portfolio

  Source 1 Analysis

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/21/fashion/a-pencil-shop-for-texting-the-old-fashioned-way.html

    The article is “A Pencil Shop, for Texting the Old-Fashioned Way" from the New York Times by Molly Young. The author’s project was to bring light to the history and functionality of pencils. The author's target audience is most likely people who use pencils every day. The article focuses on the people who love the pencil’s history, shape, feel, and writing quality. The purpose of this article is to shed light on the specific shop “C. W. Pencil Enterprise” and share the passion for pencils with everyone.

    The genre of the article is informative humor with cultural commentary. The genre influenced the project because the interviews with the business owner and customers at the shop create jokes and history for each pencil sold. The article brings awareness to the types of pencils that are on the market, giving history to older generations of pencils, and showing how pencils can enhance a writing experience.

    I think that the project of the writer semi-succeeded because, in my opinion, I know a lot about the different types of pencils and how people can be passionate about them, but that doesn't sway the way that I feel. A quote from the article, “There was no eraser on the pencil; instead, a shiny nub lacquered with a Swiss cross gleamed at one end. (Possible subtext: The Swiss don’t make mistakes.)” This line is interesting to me because the purpose of having or using a pencil is to correct and erase any potential mistakes. This also reflects the author’s humor because of the possible subtext. In addition, “Would the young lady like to try a triangular pencil? How about a chubby pink pencil that functioned as a low-tech highlighter? A pencil shaped like a cigarette, to freak out the customer’s mother?” Having different pencils is like having different styles of pens, computers, keyboards, etc. The experience of having a certain pencil with a specific wood, build, and thickness can make writing or drawing more pleasurable, satisfying, and enjoyable, just like pens have different tips and inks that are preferred. This also reflects on the ways that, based on a pencil, can reflect the type of writer and the humor of a person. When I was a kid, I loved stationary and fun objects, where I owned a 2-foot-long, thick pencil. I fell into the same mindset as the others in the article. In current times, I use a mechanical pencil because it is easy to write with and refill. I have always been one to try out new stationery, but after reading this article, I do not want to explore new types of pencils or their history.

Source 2 Analysis

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/02/technology/openai-deep-research-tool.html

The article is “OpenAI Unveils A.I. Tool That Can Do Research Online" from the New York Times by Cade Metz. The author’s project was to inform the readers that OpenAI has created a new tool, called Deep Search, that allows for research to be sped up from 30 days to 30 minutes. A quote from the article, “By contrast, Deep Research can accomplish such tasks in five to 30 minutes, depending on the complexity.” This shows the efficiency and ease of conducting research. The audience that the author is targeting is students and professors, specifically the ones who are interested in doing research for their major or experience. The article focuses on how Deep Search can be used as an additional resource to cut down on the research time of reading all the information, where instead AI can compile all of the information. In the article, “‘It can surf the web and understand text and images and PDFs,’ Mr. Weil said. ‘And it can do this recursively. It can do one search, and that leads to other searches, and then it can synthesize all the information it has learned.’” This shows that AI is learning and can remember all the fine details in an investigation. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness that AI can be used as a tool to aid in many categories, such as research but should be used as a tool and should not be trusted blindly.

    The genre of the article is technology journalism and leans in the informative category. The genre influenced the project because this is the bridge between writing and technology. If AI can help compile readings into research, this can be a crucial tool in future research and innovation. The article brings awareness that there is the risk that AI could be trusted blindly and confidently to provide misinformation, but when used properly, can be used to make research more time efficient and a helping hand for compiling information.

    The project the writer succeeded because AI is broadcasted to be a tool in research. As a student, I have been pointed to AI as a source of information and a tool to use for research. I have also attended workshops on how to use AI for research. This could be a big breakthrough for writing in technology.

Source 3 Analysis

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeaAHv4UTI8

    The source is “TED x KC Michael Wesch - From Knowledge to Knowledge" from the YouTube video as a Ted Talk. The presenter’s project was to bring light to how students are learning in specifically colleges and universities. The audience that the presenter is targeting is students, teachers, professors, and deans of colleges. The presentation focuses on the idea that students must go from knowledgeable to knowledge-able. The purpose of this article is that knowledge-able is when a student can use their creativity, technology, and knowledge to create projects and solve the world’s issues. The genre of the presentation is educational analysis. The genre influenced the project because the professor is talking to the world with the video on YouTube and influential people at the Ted Talk presentation. This broadcast can affect the way that professors teach and share their knowledge with their students. The presentation brings awareness to how big lecture halls and copying slide shows are failing students in the future and the world.

    I think that the project of Michael Wesch failed because college lecture halls are still functioning in the same way that fails students. While it is hard to transfer knowledge from professor to student, I still see and experience the typical lecture hall, where students are typing the slides as fast as they can, on their phones, or playing games. Instead of students practicing knowledgeable to knowledge-able, they are practicing copying down slides and playing games during lectures. The education system has not changed for years, while our world has evolved so much more. Since technology has grown vastly, the process of teaching students should be the same. For writing and technology to mend together, we all need to evolve to work with technology to create a better way of living and push for a more evolved society.

Work Cited

Metz, Cade. “OpenAI Unveils A.I. Tool That Can Do Research Online.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 3 Feb. 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/02/02/technology/openai-deep-research-tool.html.

Wesch, Michael. “From Knowledgeable to Knowledge-Able.” TEDx Talks, TEDxKC, 12 Oct. 2010, www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeaAHv4UTI8.

Young, Molly. “A Pencil Shop, for Texting the Old-Fashioned Way.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 19 May 2015, www.nytimes.com/2015/05/21/fashion/a-pencil-shop-for-texting-the-old-fashioned-way.html.