Project 1 Reflection: My Process

Overall, I think I did well on my assignment. I have written multiple analytical essays during my senior year of high school. With that being said, I felt like I was prepared. I used a flawless system that involves statements, proof, and commentary. I only hope I’m not the only one that feels I did well.

            I especially enjoyed the fact that we had a wide range of places that we could choose to observe. I was able to observe the football stadium. Football is my passion; I am pursuing a career in the industry. With that being said, I feel I was more motivated to write my paper and make it great because I was writing about something I love. When you write about something you love, you find it more intriguing and not as dreadful as other papers and assignments.

            One thing I struggled with was understanding how to look at the stadium through a different lens. I think a lot of students had a problem with this. However, once I asked the professor to give me a different explanation, I knew what I needed to do. The biggest problem I had with my paper was going into a deeper analysis on some topics in my paper for which I don’t think you could get any deeper on them. I feel some things don’t have deeper meaning; it is what it is; plain and simple. For example, I explained how the stadium had advertisements on display for everyone to see. ASU did this because they are business savvy; advertisements are to promote business; plain and simple. However, I do think ASU has a partnership with some of these companies and that is explained in my paper.

            There are some things about my writing process that I will be changing. I think these changes will only be for the better. For my future assignments, I will ask peer reviewers to not only give me positive feedback but also a lot negative feedback as well. Knowing what others think you should improve on is crucial in editing your draft. It makes you consider other peoples ideas that may make your paper better. I will also be creating a lot more drafts for which I believe the more drafts you make, the more flaws you will find that you can fix. If you can fix more flaws, your paper will be better. Creating more drafts will also make a stronger structure for your final draft, making it a stronger paper overall.  

Analyzing a Place Worksheet- Sun Devil Stadium

Project #1 Worksheet                                                          

Your Place: Arizona State Sun Devil Stadium

What are the intended functions of the place?                       

The intended purpose for the stadium is football games.

What overt messages does the place send (i.e., openly communicated through signs)?

            The overall message the stadium sends out to people is support of Sun Devil athletics and the advertisements for the many supporting sponsors.

What covert messages does the place send (i.e., hidden messages)?

            One of the main covert messages the stadium sends is the economic impact in the form of revenues/income generated such as employment, vendors, and local businesses.

Have previous users left traces behind in the place?

            Yes previous users have left traces in this place. Proof of that is evident by looking at the many banners, awards, and recognition displayed throughout the stadium.

Has the place been re-appropriated (i.e., beyond its original functions)?

            To my knowledge it has not been re-appropriated.

What social or cultural customs did you observe (i.e., rules governing appropriate behavior)?

            Some customs I have observed would range from NCAA rules and regulations to the players and teams that have their own personal rituals and to the many emotions that come with the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat.

Who has access to the place?  Are there insiders and outsiders?

            The people who have access to the place can range from ticket holders to students/faculty and to the teams involved. There are no outsiders for which it is optional to be here.

Who owns the place?

            Arizona State University owns Sun Devil Stadium.

What is the place’s value (i.e., monetary or otherwise)?

            There may be a value to the land and the multi millions of dollars, however, there is no value that one person can place on this stadium for which it is priceless with all of the memories that are inside.

Are there official representations of the place (i.e., online, in promotional materials)?  Do they accurately capture the place as you experienced it?

            This is an example of marketing at it’s finest, through promotional materials, ticket sales, websites, and the media.

Is the place in transition, a changing place?

            This place is not a changing place for which the university preserves the many traditions that are held here.

What conflicts or tensions are there in the place?

            Conflicts/tension can range victories, defeat, and rivalry between the teams in the game.

What is the place’s history?  Do you see evidence of the past there in the present?

            Many historical events have occurred at Sun Devil Stadium such as the many bowl games they have hosted throughout the years and the years when the Arizona Cardinals called it home as well. There are signs and memorabilia that celebrate the many achievements.

How does this place differentiate itself from other places?  What other places is it similar to, but how is it different from those places?

            This place is different from other stadiums because it is home to the one and only Arizona State Sun Devils, however, there are many collegiate football stadiums that serve the same purpose which make them all similar to each other.

What questions do you have about your place?

            If I were to have any questions about this stadium, I would ask what are the truths to the untold stories of past games, wins/losses, and the players who played them.

Key Features / Profiles (taken from the Norton Field Guide (Goggin and Bullock) Chapter 16, pages 165-166)

An interesting subject.  What is unusual about your place?  Alternatively, is there something ordinary about it that you can show in an intriguing way?

            The most unusual thing about the stadium is that it has been placed between a mountain.

Any necessary background.  What background information will you need to include about the place in order to situate readers?

            Some key points that will need to be touched on is the history and traditions of the fans, players, and coaches.

An interesting angle.  Rather than trying to tell readers everything about the place, what angle(s) might you use?

            An interesting angle that could be taken on as a writer would be the voice of a sportscaster that can walk readers through what happens at the stadium on game day.

A firsthand account.  Did you interact with people in the place or participate in some way?  What experiences did you have there that you can write about using “I”?  (Yes, first person point of view is encouraged, especially for this paper.)

            I was able to interact/participate in the place by attending a game where you cheer for the team and players and participate in the traditional chants. By going to a game, I mainly experienced emotions that reflected on the result of a play such as excitement for a touchdown and irritation when Arizona State fumbled the ball.

Engaging details.  What specific information must you include in your description of the place?  What potential does your place have for the use of sensory images, figurative language, dialogue, anecdotes, and showing rather than telling?  What do you want the dominant impression to be?

            There is significant information that must be included in the description of the place such as the maximum occupancy for seating, what the football field looks like, the geographic location, and climate as well as fans, both young and old that wear maroon and gold. The stadium has great potential for sensory images for which it is filled with sensory images such as the smell of food, the sound of the marching band songs, and the feel of the uncomfortable bleachers. I want the dominant impression to be a family friendly, story-creating place for people of all backgrounds.

Generating Ideas and Text (taken from the Norton Field Guide (Goggin and Bullock) Chapter 16, pages 168-169)

Explore what you already know about your subject.  Why do you find this place interesting?  What did you already know about it?

            I find this place interesting because it is a football stadium and I love football, therefore, I am automatically intrigued by its presence.

If you’re planning to interview someone, prepare questions.  What would you like to ask someone in the place in order to better understand it?

            I would like to ask someone what their perspective is on the stadium and the events that take place there.

Do additional research.  Does your place have an online component?  How else might you gather additional research?

            I could do additional research on the stadium by visiting the official Arizona State website.

Analyze your findings.  What patterns, images, or recurring ideas or phrases did you use to describe your place?  What contrasts or discrepancies do you see?

            The recurring ideas that I used in my analysis is the sustainability movement ASU is trying to enforce, the memories and historical events/people, traditions, and the business opportunity at hands for ASU with all of the advertisement.

Come up with an angle.  What is most memorable about your subject?  What most interests you?  What will interest your audience?

         The most memorable topic about my subject is all of the traditions/events/athletes etc. that have all come through the stadium. That is the most memorable topic in my eyes for which it is the topic that interest me most because I am a traditional person. I believe this topic will also intrigued the audience as well. 

Observation Notes Project 1: Sun Devil Stadium

Ø  The stadium has a lot of open space

Ø  Some bleachers are painted yellow, others are the normal metal color

Ø  The stadium has unusual seating, most stadiums have chairs, this one has rows upon rows of bleachers

Ø  There’s a large press box

Ø  The press box has Mid First bank advertised on the front and back of it

Ø  There are two different ways to approach your seats if you are on the lower level, the first way is you can walk along the sideline to your section, the second way is to climb the side of the mountain a little ways and then go to your section

Ø  The football field is separated from the stands by a fence and a sidewalk where the fans walk

Ø  Instead of stairs, there is a paved, ramp-like structure that fans can walk up

Ø  When walking on the paved ramp, you can see an “A” structure on the side of the mountain, facing the football field- the “A” is yellow and looks just like the main “A” everyone sees facing ASU except it is smaller than the main one

Ø  There are two large sections for fans to sit. One lower and one upper section

Ø  In between the upper and lower sections is a smaller section of seating that surrounds the field just like the lower and upper sections do, these seats are yellow

Ø  The seats on the upper level have metal back rests attached to the bleachers

Ø  The stadium is located next to Wells Fargo Arena, where Sun Devil basketball takes place

Ø  The stadium is located next to Tempe Town Lake

Ø  The stadium is located between the Hayden Preserve Buttes in Tempe, Arizona (mountains)

Ø  There is no shade covering the field from the sun and heat

Ø  The field is named after legendary coach “Frank Kush”

Ø  There is a sign under the press box that says “Frank Kush Field”

Ø  The structure that surrounds the field is made out of concrete

Ø  There is a set of what looks like portable bleachers on the south end of the field

Ø  There are numbers on the bleachers that tell people where they will be sitting

Ø  There are two tunnels, one for the home team, the other for the opponent

Ø  The home team tunnel is on the South end and the opponents team tunnel is on the North end of the field

Ø  Two Big televisions on the south end of the field

Ø  The main score board is on the south end between the two televisions

Ø  There is a scoreboard on the west end and the east end

Ø  On the front of the upper level seating ASU honors legendary athletes such as Pat Tillman by putting their names up for everyone to see

Ø  On the front of the upper level, they list the number of championships they have been to and/or won- the year is also next to each game for example: Rose Bowl 97’ and Holiday Bowl ’85 ’02 ’07

Ø  On the front of the middle section, there is advertisement for different companies and corporations; for example, Blue Cross

Ø  In the front of the stadium, there is a big Pitchfork sign that is up high on the building there’s one sign for each South East entrance

Ø  The sign is above the turn wheel ticket gates

Ø  There are Palo Verde trees in the front of the ticket gates on the south end

Ø  There’s a sign on the South West entrance that says “Home of the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl”

Ø  There are box offices where people can pick up there tickets between the South East and South West entrances

Ø  The stadium is next to a light rail stop

Ø  There is a big football field in the center of the stadium

Ø  The field is green

Ø  There are two goal posts, one on the North end and one on the South end of the field

Ø  The goal posts are yellow

Ø  There are painted lines everywhere with little tick mark alongside of them

Ø  The lines are painted white

Ø  There are numbers painted on the field to indicate which yard line is which

Ø  There are two end zones, one on the North end of the field, the other on the South

Ø  There is a pitchfork painted in the center of the field on the 50 yard line

Ø  Sparky has been painted twice on the field with his pitchfork in hands

Ø  Two signs have been painted on the field for the “Pac 12 Conference” they are blue and white

Ø  The box seats are located in the South end of the field with what looks like narrow windows but I’m sure there is a better view from the inside

Ø  There are two sidelines

Ø  There are a few little tent shops put up to sell Arizona State merchandise, you see them first thing after you show your ticket and enter the stadium

Ø  There are quite a few concession stands; one in particular is located by the ticket entrance

Ø  There is a bathroom located by South ticket entrances with two doors on each bathroom, one for entering and one for exiting; the have wall/mini halls up for privacy on each doorway

Ø  There are two South entrances: South East and South West

Ø  Large parking spaces for tailgaters in the North

Ø  Looking to the South East of the stadium, you can see dorms like Manzanita (the building with triangle windows), Palo Verde East, Palo Verde West and Palo Verde Main

Ø  The floor you put your feet on when sitting in the bleachers is concrete

Ø  Once you get to your section seating, there are concrete steps that take you up to your row and seat

Ø  There is a metal rail that helps people hiked up the paved ramp so they may get to their seats

Ø  The numbers on the bleachers are black

Ø  Many of the numbers on the bleachers are worn off

Ø  The football stadium has a oval shape

Ø  The football field is rectangular

Ø  There are signs posted all around the stadium telling people which section is which and how to get to them

Ø  There is a Sparky’s Stadium Shop on the South end of the stadium

Ø  There is a Coco-Cola advertisement with Sparky on the ends, this is place on the front of the South East entrance

Ø  On the North end of the stadium there is an American Flag waving in the wind

Ø  There’s another Coco-Cola sign in the North End of the stadium that’s bigger than the advertisement on the front of the South East end

Ø  There are big bright lights that come on during a game, There are a total of 8 lights posts that surround the stadium

Ø  There are 8 maroon blocks for each front of the South entrances, they all have pitchforks on them

Ø  There are 3 dangling signs for each South entrance that have legendary players on them with their names. The signs twirl and are 3-D

Ø  There is a student athletic center behind the ticket offices

Ø  There is a man sitting in front of the student athletic center,

Ø  There is a Talking Stick Resort advertisement by the North end by the Coco-Cola sign

Ø  Nadine and Ed Carson Student Athlete Center sign in front of the South entrance of the field

Ø  Biebling Family Ticket Plaza sign above the ticket office

Ø  There are four ASU logos on the front end of the North Entrance

Ø  There is a Mid First Bank advertisement on the front end of the North Entrance

Ø  There are two more repeated advertisements on the front end of the North entrance: Talking Stick Resort and Coca-Cola

Ø  There is a sustainable parking area next to the stadium, The have solar powered panels to keep the area cool

Ø  The bottom of the street lights in the parking lot of the North end are painted gold

Ø  The parking space bumpers in the same parking lot are also painted gold

Ø  In the sustainable parking, they have advertisements for things such as: Sun Devil athletics, ASU academics, sustainability at ASU and even Sun Devil License Plates

Ø  The stadium is on the North East corner of Packard Street and Rio Salado Parkway

Ø  Two of the ASU logos on the North entrance light up when its dark out

Ø  On those particular signs, they also say Sun Devil Stadium

Ø  There aren’t too many people walking around the stadium

Ø  There is a black charter bus by the North Entrance