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.