Vallin 1

Joe Vallin
Dr. E
WR 13300
12 September 2014
Audio Essay Process Paper
When presented with this assignment of an audio essay, I was originally both excited
and a little indifferent -- excited because I have had experience with video essays in the past
and indifferent because the topic for the paper seemed to be rather uninteresting. However after
completing the prewriting activity that we started in class and some brainstorming on my own, I
finally found a topic where my personal experience with technology/multimedia crossed with
what we have discussed in this class about identity. One of the artifacts that I had in mind for
the prewriting activity was my GPS running watch, and I realized that I could use the tension I
experience of whether or not to use my watch as an analogy to technology in my life in general.
I often debate if running without my watch is better for cementing how paces really feel on my
runs. Next I brainstormed some experiences in my life where, as in the case of the watch,
technology has had its trade-offs. The two that both stuck out to me the most and were the most
feasible to craft into my essay were that of my favorite computer game and my recent
smartphone. They both had apparent benefits or advantages on the surface, but deep down
there were considerable drawbacks. Both had to do with a deficiency in prioritizing. As I began
to write my essay I decided to start the narrative with a descriptive scene of one of my trail runs,
where I would introduce my minds tug-of-war with my GPS watch. Then I flashed back to
earlier in my life to the experience of my favorite computer game. Next I returned to the near
past and the dilemma of my smartphone. Finally, I decided to wrap things up with a return to the
running scene, and add resolution by supposing a solution to my GPS watch question.

Vallin 2
While writing, and later while revising, my paper, I tried to add some rhetorical style. I
definitely made use of rhetorical questions, which carried a lot of my thought process in my
experiences and also added reflection to them. I also used repetition of some important words
and phrases, such as pace and between, to make it easy for the listener to follow along. In
addition, I tried to make use of some figurative language including assonance, symbol (spider
webs), and personification, in order to make my narrative more vibrant. I chose the title because
I like using alliteration to grab the readers attention, and because I thought it fit well with the
paradoxes of my experiences with technology.
Thankfully, I had little trouble recording my essay. I used audacity, and although it was
pretty bare bones I was at least able to edit out some background noises to make it sound more
crisp. I was a little disappointed that I couldnt find a way to add any audio clips to enhance my
essay, but tried to make up for it with voice inflection and emotion. Overall, I am pleased with
the outcome of this project and the new skills I have learned.