Thursday, September 11, 2008

Blog post 2; Ultimate Hamster Fighting Machine


I chose this picture to demonstrate that not all diagrams are required to have an academic backing but they can also be used for humor. Though comical in nature it still serves all of the purposes of a diagram, it gives you a breakdown of the final product, materials required and how to properly use the product. In addition to those things it also includes; ways of dealing with uncooperative supplies, a helpful trouble shooting guide and a demonstration of a rambunctious group of kids enjoying their “Hamster Fighting Machine.”

True this diagram has limited real world application (unless you compete in ultimate hamster fighting) it does demonstrates that diagrams can be used for a multitude of things, whether that use is demonstrating the inner workings of the human cardio vascular system or to teach you how to construct a vicious rodent. A diagram as a learning tool serves a great purpose especially in writing, it helps to give us a complete breakdown of what it is we are analyzing so that we can look at each part piece by piece as opposed to looking at the big picture and getting lost in the grandiose of the writing.

As writers we must be careful when taking a diagram out of its original content because we run the risk of ruining the integrity of the message you are trying to display if the diagram is improperly used or not sited correctly. In addition we must be consciously aware of the true meaning behind the diagram and the original author’s intent, especially when getting this information off of the internet. For example, if you are trying to compare the genetic structure of different races and you slap in a diagram composed by a white supremist the message you where originally trying to convey suddenly has a completely different meaning.

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