Reflection on Open Letter Draft

In the post below, I will be providing links to the letters I peer reviewed as well as answering questions to reflect on my open letter draft.

ClckrFreeVectorImages. "Reindeer, Rudolph, Christmas." May 7, 2012 via Pixaby. Public Domain Dedication.

The review I received from Nick helped me in a few ways. His advice reminded me to keep my letter formal and to avoid using extremes within my letter. He also explained areas where I did well as well as where needs improvement. I decided to add more concrete examples and more description of my writing experience after reviewing the edits made to my draft.

I peer reviewed Isabel's and Nick's open letter drafts.

1. Did you demonstrate an ability to think about your writing and yourself as a writer?

Yes, I was able to self-reflect on myself as a writer over the course of the semester. I feel as though my letter accurately summarizes and analyzes my past writing and also how I have grown as a writer.

2. Did you provide analysis of your experiences, assignments, or concepts you have learned?

Yes, I analyzed my journey as a writer. I did this from my past as well as through my experience in this semester. I feel as though I looked at everything and was able to see how I have grown and changed throughout the semester as a writer. 

3. Did you provide concrete examples from your own writing?

I did provide examples of how I've grown through the semester. I reflected on previous blogs and previous ideas I had at the beginning of the semester and analyzed how my thoughts have changed since then.

4. Did you explain why you made certain choices and whether those choices were effective?

Yes I explained how my thoughts and processes changed and how they are more effective now that I know what I am doing. I also explained how they were effective in helping my writing process.

5. Did you use specific terms and concepts related to writing and the writing process?

I did not really use specific terms related to the writing process. I did mention what type of writer I am, which relates t the writing process. Otherwise, I did not really mention specific concepts. 

Draft of Open Letter

In the post below, I will be providing a short paragraph as well as a link to the drafter of my open letter.

Darkuncle. "Popcorn." March 9, 2010 via Flickr. Public Domain Dedication.

My draft is still very rough. I kind of wrote it freely and have not really revisited it so it probably makes no sense. I also still have to add my sources. With that in mind, my draft can be found here!

Reflecting More on My Writing Experiences

In the post below, I will be answering questions to reflect overall on my writing experience this semester in 109H.

Jonathon G Meath. "Santa Claus." November 13, 2010 via Wikipedia. Public Domain Dedication.

1. What were the biggest challenges you faced this semester, overall?

The hardest thing for me this semester was calculus. It destroyed me and my character every day. Even in the beginning of the semester, I expressed my worry for calculus in "Calendar Reflection"; I was right, it was a hard course. Learning how to study and manage all of these blogs was challenging too. The blogs weren't necessarily hard but the amount of work and the points awarded for the time put in made it very discouraging.

2. What did you learn this semester about your own time managment, writing and editorial skills?

I learned that I am bomb at time managing. I usually do a little bit of homework during the day everyday, so I never had to stay up past 11 pm doing homework. In my blog "Calendar Reflection" I say that I will do my homework right after classes. I realize now how naive of me it was to say this; the last thing I was to do after a day of class is more school. However, I learned when is good times for me to study. For my hard classes too, I went to extra study groups often, which made studying easier. In terms of editing, I learned I have no patience to reread my drafts. I was always really annoying to me to go back through my work and change it. Same applies to peer editing. Even though my writing is really dry, I was still always able to finish and get a decent grade.

3. What do you know about the concept of 'genre'? Explain how understanding this concept is central to being a more effective writer.

I never considered genre in the context of what we learned this semester; like I never thought a writing type was considered a genre. I did learn that every type of writing has particular convents that fit its genre and they can be found by analyzing an example. When rereading my blog "Evaluation of Scholar Sources", I will be able to review the conventions of scholarly articles in my discipline and be able to reproduce a similar piece of writing, which will help in in my future career as an engineer. Before this class, however, I would have never been able to look at a scholarly engineer article and be able to write one. Understanding the concept of genre allows me to be a versatile writer.

4. What skills from this course might you use and/or develop further in the next few years of college coursework?

I will use analyzing genres in the further when I have to write papers in my discipline. This skill will allow me to produce what I am supposed to for engineering and other scientific genres. I also learned how to write an annotated bibliography in my major when I made the blog post "Annotated Bibliography in ASME Style." This will benefit me in future engineering writing assignments. Also, I will use my time management skills developed; I learned how to dedicate time and focus for just a few hours a day. This will allow me to manage my workload and maintain my stress levels.

5. What was your most effective moment from this semester in 109H?

I think my rhetorical analysis was my most effective moment. It was the easiest assignment for me because I am used tow writing rhetorical analyses. The purpose of that assignment was also easy to accomplish. I also feel as though project three was effective. I liked how we were able to pick our genre; this allowed me to take it in any direction and create a piece of work that was effective in conveying my point.

6. What was your least effective moment from this semester in 109H? 

Project One was the least effective for me. It was at the beginning of the semester so I was still learning what was expected. I was also very confused of what was going on and still trying to navigate the course and blogger. My project felt like t had no direction and I remember being very confused of what I was even writing.

Revisiting My Writing Process

In the post below, I will be reflecting on how my both my writing process and time management skills have changed in this course.

Haneburger. "Tea in Different Grade of Fermentation." December 29, 2009 via Wikipedia. Public Domain Dedication.

After rereading my previous blogs "My Writing Process" and "Calendar Reflection", I've realized how much I've grown over the semester as a writer. My writing process is relatively the same. Before, I was a heavy planner and a light revisor. Now I'm less of a planner and more of a revisor; except, I spend a more equal amount of time on both. Mainly, the time I spend on revising and reflecting has increased a lot over this semester. In terms of time management, I've mastered my schedule this semester. It was really hard for me at the beginning of the semester trying to figure out how to pace myself for English. I remember spending every Saturday doing english homework for hours. I also had to drop my gen Ed because it was too hard for me to balance everything. However, now I am very comfortable with my classes and I have learned when it's time to focus and even have time for things I enjoy doing.

Currently, my writing process and time management skills are better than they were. By revising my writing more than I did, I have been able to create "A" worthy work. I feel as though in the further my writing process will become even better and I will be able to write and revise quickly but effectively. In terms of time management, I feel like I will be even better at dedicating time to study; my focus will be better as I continue my college career and I will learn when to work and when to play.

Reflection on Project Three

In the post below, I will be answering nine questions in order to reflect on Project Three.

Worm That Turned. "Peacock." May 7, 2011 via Wikipedia. Public Domain Dedication.

1. What specifically was revised from one draft to another?

I revised the direction of my draft. I included more of my own commentary than before and made it an actual argument.

2. Point to global changes: How did you reconsider your thesis or organization?

I reconsidered my points I was making. I changed the content of my subheadings but kept my general structure.

3. What lead to these changes? A reconsideration of audience or purpose?

The changes were due to a reconsideration of purpose; at first, I didn't really think about my purpose or direction of my draft but after revising I did.

4. How do these changes affect your credibility as an author?

They help my credibility because I have a clear purpose and direction in my draft now; my argument is more logical and understandable.

5. How will these changes better address the audience or venue?

The audience will be able to better understand my purpose and position with my revisions. Also, By revising, I keep my audience more in mind and direct my argument to fit that.

6. Point to local changes: How did you reconsider sentence structure and style?

Because my genre is so informal, I tried to keep my sentences relatively simple and understandable. I tried to avoid academic word choice and tried to keep my information concise.

7. How will these changes assist your audience in understanding your purpose?

By changing my structure and sentences, my draft will appeal to all audiences. Because of this, anyone can understand my position and purpose.

8. Did you have to reconsider conventions of the particular genre you're writing in?

I did not really have to reconsider the conventions because I've been writing blog posts for thirteen weeks now and my genre is a blog post.

9. Finally, how does the process of reflection help you reconsider your identity as a writer?

The reflection process always makes me realize how much my draft grows through revision. Also, it helps me understand how I have grown as a writer. I also feel by admitting a first draft is never perfect, I am able to edit and reconstruct to have an eve stronger final draft.

Publishing Public Argument

In the post below, I will be providing a link to the final draft of Project Three. In addition, I will be answering a chart to give the reader an idea of the direction of my project and providing three examples of the genre I was writing in. 

Jen Keys. "Beyonce." May 7 2007 via Wikipedia. Public Domain Dedication. 

A copy of my Project Three draft can be found here.

1. Mark with an "x" where you feel your target audience currently stands on the issue (before reading/watcing/hearing your argument) below:

←----------------------------------------------------|----X----------------------------------------------------->

Strongly                                            Totally neutral                                                    Strongly 

agree                                                                                                                          disagree

2. Now mark with an "x" where you feel your target audience should be (after they've read/watched/heard your argument) below:

←----------------------------X------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------->

Strongly                                            Totally neutral                                                    Strongly

agree                                                                                                                          disagree

3. Check one (and only one) of the argument types below for your public argument:

       
  __X__ My public argument etablishes an original pro position on an issue of debate.

       

4. Briefly explain how your public argument doesn’t simply restate information from other sources, but provides original context and insight into the situation:

I use ideas from articles but expand and include my own viewpoints and positions. I provide commentary on why GMOs are not bad based on my outside information.

5. Identify the specific rhetorical appeals you believe you've employed in your public argument below:

Ethical or credibility-establishing appeals

                    __X__ Adopting a tone that is inviting and trustworthy rather than distancing

                    __X__ Arranging visual elements properly 

                    __X__ Appealing openly to the values and beliefs shared by the audience 

Emotional appeals

                
                    __X__ Employing an appropriate level of formality for the subject matter 

                    __X__ Use of “shocking” statistics in order to underline a specific point

                    __X__ Use of imagery to create an appropriate emotional impact for the debate

                    __X__ Employing an engaging and appropriate tone of voice for the debate

           

Logical or rational appeals

       

                    __X__ Using statistics from credible sources in order to establish trends, or patterns

                    __X__ Using expert opinions that help affirm your stance or position

                    __X__ Effective organization of elements, images, text, etc. 

                    __X__ Clear transitions between different sections of the argument

                    __X__ Crafted sequencing of images/text/content in order to make linear arguments

Examples:

Example One

Example Two

Example Three

Reflection on Project Three Draft

In the post below, I will be providing links to my peer review sheets and also reflecting on my Project Three Drafts by answering questions.

Twehrstein. "Longhorn." November  2014 via Pixaby. Public Domain Dedication.

I peer reviewed Nick's Project Three draft and Jayni's Project Three draft. 

1. Who reviewed your Project 3 rough draft?

Nick and Brandonpeer reviewed my Project Three draft. 

2. What did you think and/or feel about the feedback you received?

Nick's feedback made me feel good about my draft. He gave me pretty high scores and also good advice on how to make my argument stronger. I was a little confused when he said my genre wasn't clear but I will make sure to fix it. Brandon didn't provide a link to the peer review sheet but made comments directly on my draft. His comments helped me to understand what aspects need help and what parts I can clarify. 

3. What aspects of Project 3 need to most work going forward [Audience, Purpose, Argumentation, or Genre]? How do you plan on addressing these areas? 

I will work mainly on genre conventions and argument. I will make sure I use more blog conventions in my draft so the reader understands it's a blog post; for example, shorter paragraphs and more white space. Also, I will try and find more outside support so my argument is more credible. 

4. How are you feeling overall about the direction of your project after peer review and/or instructor conferences this week?

I feel a lot better about my argument. At first I was nervous about the informality and whether or not my own opinions were okay to use because in previous assignments I would have to back up my argument with outside information. In the genre I picked through, my own opinions are perfect acceptable.