Myla Minaya

16 May 2022

Professor Furlong

Writing for the Humanities and Arts

Composing my essays, some characteristics that I made sure to include were having coherence. I wanted to make sure all of my sentences and ideas are connected and flow together smoothly. In my essays, I also wanted to include many rhetorical strategies that compliment my essay. For example, the rhetorical situation that I address in my op-ed was purpose. The purpose in my op-ed is to prove to the audience that we are dramatically increasing the levels of greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere and that as a result of global warming, there is an increase in sea levels. To make my statements reliable throughout my op-ed, I state factual evidence that was made by credible sources. 

Additionally in my visual essay, the rhetorical strategy that I used to employ given the genre and rhetorical situation, was tone. I wanted to have a strong, harsh tone to prove to the audience that I’m serious about my opinion and stating them very clearly therefore the audience comprehends it well. I feel like the tone portrays how the author initially feels while writing their piece. Lastly in my critical analysis essay, my first thesis was not as strong as I intended it to be. However, making many changes to my essay allowed my audience to understand my intentions of writing my essay. 

In addition, some problems that I had while composing this essay was the ability to compare my documentary to my sources. There was so much information in my sources that it was impossible to tie them into my documentary. However, I did find a way to do so. Due to the fact that a particular source was so informative and beneficial to my audience, I decided to adjust my thesis statement. My sources all fit into the thesis statement perfectly. Despite contemplating composing a counter argument, I decided to refrain from doing so since finding one proved difficult. Every individual is concerned about climate change for the same reasons, but they each have different reasons for why they feel that way. Consequently, I decided to support my thesis statement with all of my sources. 

The Course Learning Outcomes have helped me compose many texts that integrate my stance with appropriate sources using strategies such as rhetorical situations, terms, purposes, exigence etc. For example writing this op-ed, I have practiced many research strategies. I have practiced using research strategies of my own and finding them in specific parts of articles. Additionally, I have learned how to recognize and practice key research terms and strategies whenever I am engaged in a writing situation. When composing my op-ed, I have developed strategies for reading, drafting, collaborating, revising, and editing. Adding on, I have engaged in the collaborative and social aspects of writing processes. 

The Course Learning Outcomes have helped me compose many texts that integrate my stance with appropriate sources using strategies such as summary, critical analysis, interpretation, synthesis, and argumentation. For example in my critical analysis essay, I have practiced my summary strategies. I have practiced to sum up detailed and specific events. I have learned to briefly give summaries however also provide a large amount of details and context. I have also learned how to recognize and practice key rhetorical terms and strategies when engaged in writing situations. I have learned to acknowledge many rhetorical situations when writing. When writing this essay, I have developed strategies for reading, drafting, collaborating, revising, and editing. I have engaged in the collaborative and social aspects of writing processes. 

To conclude, ​​the mini-assignments, small homework submissions, class readings, peer reviews, one on one instructor feedback conferencing and class discussions helped my skills as a writer because it allows me to comprehend my mistakes and to acknowledge how to fix them on my own. Having the mini-assignments for each phase was very beneficial because it allowed you to brainstorm before actually composing your essay. Having the mini-assignments allowed my brain to keep thinking about my topic because I would forget about it because of the fact that we only had this Mondays and Wednesdays. The mini-assignments allowed my brain to continuously think and not forget where my mindset was a couple days before. Throughout this course and composing all three phases, I believe I have effectively revised and composed each of my essays. While receiving feedback, I compose constructive criticism into my work and revise it. In addition, I take my peer editings from my classmates and also compose them into my major essays. 

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