Reflection 2010

Taking English 2010 has pushed me as a writer in ways I didn’t expect.
For starters, I
learned that writing is more than just typing madly on a computer with little thought to what I
was writing. Taking this class has helped me develop a unique writing process that works for me.
It’s been a lot of trial and error, but by the end I found a process that really works for me. It’s
something I’ll carry with me through the rest of my life as I write college papers, lesson plans,
and pretty much anything I can write. This process looks something like this: I write out my
ideas very basically, almost like word vomit. I refer back to this document often as I write my
first, second, and third drafts. Then I put in the research required to write a well-thought and
accurate paper. Then I begin my first draft. This is honestly the hardest part for me because it’s
difficult for me to realize the first time isn’t going to be perfect. After finishing the first draft, I
read and reread. I write and adjust and rewrite, until it’s something I’m truly proud of. Without
this class, I wouldn’t have found that process. Prior to this, I would typically write a first draft
and stick with that. Now I realize that writing takes effort and change, a lesson I am profusely
grateful for.
My memoir, profile, information effect, and persuasive effect were all originally in an
essay format. I chose to do this because I’m the most comfortable with this type of medium. It’s
something I’ve been doing my whole life and I’d like to think I’m pretty good at it. Additionally,
it seemed the easiest way to get the information across about my social issue (inclusion of special
needs individuals). However, looking back I wish I would’ve branched out a little more. I think I
was a little too afraid to step outside my comfort zone with a podcast or photo essay. It didn’t
seem like that was my “element.” So looking back, that would be the one thing I would change.
For my adaptation process in the magazine, I turned my information effect paper into a
powerpoint. The reason I chose to do this was because I truly felt that I could portray my
information in a clear concise way through a powerpoint. While before, my information effect
was in an essay format. It seemed a little boring and I wanted to add pictures. I wanted to engage
my audience better. So turning it into a powerpoint was an easy choice. By doing this, I feel like
my social issue became more engaging and powerful.
Revision has never been my strong suit, so again I was pushed as a writer in this class.
One thing I really utilized were my peer reviews. I’ve always been uncomfortable and self-
conscious in sharing my writing with other students, so at first it was really hard for me to allow
myself to be vulnerable to their critiques. But by the end, I was truly listening to my peer
reviewers and adapting my paper based on their comments. I’ve realized the perspective of
another while writing is truly invaluable.
My goals in this class were simple. I wanted to write pieces I was proud of. I felt like I
accomplished this goal through the help of my teacher, my peers, and myself. I learned it’s
important to have a writing process, change your writing, then change it again. I learned you
have to accept the critiques of others if you want to excel as a writer. While my goal was simple,
I felt like there were other milestones I reached along the way as a writer and as a person.
“Language and writing are resources people use to do things, be things, and make things
in the world.” I remember reading this on the first day of class. I don’t think I truly knew what it
meant at the time. But upon completing this course, I think I understand it a little better.
My social issue is something I’m very passionate about. I’ve worked with special needs
people throughout my life. I told myself I was always going to be an advocate for them, but
always felt at a loss as to how I was going to do that. I didn’t feel like I had a voice. But after
writing paper after paper about this social issue, I feel like I realized you don't have to do
anything crazy or big. You don’t have to march in a parade or protest (even though these are
worthwhile pursuits). Sometimes all you have to do is write. Writing has helped me become an
advocate for these individuals in a truly invaluable way. Writing can create proponents for a
cause, it can create awareness, it can change the culture of a city, state, or country. It’s an
important tool that I don’t think we use enough.
I’ve also learned about the importance of rhetoric. The way you tell a story will influence
your audience. Maybe your writing should be portrayed as a fairytale. Maybe your writing
should be very formal. Maybe your writing should target a specific audience. No matter what
you’re writing, rhetoric is an essential part of it.
In my magazine, I was using rhetoric all the time. In my persuasive effect, I decided to
make my writing target one side of the argument. In my memoir, my goal was to engage my
audience so I wrote it more like a story. I utilized rhetoric in this course like I never have before.
This class has been very influential to me in many ways. I learned more about my social
issue and gained a deeper passion for it. I used rhetoric. I recognized writing is an important tool
to do things, change things, and make things in the world. I feel like I’m leaving this class not
only as a better writer, but as a better person.

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Taking English 2010 has pushed me as a writer in ways I didn’t expect.

my social issue became more engaging and powerful.

another while writing is truly invaluable.

important tool that I don’t think we use enough.

you’re writing, rhetoric is an essential part of it.

only as a better writer, but as a better person.

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