Unit 1 Reflection: America is Meh
As I am writing this, I feel that this paper is quite bad. Even the title doesn’t seem engaging enough for me to want to read. Many, if not all, of the ideas within this paper are fragmented. It starts off emotionally driven, stating the subjective opinion that America is not the greatest country. Then, it ends with, “Some might argue that America is the complete opposite of their expectations.” The rest of the paragraph is just as subjective as the first sentence and yet the last sentence seems like it was pulled out of a debate and the debater decided to take the word of some random people off the street instead of hard data.
The rest of the paper doesn’t sound as personal as it was intended to be. I used the word “I” a lot, but the paper gives off an incongruous feeling. It is likely because I mainly talked about random thoughts I had a long time ago and things I’ve heard about other countries that didn’t take up much space in my mind. Even the part where I spoke about my experiences going to China seemed very isolated. I wrote too much about specific parts of any country and neglected to give a verdict.
On this paper, I wrote with drafts for the first time. I wrote a bunch of ideas for the paper at the bottom and slowly incorporated it into the paper. Since it was the first time I tried such a method, the outcome was not very coherent. I was mainly trying to finish writing since I’m not very good at writing about myself and I wasn’t very invested in this paper.
Ultimately, I think this paper would be better off as small talk rather than a paper.
Unit 2 Reflection: Social Movement Rhetorical Analysis
Before I wrote this paper, I never thought about social movements much. When I thought of movements, all I thought of were the famous ones from the past like the Scientific Revolution (Not a social movement, just a movement). When I started my research on social movements however, I found a new definition of it and realized that they were much more common than I previously thought.
One aspect of social movements that particularly interests me is the use of new media, such as Twitter and Tumblr, to discuss and comment on issues of gender and racial identity. Hashtags like #MeToo and #OscarsSoWhite have brought important conversations about sexual assault and representation in Hollywood to the forefront, and have helped to shed light on the experiences of marginalized communities. I don’t use social media so I never saw these movements firsthand. I think that was what allowed me to see this from a birds-eye view and realize how large the impact of this was. I was like a historian looking back at the Scientific Revolution (I still keep thinking of the Scientific Revolution when I think of social movements (even though it’s not a social movement)).
I also recognize the power of rhetoric in shaping the perception of these movements and the individuals and groups involved in them. The abortion rights and anti-abortion movements, for example, have engaged in a contentious rhetorical battle, with each side using language and messaging that serves to bolster their own positions and delegitimize the other. Similarly, the Alt-right movement has used rhetoric to depict minorities as deviants and to justify violence against them.
Overall, this paper has provided me with a deeper understanding of the complex factors at play in social movements and the impact they can have on society. While there is still much to learn and consider, I am grateful for the opportunity to think critically about these issues and to consider how I can contribute to positive change in my own way.
Unit 3 Reflection: Internships: A Multifaceted Experience
This paper is definitely the paper I was most invested in. Before I wrote this, I had watched a video about unpaid internships, though I never did any research further research. The only thing I knew was that unpaid internships were bad and paid internships were good (this is an assumption I made because the video didn’t say anything bad about paid internships).
Writing this paper likely improved my writing skills in a number of ways. For example, the process of researching, organizing, and synthesizing information from multiple sources helped me to develop my critical thinking and analytical skills. While I had done research for writing essays before, all that was nothing compared to the research I did for this paper. Additionally, the act of composing and revising the paper likely helped me to improve my writing style, clarity, and coherence.
While I did miss the draft and peer review portions of this paper, I had my friends to review this paper for me. They helped me to identify areas for improvement and to develop strategies for addressing any weaknesses in my writing. The greatest flaw of this paper would be that there is too much repetition when presenting the data. If I had to change something about this paper, it would be shortening it so it’s more coherent. I prefer to write in a more concise style so writing longer papers is challenging.
Regarding Course Objectives
I believe that my second and third papers complete most of the course objectives, and the first paper serves as a benchmark for my growth and fills the gaps that the other papers may have left behind. The first objective, “Explore and analyze, in writing and reading, a variety of genres and rhetorical situations.” are filled by my second and third papers. In the second paper, I analyzed and wrote about the rhetorics of different social movements. The third paper adds as it is of a more objective type, with data, rather than the rhetorics, which is more subjective.
The second objective, “Develop strategies for reading, drafting, collaborating, revising, and editing.” is fulfilled by all three of my papers. The first paper is the first phase of testing a new strategy of writing (refer to the unit 1 reflection), and the others showing how the strategy has grown. The third objective, “Recognize and practice key rhetorical terms and strategies when engaged in writing situations.” is fulfilled simply from the rhetorical terms at the end of paper 3. Honestly, I don’t quite understand the fourth objective, “Understand and use print and digital technologies to address a range of audiences.” entails so I will be skipping it.
The fifth objective, “Locate research sources (including academic journal articles, magazine and newspaper articles) in the library’s databases or archives and on the Internet and evaluate them for credibility, accuracy, timeliness, and bias.” is fulfilled mainly by my third paper, wherein I researched on the topic I chose. I conducted research for the other two papers but not to the extent of the third. The sixth objective, “Compose texts that integrate your stance with appropriate sources using strategies such as summary, critical analysis, interpretation, synthesis, and argumentation.” is fulfilled by my third paper. In the conclusion of said paper, I summarized all the points to convince and inform the reader to not take unpaid internships, taking my stance on the subject along the way. For the last objective, “Practice systematic application of citation conventions.” it is fulfilled by both my first and third paper, in which I used the APA citation style to cite my sources.
Revision of Unit 2 Paper
Social movements are expressions of a desire for change and can serve as catalysts for progressive change. In the past year, there have been numerous notable movements in the United States that have inspired significant change, including the Black Lives Matter movement and the movement to legalize gay marriage. In addition to these more visible movements, there are also less visible ones that use new media, such as Twitter and Tumblr, to discuss and comment on issues of gender and racial identity.
Hashtags like #MeToo, #OscarsSoWhite, and #BlackLivesMatter have played a significant role in social media activism, allowing people who may not otherwise speak out to bring attention to important issues. While these hashtags may seem trivial, they are a major form of communication for marginalized communities around the world. Social media has changed how we think about social movements by allowing individuals and organizations to take center stage in conversations and for their narratives to be more readily adopted.
In the United States, there is currently both an abortion rights movement and an anti-abortion movement. The rhetoric used by both sides has played a significant role in shaping public perception and understanding of the issue. Abortion rights activists have used rhetoric that portrays the abortion industry as a gruesome and violent institution, while anti-abortion activists have used rhetoric that depicts women who have abortions as victims and portrays the anti-abortion movement as a victory for life.
The Alt-right movement is another example of the use of rhetoric to shape public perception and understanding. Members of the Alt-right claim to speak for the moral majority and depict minorities as deviants through their use of violent imagery and propaganda. This rhetoric serves to convince minorities that they need to be protected by the law from other minorities, further perpetuating a cycle of fear and division.
It is important to recognize the role that rhetoric plays in social movements and to be aware of the ways in which it can be used to shape public perception and understanding. By understanding the tactics and messages used by different groups, we can more effectively engage in discussions and work towards creating positive change.
Social movements are an integral part of our society, providing a platform for marginalized groups to advocate for their rights and for progressive change. These movements often face significant resistance and may not always see the changes they seek in their lifetime, but their work can lay the groundwork for future progress and inspire future generations to continue the fight for change.
It is important to be mindful of the language we use when participating in social movements and to be aware of the impact our words can have on others. The rhetoric used by different groups can significantly shape public perception and understanding, and it is important to critically evaluate the information we encounter online in order to avoid being swayed by misinformation or harmful narratives.
In addition to being mindful of our own rhetoric, it is also important to recognize the ways in which social media can be used to spread misinformation and manipulate public opinion. While social media has made it easier for individuals and organizations to take part in social movements, it has also made it easier for harmful rhetoric to be disseminated and for misinformation to spread quickly. It is important for individuals to be proactive in seeking out accurate and reliable information and to be critical of the content they encounter online.
Ultimately, it is through a combination of mindful rhetoric and critical evaluation of information that we can work towards creating a more inclusive and respectful society. By being aware of the ways in which language and communication can be used to shape public understanding and by being proactive in seeking out accurate information, we can play a role in bringing about positive change and making the world a better place for all.
Reflection on Rewrite
I decided to rewrite this paper to speak more about rhetoric itself and focused less on the examples I gave. The original paper discusses the role of social movements in catalyzing change and how new media, such as Twitter and Tumblr, have impacted the way we think about and engage with social movements. The paper also examines the use of rhetoric in social movements, specifically the abortion rights and anti-abortion movement in the United States and the Alt-right movement. The paper asserts that the use of dehumanizing and violent rhetoric by anti-abortion and Alt-right activists serves to further their respective causes and reinforce their positions of moral superiority. The paper also notes the impact of social media on the way information is shared and consumed within social movements, as it allows for the creation and amplification of discrete pieces of information within a larger narrative.
The rewrite maintains the general focus on the role of social movements in catalyzing change. The rewrite includes a more detailed discussion of the abortion rights and anti-abortion movement in the United States, as well as the Alt-right movement and their use of violent rhetoric to further their respective causes. The rewrite also includes a stronger emphasis on the importance of being mindful of the language used in social movements and the impact of social media on the spread of misinformation, and the role of individuals in seeking out accurate and reliable information and contributing to positive social change. The rewrite also includes a more hopeful and inclusive tone, emphasizing the potential for social movements to inspire future generations and create a more inclusive and respectful society.
Reflection on the Semester of this Class
As I mentioned, one of the most significant things I learned was the importance of close reading and thorough analysis in the writing process. This involves not only understanding the main ideas and arguments presented in a text, but also examining the language, structure, and other literary devices used by the author to convey their message. By engaging with texts in this way, I have been able to develop a deeper understanding of the material and to better articulate my own thoughts and ideas in my writing.
In addition to close reading, I have also gained a greater understanding of the writing process as a whole. Prewriting techniques such as brainstorming and freewriting have helped me to generate ideas and to organize my thoughts before beginning the actual writing process. I have also learned the importance of revising and editing, as well as the role that peer review can play in the revision process. By taking the time to carefully review and revise my work, I have been able to produce writing that is more clear, concise, and effective.
Despite my progress, I am aware that there are still areas in which I can improve as a reader and writer. In particular, I want to further develop my skills in research and citation. While I have a basic understanding of these concepts, I want to become more proficient in conducting research and incorporating sources into my writing in a way that is accurate and appropriate. This will be especially important as I move on to more advanced coursework and begin to engage with more complex and specialized texts.
One area in which I hope to improve as a writer is in incorporating my personal life and experiences into my essays. While I have written a few personal narratives in the past, I have found it challenging to effectively incorporate personal anecdotes and reflections into more analytical or argumentative pieces.
In the future, I would like to become more comfortable using my own experiences to illustrate and support my ideas. I recognize that my personal perspective can add depth and authenticity to my writing, and I want to learn how to effectively incorporate it in a way that enhances my arguments and engages the reader.
To improve in this area, I plan to continue practicing writing personal narratives and to seek feedback from peers and instructors on how to effectively incorporate personal experiences into my work. I also plan to read and analyze the writing of others who effectively use personal anecdotes and reflections to illustrate their ideas.
In future classes, I also hope to continue developing my skills in analytical and argumentative writing. This involves the ability to construct a well-supported argument and to effectively communicate my ideas to others. I have found this to be a challenging but rewarding aspect of the writing process, and I look forward to continuing to improve in this area.
Overall, this semester has been a valuable learning experience and has helped me to become a more confident and competent reader and writer. I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned and grown in these areas, and I am excited to continue developing my skills in the future. I hope this expanded upon my original response and provided a bit more insight into my progress and goals as a reader and writer.
