English
111 online with Professor Donna Reiss has truly been a remarkable learning experience
for me. This class has been very challenging because I have found it extraordinarily
difficult to understand exactly what I have been ask to do in this English 111
online class at Tidewater Community College. It is very easy for me to get lost
in the plethora of information required to complete this course. There is plenty
of information and tons of external resources that Professor Reiss has painstakingly
consolidated, that has enabled me to have a greater understanding of the composing
process.
I
believe English Composition 111 has helped me gain a better understanding of the
composition process enabling me to be a more effective writer in a variety of
writing situations. Written communication is very important for me to be effective
in my future academic, professional, civic and personal endeavors.
I
found the concept of the understanding the five factors writers typically must
account for in rhetorical situations to be a very nice approach to writing. The
first factor is purpose, which allows me to bring clarity to what I hope to achieve
by clearly establishing my reason, goal and objective in accomplishing my writing
task. The relationship to readers is the second factor that must also be considered.
My audience or relationship to the readers would be an important consideration
in the approach to my writing task. As I determined who my audience might be,
it would be necessary to consider the proper voice, which is the third factor,
for my rhetorical situation. This is the attitude I want to project to my audience.
Should my tone be formal or informal and what type of emotion would be appropriate
for my writing task. The fourth factor is social context and must also be considered
as an awareness of the people included and their roles and responsibilities in
this context will help me determine how to write most effectively for the writing
task at hand. Choosing the most appropriate genre, the fifth factor, will partially
determine the effectiveness of my writing tasks. Some of the more common genres
are listed as follows: letters, brochures, websites, commentary, proposals, and
reviews, but there are many others.
The
most challenging project was the Research Paper because we had to research an
issue within the local community. I have only been here for a short period of
time and therefore am somewhat unfamiliar and uninterested in most local issues.
I choose to focus a much broader issue within the context of our local community
with limited success. Professor Reiss was kind enough to give our class the opportunity
to revise our Research Paper to receive extra credit,
so I would like to now describe the my revision process.
At
the end of my opening paragraph I tried to strengthen my overall argument by adding
a sentence that connected my national statement and more clearly related it to
the local situation. I also added a couple of sentences to be more specific with
how the “USA Patriot Act” supports my central purpose to more explicitly
make the connection to the ports of South Hampton Roads. I also deleted a paragraph
about data mining because it really had no relevance to my papers central purpose.
I also added a concluding comment in hope that I might enhance the connection
between these regulations and my thesis. Additionally, I would request reconsideration
in a re-evaluation of my original submission because the Smith interview was cited
and I believe the beginning of the Shapiro citation was clearly indicated.
I
choose to include my Introduction Letter to Classmates
as one of my informal class compositions because it was a nice way to get started
writing and get familiar with Blackboard. I thought it was a good way to let the
class and teacher get to know each other and practice some of the early writing
concepts I learned in this class.
I
included my Poetry Project Poem and Poetry
Reflective Essay because I may have gained a stronger understanding for the
writing process with this project more than any other. I reworked the project
many times to ensure the requirements of putting myself in the writing situation
and ensuring I had a specific audience were achieved. I must admit that this was
also my favorite project because of the close relationship of poetry and music.
I actually composed a little sea song to go along with this project and created
a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) file to embed in the webpage for
your listening pleasure.
My
best and most interesting writings would have to be my Profile
Paper, because I was able to choose the subject of this assignment. I choose
one of my musical and fitness mentors as the person to be profiled and thoroughly
enjoyed it! I feel that I was inspired because of my passion for the topic and
this situation usually allows me to write my best. I definately need to work on
writing better when my I am less motivated.
I
feel that I am marginally competent as a writer and have been somewhat successful
to this point, but this class has provided me with a greater understanding of
the writing process and resources to continue to grow and develop my writing skills.
