Core Value 1. My work demonstrates that I used a variety of social and interactive practices that involve recursive stages of exploration, discovery, conceptualization, and development.

When I began any writing assignment, I did not throw myself straight into the actual writing of it, but I began with conceptualizing and developing exactly what my thought process was. Mr. Hodges would give us the assignment, explain it in depth, show us efficient examples, and then have us practice with non-portfolio work. For example, my Writing Plan. My writing plan was used to develop what I wanted my Op-Ed to look like. It was a very effective way to explore and conceptualize what topic my Op-Ed would be on, the citations I wanted to use, and to even imagine what arguments I could be refuting.

Core Value 2. My work demonstrates that I read critically, and that I placed texts into conversation with one another to create meaning by synthesizing ideas from various discourse communities. 

Before writing my Editorial, I read and analyzed many texts explaining ideas in order to fully demonstrate I knew what to develop. After concluding I agreed or disagreed with certain texts, I was able to express my opinions efficiently. I was able to recognize how the ideas emerged and combined them to create meaning in others’ arguments, as well as my own. It was efficient in guiding my writing process to ensure my writing was persuasive and informative.

Core Value 3. My work demonstrates that I rhetorically analyzed the purpose, audience, and contexts of my own writing and other texts and visual arguments.

It is important to analyze the purpose, audience, and context of any work before beginning. This ensures that your point can come across as persuasive and informed. In my Letter to the Editor, I determined that my prime audience would most likely be parents or lawmakers who are looking for opinions on my topic. While stating and being informed on any arguments against my opinion, I am more likely to appeal to the audience I visualized.

Core Value 4: My work demonstrates that I have met the expectations of academic writing by locating, evaluating, and incorporating illustrations and evidence to support my own ideas and interpretations.

My Letter to the Editor properly displays that I located a discussion that spiked my interest, evaluated it, and used it to develop my own opinions when beginning to conceptualize what to write. I would not have been able to begin writing a strong LTE if I did not decipher the outside source, as I would not have known exactly what the issue was. It is important for any student to look at other writing when beginning the process of writing their own, as well as to cite it properly.

Core Value 5. My work demonstrates that I respect my ethical responsibility to represent complex ideas fairly and to the sources of my information with appropriate citation. 

In any piece of work, it is responsible and ethical to not only not steal ideas from others, but to give credit to another author or work when an idea is referenced. I was taught this throughout high school and it not only helped me grow as a writer, but made sure I was being completely honest. This not only helps every student grow within their writing, but also shows respect to the original work. In my Editorial, I made sure to properly cite every idea that was used from the original source. Even though I developed ideas that were my own, I also used outside explanations to strengthen my writing.