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.

While becoming accustomed to the way Professor Hodges runs his class, I was eager to learn that he provides feedback on all of our tasks. He also encouraged students to give each other feedback on the Editorial Draft, this allowed me to receive feedback on one of my essays from several other points of view. My writing was improved by tailoring my essay to respond to many points of view and also to structure my essay in a way in which others could easily read and grasp my ideas. While Professor Hodges encourages us to lend a helping hand to each other with feedback, he also makes it a personal goal of his own to give clear and concise feedback. This opportunity of feedback during the draft stage allowed for ample opportunities to improve my writing and expand on my ideas with more confidence and strategy. 

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. 

Rather than just writing my papers without any research prior, this course has taught me that diving into research allows for your paper to thrive. Being aware of how ideas emerge or stem allows for your argument or point of view to shine. With background knowledge, a writer cannot dive into their own conversation about said topic. While writing my Op-ed, I was sure I wanted  to write about women’s rights being threatened in America. However, weaving my way through all of the previous arguments made, clouded my judgement and I was confused as to how to get my personal opinion through while also adding background information. As I continued to read up on the new Title X, I was confident that my point of view mattered just as well as others and I could portray my argument clear and concise. 

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.

While writing, I always keep in mind that other people may not feel the same. For many of my papers especially the Op-ed, poses counterarguments. I chose to write about the new Title X, which poses huge changes abortion laws and women healthcare. While constructing my argument for my opinion based paper, I analyzed the arguments that had already been made. By analyzing other arguments, I was able to clearly see the angle I wanted to pursue and what issues I could run into while proving my side. Opinion based papers always allow for readers to draw their own conclusions. However, while keeping the counterarguments in mind while writing you can add information that further explains your reasoning and refute all or most imposing arguments. 

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.

After reading other opinion based articles and essays, I have learned how to critically dissect writing from various other sources. Including quotes and citations from other sources allows readers of my portfolio to have further evidence of my research and evidence. In my Editorial essay, I included many facts and supporting arguments from other sources to further explain my reasoning. All of the additional information I researched and included is clearly cited, giving credit to the original author. Plagiarizing in any essays would only deter readers while also making an author untrustworthy and undermines other claims that may be made in the writing. I have learned throughout the course that adding information with citations can strengthen writing significantly. For example, while writing about health effects of a certain medicine it would be more than helpful to add credible information from a health center. More useful information, backing the main idea is never harmful to the writing.

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. 

While writing my main goal is to get my point of view across while using other sources to help back up my claims. While citing others work, I am sure to not discredit their work or disrespect their point of view. Using others work allows for a writer to distinguish their own voice and make a clear divide between their sources and their own tone. As a writer, I do not appreciate people taking my words out of context to strengthen their argument or undermining my point of view. While constructing my Writing Plan, I was sure to use sources that were credible. I also explained the point of view of the author I was citing. Taking another author words out of context and then citing their work would only weaken an argument.