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.

During my time with Professor Hodges I used the social aspect as one of my greatest tools to writing my own work. Multiple times throughout my writing processes I would take time to look at my peers work to see different techniques they would use or just to get ideas flowing through my mind. Having the ability to view your peers work anonymously is probably my favorite aspect of college comp writing under Mr. Hodges. One great example of me using this core value was when all students were given the task to comment on other students Editorial Drafts right before we began writing our final editorial. Receiving comments and peer reviews on my work was the most helpful thing we could’ve done in class. Being able to receive constructive criticism during my draft stage gave my extreme confidence and clarity when writing my final as it provides the outside work ideas and thoughts on what you could improve.

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. 

Reading critically is a definite key tool to the work I put out in my portfolio. I’ve always been terrible in reading and writing which makes this class so hard for me. But since early on in the semester I believed to have bettered myself in so many aspects of reading critically. A way I had to read critically was when I was writing out my Op-Ed. When writing in my op-ed I was finding all my information through other peoples articles and pages. I had to piece the 3 of other writers writings together in order to respond with my op-ed. In this tough process I had to do more then understand what I was reading. I had to respond to the articles with my own work and ideas which can be a struggle if you cant find any good ideas. In the end, I was able to create my op-ed on the ineffective tipping system throughout America.

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.

This college comp class has one big label on it to me and that’s “persuasiveness”. Being persuasive and winning the reader over early is the key to any solid argumentative writing piece. I learned early on from prof that in order to win you argument you have to do it early on and get the reader onto your side. Since hearing that I’ve always made sure to be clear and precise when writing my thesis and opening paragraph. The one main tricky part to me is knowing your reader and having to be able to win them over. My example of this core value is in my LTE. Right off the bat I am attempting to win over the reader with my thesis and stating that the author of the article is inaccurate. Knowing the different audiences gives you an easier time writing rhetorically.

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.

During my time in college comp I was asked to include evidence for most pieces of writing as it adds to your argument. Including evidence is a key to winning over your reader as it gives them proper security and belief in what your saying. If the evidence is not your own and you gathered it from other sources you have to be sure to cite it or give credit to the owner. One piece of work I included evidence in was my Op-Ed. In my op-ed I needed proof to show that tippers can be terrible or great and there all connected through different categories like male, female, teens, different races, etc. I included facts and evidence through pictures to show how different types of people tip. It hardens my argument since I was arguing that fair tipping isn’t present in most places and you may get stuck with a category of all bad tippers during a shift.

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. 

When I’m write a piece of work I always make sure I’m citing all the info I’m incorporating into my argument. It’s only fair and honest to do so and if you don’t cite it or give credit you can lose your argument. There’s nothing worse for a writer to get caught up in a lie trying to claim something as their own. Giving credit should be a number one priority when gathering info from others work. Most of my pieces include citations and links to the original work as I used most writers work as guidance of my own. One example of a piece I included the credit to the original article is in my Op-Ed. At the end of my op-ed I included all the links to the articles and fact I used to make my argument.