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. v

In high school, I used to struggle greatly with asking for feedback on my essays. This was partially due to my shyness, but mostly due to my self critical writing. I believed that I had only written embarrassments for academic writing, and I never wanted to be told about it. Even after rising through the ranks from academic to honors to AP, I never deemed my writing for any English class good enough. However, being in Comp I again, I realized I had a chance to do over and receive actual feedback. Having a seemingly anonymous platform to ask for it as well made it all the more enticing.

I believe that I effectively took advantage of the feedback Dr. Hodges asked for. I tried my best to see his perspectives on why my work needed improvement, but most importantly I became more comfortable with the fact that my work needed improvement, as every good writer should acknowledge. I found in my Editorial essay I achieved successfully taking and applying Dr. Hodges’ feedback to be bold and clear in my writing while being direct and straightforward.

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. 

While writing my Op-Ed essay, I encountered numerous sources that were basically made to prove my point. All throughout high school, I was told this was a surefire way to win over an audience, however, when I reached Dr. Hodges’ class my eyes were opened to the idea that I am surprised was never discussed in my previous English classes. I found sources that refute my ideas, or rather support the opposing arguments, and in turn disprove them. Rather than using a source that agrees with my ideas to further reiterate what was already said, acknowledging the opposite idea allows for a sense of maturity in a person’s writing. I feel this point in our class was very valuable to us as writers going forward, and can elevate our writing to be recognized as higher academia.

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.

In my Letter to the Editor essay, I had a hard time finding an article to refute and argue. However, I found an article in which I disagreed with certain moments of the argument and decided I would need to attack the ideas. I knew I needed to build up my argument, and in turn create my own stance on the meaningful topic. I had to see the meaning in their argument before I could effectively argue my own.

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.

In my Op-Ed essay as well, I feel I effectively provided evidence to contextualize and illustrate my arguments. Before going on to explain my points to my audience, I understand I have to establish credibility with sources relating to my argument to contextualize my stance and provide a stable background to bring the audience up to speed. I saw this improvement in my work valuable as to not let my readers get lost in my argument wondering what situation my argument is even about.

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 my Op-Ed essay, I feel that without proper sources to support my claims, it would been unethical to incorporate my own opinions on the current gun control climate. I also felt it would have been unfair to use the words of the other arguments opposing my own claim and reword them, so I made sure to use only arguments that were against gun control form credible sources. Lastly, I encouraged the idea that dissolving the use of guns of course is not an absolute solve for gun deaths, but would lead to a decrease in the accessibility of weapons to the common civilians. It is important to acknowledge that one’s opinion is not the absolute resolution for the problem at hand.