Oertel 1

Brian Oertel
5/6/15
Mrs. Dutta
UWRT 1102 Reflection
Final Reflection
One of the most important things I learned in Mrs. Duttas University Writing
1102 class was on the second day of class. We were told to research the definition of
genre and of course everyone simply googled define genre and wrote down the first
answer that came up. Mrs. Dutta immediately explained how this approach to research
was not only wrong approach but very ineffective. She explained what we should have
done which was to find at least three different definitions and compare similarities. This
skill thought me to be a better researcher on everything I work on. From then on I
focused on gathering as much research as I can rather than relying on the first link from
Google. This skill was a huge help when it came to the food inquiry group project. Our
group soon was told to research an argument of our choice regarding on campus dining at
UNC Charlotte. We used primary data, secondary data, and other forms of research to
best support our argument. Learning how to properly research and analysis was a lifelong
tool taught I learned from Mrs. Dutta.
Another aspect of the class I enjoyed was the journal writing. I found that a
personal journal allowed me to expand as a writer and allowed my skills to grow. The
daily entries also helped my writing because we were consistently updating our journals
with new information whether it was taking notes or free writing. Free writing allowed
me to dive into new ideas or forms of writing I had not thought about before. We were

Oertel 2
given a basic question regarding the topic we were learning about in class and asked to
reflect on it. I enjoyed this because it enabled me to transfer my thought process from the
class discussion down onto my paper. This tool definitely transformed my writing and
revolutionized how I thought as a class participant and as a writer.
Another thing I enjoyed was that all of the in class discussions and videos we
watched were intended to change our point of view on a topic. One of the first videos we
watched was a TED talk called The Danger of a Single Story. In it the speaker talks
about her life growing up in Africa then moving to America when she was our age. This
video was extremely eye opening and made me realize I can sometimes be a perpetrator
of the single story, judging someone based on a preconceived notion or first
experience. We also watched a video all about the production of food. This video showed
the horrors of how processed food is created and the treatment of the animals. Almost
everyone in the room considered being vegan after these graphic images. These
discussions are the ones I enjoy most because most of the time the typical classroom
doesnt change my personal point of view. I enjoy a classroom setting where my ideas
and thought process changes and Mrs. Dutta delivered.
Overall I enjoyed UWRT 1102 and learned a basic skill set that can be transferred
to applied to a variety of subjects. If I could change one thing it would be the group
assignment. I believe I learned more individually and certain aspects of my group did not
work well together.