Stephanie Gumban Jasmine Williams Composition 1 2 April 2013

Reflection

Throughout the period of being in Composition, I have discovered on this journey, new skills and learned various ways of specifically focusing on subject, genre, audience and more resulting in bettering my writing skills. Each assignment or project we as a class, have worked on has revolved around the WPA Outcomes- rhetorical knowledge, critical thinking, processes, knowledge of conventions and composing in electronic environments. Through the process of completing this course, it seemed like experiencing a new journey; proceeding through new paths and picking up new skills. In this piece, I will explain each outcome and how I have fully understood the concepts throughout the works, in this Composition course. The rhetorical knowledge section of WPA outcome, basically targets the audience, purpose, genre, and content. Our very first project was to help us understand genre. The assignment was to create two film reviews, one good and one bad review. This specific project sparked a new insight in my eyes, on how to focus on my audience as well as genres. In the beginning of the semester, I was not fully informed on how to pay close attention on neither the audience nor the genre. I did have some acknowledgement on what a genre and audience is, but while being in Composition, Ive learned there is a much deeper look into these components. Working on the film review project, I have learned that you have to figure out who your audience is before you start writing, because it is very important. Knowing your audience gives a

better understanding of who is going to read your piece and also helps with the writing process because you know specifically who is going to do the reading. Being familiar with the audience also ties in with adapting your tone, voice, and level of formality. This is true, because if you know your audience, you know what tone to use to make it appropriate. On the movie review assignment, the audience was basically the whole UALR student/ professor body and also anyone who can access this paper online of the UALR website. Knowing the audience, I could figure out what type of tone and voice to use to compose this paper. Rather than writing in a formal way, which I would write if I were addressing a higher authority, I could write in an informal way, knowing that my audience consists of a vast amount of people. Being familiar with genres, writing can become quite easier; whether it is a persuasive, informative, portfolio, profile, and/or reflections.

Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing Using your thinking, reading, and writing skills is huge ordeal of writing. When developing a paper, these skills are essential. You have to use reading of course, to read the material of any sort to complete the assignment; you use thinking to combine your thoughts and ideas to jot down, and writingto document. These skills were definitely used throughout every assignment. In the persuasive project, I feel that these skills were used heavily. The process of that project consisted of researching, interviewing and writing. After interviewing and researching, I had to thoroughly think about how to set up and structure the paper together. As well with the persuasive piece, the intensity level was the same. I had to research quite a bit and form my paper together to persuade others. These skills are definitely used when writing.

Processes Another WPA outcome is Processes. This section is a huge deal with the writing process; it deals with creating multiple drafts, editing, revising, proof- reading, critiquing/accepting critiques, collaborating and using technologies to address a range of audiences. While creating these assignments/ projects in class, these processes are used all the time. When writing a paper, you are to create multiple drafts to reach a final copy. Our major assignments were: film reviews, profiles, and persuasive pieces. We created first, second, and final drafts. Starting from the first draft, your next should improve; then you end with a final paper. In the process of writing these assignments, editing, revising, proofreading, and critiques fall into place. Without these components, your paper will not be as strong. As Mrs. Williams has stated, a paper always has a place for improvement. As a writer, you always want to strive to better your paper. After each assignment, we were to get into groups and peer review each others paper and give advice basically proof read. By doing this, it gives the writer, another persons insight on your paper; which leads to ideas or even another pair of eyes to correct your mistakes. Creating a paper takes multiple processes before reaching the final piece, when you have others in the picture to help you out, not only does it benefit you as a writer, but also your paper.

Knowledge of Conventions Knowledge of conventions is one of the WPA outcomes that I have learned over the period of being in Composition. Basically this section is about learning common formats, developing knowledge of different genres, practice appropriate means of documenting work, and control over syntax, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Within all of the assignments I have done, knowledge of conventions has been practiced quite a bit. Each project had the same format in common, which was MLA, besides the film reviews. The film reviews were formatted in an article form. Developing knowledge of different genres in the beginning was a challenge for me, but as we discussed it more and actually wrote about different genres, it became much clearer. I have learned that once you are familiar with the genre, you know how to structure your paper more smoothly. Our very first project was dealing with genres; the assignment was to create two film reviews. The structure of that assignment was to be written in an article form and the other in a newspaper form. There were also some pictures that were to be added to give a visual idea of the movie. The other two assignments that I have done were the profile and persuasive pieces. They were both structured the same waythe common paragraph forms, MLA format. Every project we have done in composition, we practiced and documented our work. Writing a paper takes time and several drafts before the final product. Mrs. Williams has taught us that the first draft will not always be perfect, in fact it should not be. When starting on a paper, I have learned to just write all that I know down, for my first draft.

In the beginning of composition, my writing skills were not all that great. As the classes went by, I have realized that my writing has improved. I have learned how organize my thoughts

more clearly and my vocab has stretched as well. My grammar, punctuation, spelling, and syntax have advanced. When looking back at the previous assignments from the start of the class and to now, you can definitely see improvement.

Composing in Electronic Environments When creating certain papers for different assignments, there are electronics that are involved. The definite electronic that is used the most is a computer. The computer has a wide variety of components that are used frequently to compose a paper. In most projects we have done, we use the computer to write our drafts in Microsoft Word, the internet for research and email to communicate with our peers or our professor. Using the internet for research is a huge part in writing a paper. In my last project, persuasive piece, I did a bit of research to create my paper. I used the internet to check for sources that were credible for my assignment. Not only did I collect sources for my persuasive paper, but for my other assignments as well. Sources are required if the piece you are writing needs to be backed up with credible information. If your sources are not credible, then your information might be false; choosing credible sources is a huge deal. Throughout the process of being Composition, I can honestly say that I have grown through the journey of being in this course. At the root of the class, I was a writer in progress and still am, but I have improved in various areas. Entering this course, I knew the minimal of

writing, almost leaving, I have gained so much. I now have the understanding of the WPA Outcomes, bettered my skills in writing, have a better understanding of genre and audiences, and learned to work well with others.