I sat here for a while deliberating on whether I wanted to write myself a cover letter or a reflective post, and I decided that I was going to do a combination of both. I am guessing that if I really had the choice on who to write to, it would be past me. I'm not saying past me as in years ago, but to past me at the beginning of the semester. I think that version of me really needs to hear what this me has learned over the past 16 or so weeks. Throughout this course, I have been exposed to a whole new way of writing and expressing myself. One of the learning outcomes that most deeply impacted me was the "Critical Thinking, Reading, and Composing" component because before I started this class, critical thinking and then putting a lot of my thoughts into words really scared me. I wasn't super confident in the writing I would put out, and a lot of the time I tended to just stick to what my professors wanted to see and hear. This class has taught me that my voice and my language is what I make of it, and if I take the time to analyze and think about passages or videos I am reading, I can successfully formulate a response to them in my own words. I was able to learn that rhetoric is absolutely everywhere, and within rhetoric I can find credibility of authors and works within it. My struggles with interpreting a text became easier and easier as the weeks went on and when I look at my writing now, I can see a clear difference. I really wish the past me knew that confidence goes a long way in writing, especially when it comes to gaining my own form of rhetorical knowledge. Without rhetorical knowledge, writing in the correct tone and language for an assignment would be lost. I can't stress enough to past me that this class was not to hurt me, but to challenge me healthily and better my writing. Learning about Rhetoric is not a punishment. It is not a "Gen-Ed". Rhetoric is everywhere in life; and without understanding it, I would have missed out on a valuable piece to my education.
These pictures are of me before the semester (pictured on left) and after (pictured on right). Don't think that I look somber in the second photo, I am only someone who appreciates rhetoric for what it is.
To view my documentary project, click the link below:
To end the semester off on a good note, I leave you with one of my favorite songs: Linger, by the Cranberries
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I really like how you wrote to the past you, but not as in years ago but how just a simple semester can change you. I really enjoyed that you said that a lot of professors want to hear and see certain things but rather in this class, you got to voice yourself. That was very strong and I do agree with you and how we got to express yourself in this classroom setting.
I'm so grateful for your reflections on rhetoric and how your evolving understanding is affecting you positively and productively! That I could be a small part of this process if humbling, and I am honored.
I really like how you wrote to the past you, but not as in years ago but how just a simple semester can change you. I really enjoyed that you said that a lot of professors want to hear and see certain things but rather in this class, you got to voice yourself. That was very strong and I do agree with you and how we got to express yourself in this classroom setting.
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful for your reflections on rhetoric and how your evolving understanding is affecting you positively and productively! That I could be a small part of this process if humbling, and I am honored.
ReplyDelete