Reflection on Open Letter Draft

In the post below I will be reflecting on my draft for the final and the peer editing that we all did. For my peer review, I looked at Austin and Gabee's drafts of open letters. (I can't believe the semester is almost over!)

Anon. "Teacher Gives Until Friday To Do Essay." Screenshot. 6-11-2014.
Public Domain

Revision Process:

1. I think all of the reflections we've done in class this semester has made it easier to look back as a whole to reflect on all the coursework done. I think I was able to honestly look at myself as a writer and see how I've improved and what still needs to be worked on. 
2. During my reflective letter I talked about past projects and how specific revision strategies helped me, since this has always been a problem for me in the past. I think by adding links to projects or post I will be able to better analyze past work. 
3. By adding links into my letter, I have provided a lot of examples for what I discuss. 
4. I think I could explain more so how or why I did certain things. I think by adding a little bit more to my letter I could have good explanations for why I write in certain ways. 

Draft of Open Letter

Here is the draft of my open letter. When reading please look for any awkward phrases or words. I also ask to look out for rambling, as I'm worried that in a reflection letter like this I may go on too long. Thank you so much for reading!

William Arthur. "Letter." May 24 via flickr.
Public Domain. 

Reflecting More On My Writing Experiences

For the following post, I will be answering some questions about my experiences in 109H in odrer to help me reflect more on this semester.

"Taco Dibbits answering questions at James Boyle Lecture." 7-4-2014 via wikicommons.
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1. What were the biggest challenges you faced this semester, overall?
I think it was really hard for me to estimate how long projects would take. When I actually got to writing the paper, I felt like it took a lot longer because I had prepared so much to go into it.

2. What did you learn this semester about your own time management, writing and editorial skills?
I learned that I still need to work on my time management, I'm very good at wasting time. But I think my writing and revising processes definitely improved through each project. I feel more confident in my writing and like I can actually produce something I like myself.

3. What do you know about the concept of 'genre'? Explain how understanding this concept is central to being a more effective writer.
A genre is a style or form of writing, like movie genres. Different genres require different looks, conventions, and different tones. And genres are useful to have, because it allows you to attract different audiences based on your topic. When you are a writer, knowing the appropriate genre for your audience allows you to more so target them directly.

4. What skills from this course might you use and/or develop further in the next few years of college coursework?
I will most likely get better on time management the longer in college. I'll get used to the amount of work and delegate my hours better.

5. What was your most effective moment from this semester in 109H?
I really liked Project 3. I thought I learned a lot from actually finding my own genre and then also trying to recreate it.

6. What was your least effective moment from this semester in 109H?
It was definitely the first week, before I fully realized the conventions of blog posts. Since I missed a point or even part of a point on all of them, I got really bad grades the first week. Which kind of freaked me out.

Revisiting My Writing Process

At the beginning of the year, I wrote about my writing style and my weekly calendar (in order to see how much time I had for homework). In the post below, I'm going to do some reflection on the changes to these responses.

"knowyourmeme.com." 12-4. Public License. 

When I wrote about my writing process, I knew that over the semester that could easily change. Throughout the semester, the blog posts kept me really on track with my projects, and this helped me learn that when I devoted roughly equal times to each part of the project, I felt more confident writing and produced better work. I think it's awesome that I was able to learn this about my writing style, because I think being able to plan on paper and break down arguments before I actually start trying to write about it is very beneficial to my writing. However, my calendar reflection still applies. I have a fixed work schedule for school, so it is hard to change that too much.

Now, I think I am a much more balanced writer. I think that as I write more and more, I will be more motivated to break down the process piece by piece. I think that this course has helped prepare me for getting a variety of assignments. Even in my history class, I had to learn how historians write papers and then use that style while writing. I think that being able to adapt of different types of projects will be extremely useful throughout college.

Reflection on Project 3

Below I will be thinking and writing about my last project, and the success and weaknesses of the revision process. To do this, I will be answering some questions from "Writing Public Lives."

Elyssa Antonelle. "fist bump baby." 12/6/2010 via Flicker.
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1. In my final version, I changed some parts of the intro and one of my main arguments. I added more key words to identify my audience in the beginning, that way my article will be more clear from the first sentence. I also added more argumentation in my paragraph about the standard's language being mostly the same. I clarified my argument here, making sure to say why common core is still better even if it is so similar. I also added some links within the article for further reading or context. 
2. I didn't reorganize my paragraphs, but I did reconsider my thesis goal for my second argument. I wanted to make sure I was clear on what I was saying in regards to my thesis, so added more in this section. 
3. I added these changes because of m audience. When peer reviewed, they both got confused at this section, leading me to believe my audience would too. So I beefed it up to make what I meant clear. 
4. I am willing to admit that my argument was flawed because of how unclear it was, and as a writer being able to admit that and fix it adds to my credibility. 
5. These changes make the audience feel more targeted in the beginning, better connected them to the paper and piquing their interest. And later in the paper, the more clear argument will help them understand my point more. 
6. In various parts of my paper, I changed the short sentences to longer ones. Originally I wanted short sentences (in some areas) to add emphasis, but I think this made it too choppy. I fixed some of these to make the paper flow better. 
7. Clarifying my argument helps them see what I am arguing for, pro common core or why it is good. Otherwise, they would be confused at this paragraph. 
8. I did consider it again when looking at my peer reviews, in regards to length and hyperlinking. Lia suggested that I add more arguments, but I think that I would want this to e a shorter, more direct piece. I feel that, especially for my audience, a shorter and sweeter paper would be more effective at holding their attention ad convincing them. I instead focused on making what I had better. Some of the examples I have up have hyperlinks, but some may only have one or two. This is why I originally only had one, but Allison suggested that it would make my argument stronger to have more, which I agreed with. I went in and added more to provide more context, examples, and further reading. 
9. Reflection lets me think about how I changed over a writing assignment, and add those changes in work style to my future writing routine. As a writer, this means that I am learning each time and adding to my writing arsenal each project. 

Publishing Public Argument

I finally finished project three, which can be seen here. Below is an argument breakdown sheet with some examples of my genre, which will be used to help grade my project.

Werwin15. "Yawn!" 12/29/2008 via Flickr.
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1. Mark with an "x" where you feel your target audience currently stands on the issue (before reading/watcing/hearing your argument) below:

←----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------x----------------------->

Strongly                                            Totally neutral                                                    Strongly

agree                                                                                                                          disagree

2. Now mark with an "x" where you feel your target audience should be (after they've read/watched/heard your argument) below:

←---------------------------x-------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------->

Strongly                                            Totally neutral                                                    Strongly

agree                                                                                                                          disagree

3. Check one (and only one) of the argument types below for your public argument:

         _______ My public argument etablishes an original pro position on an issue of debate.

         _______ My public argument establishes an original con position on an issue of debate.

         _______ My public argument clarifies the causes for a problem that is being debated.

         _______ My public argument prooposes a solution for a problem that is being debated.

         ____xxx___ My public argument positively evaluates a specific solution or policy under debate (and clearly identifies the idea I'm supporting).

         _______ My public argument openly refutes a specific solution or policy under debate (and clearly identifies the idea I'm refuting).

4. My argument is different than many others because I have taken it a step further, especially in my conclusion. I know that common core has problems, but one of my concluding thoughts/arguments is that it is better than not changing. Since no one else is coming up with any other ideas other than, "lets go back to the failing system," my argument adds the idea that common core is a change, and that is where we have to start to get better. 

5. Identify the specific rhetorical appeals you believe you've employed in your public argument below:

Ethical or credibility-establishing appeals

                    _____ Telling personal stories that establish a credible point-of-view

                    __x___ Referring to credible sources (established journalism, credentialed experts, etc.)

                    ___x__ Employing carefully chosen key words or phrases that demonstrate you are credible (proper terminology, strong but clear vocabulary, etc.)

                    _____ Adopting a tone that is inviting and trustworthy rather than distancing or alienating

                    __x___ Arranging visual elements properly (not employing watermarked images, cropping images carefully, avoiding sloppy presentation)

                    _____ Establishing your own public image in an inviting way (using an appropriate images of yourself, if you appear on camera dressing in a warm or friendly or professional manner, appearing against a background that’s welcoming or credibility-establishing)

                    _____ Sharing any personal expertise you may possess about the subject (your identity as a student in your discipline affords you some authority here)

                    ___x__ Openly acknowledging counterarguments and refuting them intelligently

                    ___x__ Appealing openly to the values and beliefs shared by the audience (remember that the website/platform/YouTube channel your argument is designed for helps determine the kind of audience who will encounter your piece)

                    _____ Other: 

Emotional appeals

                    _____ Telling personal stories that create an appropriate emotional impact for the debate

                    _____ Telling emotionally compelling narratives drawn from history and/or the current culture

                    __x___ Employing the repetition of key words or phrases that create an appropriate emotional impact

                    ___x__ Employing an appropriate level of formality for the subject matter (through appearance, formatting, style of language, etc.)

                    _____ Appropriate use of humor for subject matter, platform/website, audience

                    ___x__ Use of “shocking” statistics in order to underline a specific point

                    ___x__ Use of imagery to create an appropriate emotional impact for the debate

                    _____ Employing an attractive color palette that sets an appropriate emotional tone (no clashing or ‘ugly’ colors, no overuse of too many variant colors, etc.)

                    _____ Use of music to create an appropriate emotional impact for the debate

                    _____ Use of sound effects to create an appropriate emotional impact for the debate

                    ____ Employing an engaging and appropriate tone of voice for the debate

                    ___x__ Other: I talk only about issues that parents would be concerned with, and how it benefits their kids. This would be me appealing to my specific audience and connecting my argument with their concerns. (I just wanted to clarify this)

Logical or rational appeals

                    _____ Using historical records from credible sources in order to establish precedents, trends, or patterns

                    _____ Using statistics from credible sources in order to establish precedents, trends, or patterns

                    __x___ Using interviews from stakeholders that help affirm your stance or position

                    ___x__ Using expert opinions that help affirm your stance or position

                    ___x__ Effective organization of elements, images, text, etc.

                    _____ Clear transitions between different sections of the argument (by using title cards, interstitial music, voiceover, etc.)

                    _____ Crafted sequencing of images/text/content in order to make linear arguments

                    _____ Intentional emphasis on specific images/text/content in order to strengthen argument

                    _____ Careful design of size/color relationships between objects to effectively direct the viewer’s attention/gaze (for visual arguments)

                    _____ Other: 

6.Three Examples: 

Grading the Common Core: No Teaching Experience Required
Test Scores Under Common Core Show That ‘Proficient’ Varies by State
Meet the New Common Core

Reflection on Project 3 Draft

Below I will reflect on my draft for project three and the peer review activity by answering questions about the process.

For this project I peer reviewed Michaela and Chad's projects. Both were very different than mine because we all used different genres and argument types, but I think both of them did really well at compiling their information and arguments.

Gideon Burton. "Peer Review Monster." Jan 1, 2009 via Flickr.
Public Domain. 

1. Who reviewed your Project 3 rough draft?

Allison and Lia reviewed my draft. 

2. What did you think and/or feel about the feedback you received? Be explicit and clear. Tell me what helped or what confused you about the feedback you got.

I really appreciated Allison's comments about audience, because I think that she's right about making it more clear in my actual paper who my audience is. I also liked Lia's honesty about some of my arguments. I think if I add a little more to the paper, it could be  lot better. The only thing that I disagree with is when Lia mentions talking about something other than math, because math education is my focus, not education as a whole. 

3. What aspects of Project 3 need to most work going forward [Audience, Purpose, Argumentation, or Genre]? How do you plan on addressing these areas? 

I need to clarify my audience, which I will do by adding in specific references to them early on. I also need to add more arguments, so I think I will include more data and numbers as well as one more argument (to make it three) about its effectiveness. 

4. How are you feeling overall about the direction of your project after peer review and/or instructor conferences this week?

I feel really good. I got great feedback from everyone, and I'm looking forward to making the project better. I liked how specific these peer reviews had to be, I think that it made it much more helpful to improve my project.