MIDTERM2

MIDTERM

Ellie Ostler

2/19/15

Out of the 10 key concepts listed on the syllabus I realize how different exercises in class elicit some of the 10 listed concepts. While reviewing this past semester, I tend to focus on what my strengths and weaknesses have been to further improve for the second half. As we complete different assignments in and out of class, I feel that I have learned more about myself as a person and a writer. Although it seems clich, I like reassessing situations to find what I can improve on so I can one day master what it is I am trying to accomplish (which changes from one class to the next and what my ultimate goals are at the end of the day). As for my strengths, I am best at making connections, getting out of my comfort zone, and taking responsibility for my own learning. As for making connection, our brains are naturally wired to make connections. This is why when we smell the cologne of someone then smell the same cologne somewhere else, our brain will relate that smell to the person that wears that cologne. In this way, even outside of the classroom, I love trying new things and exploring various opportunities available to me. Im the type of person to order something off of the dinner menu that I cant pronounce (within reason) because it may be even better than what Im used to. Now, every time I eat a sandwich I wish it had alfalfa sprouts on it. Besides alfalfa sprouts is just fun to say. I did the same at the beginning of the semester when we were told we could choose any website creator we preferred. Instead of choosing weebly (which I have used in the past) I chose to use Wix in order to get out of my comfort zone. Although this may seem off topic, I have the same thought process when I write. As I mentioned in blog #1, My thought process is usually a little crazy. I like the idea of adding picture, captions, videos, etc. to see how I can enhance the work I would have originally come up with without these new tools. This type of mentality segues into my intuitive nature of getting out of my comfort zone and for taking responsibility for my own learning. These concepts become second nature in my writing techniques.

Although I know my strengths in this class, I also know my weaknesses. Of the 10 key concepts, I tend to struggle with rhetorical awareness and the revision portion of the writing process. Although I do not find it too difficult to rhetorically analyze various texts-since we had plenty of practice last semester- I have noticed that I struggle with really focusing on rhetorically analyzing in the moment. As I read over either my work or others in class, I focus on what is being said in the text or relate it to other things as I read. Once we finish reading and analyzing what we have just read, Ms. Ingram will question us on different rhetorical aspect of the writing. I then think to myself, Crap! Now I have to go back to re-read portions of the text because I was so caught up in the story of what I was reading. In other words, rhetorical awareness is always an afterthought for me. Moreover, Ive noticed I do not make the connection of rhetorically analyzing work as I read. As for the rest of the semester, I plan to make rhetorical analysis a habit as one of the first things I think of when writing or reading others writing pieces. I think I will always struggle with the revision portion of the writing process. I simply need to practice and put most of my effort into this weak point of my writing process. I also need learn to slow down and look at the piece as a whole then revise certain portions of it. However, I catch myself changing my mind or getting stuck on certain portions of my writing that are all just a problem from me overthinking things.