How my ideas about writing changed from the beginning to the end of the course, and how I developed as a writer this semester.
In the begging of the course I was skeptical, I assumed that the class was going to be remotely similar to the Advance placement courses I took in high school. I wasn’t far off from my judgment. The course didn’t necessarily change my ideas about writing but rather enhanced them.
Here are some examples:
- Research skills and finding information
My knowledge on research and finding information to support my writing before the class was mainly focused on using books and Google. When I used to search for information I would typically be very straight forward. For instance if I was looking for information about “stainability of nuclear power” I would basically only search that. After the course I found that it can be more helpful if you be more creative in your research.
- Evaluating information credibility
My knowledge of evaluating information before the course was just after reading the article and question if the author’s article sounded well to me or not. After the course I gained the knowledge to look for other effects such as, Reference, Authors background, and information about the website the article was in.
- Attention-grabbing introductions
My knowledge about attention grabbing introductions before the course was to get to the point and get into it. Most of my classes in High school taught when writing an introduction to an essay was introduce what you going to write about then finish the introduction with a thesis. After taking the course I learned that there are strategies that can be used to connect with reader and get them hooked as well as introducing the topic and thesis.
- Argumentation (claims and support)
My knowledge about argumentation before the course was to pick a side of a controversial topic and express why and back up what you are claiming. After the course I learned that there are different types of argumentative claims and how they need to be supported differently.
- Rhetorical appeals (ethos, logos and pathos)
My knowledge of Rhetorical appeals before the course was ways to connect to the reader in your writing. After the course I learned that using rhetorical appeals does more than just connect to the reader but to persuade them to support what the author is writing about.
- Visual design and visual communication
My knowledge on visual design and visual communication before the class was that it was only there to interest the reader. After the course I learned that visuals are much more valued then to get the consumer’s interest. They do so much, especially now a days. Visuals are used everywhere.
Throughout my whole education experience, I felt like the course “Writing 2010”, enhanced my ideas about writing. I have accomplished a lot this year. After learning about writing skills more in depth about different ways these skills can be used to effect a person’s writing really helped me develop as a college level writer. This class, in my opinion was the most rewarding class that gave me the right education to be a successful writer throughout the rest of my college experience.
