There are many things to be unsure about transferring to a new university. Will I make friends? Can I find parking without towing? Am I going to survive biochemistry? One thing checked off my stress list was having to take English 101 again. As a transfer student your credits get validated for learning objectives and my previous school taught more of a flip-flopped approach than UA. Regardless, as a lifelong learner I wanted to delight myself in having no expectations and immerse myself in the English 101 course. As a pre-med student I had goals in mind as I took the course to help me succeed more in STEM subjects. My main focuses were:
- Engaging practically with all my courses.
- Focus on the big picture and not hyperfocus on the small details.
- To develop the art of expression through my words and articulation.
- Make journaling a consistent habit.
After proper introductions were made for our online course, I met a wonderful group of folks with a diverse background of why they wanted to be in school. Each offering their own unique perspective and flair for writing. Very soon after we became acquainted with our major project for the semester, “The Profile Essay”. An essay written from our own perspective of a person or location through primary research. A fitting request to ensure that we learned key principles such as rhetorical awareness, critical thinking and composing, conventions, revision, and reflection set forth from the syllabus (UA, NP). I have collected “artifacts” along the way showcasing moments of learning I reflected on and their importance to achieving my academic goals. The artifacts I chose over this semester in relevance to “The Profile Essay” include pitching my topic to my peers, organizing my life after chaos, drafting profile observations, polishing my work, and submitting the final piece.
Through this reflective and interactive e-portfolio I will discuss how I continued to learn in my writing course by constructing my first profile essay.
As a bonus I included my favorite study areas to write in.
Artifact One: Pitch Your Project Proposal
Through the use of Google slides I constructed a presentation to sell my profile topic idea to the audience. As our profile instructions were on a relevant profile we could interact with and garner primary research information from I choose a family member with an intriguing background. With the exploration of using the medium of an online sharing presentation platform such as Google Slides, I could make changes outside of my writing to persuade my audience this was a riveting choice (such as photos). This assignment provided me with greater purpose and responsibility I had to my profile choice to represent him in the best light.
Artifact Two: Planning For The Unexpected
For the majority of the semester, I paid careful attention to juggling my assignments. Seeing such simple changes to be corrected for my Draft Interview Report I haggled to myself I could put it off. A night to be spent out with friends led me instead to a hospital. Ordered to mandatory rest after my injury I scrambled to figure out how I was going to handle the new incoming assignments. After communicating with my teachers for my absence I drafted my plan to escape the doggy pile of assignments. Besides the barebones of writing non-negotiable tasks to complete I found an excuse to write myself words of encouragement. Pilfered from Pinterest and decorated by doodles they were little glimmers of hope that this difficult time will ride out. As much in this course we learn to construct our words to an audience through rhetoric, I have been learning to write to my worst critic, myself. Through the creative genre of journaling, I get to play around with ideas even if they are not perfect. It is bad weeks like those I can look back with astonishment I rose to the challenge and learned valuable lessons (how rest is just as important as being productive).
*Top quote is by anonymous, lower quote is by Pema Chödrön
Artifact Three: Draft Interview Report
By collecting primary information through a telephone interview with my profile subject I synthesized the raw data into a draft. The information was archived of when and where the interview took place and observations I made. This draft was the backbone to constructing my Profile Essay detailing how Raymond Trinh is a Michlin Star Restaurateur.
Artifact(s) Four: Pick Your Polish Revisions
For both of the major projects submitted I completed the task of “Polishing Your Project”. This consisted of choosing one of 4 styles of refining a draft work. Compiled from a diverse set of literary resources such as St. Martin’s Handbook or Grammar Diagnostic the polish was applied through a commenting service such as Google Docs. The two choices I settled for was the “Paramedic Method” and “Revising Paragraphs”. Each had a more impactful use for the different type of essay it refined.
- The Paramedic Method involved cutting or adding necessary words choices to enhance the quality of the writing. Paying attention to filler words they were highlighted and adjusted to compose the writing for an easier reading experience. Purdue University states, “Sentences that are easy to read are more persuasive and more user-centered” (NP). I used this choice on my observation draft to relay more ideas of information in a succinct fashion.
- The Revising Paragraph Method deconstructed every paragraph by asking the editor a prompt of questions. St. Martin’s Handbook revising technique edits the paragraphs through clarity of topics and developing ideas (NP). For my final essay I used this method to clarify my ideas that were murky in the body paragraphs.
Artifact Five: Final Profile Essay
By compiling all of the writing exercises over the English 101 course this led to the construction of the profile essay. This allowed me to articulate my words into letting the UA audience know about a former Tucson community member who has set big goals in the big apple! By finally completing this project I was taught how to split up an arduous task into manageable chunks. Through organization and carefully picked word choices I constructed an essay that was professional and genuine.
Does The Growth Stop There?
Through the learning process of creating my first profile essay my writing skills improved with the comprehension of rhetorical awareness. The reflected artifacts show I explored a range of mediums (presentations, handwritten journal, writing programs) that illustrated my purpose of delivering the narrative of a Michelin Star Restaurateur. Most importantly as I strengthened my skill of synthesizing observed information from primary research, I will hold it in great regard to my work in the STEM field for critical thinking as well. I strive on implementing the objectives taught in Professor Christian’s writing course in my future endeavors and hope to continue my academic growth in applying them.