Throughout this class, I have gained a lot of knowledge about article writing. The instructor has taught me a lot of skills about writing that I have applied in my class work. For the first time, I have learned about how to use logos, pathos, and ethos. I have mastered the art of using emotions by stating strong statements with citations that offer credibility to my work. The course has been contributory in shaping my ability to state clear thesis statements that capture the essence of the articles that I write. In addition, I have learned how to structure and organize my essays through strong and informative paragraphs that reinforce thesis statement. The course has also helped me develop the ability to write a strong conclusion that affirms my position or thesis. Further, this course has helped be gain critical thinking, reading, and writing skills that allow me to present an argument from two points of view, hence making my papers strong and compelling. I have also gained confidence to present my arguments in front of the class in a captivating style that can make people support my arguments. With the knowledge I have acquired from this class, I am able to present compelling arguments in support or against topical issues in the society as well as in class. This essay aims at providing evidence of the things I have learned throughout the class.
This English class has taught me how to use rhetorical devices to communicate and enhance credibility of my work. I provided thesis statements on my essays to establish the purpose of every article I wrote during this class. I used personal, professional, or casual tones to relate to different audiences in different articles which allowed me to articulate and communicate my point of view to the instructor and students alike. Further, I used citation from respected authors and professionals in different fields to showcase the credibility of my argument. I used MLA format, where I gave the author’s name and page where I retrieved pieces of information. This allowed my work to gain credibility and strength. The use of rhetorical devices has helped me achieve my goal in persuading others to accept my point of view.
In order to communicate effectively, I have learned that it is important to think critically about the issues at hand. This critical thinking should be translated into the reading of the resource materials as well as the writing of the article. Peer review process has been critical in refining my work. It has helped me to extend my paper through analysis and evaluation of the resource materials. Further, critical reading has helped me in paraphrasing, summarizing, and reviewing different author’s thoughts, which I used in my papers. This allowed me to write with strong emotions that were evident in my choice of language, writing style, and grammar. Most of the papers I have written have two or more resource materials, which are indicated at the end of the paper on a separate page title “Work Cited.” Critical thinking, reading, and writing are some of the most valuable things I have learned from this class.
This class has facilitated me to appreciate the process of writing articles. Generally, the process of article writing involves writing the first draft, and then revising it multiple times to enhance its tone, use of rhetorical devices, and its ability to communicate and connect with the audience. The article is then proofread, revised, and critiqued to offer insights into the topic or issues discussed. The only way to demonstrate the need of multiple drafts and proofreading is by showing the scores on the articles that I wrote during the class. Those that I spent time doing several drafts and proofreading several times had higher scores and positive feedback from students. To enhance the process, I proofread other students’ articles as they proofread mine. Then I incorporated their ideas and suggestions on the final draft. By critiquing other people’s works, I have been able to advance my own writing. Therefore, I can confidently attest that the process of writing an article has improved my writing skills; critical thinking, reading and writing skills, and improving my vocabulary.
This English class has impacted the knowledge of conventions that have allowed me to improve my grammar, spelling, punctuation, and use of syntax. The knowledge of conventions has helped me in formatting my papers in MLA convention. Most of the papers I have written have centered headings, in-text citation, and a reference page all done through the MLA convention. Further, composing in electronic environments have aided in my article writing throughout this class. Most of the work that I have done in this class has been submitted online where the teacher has been able to edit the papers. It has also made it easy for me to add pictures making my papers convincing. In addition, I have used emails to send articles to the teacher as well as my fellow students. Electronic sources have also been critical in my papers. I have used EBSCOhost and easybib resources, and I have learned how to cite websites using the MLA format.
In conclusion, I affirmatively indicate that the rhetorical devices; critical thinking, reading and writing; writing processes; knowledge of conventions; and composing in electronic environments are some of the things that I have learned in this class. They have helped me to become a better writer both in professional and personal communication.
