Jacob Blackman

SLO Translation

Student Learning Outcomes

The writing instructors are aware that the learning outcomes may occur together, which is
completely natural. They are also aware of the fact that critical thinking cannot be labeled with a
certain aspect of writing; rather, it may arise throughout the entire grueling process. The purpose
of the SLOs involves providing students and instructors more clarity on the topics brought forth
in this first year writing course so that one can continue to abide by them beyond the classroom
throughout lifes journey.
Rhetorical Knowledge
What is rhetorical knowledge? Basically, rhetorical knowledge involves discovering how to learn
the most effectively while reading and writing. Through their work, writers must create with a
purpose and understand the importance of reaching their audience.
By the end of the course, students will:

Better understand how to approach different forms of writing and effectively decipher
them with strategies that keep the audience at the forefront of the writers mind
Discover the influence of readers and writers own philosophies and practices on the
formation of genres
Master the skill of shifting their writing through voice, tone, and other techniques to
purposefully reach as many people as possible who may encounter the writing

Critical Reading
Reading critically is digging deeper into texts and discovering ways to apply the information to
other areas of study and beyond. When writers reflect on their materials critically, they scrutinize
their sources, weed out inaccurate assumptions, and attempt to find patterns as they read across
multiple texts. Ultimately, like scientists, writers continually check each other, which increases
the strength and validity of academic writing.
By the end of the course, students will:

Grow intellectually by reading others works

Use critical thinking to see the hidden stuff in writing
Determine the validity of sources and figure out whether they are trustworthy or entirely
biased
Use multiple texts to see how certain features of writing are more effective in certain
situations

Composing Processes
Writers are adaptive and rarely follow strict procedures when they work. One writer may
transition from point A to point B in an entirely different manner than another peer.
By the end of the course, students will:

Jacob Blackman

SLO Translation

Become more adaptive and learn to stray away from the linear process that is often
presented in early education
See the importance of brainstorming and planning both prior to and during the creation of
a composition
Formulate coherent arguments as a result of expanding their own ideas and sharing them
with others

Knowledge of Conventions
Conventions set the tone in shaping how we view writing appropriately. These help with
correcting grammatical mistakes, while also improving ones choice of style, content, and
structure.
By the end of the course, students will:

Better understand why the use of conventions change

Demonstrate how to apply citations accurately and the importance of giving credit to
those who are deserving
Master the art of using proper grammar through practice

Critical Reflection
Critical reflection involves effectively putting ones ideas into words. It also involves explaining
why one chose to do something. This can be very challenging.
By the end of the course, students will:

Reflect more effectively on their own work in different circumstances

Attempt to grow intellectually through the reflection
Show how he or she is constantly thinking of the audience while creating a composition
Remain aware of where they are within the writing process, and the opportunity to grow
from experiences obtained while in the bowels of the process