Wa l ke r | 1

Roxanna Walker

Professor Foster

RHET 1312

2 May 2017

WPA

Throughout this Spring 2017 semester Composition 2 course, I have learned a

variety of things pertaining to this class, about myself, and that could have been applied

in my other classes and my everyday life. Throughout this semester we had to create

four major assignments, we had to analyze a visual argument, write a persuasive

argument, create a public service announcement, and write a letter to the editor. From

these assignments I have learned how to write to my audience, think critically, multiple

writing processes, and writing conventions.

In college first year composition courses, we learn writing program

administrators outcome statements or WPA Outcomes Statements. There are multiple

outcome statements that were split into four categories: Rhetorical Knowledge, Critical

Thinking, Reading, and Composing; Processes, and Knowledge of Conventions. From

applying these categories I have learned how to become a better writer by understanding

my topic, catering to my audience, carefully drafting and planning processes, and

knowing which sources were creditable and which werent.

The first category was applied the most throughout this semester. To have

rhetorical knowledge means having the ability to analyze contexts and audiences and act

on that analysis in comprehending and creating texts. This is considered the basis of
 Wa l ke r | 2

composing which involves negotiating the purpose, knowing your audience, context, and

conventions and presenting that information through a variety of texts for different

situations. When creating a public service announcement, one of the mean things I had

to ask myself was, who is my audience and what is the best way to target them?.

Asking these questions means that I know what I want to talk about, but it makes me

focus more on how I will present the information and who Im presenting it to.

However, this is not all I have learned and applied throughout this semester.

Ive also learned how to think critically about what Im analyzing and how I do

my research. To think critically, read, and compose is having the ability to analyze,

synthesize, interpret, and evaluate ideas, information, situations, and texts. By doing

this, readers think critically about the materials they use -the media-, know the

difference between sources and assertions, recognize and evaluate the underlying

assumptions, notice patterns and connections, evaluate chains of reasoning, and

compose qualified and developed claims and generalizations. These techniques and

practices are foundational for advanced academic writings. The persuasive argument

assignment required extensive research, deep analysis of sources credibility, and

knowing how and when to apply those sources. I was also able to apply these same

techniques in my philosophy writing paper that required outside research and prior

information that I, through my composition class, learned how and when to apply in

present and future writing assignments. Considering that Im a philosophy major, I will

be writing a series of papers that I will not always know all the information about that

topic; however due to this class I will be able to successful research, think critically, and
 Wa l ke r | 3

evaluate sources, texts, and make connections between what Im researching and white

Im writing about.

There are many different writing techniques and strategies that I have learned to

successfully write a paper. While writing I have learned an assortment of writing

processes and strategies that aided in composing, conceptualizing, developing, and

finalizing projects. Composing processes are flexible, some assignments requires

research on the topic and the writing process itself can be approached from many angles

and directions. I have learned different writing techniques and strategies that have

aided in the beginning stages of my writing. Some strategies include creating outlines,

freewriting, and making lists just to name a few. When writing, it is always good to

proofread and to have others read your work for clarity, in class we had peer reviews.

When our classmates reviewed our work they provided feedback that helped us if we got

stuck, had issues writing, they also generated ideas and made suggestions on what to do

next. Once these were done, we rewrote and revised our papers including the

suggestions that our peers offered. Most importantly, its vital that you use or create

your own writing strategies that makes it easier for you to write a successful paper.

The last outcome statement category, knowledge of conventions, are the formal

and informal rules and guidelines that define genres; they shape readers and writers

perceptions of correctness or appropriateness. Successful writers understand, apply,

and negotiate conventions depending on their audience, purpose, and their genre. In

many of my classes and throughout my time in college, I have been required to write in a

specific writing format. The Modern Language Association writing format or MLA

format guidelines and formal rules have been used throughout most of my writings
 Wa l ke r | 4

since attending college Due to extensive use of the MLA forma I have learned how to

submit a well-crafted and organized paper.

During this academic semester I have learned a variety of different writing

techniques, strategies, processes, and how to be a better writer. In addition to this, I

have learned more about myself and what works best for me. Ive mentioned previously

how beneficial my rhetoric and writing class has helped me as a philosophy major.

However, my class has also guided me on what direction I should take when minoring.

Most of my assignments for this class revolved around gender and sexuality, through

these assignments I have learned that my passion is in studying gender. Since Ive

discovered how much I like gender studies and issues concerning sexuality, race, and

gender I have become one step closer to picking my minor. If I had to give any advice to

future rhetoric and writing is when writing and tackling assignments make sure to put a

little you in your work. By doing this, you can discover what your passions are, learn

more about yourself and what interests you, and simply become more informed about

that issue or topic that you werent before. In addition to this, youre be more confident

in your writing abilities making it easier to effectively write and submit your

assignments on time.