– 18 December 2025

Over the past few months in this class, I have come to the realization that I’ve improved as a reading and writer. Each section of this course introduced me to new concepts while also reinforcing ideas I already knew but wasn’t strong in. I can confidently say that I have achieved four major learning objectives from this class.

The first objective I accomplished was learning how to properly start a research paper. Before this class, the only experience I had with this was from high school during my senior year. Although I was given guidelines to follow, it didn’t help me and in a way left me on my own. I struggled with organization and coming up with a clear process. But in this class, I was provided with a structured approach. Professor Orwig guided us through every step, starting with finding reliable sources. One day, the class was brought to the computer lab and there taught us how to navigate the database, analyze sources, and pick the most suitable one based on our criteria. We also received a prompt that went into detail about where your thesis, main points, citations, etc are meant to be placed. Lastly, the color-coded template that was handed out helped me visualize the balance of my writing and avoid “data-dropping” without connecting my evidence to my argument. These assignments gave me a roadmap to follow, and now I can confidently say that I have the ability to start and structure a research paper effectively. 

The second objective that I achieved was recognizing and applying rhetorical terms and strategies in both writing and reading. While I did already know about pathos, logos, and ethos prior to this class, I learned what to look out for. This class taught me to identify rhetorical appeals in texts and recognize when they are being used to persuade me. For example, we analyzed Amy Tan’s essay “Mother’s Tongue” and Hua Hsu article “What Happens After AI Destroys College Writing”, which both implemented rhetorical strategies in different ways. Through this exercise, I learned how to quickly spot rhetorical techniques, but also incorporate it in my own work to engage with my audience better. This was something I didn’t know how to do before this class.

The third thing I accomplished was developing a deeper understanding of how attitudes towards linguistic standards affect individuals and communities. Although I already knew about linguistics standards, I didn’t truly understand the impact it has. By analyzing Amy Tan’s essay and discussing “non-standard English” in class, I realized how stigmas surrounding languages can marginalize voices and how AI can completely remove it. Throughout this section, I came to an understanding that one’s attitudes towards linguistic standards can either challenge it or accept it based on how they interact with other people. And this is important because society is shaped based on the overall census of what everybody believes and accepts. This realization has taught me to embrace my own voice because it’s a part of who I am and to not conform to the linguistic norms in society. 

Lastly, I learned the importance of revision in improving my writing. In the past, I wasn’t fond of revising because I didn’t want to look back at my old assignments. However, this class forced me to do that very thing. Through drafting, collaborating, and editing, I became aware of my writing habits and where improvements were needed. During the peer review for our RCA essay, I received a lot of feedback on how I can improve and strengthen my essay. Although I wasn;t excited about revising, I was grateful for it because I became aware of how I can do better and incorporate that into my next work. This skill is extremely valuable not only in academic settings but also in my professional career.

Overall, this semester has changed me for the better. I have gained confidence in my ability to research, analyze, and write with purpose and clarity. Each learning objective has given me skills that will extend outside the classroom, preparing me for the future. Recognizing where I fall short and wanting to improve will make me a more thoughtful and competent reader and writer.