Dear Future Self,

  In my FIQWS Composition class, my professor wanted the class to create a portfolio website. When she gave more details on the assignment, I became so confused. I’ve never created a website before. I had an idea on how to write reflections because of the previous papers I have submitted had a reflection attached to them. I did not really understand the CUNY Academics Commons. I enjoyed making the website because I got to customize it the way I wanted. I added my personality and my love for superheros onto the website. For learning outcome #1 I analyzed my writing process and how I looked at the genre and the rhetorical situation. I had to write about how the two images made me feel and what genre they were a part of.

My professor gave us a chart of the Writing Section Learning Outcomes and explained in detail how to use the chart for the reflection essay. I felt confident with the chart filled out because the information was right there. I had to match the outcomes with a writing activity that we did in class. Filling out the chart was easy because I have a very good memory, and I was able to remember all the activities we did in class. My peer review for the Exploratory Essay helped me revise and edit the first draft of my essay. I needed help with my grammar and punctuation and my peer fixed my mistakes. I had to go back to my outline, and make some changes. I incorporated those changes into my essay. My classmate also helped me come up with the title. This is how I utilized Learning Outcome #2.

For the third learning outcome I had to use MLA citation to apply it for my essay. My class did this activity where we created our own MLA citations, and posted them on blackboard. After we posted the citation, we had to respond to three different classmates about their citation. I read the MLA Citation guide online and practiced applying the systematic application of citation convention.

For the fourth outcome, I had to write a Literacy Narrative for the first assignment. The assignment was to write about two images and include the theoretical key elements such as purpose, audience, genre, stance, and media/design. This assignment is called The Learning Outcome #4. When writing the literacy narrative I had to identify the rhetorical key elements. I recognized what was the purpose, who was the audience, what the genre was, what the stance was and the media/design. I utilized these skills while writing the Literacy Narrative. An example where I used a key element such as addressing the audience: “ The political cartoon of Betsy Devos created by Glenn McCoy is being compared to the famous painting The Problem We All Live With, created by Norman Rockwell is a false comparison, because no one threw anything at Devos. The protest against Devos was peaceful and safe. The purpose of a political cartoon is to persuade the audience about current issues. Some can be humorous, but in this case it was offensive. The purpose of this painting was to show what African Americans were going through at this time. The protest against Ruby Bridges required Bridges to have bodyguards to protect her. People actually threw things at Ruby Bridges. Her life was at stake all because she was an African American who wanted to go to an all white school.” This is an example where I address the key element of audience in the rhetorical situation. I prove that the assignment accomplished the writing section learning outcome #4.

For the fifth learning outcome I had to post my thesis statement under the discussion board to prove that I engaged in collaborative aspect. I looked at examples of thesis statements, and had to create my own. I remember writing a bunch of thesis statements and inputting them into a chart. After posting the thesis statement, I had to respond to three students theses. I had to figure out the students argument and what they were trying to prove.

Before writing the thesis statement I had to watch a Youtube video on how to write a thesis statement, which proves that I used digital technologies to address my audience. I had to answer questions about the video and submit the work to my professor. I got a 100 on the assignment. This is what Learning Outcome #6 was asking for.

For Learning Outcome #7 I used to the CCNY library database to find sources for my Critical Research Paper. Before this I did not know how to find sources. I was stressing because I did not know how to use the CCNY database. I was able to find the two outside sources that I needed for my paper.

In my exploratory essay, I quoted Freud and used appropriate sources to prove my argument which is what Learning Outcome #8 was asking for. I had to quote Freud’s ideas of wishful impulse and repression. I reread Freud’s lectures and used them for my paper. I had to analyze what the lecture was about in order to place it in my paper.

Everything that I learned in my FIQWS Composition class, actually improved me as a writer. I learned about the rhetorical situation and how to apply it to my papers. I learned how to find outside sources, and cite properly. All the worksheets and assignments strengthened my writing skills. As I’m writing this paper, I feel heartbroken that this class is ending. I’m really going to miss my professor and class a lot.

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