Reflective Statement

Core Value 1. My work demonstrates that I used a variety of social and interactive practices that involve recursive stages of exploration, discovery, conceptualization, and development.

In my Def/Cat argument I feel as though I used the most social practice with my professor to rework and revise my paper for the better. I was able to write out exactly what I felt I needed help with, mostly structuring, phrasing, and citations. Then, with the help of my professor, I got comments back that pushed me into the right direction. Such as using “gibberish” or “filler” when what I really needed to do was make straightforward claims. Oh, and I can’t forget about putting the comma within the parenthesis, I kept forgetting that. I’m pretty sure that will stick with me forever now, thank you Professor Hodges! It was a very interactive experience, something I’ve not done in many of my other writing classes. In all honesty, going back and forth with feedback was kind of fun! I was also able to research more after Professor Hodges guided me to use a real life example of how Compulsive buying behaviors can interfere with personal lives, which led me to delving deeper into my topic. A lot of the time, our Professor gave me feedback I did not originally agree with, yet when putting time and thought into what was said, I was able to realize that he was right. 

Core Value 2. My work demonstrates that I read critically, and that I placed texts into conversation with one another to create meaning by synthesizing ideas from various discourse communities. 

It was within my rebuttal argument that I feel I truly exemplified Core Value Two. In previous writings, I would often jump from one article to another without fully integrating them into a cohesive argument. However, in my rebuttal, I made a conscious effort to blend the facts and perspectives from two articles, using the texts from each to strengthen my point. The best example of this is from this passage within my essay,

As per the article, ‘Consumerism: its impact on the health of adolescents’, the ‘Corporations are well aware of the powerful influence that media have on … people.’ Such big corporations market strategically, using deals and psychological techniques, to lure people into their brands and to buy, buy, and keep buying. Going back to the article ‘THE SOCIAL MEDIA’S EFFECT ON STUDENT CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOR’, the authors state a great way in which people are manipulated by corporations through media, they state ‘Customers are often asked to “like” a company on Facebook, to “follow” a company on Twitter, or to “connect” via LinkedIn.’ Actions which in turn facilitate “customers become more connected to the company, more knowledgeable about product choices, and more strong in buyer and seller relationship.” Thus allowing trust in the companies they splurge their money at, thus leading the buyers to more likely spend at their stores and to spend more while in the store.

This approach allowed for a more dynamic conversation between the sources, creating a more fluid and compelling argument. By reading critically and synthesizing the ideas from the articles, I was able to pinpoint their key arguments and blend them together in a way that advanced my own perspective. This not only improved the depth of my analysis but also helped me develop a more refined and interconnected argument.

Core Value 3. My work demonstrates that I rhetorically analyzed the purpose, audience, and contexts of my own writing and other texts and visual arguments.

I met this core value in my visual rhetoric assignment, where I closely analyzed an advertisement to understand the role of visual storytelling. By examining the ad second by second, I gained insight into how each visual element contributed to the overall message. I realized that every detail, from color choices to the positioning of objects, was purposefully designed to communicate a specific message to the audience. I mostly realized this as though the couple owned a growing and thriving farm, the husband suffered from a mental illness. This was shown through him looking dully around his beautiful farm, further going to show that though someone may seem to be thriving on the outside, that does not always mimic their internal reality. Through this process, I was able to identify the intended target audience, which was those struggling mentally. Writing out my observations allowed me to better understand how visuals alone can convey meaning and influence the viewer’s perception. This exercise deepened my appreciation for the power of visual rhetoric and its effectiveness in delivering messages to specific audiences.

Core Value 4: My work demonstrates that I have met the expectations of academic writing by locating, evaluating, and incorporating illustrations and evidence to support my own ideas and interpretations.

This goal was met in my causal essay, where I carefully selected sources that directly supported my argument. I spent a significant amount of time researching, often turning to Google Scholar and other academic databases, to find credible and relevant sources that aligned with the points I wanted to make. Once I identified these sources, I thoroughly read through each one, critically evaluating how their findings or perspectives could contribute to my paper. This process allowed me to strengthen my argument, providing solid evidence and perspectives, from sources like the  Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma and “The Personality Puzzle: a comprehensive analysis of its impact on three buying behaviors”, to support the claims I was making in the essay. Through this approach, I was able to build a well-researched and cohesive argument.

Core Value 5. My work demonstrates that I respect my ethical responsibility to represent complex ideas fairly and to the sources of my information with appropriate citation. 

I met this goal in my Annotated Bibliography, where I carefully cited each of my sources to ensure that the respective authors received appropriate credit for their work. I paid close attention to the citation format, making sure to follow the proper guidelines and organizing the entries in alphabetical order to meet academic standards. In addition to proper citation, I also focused on maintaining the integrity of the articles’ findings. I made sure not to twist or misinterpret the sources but rather represented their arguments accurately. This is seen in my Annotated Bibliography, as in the article “The Social Media’s Effect on Student Consumption Behavior”, I included that “social media, the study concludes that it does not significantly drive student consumptive behavior.” Thus, not twisting the facts presented to me. By incorporating their ideas into my own work, I ensured that the information was used ethically and effectively. This not only helped me build credibility but also allowed me to engage with the sources in a respectful and responsible manner.