Throughout the semester, there were ample opportunities to address and incorporate different areas of outcome into each writing assignment. The processes and strategies associated with composition, language structure, and assessment were critical components of the whole writing process. The composing process and language structure played a crucial role in making sure that each writing project was tailored for its specific purpose and audience. Similarly, the assessment process was useful for gathering information and editing drafts. Essentially, the assessment process ensured that the conventions are both appropriate and effective. When utilized effectively, these strategies serve to strengthen the purpose and appeal of each writing assignment.
Every piece of writing in English 328 had a clear purpose and target audience. As a result, various compositional strategies were employed to increase the effectiveness of each project. For instance, the objective of the “Analyzing a Text” assignment was to dissect a piece of writing and discuss the different literary devices the author used to appeal to his or her audience. Consequently, the essay was written in an analytical style incorporating evidence and explanations to support each argument. Usually, this supporting evidence usually came in the form of internal citations and quotes from the article in question. The “Analyzing Issues in a Major/Minor Field” project is another example where careful composition was critical for effectively reaching the intended audience. The goal of this project was to create a children’s book about the water cycle. In order to successfully appeal to children, vibrant illustrations and rhyming words were applied. Additionally, the content was diluted to match the comprehension level for young children. From these experiences, it is clear that proper composition is essential for effective writing.
Similar to composition, proper language structure was also a key factor in creating a successful document. Once again using the “Analyzing Issues in a Major/Minor Field” project as an example, the language of the children’s book had to be clear, simple, and fun. In order to appeal to juvenile readers, descriptive language and amusing fonts were incorporated to grab their attention. Yet another assignment had students create and maintain a blog throughout the semester. Because blogs are generally less formal than research papers, each entry was carefully written using more colloquial language. If an applicable image, link, or video clip was available, it was embedded directly into the entry so that readers would have it at their immediate disposal. The titles for both the blog and its entries were also an important aspect to consider. Much like a newspaper article, the titles were chosen to be both interesting and informative. Appropriate language and conventions are a vital part of good writing, and this area of outcome was properly addressed through this course.
Finally, appropriate assessment techniques were practiced in gathering information and making sure that final drafts were fully polished. During the “Analyzing a Text” assignment, the class was divided into pairs for peer review. Not only was the peer review process helpful for catching grammatical and structural errors, but it also gave the writer a different perspective on how to incorporate supporting evidence and develop his or her ideas. As a class, we also assessed and critiqued an assortment of sample essays discussing the strengths and weaknesses as well as the different devices each writer implemented. Different assessment techniques were also used when gathering the evidence to use in an essay. During the YouTube project each group had to assess their videos while paying attention to the devices and conventions. Afterwards, a presentation was conducted based off of the evidence that each group had found. Assessment strategies are a pertinent part of writing, and they were integrated into every assignment to improve the final piece.
Through English 328, we were able to address and practice each area of outcome through the diverse array of assignments. The composing process, language structure, and assessment strategies were all an important part of the overall writing process and a firm understanding of each technique drastically improved the quality and delivery of the final product.
