Midterm Reflection

Let's crack this nut chronologically.

When this class started, I was petrified. Most of my classes started with an attempt to frighten me. I expected this class to do the same thing.

So I walk in the first day, already prepared to be bombarded, and get more than I could have ever expected. I have to say that the shaman of our little tribe here presented such a deluge of information that, when viewed through eyes expecting terror, I was overwhelmed. I think that the speed with which the first couple classes were conducted, coupled with the esoteric lexicon of our afore-mentioned fearless leader, belied the actual expectations for a student in the course. As a result, it took me at least 3 weeks to start feeling that I was enjoying the class. I think that this class should be enjoyed. Indeed it should be savored; a writing course as far removed from the shackles of university politics as can possibly be realized.

From the beginning, I was fooled into being distressed. If I could offer a suggestion, it would be to slow down to a more linear and concise speaking style for the first class at the very least. It would be nice to know that I could really relax and have fun, instead of having to learn it after much languishing.

After having gotten off the ground, I can't help but congratulate the success of this experiment. At least for me, I am really having a blast while producing an amazing quantity of writing. I think, however, that the quality of my writing has been... not so strictly governed. Is this a detriment? I think not... I think that I (perhaps we) have for far too long been confined in my writing. Not allowed to stretch my legs and play around. In fact, I think that this sort of informal, exploratory atmosphere has helped me to better come to realize my writing style than ever before. No longer worrying obsessively about being assessed for the minutia of my writing, I can write organically. But, since my writing is now made public to this group, I have been encouraged to examine my writing carefully.

So far in this course, prescribed objectives aside, I have learned more about my own writing style (an aspect of myself that I have been mostly unaware of) than ever before. I think that it is the freedom afforded by this class that has allowed such exploration. Next time, just tone down the first couple of days: I think it scared a lot of people off.

1. A graphical representation of my writing process

Thomas Edison's process:

My process:

2. Cover Letter

- modes of blogging and informal writing: academic, political/community-based, and personal

This represents my favorite aspect of the course. The nature of the blog itself lends to greater freedom than is offered by the standard format of essay composition. As a result, I have been less worried about following instructions and thus could focus exclusively on my writing. While the atmosphere here does certainly define writing audience, I am more concerned about persuading them because of the depth of their interaction. In this space, the threat looms of immediate and honest public feedback. As a result I am forced to write with elevated care and precision.

- situating your writing: Analyzing, synthesizing, and composing with sources

I think that embedded links are the name of the game for writing on the wiki. This of course brings forth the argument of the value of internet resources as legitimate source material. Personally, I believe that what such sources lack in scrutinized validity, they make up for in specific relevance. At any rate, the real value to me of this system of intertwingling sources allows the reader to view source material as it is referenced in the text. Flow created by embedded hyperlinks may be informal, but for persuasive writing can be exceptionally powerful in providing quick feedback when the reader questions the ethos of a claim.

- composing processes: argument and persuasion

I feel that through the writing process, I am persuading myself of an idea that at first I was only somewhat certain of. I choose these topics that I struggle with so that I can bring the reader through the same thought process that brought me to my conclusions. I hope to persuade others no more than I can persuade myself. Sometimes, my convictions shine through blatantly. Those times are when I really am arguing my thoughts on the topic. I also try to persuade primarily with logos and pathos. I leave out significant ethos support with the hope that the body of my writing provides my own ethos that reduces how much I have to rely on expert opinion. That has only diminished somewhat, however. I wonder if anyone actually reads my garbage.

- multimedia: visual analysis and composition, aural analysis and composition

I have fallen short here. I strongly favor composing all of my own work, and rarely feel comfortable bringing in the images of others to support my claims. I know that these are often powerful or even essential... I just often feel uncomfortable incorporating an image that is not an exact depiction of what I would ideally wish it to be. In the future I will search for more apt multimedia.

- collaborative, coordinated, or distributed writing: linking, interacting, and responding in writing to/with peers.

This has not evolved so much as I have expected in the form of interactive writing. However, verbal feedback amongst some of the students is something that I cherish. The quality of this feedback has been excellent. I would, however, like to collaborate on more writing (though that has happened quite a bit) by linking together like aspects of different individuals' portfolios such that the wiki space supports itself upon itself.

- writing in the disciplines: connecting your writing to research and scholarship in a specific field

I really like to write about physics and engineering, but am limited by the understanding of my audience. I have confined this type of specialized writing to the realm of metaphors, devoid of technical complexity. This is not a technical writing course.

- Community Writing (outside of academia)

It is interesting that this section is included. Technically everything that is written for evaluation is this course is under the umbrella of academia. However, I do write things outside of this course, primarily to persuade my community with regards to the presidential election. The most I can say about the link between my community writing and this course is that I think my writing has improved somewhat, thus furthering my political goals!