Lyndsey Serino Ms.

Erin Workman ENC 1101 December 3, 2013 Reflection-in-Presentation My theory of writing has definitely evolved throughout the semester. I came in with the few key terms I retained from high school, such as similes, metaphors, and personification. I was aware that proper grammar and a unique vocabulary would make my writing sound better as well. Having these key terms in my writing would show a higher level of thinking and skill and make my writing sound more mature. I also began the semester knowing that it was important to think about how the reader comprehends my writing, but I did not know exactly how to apply this. For example, in my literacy narrative I was not sure whom I should be writing to. I knew what I should be writing about and the content my paper needed to include, but I did not know if I should be conveying this in first person or third. My audience was unclear. This was also the case in my second paper, the community member profile. I knew what needed to be in my writing but not whom I was writing it for. By the time our third paper came around, I felt more prepared for this feature article. My theory of writing was changing. I now had many new terms I knew I needed to consider before I began my writing. Purpose, audience, context, stance, genre, and medium were some of the new terms I added to my theory of writing. I now could develop a clear audience for my feature article on the FBI. Once I chose the audience I could determine the stance I wanted to take to reach them, and what genre and medium I thought would be most effective in grabbing their

attention. After determining all of these key terms, the purpose and context fell into place. All of these key terms make up the rhetorical situation, which is now a huge aspect in my theory of writing. Without the theory of writing I have evolved into now, I would not have been able to do the fourth assignment. It makes a huge difference if you are trying to convey a message to a first grader or a college student. At the beginning of the semester my theory of writing was very poor leading to an unclear approach to assignments. But with each new assignment my theory of writing expanded, I gained more key terms, and I in turn created knowledge about my own writing and others. My theory of writing in the classroom is now very clear. I know everything I need to consider before beginning a paper. How I convey a message is just as important as the message itself. This theory can be used outside of the classroom as well. It can be as simple as asking someone for a favor. You have to know how to speak to them, depending on who they are, and carefully word what you will say in order for them to understand you how you desire. I thought a lengthy journal entry would be the best genre to work in for this reflection. I am analyzing my writing starting at the beginning of the semester and seeing how it evolved. I believe journals are effective for reflection, as we have done so many times in class and for homework. The key terms I have discovered have shaped my theory of writing into what it is today and will continue to shape it as I move forward in my academic career.