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Jason Solomon
Elizabeth Caruso
UWRT 1101
20 May 2014
Am I, Can I Be a Great Writer?
For as long as I can remember, my writing skills and ability to understand written literature has
been below average. Growing up in a family that was poor and very neglectful, my focus in grade school
was on living in the shadow of my ultra-popular older brother, who was constantly getting into trouble.
The focus needed to make good grades or understand what was being taught in English class was spent
doodling, being a class clown, trying to get a cute girls attention, or trying to stay awoke. I was doing
almost everything but learning English in that class. I didnt have any interest in English; furthermore, I
was trying to find ways to make time pass so at the end of the period I could cut up in the hallway with
friends who had similar interest and grades. George Washington wrote Associate with men of good
quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company (106). This
has come to bite me in the butt as an adult working in the corporate world. Not appreciating good
grammar or reading books has paid its toll on me by not proof reading corporate emails, not using
proper corporate writing etiquette, not knowing how to properly communicate proposals to my
superiors, developing training guides, and taking suitable minutes during important meetings.
Although I wasnt paying attention in English, it doesnt necessarily mean that I didnt like
literature. By the time I was a senior in high school I was averaging a D in English, however, I had art
work posted all over the school, art work selected to be displayed in local art galleries, and I was one of
the only two students in New Hanover County that won awards from the Scholastic Art Competition
held at Barton College. Marvin Gaye was my Grandmothers nephew. I would listen to his music day and
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night growing up and it influenced me to sing whenever I had the chance. I developed that gift singing
for girls and in church. I would also sing to myself to help alleviate stress from being bullied and dealing
with my family. By high school I developed into a first tenor and was selected for my high schools
Honors Ensemble for my junior, sophomore, and senior years in which we won Superiors (highest
award given) every year I attended for the NC All State Chorus competition. We were regarded as the
best high school choir in Eastern North Carolina. I loved art and loved to sing, but I was a trouble maker
and had no interest in improving my writing skills amongst other subjects.
In high school, I was super small and I hung out with guys who bragged about having sex,
drinking alcohol, and how someday theyd become some famous professional athlete. For the most part,
their sex involved a playboy magazine, their alcohol was Zima, and 15 years later the closest theyll be to
becoming a professional athlete is finally being able to throw a crumbled balled up medical bill into a
trash bin across the room. Not to downplay my childhood friends, majority of them were great athletes.
I, however, was too small and I believed I was too weak and slow to be effective in any sport. I played JV
football my junior year and walked on the field only one game for 5 minutes and in that game we were
winning by 45 points. So its safe t say that I wasnt the only one with negative opinions on my
athleticism. Instead of focusing on sports, I turned my attention onto something that none of them had
and something I was already good at.
Drawing and painting was my primary vehicle of expressing myself, my ideas, and my interest. I
started drawing in kindergarten and it all started with stick figure dinosaurs. I had a fascination with
dinosaurs and I would constantly attempt to draw a Pterodactyl and Brontosaurus. One day I sat
frustrated at that fact that my stick figure dinosaurs looked nothing like the pictures in the book my
kindergarten teacher gave me and I started crying. My friend Hans saw me and asks me why I was
crying. After explaining to him in our five year old jargon my frustrations, he showed me how I could
manipulate circles and ovals to form legs, bodies, and heads and join them together with the same stick
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figure style I was already using. The result was me bringing a ton of dinosaur pictures home to post on
the fridge that had a ton of alcohol without food inside. Fast forward to the 3rd grade were Ninja Turtles
aired on TV for the first time. I went bat shit crazy for TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). This is
where my artistic skills improved dramatically. It went from Ninja Turtles drawn with manipulated circles
to using shading to show muscle definition and veins, from eyes that were just circles, to eyes that could
express emotion. I was so consumed by the Ninja Turtles that I dressed my room out with Ninja Turtle
drapes, bedspread, pillow covers, and so many posters with my own drawings that it made the walls
look like they had wall paper. I even wore Ninja Turtle shoes, which I got picked on, beating up, and
bullied because I was corny. By the time I was in fifth grade other classmates were paying me their lunch
money to draw them a TMNT character. My artwork was pulling income for me at the age of 7. The
improvements drove into high school were as freshmen my artwork was so developed that the art
faculty allowed me to skip the mandatory Art Introduction class so I could join the Drawing and
Painting class. I did so well in the Drawing and Painting class that I was moved into the Advanced Honors
Studio Art class my junior, sophomore, and senior year where I learned new techniques like cross-
hatching, blending colors, understanding color relationships, and automatic drawing schemes. Outside
of classwork I was constantly drawing something for someone, whether it was a portrait, something
abstract or Beavis and Butthead. The school was acknowledging me and but my family didnt take much
interest. At a young age I was aware that my family was neglectful and while outside of developing my
artistic skills and the Ninja Turtles, the neglect gave me plenty of material to add to sketch books and
canvases. I chose the style of abstract as my primary mode so that I could hide my intentions, my
sorrow, my pain, and my displeasure of my upbringing. The crazy thing is that even though I was aware
the neglectfulness, I would do nothing to change my environment, more so I would promote it to keep
from being bullied. Even though I dont draw much now, when I do, Im trying to teach myself not to pull
from the items out of the neglectful past box and try use ideas and experiences from my bright future.
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My troubled past in addition to my passion for cartoon characters, animals, and girls yielded
great results in my artistic abilities. Does this give the potential to make me a great writer? Can I use
these same concerns and motivations to help me become a great writer? Hopefully by the end this
writing course Im taking, well find out.
Depending on what Im writing would determine how I write it. I used to rap and while writing
lyrics, I would write one catchy phrase then try to make it rhyme for four bars (lines), and then repeat
that process every four bars. I would go back and review it to see if it was clever enough and if people
would understand it by taking the time to think and be amazed on how ingenious it is. If one bar doesnt
make sense or sounds dumb, Id remove the entire four bars its associated with and start over. This
requires spending a lot of time reviewing during and after the lyric is completed. If I was composing an
email at work, I usually write exactly what Im thinking and how Im thinking it and then send without
proofing or even giving a second thought, because Im usually busy and short for time. If Im writing
something similar to this composition, I write a sentence then read that sentence about 20 times to
make sure it makes sense and still delivers my message the way I want it to be. I end doing a ton of real
time edits. Id like define the best way to express myself through different literatures. Maybe I should
write the whole song or memoir out without looking back and then review and revise at the end
because real time reviewing is extremely time consuming. Maybe I should take that extra one to three
minutes to proof my work emails. Who knows whats being said about my spelling errors and grammar?
If I could improve my writing speed and reviewing process while maintaining the focus of delivering the
deep message Im trying to convey, I think writing would be more enjoyable and stress-free.
When I registered for this class, I had no idea what I was getting into. I knew I had to take it, but
I thought it would focus more on grammar and formatting. Im actually excited about what Mrs. Caruso
is going to teach us. Just after two days of class Im finding myself analyzing more in-depth than usual,
everything that I come across. Ill see a McDonalds cup on the road and try to develop its story as if it
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were a person. Ill see an old man walking with a cane through a store and imagining what he looked like
picking out the shirt that hes wearing. I really hope this class will help me improve my professional
literacy abilities as well as my artistic. Itd be great to get the old drawing and painting motor running
again. My biggest anxiety is that my grammar wont improve because its been 15 years since I attended
high school and Im afraid my poor grammar practices may be dry stained in my mind. I also have a
learning disability (ADHD). Often times I have to read a paragraph ten times to understand what Im
reading. One word will take me to another place and Ill have to start reading the paragraph over again.
This too worries me that I wont be able to keep up with the class. Well see.


Works Cited
Washington, George. Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is
better to be alone than in bad company Washingtons Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior In Company
and Conversation J.M Toner, M.D 1888 (23-24)










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Jason Solomon
Elizabeth Caruso
UWRT 1101
05/25/2014
Critical Self-Assessment to My Literacy Memoir
I took time to look over a memoir I recently wrote. I read over it as if it was someone elses
work, so that I wouldnt be bias with my own assessment. After reading my work, its easy to see that
majority of the tone that was used painted me as a victim of circumstance from the environment of my
youth. Using a good deal of my personal history, I tried to grab sympathy from the reader. Why would I
write my memoir so that the reader would feel bad for me? I believe its because I knew someone would
read and respond to it as some point, whether it be my instructor or a classmate. I thought maybe if I
can pull empathy from them by giving them a heavy dose of depraved past situations on who I was, then
they wouldnt be harsh with their responses. It was manipulation through literacy. Furthermore, it
wasnt genuine and it did not convey the ultimate message that I was trying to deliver on my writing
history and abilities. Had I wrote my memoir in a formal manner and strict tone, it would make it easier
for the reader to develop their own opinion, rather than being influenced by an over indulgence of a
challenging past. There are parts in my memoir that show Ive matured and have a different take on
education than I had fifteen years ago. Statements that show Im excited to learn and become a better
writer, however, its greatly overshadowed with a tone thats cries whoa as me.
I started writing this assignment with the idea of opening up and letting the reader understand
who I am. I wanted the reader to know how to operate my writing sort of like manual for a new
smartphone. Show them who I am then explain why I am. I obviously got carried away with the showing
part, explaining in long detail on off topic experiences that help build my artistic and vocal talents rather
explain those talents in short and show how they influenced my writing. When I wrote my memoir it
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was late in the evening after work and a 6 mile trail run. I was a bit tired but I was determined to write a
good first memoir. I walked into my art/study room; cut on the light, docked and powered up my work
computer (its the only computer that has MS Office on it). My study has a large table that I use for
workspace, however, it was cluttered with bills, audio interfaces, my phone, and empty bottles of water.
I dont think this is the most ideal setup for writing. In a glance I could see bills and wonder if I paid them
or not. I could see empty water bottles and have the sudden urge to walk away from writing to throw
them away. My audio interfaces would be on with their glowing indicators, giving me the urge to stop
what Im doing and experiment with music. These are all distractions and probably the reason why it
took 2-3 hours to write my memoir. I will need to tweak my environment prior to writing next time to
help me focus on the task at hand and increase my writing speed. If I continue to write in the
environment with multiple distractions I will lose a lot of important time to be productive with my
writing and other task.
I consider myself a deep learner, although my memoir wouldnt show that clearly. Writing is a
form of art to me, its an opportunity to convey a message in a unique way, yet be just as effective as a
commonly used text format. In my memoir I tried to pull sympathy from the reader by going off the
beaten path that was to use classroom conditions to explain my literacy history. I tried to use personal
history to convey a message with a tone of empathy. Instead of using a plain black tie to deliver a
message, I tried to use an orange and blue polka dot bow tie. Lets just say the outfit with the bow tie
didnt work for me, however, I tried to be distinctive in providing my writing. Also, the summary of my
memoir clearly illustrates my eagerness to learn and become a better writer by trying to look at things
from different perspectives, such as imaging the life of a McDonalds cup. This new perspective has
created multiple avenues to interpret literacies for me, and not just for writing.
After reading my memoir again, I felt a bit disappointed. I felt as though it started out great, but
quickly went way off track when I start to embellish on my personal history. Im completely confident
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and sure why I thought the sympathy card would be a great idea and run with it. I believe my message
was still there, but the reader had to climb through a bunch of unnecessary emotional red tape in order
to receive the objective. I decided that Ill rewrite it to satisfy myself. I would give myself a grade of B-
on the original. Again, I believe the message was there, however I should have to be mindful and
focused on the objective, rather than risk confusing and misleading the reader with subjects that were
slightly irrelevant.
I think I can meet my objective by changing my environment to not allow distractions and by
writing while Im alert and full of energy. Having bills on my desk with my phone will give enough
distractions to take creative focus away from what Im writing. I can use a unique perspective to give the
reader building blocks to form their own reservations and write in a more strict and formal tone. I cant
let the tone of my memoir influence the readers objections for a memoir.
Historically I have approached multiple challenges in my life with the mindset that I will fail. If I
was playing a game of basketball, Id start comparing myself to other players without seeing them play
yet, and convince myself not to give my best effort. I wouldnt even give myself a chance. Over the past
six or seven years Ive learned to be more open minded and build confidence in educating and teaching
myself new skills and talents. Ive taught myself to play guitar, rap, make super cheesy grilled cheese
sandwiches, and how to be an effective runner. Learning to take the time to practice and improve
myself has shown me that Im limitless in all abilities. Its the effort I put forth that will determine the
level of my abilities, and it will show automatically. If I apply this concept to my writing class and the rest
of my student career at UNCC, I will have the potential to become a very successful member of society
once I graduate.
In my memoir I felt that I unknowingly tried to have the reader understand that my
misfortunate upbringing directly impacted my ability to be a writer. However, I did not make that as
detectable because of the little narratives I wrote regarding my background without showing its actual
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impact to my ability to write. What I wanted to convey was that I am a below average writer because of
one or two uniquely isolated events, and explain how I plan on overcoming them now. My concepts
were there, but I feel as though I drowned them out with side stories.
I work as the corporate Chemical Administrator for a hygienic solutions company and Im also a
student at one of the largest universities in NC. If you were to take me back fifteen years and told me
this is where Id be, I wouldnt have believed it. Back then I had dreams of being a rapper and I was
convinced thats where I would be currently. My literacy sponsors as it pertains to becoming a student
and working as an administrator are people and events that influenced me to want to do better and
learn more. It was my close friend Brian who was amazed I had no higher education than high school
and figuratively held a gun to my head explaining the benefits of an education and how I could apply
them in my life to obtain opportunities like better jobs, and getting involved in unique social events. It
was the reality check years ago, when I wasnt managing my money properly and my income was
garnished and I had to take a hard look in the mirror and convince myself that I can be a productive
member of society by handling my responsibilities. It was the old so called friends that held me back
and wanted me to join them in their crazy get rich schemes, drinking every night, and do anything but
be greatly dynamic in how I carry myself and improve my skills and abilities. I believe I could have been
more transparent in my objective with my literacy memoir if I hadnt used a victim tone and travelled so
deep into the side stories involving my background. I should have use a detailed hint of my background
as a reference to illustrate my point. If I were go into my memoir with a firm direct tone, I wouldnt find
myself over-searching for ways to pull sympathy , allowing me to think more about what the future held
for my writing abilities, rather than glorify the negative past.
My reflection within my literacy memoir was not concentrated towards the specific subject of
my writing literacies. Instead, it took the reader down a road of understanding the dark side of who I
was combined with successes involving impressive art and choral achievements in my youth. I
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recognized that not having interest in writing at a young age paid a toll on my ability to function as an
employee that uses emails, letters, and other forms of writing for communication, while expressing that
Im genuinely excited to improve on what I missed over the years. I recognized that I excelled in singing
and drawing because of the passion of having a famous singer in the family, and also the infatuation
with cartoons persuading me to become an artist. In my memoir I asked if the same motives for singing
and drawing will allow me to become a better writer. Im not sure if the same passions for singing and
drawing will work with writing as it is also a different form of literacy, but Im eager to develop the drive
to be a great writer. So far the ability to impress someone with written words is becoming more
appealing and an opportunity may come where I can combine my other literacies to create something
that will astonish me along with others.
I think, for the most part, I contemplate in little narratives. I love explaining ideas, stories,
instructions, and art work in detail. I like to be on the same page with the person Im communicating
with so that we can have an engaging discussion on the subject at hand. Nothing is worse than having a
conversation with someone that has the slightest idea of what youre talking about. Its a waste of both
partys time and is counterproductive.
In the future I need to be more mindful of the tone and the message Im trying to convey so that
it will be as clear as possible to the reader. I should require and properly prepare myself to work in an
environment without distraction and utilize articles in my environment that allow me to be more
creative and comfortable. I have to build on being a deep learner by continuing to want to be a better
writer and persistently be involved in class activities and assignments. If I can point out my weakness in
focusing and improve innovation by sharing small yet powerful personal events to help support my
message, I believe I will achieve becoming a great writer that can not only write well, but also help
others that may be struggling.

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Jason Solomon
Elizabeth Caruso
UWRT 1101
05/21/2014
Response to Literacy Memoir
It was pretty easy narrowing down the writer once the word football was mentioned. Their literacy
memoir surprised me somewhat. From what Ive seen in class, this is an individual who is outspoken,
enthusiastic, and wont back down from a challenge. However, this class is not a challenge this person
wants to combat, given theyve failed this class before. The writer explains thier weaknesses and
strengths, but without great details (Master Narrative). The type of detail that makes you wants to dig
deeper to understand the passion, success, and failures in their fluent literacies. For example, they
wrote I can talk to anyone even a complete stranger about any and everything. I am not a shy person at
all and I truly take pride in that, and I enjoy being the center of attention everywhere I go. Its evident
that message this person is trying to deliver is that theyre a good outspoken communicator. Being able
to openly talk with strangers, not being shy, and being the center of attention are traits of standards of
being a great communicator. To most this is a no brainer. The writer could have just written Im a great
communicator and the message would not have made much of a difference in impact. The meat in the
sandwich to me is on how they became this way and how has it affected their lives. What turned them
into a great communicator?
This semester I feel that this class holds a lot of great things to help build my writing ability. I
personally am not looking forward to being in it every day but you gotta do what you gotta do. Im not
really excited to take this class considering Ive already taken it. Its like they can see the value of
writing, but doesnt want to work for it. This person definitely possesses strong traits of the Outsider
archetype. They are required to pass this class in order for their academic probation removed. They
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believe their writing skills are at a level common amongst peers, even though theyve not read
everyones writing in our class. It seems theyre not enthusiastic about improvement and believes their
writing abilities are enough to get by.
Their memoir seemed rushed, not well thought out and had no hunger to grab someones
attention. It seems like they make their point then move on to the next point to get closer to finishing an
assignment. They constantly remind the reader about their basic writing skills. Im far from the best
writer, but their memoir shows evidence of their explanation of their basic to poor ability to write. The
tone of their memoir felt like they wanted it to be over with. Like someones first time in a sauna.
I think this writer has crazy potential. The way they express themselves in class and how
outspoken they are impresses me. Its like theres no fear, however, after reading their memoir, its like
theyre standing in front of a unclaimed bountiful gold mine with a precision pick axe and they dont
want to go in because maybe its too dark. They are letting past experiences dictate the way they can
improve themselves. They have nothing to lose. Throw the lamp inside and run into the gold mine!!!!
Claim creative gold rush.
The advice I could give this person is for them to be more than on time, get involved with their
own work, and forget about academic probation and try to understand how this can help them
creatively and professionally in other literacies in their life. Pull from the same passion of football and
fitness and build their writing abilities from it.