Emma Sacco

UWRT 1104-024
Suzanne Thomas
6 December 2016
Final Reflection
1. Rhetorical Knowledge
Is Google Making Us Stupid link:
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/306868/
Martin Luther King Jr.s Letter from Birmingham Jail link:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/04/martin-luther-kings-letter-frombirmingham-jail/274668/

In the first example, we read Nicholas Carrs, Is Google Making us Stupid. In this
article, Carr communicates in a way that connects with the new generation. His purpose is to
inform of Googles negative aspects. He explains this through exigence. He argues that Google is
changing us and makes himself relatable, allowing for a more engaged audience. Carr
incorporates they say, I say voices, providing more structure to the article as well as a greater
impact on the audience. Ethos, pathos, and logos are evident throughout. It was an easy to
comprehend article, allowing for a more relatable piece overall. In the second example, we were
interpreting the rhetorical situation of Martin Luther King, Jr.s Letter from Birmingham Jail.
This letter was Kings opportunity to speak out against eight white religious leaders. The letter
was written in response to his friends and others taken to jail for sitting where they shouldnt
have. He uses words instead of violence, a more effective strategy. This letter is more of a story,
when compared to Carrs piece.

2. Critical Reading
What Writing is link:
http://user101.tccc.cc.nc.us/Swood/111/KingonWriting.htm

Stephen Kings, What Writing is, was phenomenal. I adored this piece and its style.
King connected to his audience effectively and clearly stated his purpose. His purpose was to
inform his readers that it is important to be detailed. King proved his point by being detailed
himself in this article. He stresses the importance of relaying your own personal thoughts and
feelings to the paper, no matter how messy it comes across at first. That is the point of first drafts
anyways, to get your point across no matter how messy and to then go back to fix things later.

3. Knowledge of Conventions

In this first example, I used an ellipsis to connect two ideas. It provides correlation
between two very different topics: writing and life. However the ellipsis serves as a bridge

between the two. The ellipsis is much more than a form of punctuation. It marks the beginning of
my essays purpose: to prove that life and writing overlap in that they are both very complex.

In the second example, I used short sentences, accompanied by periods to make my

point clear and concise. The definition of the word language allowed for a unique way to
explain the meaning of language. Although it is very matter-of-fact, it proves useful and allows
for an easily comprehendible point. I believe my strategy was much more rhetorically effective
and creative than other methods. Standard methods would involve using words such as next,
finally, and then. The separation provides the same effect, but with a rhetorically effective twist.

In my third and final example, I used a quotation as a main point to my argument. The
argument being that music is vital to our lives. After the quote I used a short sentence to show I
agreed. There are a million different ways to express your feelings and opinions on a quote.
However I kept it short and simple, still communicating my opinion effectivegly. Now normally,
it is considered bad to start a sentence with and. But I found it to be rhetorically effective.

4. Composing Processes

In the first example above, a fellow classmate had made the comment that he became
confused in a particular part of my inquiry thesis paper. He was confused on my definition of
Rastafarianism and how it correlated to my paper. My teacher later agreed with him and gave me
options to help fix this confusion. I went back later and provided the pieces needed to solve the
puzzle. My modifications allowed for an easy to comprehend concept, as well as a greater
understanding of its role and purpose in the essay. In the second example, my professor made the
comment: How do writing, life, identity, purpose go together? ie. it seems the beginning of the
essay and the close are pretty different. What are the connections? I used this recommendation
to better tie together my essay in a more efficient format. This new structure made my point clear
and had a much better overall flow to it.

5. Critical Reflection
Seven Ways to Be More Curious link:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/finding-the-next-einstein/201407/seven-ways-be-morecurious
Innovation Leadership: The Revolution Starts With Words link:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/henrydoss/2013/05/06/innovation-leadership-the-revolution-startswith-words/#8436a7069857

I thoroughly enjoyed Jonathan Wais piece about Seven Ways to Be More

Curious as well as Henry Dosss, Innovation Leadership: The Revolution Starts With Words.
Both pieces forced me to reflect on what I had just read and apply it to my writing. In Wais
piece, he discussed the importance of being curious. Wai informed us that we must Be willing to
ask dumb questions. Wai went on to explain that the internet can be an effective source in
learning new information, however we must not forget the importance of books, people, and

questions. This point stayed with me. I realized how I need to better incorporate books and the
personality of others into my writing. I must also be willing to ask questions, as well as challenge
the opinions of others. Dosss piece stressed the importance of education. He said we must then
reflect, allowing for a greater understanding of language and an emphasis on curiosity. I must
admit, throughout my years of writing class I never took the sufficient amount of time to allow
for reflection. My writing suffered from this. I was never able to push myself to achieve my
ultimate capacity. But now that I put aside the time and the distractions to devote my full
attention to improve my writing.