Christopher Dunston

Profesora Sipin
English 211c
4/29/15
In English 211c, my strengths were defined and challenged throughout
the semester. This course was much more of an argument based class than
an "English" class. I was able to display my skills in the class during
presentations and peer reviews. To have to have my work scrutinized during
the peer reviews allowed me to refine my skills. I learned how to sway my
audiences by dealing directly with the opposition during the in class reviews.
The development of my writing abilities was visible at each assignment.
Every paper I was able to see how I improved my planning process as well as
the rhetorical strength of my arguments.
Some of the issues that I encountered really just included planning. I
intend to practice brainstorming methods to help jump start my works. To
me, the hardest part of writing a paper is initiating the work with a strong
introductory paragraph that not only hooks my audience, but also provides
me with a detailed and easy to follow plan that maps out the structure of
remainder of the paper. The professor provided useful tools to help crush this
weakness such as the S.M.A.R.T. model for writing a thesis. We were also
asked to present a slide show version of one of our assignments. This also
helped me with planning because it allowed for a vocalization of what I

wanted to do, and gave me access to a visual plan (the power point itself).
Writing the final with the help of this presentation was simple and enjoyable.
I feel that my ability to formulate a valid and sensible argument has
improved tremendously. Once again, the feedback received from my peers
was the best thermometer of my work. This was also true when we were
asked to finish journal entries online which were able to be viewed by our
fellow class mates as well. One blog that specifically comes to mind is Blog
#5 where we were able to respond to the entries of our peers. The topic was
about the connections between religion, fate, and morality. Many people held
different opinions about the situation. The responses allowed for engaging
conversation that helped spark my interest for a topic that I later used for my
final research paper. Upon doing extensive research on the topic that I chose,
I learned much about myself and my opinion on the subject. I was able to
understand exactly what my feelings were. I was able to define my position
and I can now take what Ive learned into real world conversations.
The ethno-autobiography also provided a new angle for writing in my
life. I have never been required to write an academic paper that focused on
me as a topic. This was definitely new and interesting. It allowed me to really
understand the way that I perceived myself. Upon reading about Dubois
theory of double consciousness, I was able to apply the same ideology to my
own life. The paper helped me to put myself into perspective and to place
the image of myself against the rest of society.

Writing will help me develop design plans. I'll be able to write

convincing and clear plans on how to go about utilizing a program. I plan on
dealing with software development, so I'll have to create programs that fill a
very niche purpose. My current job includes a large amount of
communication via email. I am a supervisor for ride operations at Busch
Gardens Williamsburg. Among my duties is the ability to change standard
operating procedure with appropriate cause. I have used my argumentative
writing skills to assist my work in the real world. This course has also
benefited me in less measurable ways. With some of the readings and their
corresponding in class discussions, I have developed an understanding of
opinions and perspectives that are not my own. This sensitivity and empathy
has allowed me to connect with people on a deeper level. My current
occupation requires a large amount of interpersonal interactions. My ability
to carry these responsibilities effectively have certainly increased as a result
of what Ive learned in during the course.
My portfolio will include the works that I feel challenged me the most.
As stated above, blog number 5 affected me greatly. I was able to see a
variety of opinions, and probe the owners of those opinions for a deeper
understanding. I do indeed plan to use my acquired skills in the work world in
order to formulate smooth flowing blueprints for software. My goal is to use
critical thinking to address specific problems efficiently.

The things that I learned in this class touch so many aspects of my

writing. I was able to find my voice with the ethno-autobiography. I was able
to improve the strength of my arguments. I was even able to see when my
arguments were losing the attention of my audience. These small yet
powerful key aspects granted my writing a life that I had not seen prior to
this class. The structure of the course allowed for a series of personal
realizations that will help me well into the future.