Adrianna Vigil

English 120
Taylor Diaz
April 28, 2015
Reflective Essay on Student Learning Outcomes

My transition to English 120 was very easy given the previous knowledge from my
English 110 class. As I progressed throughout the semester, new ideas and concepts of writing
were introduced to me. I worked towards learning these ideas and concepts through activities in
class as well as low stakes assignments and major writing assignments. By working towards
different goals, in groups, and individually, and writing different genres, I was able to explore
and learn about the different Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) set by Core Writing. My
knowledge has grown in these different subjects and I am now more aware of what each SLO is
about.
1.Rhetorical Situation and Genre, A. To study, write, and understand arguments in different
genres of writing and to be able to understand the strategies, claims, evidence, and then be able
to categorize them based off strategies, claims, and evidence, and to be able to apply them to a
pretend situation that could potentially happen in real life.
Throughout the semester in English 120, every assignment that was given was, also given
a rhetorical situation to consider while writing the assignment. MWA #1, was a rhetorical
analysis of an advertisement for our intended career or major. Our rhetorical situation was to
analyze an ad or campaign and report our findings to a student group on campus who was also
interested in our intended career or major. They wanted to know how other colleges and\or
universities were recruiting students and workers into their program. Due to this I wrote a
rhetorical analysis of an advertisement for Penn State University College of Communications.
Being that I was writing to a student organization on campus that wanted to hear my ideas and
thoughts on this advertisement, I had to use a professional tone and present my document in a

Adrianna Vigil
English 120
Taylor Diaz
April 28, 2015
traditional way but really focus on the rhetorical elements; ethos pathos and logos. I first started
off my rhetorical analysis by asking the reader the rhetorical questions . What opportunities will
they get? What classes will they take? Ms. Diaz had taught me that this was a really good way
to establish connection with a reader and engage them. Next I gave a summary of the historical
context. I never knew about the concept of historical context or how to find this information. Ms.
Diaz was able to teach me this by breaking down the concept through a PowerPoint she made.
Then I immediately went into an in depth description about the rhetorical strategies, which were
also taught to us in class. I worked towards SLO A by being able to analyze something and break
down its content. I then categorized these things and was able to reflect on them and compose a
document in which I showed how I understood the advertisement and how it was affective. I was
able to put myself in a pretend situation in which I was being asked to do this and communicate
my findings. Being that I am majoring in communications I could very easily be put in a position
where I am asked to analyze something and then report on how and why it is effective. That is
exactly what I practiced in this MWA. I can also use my knowledge of ethos, pathos, and logos
to persuade others and make the material I am trying to share effective and persuasive.
2.Writing as a social act, B. to describe the act of writing and obtaining information and
knowledge in a class setting about different things that happen in the world.
Being in this English class and being able to learn with other students who are my age
and shared some of the roles and values I did, helped to better learn and understand things. In
class we would do many group activities as a class. In a smaller group we would discuss
something then present our new found knowledge to the class. This way we would learn and
teach in ways that we understood. One way we did this is when we were learning how to cite

Adrianna Vigil
English 120
Taylor Diaz
April 28, 2015
information correctly. After being shown a PowerPoint by Ms. Diaz in class, we learned that
there are different ways to cite different things. I learned that it depends what type of information
it is and where the information came from. For example, we got into small groups and after
reading an article were told to cite some information. After figuring out the correct way to do
this, we wrote all of our answers on the board. By doing this were able to learn from each other
as well as our instructor. Not only did we actually learn the information but it was enjoyable
because we were able to learn it in a fun way while working with our peers. By working with
others, it not only allowed all of us to exercise or group skills, but we were able to learn and
teach one another by being able to based off of each others ideas and we were able to expand
our knowledge and our level of thinking. It is good working with groups because that may
transfer to the workplace in the future when you have to work with others. I was able to
effectively apply what I had learned in my group to my work when I wrote MWA #2. Our
assignment was to write a position paper on a topic of which we cared about. This was our
chance to show the employer our skills since we were apply for a job that included doing a lot of
researching and writing. I did my paper on immigration. I had to start out by first doing a lot of
research on immigration. Then I had to narrow my findings and decide which facts I wanted to
present to the reader in order to strengthen my position. Because they were facts based on the
thoughts and opinions of other people and I found them on the internet I had to cite them because
they did not originate from me. I was able to use the knowledge I had learned in class and apply
it to my MWA by citing this information correctly. In the future I will have to use information
from different sources in order to present information on a topic or possible persuade them into
going with a topic that I am pitching. When doing this I will have to cite this information in order

Adrianna Vigil
English 120
Taylor Diaz
April 28, 2015
to give credit and ensure that my research in correct. I also worked toward this SLO by learning
how to research specific things. Ms. Diaz scheduled us a teaching session in the library in which
we learned how to research things and search for specific things. We were also taught the
difference between a regular article and scholarly article and when we should use each one. I was
also able to apply this to my work when I wrote my position paper. Following what was taught in
the library, I searched for different articles on immigration that helped support my position.
Throughout my upcoming college courses I will be taking I will also need to do research for
different papers, presentations, etc. What I learned in the library can help me easily find correct
information I need. I can use the library as a resource for the rest of my college years and
beyond.
3.Writing as a process, C. Approaching something using various ways of researching,
composing, prewriting, editing, etc., in order to strengthen the final product as a whole, in
multiple ways.
Throughout the semester the professor provided multiple ways to help us understand the
assignment and then get comments or feedback on our LSAs in order to improve MWA. For
MWA #3, which was a proposal to get grant money for a cause in the university community or
Albuquerque area, there were many things that I did in order to plan for my essay and then
finalize my thoughts. First I had to write a memo to the head of Johnson Gym presenting my
problem and proposing a solution. This memo helped to get my thoughts together and be able to
explain to the reader what the problem was and persuade them to consider my solution. After
writing the rough draft we had peer revisions in class. During this, I learned things that I needed
to expand on as well as things that I forgot to include in my memo. The next step of the proposal

Adrianna Vigil
English 120
Taylor Diaz
April 28, 2015
was to present the problem and solution again to our classmates. At the end of the presentation
we were able to get feedback from them. This helped my group and I learn what was persuasive
about our presentation and what still needed work. Lastly, we were to put all our information
together for a final proposal. This was no longer a brief memo but an in depth explanation of the
problem, solution and the costs and benefits. This was very important because in the world of
business and communications there will be many times in which I will have to write a business
memo, present my findings to a crowd, and propose my ideas to my coworkers and boss. I also
worked towards SLO C by being able to arrange a meeting with my teacher for MWA #1. During
our meeting we talked face to face about my rough draft. Here, she was able to basically correct
my paper for me which made for an outstanding rough draft. This, to me, was my favorite and
most helpful way to finalize my paper. It was like a mini class session with one teacher and one
student which allowed for maximum teaching and understanding. Also available to us was
contacting the professor through email. This was very convenient given the fact that we had a
question on the assignment come upon us when we were not at home. We could simply email the
professor our question or a part of our writing assignment for a brief review and feedback. I used
this resource to my full advantage, emailing Ms. Diaz very frequently! It was very convenient.
All options for bettering a final paper helped me and I think that if I were to use all of them each
time I have a writing assignment it could make for an overall amazing final paper. I believe I
could improve on outlining my papers and make more meetings with the professor, if possible,
so that I am able to get one on one feedback that is applicable to just me. This can be helpful for
me to produce top of the line papers, written to the best of my ability, and can raise my grades in
the future and furthermore help me get a better job.

Adrianna Vigil
English 120
Taylor Diaz
April 28, 2015
4. Reflection, F. To look back on and analyze your growth as a writer over the semester and
explain how writing in multiple genres and circumstances using different resources can be
applied to your life in other ways in order to help you reach your goals.
Before this class, in high school I was used to mostly writing based off AP prompts, and
only given about 40 minutes. However, throughout this class I believe I have developed a better
understanding of different genres and when to use a certain type of document that will appeal to
your audience. By writing a memo and evaluation I was able to use a professional tone, because I
knew it was for a professional setting. Also something that I used throughout the semester was
document design because it not only makes your document appealing, but also translates
information well. I learned that it is sometimes not right and very unprofessional to change the
font on titles or have them be different colors. There is a certain way into adding an element of
design to your work but still having it look professional and consistent. By taking a trip to the
library and learning all the different search engines that UNM has to offer, it was able to easily
help me during my MWA #2 when we were required to do research. Everything that I have
learned in this class can help me in my future in many ways. By planning my paper, then editing
it, I can have a flawless final product that can help me advance in both school and work. Working
with others in groups to not only discuss ideas but to also learn and teach new things can also be
beneficial to me in work and school because I will be working and speaking in front of others
while sharing my ideas with them and learning about theirs. Being able to take critique from
graded work, as well as give it, is something else that will help me aspire in the future as I help
others and take their criticism they give me and put it into effect.

Adrianna Vigil
English 120
Taylor Diaz
April 28, 2015
Overall this English 120 was an insightful course. It helped me transition from English
110 to English 120 and now I believe that it will be help in me transitioning to higher level
English classes. I think I will be able to learn more given what this class has taught me and
therefore advance in the workplace.