Dear Professor Flaherty,

English 3020: Writing in Community has been a unique experience compared to any

other English class that I have taken, thus, it has greatly widened my knowledge and flourished

my growth as a student, as a writer, and as a member of the community. As a student, the in-class

assignments encouraged me to learn through assignments and service through the utilization of

learning objectives. The assignments and service have also made me aware of my strengths and

weaknesses, therefore, I can better conduct myself throughout the rest of my educational career.

As a writer, I had to use my previous knowledge regarding writing techniques and analyzing

genres to achieve the purposes of the assignments. In addition, I used my service to narrate

community discourse that is relevant to the topics of class assignments. As a community

member, I became more aware of the need of service in my community. I grew through in person

experience, and I utilized these experiences to solve real life problems by identifying issues in

the community and researching for a solution. I used the knowledge I gained in the classroom to

engage in the community, thus, I was able to use the knowledge I gained to provide service in the

community. English 3020 has flourished my growth as a student, writer, and community member

through encouraging the utilization of the five learning objectives which are write, read,

research, reflect, and community.

Through the utilizing the research learning objective I was able to conduct

primary and secondary research to design an extended research project, which is evident in the

completion of the research project, which included the creation of a public identity for the

Writing Warriors through an online website. The research project included a literature review

which engaged students to analyze various primary resources and secondary resources that will

be helpful and relevant when solving the research question. The following passage from our
literature review section of our research project explains why we utilized the research learning

objective to achieve our extended purpose.

To answer the question of what the vital components are in the construction of Writing

Warriors public identity, various literature was reviewed to support actions we took in the

process. The research we conducted includes various sources that state the musts in

nonprofit websites. Additional research lead us to possible ways to create feedback from

our group. Another scholarly article listed the implementation of a step by step process in

the creation of a website. Each resource source utilizes a critical segment that is vital to

the efficiency and enhancement of a non-profit organization. (Research Project p.10).

Specifically, in our research project we interviewed founders of the organization, analyzed other

non-profit websites, and utilized online scholarly journals and articles. The literature review

engaged students to find sources that had relevancy to finding a solution. Through the utilization

of these resources, our research was complete and we were able to take action on our project to

create the solution. Through our research and analyzation of the contents of primary and

secondary resources we were able to utilize them to conduct our research project and create a

solution.

Through the read learning objective, I was able to analyze genres from chosen

academic disciplines, discourse communities, which is evident in my Genre Analysis Essay. In

this assignment we were tasked to analyze genres, their common characteristics, and their

purpose on the website and other communication platforms of our community partner. The

following passage is an analyzation of the VAMC and their utilization of videos on their website.

Videos are a technologically advanced and visually pleasing way to grab the attention of

intended audiences. Specifically, the Facebook videos of the VAMC can be considered as
 an online version of a mission page. The Facebook videos serve to attract possible

customers of the Medical Center ranging from veterans to their families, and they are

able to grab their emotionality through the consistent heartfelt tone and messages.

Another purpose of the videos is to showcase the organizations passions by honoring

those who served, through the short segments awarding ceremonies for veterans. With

one thing in common the veterans that were served by the VAMC star in the videos each

have unique stories, establishing the organizations acceptance of diversity (Genre

Analysis p.6).

The passage analyzes the contents of the Facebook videos and how they achieve their purpose of

promoting the VAMC. Thus, through analyzing the genre of online Facebook videos, I was able

to conclude how they are used to achieve the purpose of the organization.

The reflect learning objective requires one to Use reflective writing to describe

developing knowledge about ones relationships with/in communities and community

partners. Through my Letter of Interest, addressed to my community partner, I am able to reflect

on my purpose and intentions of service that would be beneficial to the Writing Warriors. The

following passage narrates my interest and reason as to why I chose the Writing Warriors as a

community partner.

I would be honored to be able to give back and serve the veterans through this unique

outlet. Every day I am grateful for the freedoms and opportunities that I receive because

of the service that veterans have provided. I think that by documenting their stories I will

be able to express my thankfulness. In return, this experience will teach me to become

more humble and respectful of veterans. In addition, this form of community service is

also a form of public writing, therefore, I will be able to engage in public discourse and
 become aware of what veterans have faced and their statuses after serving (Letter of

Interest p.4).

This passage required me to reflect on my personal reasons as to why the Writing Warriors

interested me. Additionally, it required that I point out the benefits that I and the community

partner will receive from my service. The Letter of Interest required one to reflect on their

personal attributes, experiences, expectations, and purposes regarding service with their

community partner.

Through the use reflective writing to describe developing knowledge about ones

relationships with/in communities and community partners, I am able to achieve the reflect

learning objective. In the following passage from my Personality Essay, I connect my personal

attributes, goals, and beliefs to service with the Writing Warriors.

My interests and career path reside in the medical field; therefore; I would like to

volunteer at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. This experience would allow me to

communicate with a patient receiving healthcare and adapt to the hospital environment. I

want to be able to give back to those who served our country, in return, being able to talk

to a veteran about their life story would be a great honor. Not only will this be community

service, but also a form of public writing, thus, I can exercise my writing and public

discourse skills. On the Veterans Affairs Medical Center website, they state that their

mission is to provide timely, compassionate and high quality care to those we serve by

encouraging teamwork, education, research, innovation, and continuous improvement

(detroit.va.gov). I believe that I can contribute to and uphold their mission by providing

quality service. I would provide service by collaborating with a veteran to document their

life story (Position Essay p.3).

In this passage I reflect upon the relevance and connection between my personal attributes and

interests to the mission of the VAMC. Thus, through the Personality Essay, I reflect upon my

personal goals and attributes and connect them to the mission of the VAMC.

The write learning objective requires that one should use a flexible writing process and

varied technologies to produce texts that address the expectations of the students academic

disciplines. Through my Multi-Modal project I address the future English 3020 through

PowerPoint technology, providing them with advice and suggestions regarding their community

partners. The following is a quote from my Multi-Modal Project that addresses future English

3020 students.

Future Writing Warriors should look into ways of expanding the service to veterans from

other communities. Additionally, the organization should continuously develop their

website and use it as a platform to promote themselves and recruit more members

(Multi-modal Project Slide 8).

This direct quote uses PowerPoint technology to address future English 3020 on how they should

conduct service with the Writing Warriors. Through the use of varied technology, my Multi-

Modal Project addresses future English 3020 students by providing strategies on how to conduct

service with their community partner.

The objectives that I have grown most through are read, research, and reflect

because my completed projects show evidence of the utilization of these. English 3020 has

tasked me with assignments that required analyzation of genres, extensive primary and

secondary research, and knowledge of myself that I utilized to reflect upon myself as a student,

writer, and member of the community. Additionally, I could improve in the write and

community learning objectives. To achieve this I must use my writing to fulfill expectations of
my community partner and use knowledge from the classroom and my writing skills to engage in

solving problems in the community. Although I have learned a lot from my English 3020 class,

there are always more opportunities for growth as a student, writer, and community member.

Sincerely,

Marianne Arciga

Writing Warrior