Reflective Essay for Senior Portfolio
Throughout my years of college as an English major, I have learned much more than I
anticipated. I have been taught the different steps of the writing process in depth, the art of
persuasion, and even ways to improve my critical thinking process within our democratic and
academic society. I have also been given the opportunity to express myself through writing using
rhetorical skills, such as inventions and arrangement. Not only have I learned how to implement
the five canons of rhetoric throughout my own writing, but with the help of two prominent
professors within the English Department at Georgia State University I have learned other
concepts of rhetoric, for instance the three artistic proofs of rhetoric. They have enabled me to
grow as a rhetorician through the artistic proofs which include ethos, pathos, and logos while still
teaching me the English language.
My undergraduate college experience has been an innovative process. I first entered the
doors of Georgia State University as a sophomore in fall 2008. Upon my arrival I was a political
science major, with the desire to learn skills that would prepare me for law school. Although
political science is an adequate pre-law prerequisite, it was not appeal to my interest. So midway
through that semester that I decided to change my major to English with a concentration in
Rhetoric and Composition. Due to the lack of experience I had with the subject, English was
always a difficult study for me, but I was still curious to learn more.
Spring semester 2009 I began my first class in Rhetoric and Composition, which was
English 3080 Intro to Rhetoric and Advance Composition. Dr. Gaillet, one of the most inspiring
professors I have ever met was teaching this course. Throughout the course Dr. Gaillet assigned
writing assignments using the WAC online writing environment to assess our knowledge and
understanding of the text we were engaged in. The writing assignments Dr. Gaillet assigned
allowed us to use the five canons of rhetoric to formulate our own interpretations of the subject
matters we were learning.
One of the first assignments Dr. Gaillet assigned us to write involved challenging our
own knowledge gained from the text we were reading. She asked us to write a well developed
essay answering the question “Does the commercial life of modern capitalistic societies still
depend on the language skills of a class of highly trained specialists?” The essay on commercial
rhetoric was one of my first writing samples that I would produce during my time here at
Georgia State University and I found it to be quite difficult. In response to the assignment I
produced a five paragraph essay, which was undeveloped and disjointed. Afterwards, Dr. Gaillet
took the time out of her busy schedule to help me work on style. She also offered other
suggestions for improving my writing. In the following essay Dr. Gaillet asked us to discuss
Aristotle’s relevancy. In this essay I would produce a better, well thought-out analysis of
Aristotle’s Relevancy. I have produced these two writing samples within my portfolio to show
the changes that were made in my writing from the first essay to the second essay.
Another course I enrolled in during the spring semester of 2009 was English 3130
Business Writing. This class was very effective in outlining business techniques, as well as
business problems. Throughout the course we were able to gain basic knowledge of business
ethics, while producing business writing. Some of the writing we produced during this course
involved writing memos, grant proposals, and other business documents. Within my portfolio I
have provided a sample memo which I produced during the course. The written memo is address
to the professor of the course. He asked us to write a memo informing him of our major, future
goals, and any other personal information of ourselves we wished to entail.
The summer of 2009 I began English 3140 editing with Dr. Lopez, another very
insightful professor within the English Department at Georgia State University. Within this
course Dr. Lopez taught me many components used in editing that I can take with me beyond my
undergraduate college experience. To my surprise, I learned that editing is not just the revision
of a document that includes spelling, grammar, and correcting errors. The editing process is so
much more than that. It has evolved over many years to become the integral part of writing and
this includes electronic editing, which has allowed editing to become more convenient and
accessible to users everywhere. A sample of the essay that I wrote while attending this course is
provided within my portfolio. The essay underlines many of the key components I learned while
being a part of Dr. Lopez’s course in editing.
Due to the amount of knowledge I gained with Dr. Lopez in English 3140, I saw her
name under the registration menu and immediately signed up for her course in History, Theory,
and Practice of Argumentative Writing (English 3080). I am currently taking this course with
Dr. Lopez and thus far she has taught me many theories and other components of argumentative
writing. She taught me to analyze arguments, and she has also given me the tools to write my
own arguments. Within my portfolio I have included a rhetorical analysis of a debate from the
movie “The Great Debaters” as a product of this course. This document shows my capability to
analyze an argument using rhetorical strategies.
This semester I have also had the pleasure of taking Dr. Gaillet’s course in 20th Century
Composition (English 3100). Thus far we have explored many issues dealing with composition
studies. We have discussed Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) in depth, and we have also
learned of the many different relationships between composition, literature, collaborative
learning, peer editing, as well as grammar. Within my portfolio I have provided a sample of the
first book review that I have ever written, which was required for this course.
As a senior within the field of Rhetoric and Composition I have been required to take
Senior Seminar, and due to luck Dr. Lopez is teaching it this semester. Within this course we
have explored themes of rhetorical democracy. We have also been able to receive a clearer
understanding of what it means to be civically engaged within the community. Dr. Lopez has
taught us rhetorical strategies that we are able to carry over into our everyday lives by thinking
critically and analytically. Within this course Dr. Lopez assigned us to write a rhetorical analysis
on any piece that we would like. In response to the assignment I chose to write a rhetorical
analysis on President Obama’s inaugural address. Within my portfolio I have provided a sample
of my rhetorical analysis written on the president’s inauguration speech.
One thing I am proud to say is that I have learned how to be passionate about my writing
and actually take the time to go through the thinking process logically. I allow myself time to
take into account the important steps in writing, such as topic, audience, and the point I may be
attempting to convey, while keeping in mind the steps of brainstorming, writing, and editing.
Although I graduated high school in 2007 and I am now receiving my bachelor’s degree
in 2009, I feel as though my writing has taken me along many paths. Each one was focused on a
different audience, and each piece of writing also possesses a different meaning. Although I have
sped up my college years by graduating within two and a half years I feel as though I was able to
grow as a writer, as well as a rhetorician. My degree in Rhetoric and Composition will extend far
beyond a piece of paper. It will enable me to take a step beyond what I normally would, by
thinking rhetorically in any given situation. For me, writing is no longer just an essay, or just a
piece of work, it produces meaning, as well as a purpose capable of being understood by a wide
range of audiences. Although my writing is not where I would like it to be, as Michelangelo
stated, “I am still learning”.
After graduation I intend to further my education by receiving a master’s degree in
Rhetoric and Composition. Not only do I intend to receive a master’s degree, but I will also
receive a Juris Doctor degree as well. Once I receive both degrees I will use the rhetorical
knowledge that I will have gained to pursue my career in law.