Prior to attending Georgia State University my interaction with English involved simply reading and writing formal response papers. Often times I read texts that seemingly bore no obvious relativity to my life and, in my opinion, read as mundane as their relative eras. In effect, my response writing mirrored the reading. So, I know at that time, English was just my major but not my interest. English did however, continue to facilitate my joy for reading books and seemingly cultivated my passion for expression.
My arrival to Georgia State University served as the pivoting point for my overall learning initiative.
My exposure to the GSU English Department steadily reinvented my confidence and stimulated my writing initiative As a result, literature is no longer just the story I have to read before writing the paper. It is my means for observing human character and cultural ideologies. Poetry, a once unbearably abstract concept for me, now proposes new and exciting meaning in my studies as well as my life. Now, my reading and writing could not flourish without considering how poetic finesse impacts effective communication.
More specifically my study in composition and rhetorical principles has further encouraged me to appreciate and also create writing that contributes to the greater art of persuasive communication. My business and technical writing classes, besides introducing me to terms such as “deliverables,” and “assessment” taught me the essentials for creating finished documents. They served as my foundation for understanding and respecting the preliminary writing process. In those classrooms writing critiques and peer editing forced me to raise my standards and develop structured
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methods for “assessing” each project “deliverable.” My writing began to reflect initiative, precision and goals and not just my desires.
The History, Theory & Practice of Argumentative Writing course expounded my insight and introduced me to concept of argument. Classical rhetorical principles sparked my desire to design my writing and not just complete it. Before this class my argument was a subjective expression of ideas. Now, after completing the class my arguments are defined by intention and shaped by persuasive device. Therefore, I left my personal opinions where they belong, with me. Furthermore, I understand the importance of strategy when tailoring my argument to stir audience initiative.
My rhetorical horizons broadened in my Visual Rhetoric class. The course allowed me to use words and images to make an argument. The visual argument is visually stimulating, thus crossing curriculum barriers and allowing me to combine artistic persuasion with verbal strategy. Together, those elements define the multimedia age and propel writers into genres associated with conceptual design. Visual rhetoric served as an introduction to my future as a writer. Whether I am using software or words
I know that my writing initiative is to design images and thought that impacts my surroundings.
English studies on a whole, has transformed from an academic subject to an art form and has shaped my greater understanding for life. It gives me great confidence to embrace the writing process as my artistic pursuit. Thinking of writing as a means to shaping thought gives me initiative and hope for my own writing vision. Considering my limited scope prior to enrolling in the English program I now know that studying rhetorical principles has broadened my overall horizons and added a sense of validity to
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how I approach writing. In contrast to former pre-writing methods I now combine my rhetorical insight with my arguments and create more focused writing pieces.
Therefore, I realize now, that authority remains the greatest difference in my writing methods. When I reflect upon my former writing process I realize I possessed a limited understanding for who I was writing for, why I was writing and how to accomplish effective writing. Now, I use my writing to argue the validity of both my audiences’ vision as well as myself.
I am graduating soon and my English courses at GSU has helped build my confidence to communicate effectively in the world. I understand my field and I respect the writing process. I know my future endeavors will rely on what my course fundamentals have provided. I will continue to carry this torch and write with confidence and ambition. Although this letter and portfolio bring a sense of finality to my academic career I do intend to further my studies and further cultivate my scope for reading and writing. Whether I continue into a graduate program in creative writing or apply my writing skills to the work place I know the value of my degree and I commend myself and the English curriculum at GSU for helping me find my writing way.
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