Midterm Reflection This should be written in your Daybook prior to your midterm conference.

Midterm reflections are used to reflect on the first half of the semester, how your research is going and what concerns you have about the course and your performance. You should be prepared to discuss your reflection with me in the conference. The purpose of this is, of course, to practice reflection and assess where you are; it is also to give us some specific talking points during your conference. I will be checking to make sure youve completed the entry, but I will not be taking your Daybook from you and reading it. Instead, the entry is used to prepare you to discuss your work with me. Remember: Dont be a salesperson or focus on things that are not relevant to your choices and strategies in conducting your research and writing. My expectations are for detailed responses (several Daybook pages total) and genuine reflection. As you compose your reflection, remember that these are listed in no particular order; you may address them in whatever order you wish. Your letter should consider the following questions: 1. Describe at least 2 Daybook entries from the first half of the semester that were significant for you for any reasonbeyond simply enjoyment or ease. It could have been challenging, new, helpful, etc. (Be sure that you are thorough in explaining why you chose that entry.) Note: Anything whether homework, in-class, or on your own thats in your Daybook, counts as a Daybook entry. It doesnt have to be just the entries that you completed at home. 2. Describe at least 2 things youve learned this semester (or at least had to consider in a different way) regarding writing and/or research. 3. Describe at least 2 things youve learned this semester about media, culture, or your line of inquiry. (This doesnt have to be entirely brand new material. It can be nuanced learning or consideration of new points, ideas, questions, etc.) 4. Explain where you are with your research. Consider the following questions: How many sources have you collected and/or read? What issues are you running into? Have you had to adjust your inquiry question at all? What questions do you have? 5. Describe at least two sources youve come across that you feel have provided some sort of significant insight into your line of inquiry: new information, a new perspective, etc. Be sure to describe what the source is and where it came from as well. 6. What questions do you have regarding your annotated bibliography? 7. How do you feel you are doing so far in the course? Are there any aspects of the course and/or your performance that you are concerned about or have questions about? (Be more specific than: How am I doing?)

If there is anything else youd like to discuss with me, but it isnt listed here, feel free to include it. These are simply the minimum.