Reflective Argument

Introduction
Over the course of the assignments in English 120 there were a variety of opportunities to
demonstrate and apply the diverse course outcomes. In each of the three sequences there were a
variety of opportunities to progress toward to final learning outcomes. This essay will explain
exactly how the outcomes of, Rhetorical Situation and Genre (A), Reflection(F), Research,(H,I)
writing as a process (C) and grammar and usage (D) were achieved in English 120. I will also
discuss which outcomes I believe were most effectively achieved and which outcome could still
use some improvement.
Rhetorical Situation and Genre (A)
The rhetorical situation SLO is " analyze, compose, and reflect on arguments in a variety of
genres, considering the strategies, claims, evidence, and various mediums and technologies that
are appropriate to the rhetorical situation. It basically means analyzing different text in various
mediums, for specific rhetorical devices. In this course we focused on logos, the appeal to logics,
pathos, the appeal to emotion, and ethos, the appeal to credibility. This outcome was achieved
largely in MWA 2. We took a movie trailer and analyzed it for the three rhetorical devices. I
chose to analyze The Age of Adaline, I spent the first two pages focusing on background, logos
and ethos. Then, since the Age of Adaline appeals mostly to pathos I spent the next few pages
analyzing the different rhetorical devices and appeals to pathos. For example, On page two of my
paper I said. The appeal to sadness and loss [pathos] is also seen in the trailer in several
instances. It is evident from the trailer that Adaline loves her daughter very much, it is especially
clear in the scene where Adaline is reunited with her elderly daughter. This appeals to emotion,

especially anyone who has kids, because no mom wants to watch her child grow old and die
before her."
Reflection (F)
The reflection SLO is " evaluate your development as a writer over the course of the semester
and describe how composing in multiple genres and mediums using various technologies can be
applied in other contexts to advance your goals Its basically using feedback to evaluate yourself
as a writer throughout the course. In English 120 this seemed to be one of the easiest outcome to
achieve Nearly every assignment that was turned in somehow involved evaluation ourselves or
our classmates as writers. Before each MWA was turned in we took a day to read over our
classmates MWA's and edit or answer questions about them. It was helpful when finishing my
papers to see how my classmates wrote their papers and the different styles they used. The edits
that were made on the MWA's were also very helpful since I think it is often difficult to catch my
own grammatical mistakes. We were also able to ask our classmates or teacher questions about
the structure or flow of the MWA, reflecting over these various comments and edits made
finalizing the MWA's much easier.
Research (H)
The research SLO is defined as " integrate others positions and perspectives into your writing
ethically, appropriately, and effectively in various mediums and technologies It means
accurately incorporating a variety of ideas into papers. This outcome was largely accomplished
in LSA 2. We chose a topic for a position paper and first wrote a short paper (LSA 1) expressing
our point of view. Then for LSA 2 we had to do research and write using the opposite point of
view. I believe I made progress toward this in doing the research for the LSA. At first it was
challenging for me to compose a paper using a point of view that was not my own. However, as I

kept working on the LSA and the MWA associated with this, I felt that I made a substantial
amount of progress at incorporating others points of view into my paper. For example, in LSA 2
I spent several paragraphs explaining how GMO crops could help end world hunger. While I
don't actually believe this statement I think I was able to effectively incorporate it into LSA 2.
Research (I)
Another research SLO is defined as "compose a research-based academic argument in one of
various mediums and technologies by identifying, analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing
sources, which must include secondary sources" This means incorporating research into a paper
effectively with citations. This outcome was designed to be achieved in sequence one with the
research that was done for the position paper. While I enjoy doing research I struggled
throughout the course on how to best implement and correctly cite my sources within the MWA
for sequence one. I believe I did make progress on this outcome throughout the course,
especially going over some citation errors with the instructor was extremely helpful. However,
since English 120 was an eight week course and there was limited time, I think overall I made
the least progress on this outcome. I was able to fix mistakes that were pointed out but I still
found it difficult to find citation mistakes in my own work.
Writing as a Process (C)
The writing as a process SLO is "using multiple approaches for planning, researching,
prewriting, composing, assessing, revising, editing, proofreading, collaborating, and
incorporating feedback in order to make your compositions stronger in various mediums and
using multiple technologies." It is essentially using multiple types of planning, research or
resources to prepare to write a paper. I accomplished this essentially by completing the outline
for the sequence two MWA. The point of the outline was to plan pre-write and assess what will

go into the MWA. Prewriting usually makes writing stronger because it creates a paper that is
more clear and organized. Going over outlines in class was most helpful for completing fulfilling
the outcome. Looking at the example in class made it easier to write my own and plan out what
would be important to include. Analyzing how the satirical essay, Independence Day was
structured was also helpful. It was structured in a few different ways that provided a good
example for the outline. We talked about many ways to structure a paper- chronological, in steps
or from least to most dramatic. These structures gave me some ideas for different ways to include
details in the sequence two MWA.
Grammar and Usage (D)
The grammar SLO is "improve your fluency in the dialect of Standardized Written American
English at the level of the sentence, paragraph, and document" In this course we simply focused
on improving and using the standard English grammar rules in writing or speech. In my rough
draft of MWA 1 I made many grammar mistakes, especially comma mistakes. I usually have a
hard time identifying my own mistakes, especially grammatical ones. The peer review sessions
were very helpful because I could review my comma or other grammatical mistakes with my
classmates. or ask the instructor about any questions I had. After reviewing the errors I
minimized the comma errors in MWA 1 especially, and in my subsequent papers.
Conclusion
To conclude English 120 helped me achieve the six desired outcomes. Although I did initially
struggle with grammar and usage as well as some elements of research, I practiced throughout
the course, and improved my skills somewhat. I also felt that I generally improved my writing
with the six desired outcomes.