Taylor Kirk

Artifact Reflection #1

For this artifact, I was asked to pick an environmental topic or issue. I chose meat

insecurity and had to do research on it. Then I had to write at least a two-paged essay and cite

credible sources within the paper. I learned the concept of research by having to find reliable

resources that supported my environmental issue. I also learned how to extract the most

important information from articles and form it into well-written main ideas. In order to

complete this assignment, I had to pick a topic to confirm with Dr. Dupree. At first I picked food

insecurity but Dr. Dupree told me to hone into one specific type of food insecurity. I then chose

meat insecurity, researched the topic immensely, and noted my sources. Finally, I wrote a two

and half page paper on meat insecurity around the world.

This artifact represents the analysis category in which is the breaking down of concepts

or phenomena and explaining the relationship between those parts. I chose to break down the

phenomena of meat insecurity. I explained how it is currently affecting people around the world

and what steps people are taking to resolve the issue. When participating in this project, I

demonstrated advanced skills. This learning outcome is about demonstrating accomplished skills

in reading, writing, and math; technology; critical thinking; and creativity. I was required to use

skills in reading and comprehending articles on this issue enough to write sophisticatedly. I had

to use my critical thinking skills to understand and come to conclusions about the topics that the

articles discussed. I had to apply creativity to my paper because it was not a traditional high

school essay. I had to create my own essay prompt in order to decide what and what not to

discuss.

I have learned the importance of the project’s information. Meat insecurity is a significant

issue that affect many people of the underdeveloped as well as developed countries. I am more
aware of the privilege I have to choose my lifestyle. The knowledge and skills I learned while

doing this project has better prepared me for what college may be like. These skills have helped

me become a more concise speaker in general. It has helped me to get points across more easily

as well as developing my ability to navigate the internet for information and main ideas.

One of the biggest challenges, I had with writing the paper is figuring out how to write

what I needed to talk about. There was limited sources in which I could extract information from.

Some of the sources were filled with so much information that it was difficult to find what to

focus on that would get the issue of meat insecurity across to my reader concisely and accurately.

However, I demonstrated understanding of the environmental topic and the ability to make this

concept comprehensible to the reader. Also, I believe I did well with background information. I

know I need to improve on my syntactical structure. There was definitely awkward and informal

wording with in my paper and Dr. Dupree even pointed it out. All in all, I am glad that I got the

chance to do an assignment like this and I am determined to improve my writing as well as other

skills.