The fall 2020 semester was my first semester as a college freshman in CCNY. Taking FIQWS as one of my first joint courses was somewhat intimidating as I’m not an experienced writer who’s talented in literature. Taking these courses I was able to broaden my skills in writing and analyzing due to achieving the course learning outcomes. There were three formal assignments given to us; the summary and response paper, exploratory essay, and critical research analysis paper. In addition to these assignments achieving the course learning outcomes, I’ve completed rough drafts, participated in discussion boards, wrote reflections in response to the formal assignments, and analyzed annotated images. We were given multiple readings that included Freudian topics as well as topics that incorporated rhetorical situations and other aspects of literature.

The first formal assignment that was completed for this class was the summary and response paper. In this paper I was to summarize “The Yellow Wallpaper” and relate it to Freud, due to this being the first paper I was introduced to drafting, revising, and editing my paper multiple times in order for my paper to be at its best. I had to incorporate the use of MLA and apply in text citations, however they were still lacking as I didn’t fully grasp the objective. Moving onto my exploratory essay where I was more attentive to the ideas I’ve missed in the previous assignment such as proper citations and understanding my drafting process thoroughly. I discussed my ideas with my professors and was able to strengthen my paper with a proper thesis and better use of citations. I utilized both Freud and the chosen text “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe in order to interpret and relate both sources. The final paper I’ve written was my critical research analysis paper. This paper was somewhat different as I was introduced to new aspects of the writing process. I made use of locating research sources to synthesize Freudian ideas with my chosen text “Where are you going, Where have you been?”. Utilizing the library sources in order to find scholarly articles, texts, etc. was a new skill I needed to acquire and at the end of finalizing my paper, I was able to fully understand this new method when applying it to my literary pieces. I felt that this final paper I was finally able to address the issues I had with prior papers. Having two peer reviews made me feel more confident since I was able to understand and cooperate with the feedback I received. Throughout the process of writing these papers I applied the drafting process and collaborated with my peers as well as understanding the media/design of my papers. 

Each reflection I wrote fully grasped the struggles I had for each paper as well as what I felt I succeeded in. I felt that for my final paper I was able to take advantage of the collaborative and social aspects of the writing process. Having my peers and professors available to me was beneficial. As writing this paper was new and often difficult at times, receiving feedback and critique was helpful. These points were thoroughly recognized in my reflections, as I was able to look back at my entire writing process and identify my strengths and weaknesses. 

In regards to my formal assignments understanding the writing process and the course learning outcomes. I was able to achieve them when completing other assignments such as discussion boards given to me in this class and 10008. Discussion posts that were given to us included both Freud and other texts that we needed to fully understand the idea of and integrate the rhetorical terms. In the discussion posts I was able to understand rhetorical situations to a large extent and exchange ideas with my peers. Understanding the writer, their audience and the issue made me understand one’s rhetorical situation. This course learning outcome was applicable to both Freud and other several discussion posts regarding political problems. 

The skills we acquired when discussing the basics of a rhetorical situation we applied it all throughout what we learned, not just what was assigned to us. Group work that addressed Stephen Miller and his dystopian America. My group members and I dissected this writing piece to find each element of the rhetorical situation being used. Working with my peers really helped me understand each term in a different view. After this group work I was able to capture the true meaning of rhetoric and the components to a rhetorical situation.

When addressing the digital technologies used during the semester, we can go back to blackboard, the turnitin portal we used, as well as our use of the CCNY library. Using these new platforms was confusing at first, however with proper understanding of how to navigate each site was helpful. Blackboard allowed us to keep up with our assignment and a place we can share information such as the discussion boards etc. Turnitin was mostly utilized for our main essays and other forms of peer review and although I did have some frustrations, I was able to overcome them. The CCNY library was something I mainly used for my CRA paper. Going to the library sessions and fully understanding how to navigate the site became helpful when trying to find proper scholarly articles I could use. Having the semester fully online made these digital technologies very reliable as there was no way to have print involved, but I was able to access these sources in order to engage with the class.  

Due to using the library and taking what I learned from the library session finding proper sources that relate to my CRA prompt. As my main goal for this paper was to show the objectification of women, I had to find articles that correlated with it. I decided to use RM Calogeros “Objection, Theory, Self-Objection, and Body Image”. Her message in her article voiced out the point I made when discussing how women were exploited in 1960s America and how Joyce Carol Oates conveys this within her short story. I spent a few days trying to find the best source, using keywords, finding the right timeline and I finally was able to find this article that addresses both society and women in America in that time frame.

Throughout the course these several outcomes were successfully achieved in my opinion and I was able to fully understand how to utilize and apply them to papers, discussions, and other aspects of writing captivating the true definition of rhetoric.