Kristin Hendricks

March 30, 2020

Mrs. Thomas
UWRT 1104

Student Learning Outcomes Essay

Rhetorical Knowledge

By having rhetorical knowledge, a writer understands and can identify various strategies
while also being able to apply them to their own work. These writing tactics are an author’s tool
that assists them in their writing process. These strategies involve previous knowledge about
genre, purpose, audience, the impact of context, etc. A writer should be able to identify and also
recognize the strategie’s impact on a text, and how they shape the text’s structure and style.

Example 1)

I chose to excerpt a sample from my Source Synthesis essay to example my use of

rhetorical knowledge. For this essay, I had to recognize my audience, as well as the audience I
was trying to study, in order to support my claim. By recognizing my audience, I skewed the way
I wrote so that I could appeal to both sides and make a compelling argument.

Critical Reading

The ability to read critically gives the reader the power to insightfully analyze,
synthesize, evaluate, and interpret the ideas and information supported in texts. Rather than
simply skimming an article, readers can go in depth and read the text objectively by separating
statements and evidence, judge credibility, associate connections and patterns, and evaluate the
reasoning. Being able to identify forms of biases allows the reader to recognize when an article is
credible and if the sources provide actual support for the claim.

Example 2)

When I had to collect multiple sources for my inquiry essay, I also had to decipher
whether the sources were reliable. In example two, I show one of my evaluation explanations of
a certain source, and why I found it to be creditable. I used critical thinking to evaluate the
source’s credibility by analyzing its origins, purpose, and authors. By exercising my critical
thinking skills, I can better evaluate the reliability of various sources and whether I should
believe in the claims in persuasive media.
Knowledge of Conventions

A previous knowledge of conventions enforces good writing technique and development.

Conventions are the rules and guidelines that define genres, that govern the use of diction,
structure, citation, references, etc of a writing. By influencing various rhetorical strategies such
as style, content, and design, conventions help build a writer’s text and strengthens its purpose.

Example 3)

Now I cite my essay regarding the synthesis of the sources I chose or my inquiry
question. For this text, I was asked to write objectively as possible while maintaining a
professional format. Although I used a first person perspective, I tried to enforce my objectivity
by merely stating the facts of the article. I also tried to write in a professional forment, by
italicizing and using proper english with correct use of commas, grammar, and periods. This
strive to obtain a certain convention allowed me to write more fluently and fittingly.
Composing Process

Composing a text calls for a flexible process where the writer must be able to adapt
according to the use of different contexts and situations. The writer uses their process in order to
conceptualize and develop their writing. Usually, composing consists of a developing process of
drafting, reviewing, collaborating, revising, rewriting, rereading, and the editing of a writing. In
order to improve your composing skills, you can do many tasks like reading more, collaborating,
brainstorming, etc.
My composure process usually starts out with me creating a figurative outline within my
thoughts, so that I can layout my concept easier. I then reread the task at hand, like the
instructions or outline, so that I can then proceed to start writing. I usually like writing a lot or at
least writing a whole main idea before taking a break, because I find that writing in increments
makes my work less fluent. Based on previous examples of my work and peer’s evaluations, I
need to improve my explanation skills, and further explain concepts even if I find them to be
easy.

Critical Reflection

After all is written and done, a reflection is called for at the end of every writer’s project.
A critical reflection is the summarization of the author’s final words and evaluation of their own
writing. This portion of the Student Learning Outcomes allows for the explanation of the writer’s
structure and composition, while also allowing the author to criticize their own work for
improvement.
Example 5)

After reading and contemplating on the effectiveness of Lamott’s strategy, I wrote a

critical reflection for a post on “Shitty First Drafts”. I concluded that I disagree with the author’s
claim and that I find her strategy to have a degrading effect on me. I find that writing
whimsically and then editing is not a proper way of beautifully writing, and that her process is
quite sloppy. Although I disagree with her claim, I acknowledge that everyone has a different
thought process, and thus a different way of writing. By critically thinking, I was able to evaluate
the opinion within the text and form my own.