Various Aspects of Writing in My Life - Essay Example

Various Aspects of Writing in My Life Dear Mother, My first year in the University of Arizona is winding up, and you might want to hear what I have been learning in my English 102/8 and English 102/2 classes. I have experienced tremendous development as a writer in various aspects of writing. Choosing the right audience and the rhetorical subject for a problem is fundamental in developing a story. An audience refers to the readership for which the creative work is meant, and writing situation describes the situation under which the writer is passing the information. Developing and sustaining an argument is also a crucial writing skill. Several strategies exist and support an argument meant for a particular audience. One may develop an argument for analogy or absurdity, a thought experiment or an inference for the best explanation about the issue (Thaxton 121). I have also learnt how to effectively analyse a situation rhetorically by primarily focusing on the ethos, logos and pathos. My research skills have also improved through carrying out both primary and secondary research and reporting back the findings in the appropriate formats. This has enabled me to also review and revise drafts from my peers and consequently improved my organisational strategies for report writing. Several skills have particularly been useful in my development as a writer. The ability to identify audience appropriate for a piece of work has been extremely useful. Success in writing is pegged on developing an argument that can convince your targeted audience. The ability to identify and evaluate rhetorical strategies such as pathos, logos and ethos in a piece of art such as painting and poem has also immensely empowered me (Thaxton 125). Research skills such as methods to carry out both primary and secondary research have enabled me to review and revise drafts from teachers and peers. Research skills will go along way in empowering me venture in my dream career as a marine biologist. I have also developed the appropriate skills to analyse a complex issue though multiple perspectives. I have also faced various challenges in my class work throughout the year. These include my poor organisational strategies in argument writing as attested by low scores in these assignments. I still have problems in organising the main ideas in my essays chronologically. Though this had been the main challenge in the English 102/2 class, my current grades in English 102/8 are improving due to my mastery in organising the essays sequentially and deductively (Thaxton 126). An analytical research paper is written when one is required to give a balanced argument about an issue in a research paper. To write a balanced paper, one needs to think logically about the topic at hand. Also, the information provided about the topic should be evaluated, and a comprehensive research carried out about the source materials. An analytical research paper should be balanced and neutral in approach. The first step in writing an analytical research paper is forming a research question. The question should provide a general direction to follow in exploring the topic. The rest of the paper’s body should support the thesis statement (Thaxton 121). To write an analytical paper, one needs to understand the rhetoric fundamentals. They include; pathos, ethos and logos. An effective writer must pay attention and appeal to the three rhetoric fundamental. The writer can appeal to the logos (message) of the audience through making the paper logical and internally consistent. This can be done through finding the best evidence and reasons to support the research. A writer can do this through extensive research about the topic of interest from book and the internet. To appeal to the audience’s pathos, the writer needs to make the message open to the writer. This can be done through appealing to their interests and values in order to engage them both imaginatively and emotionally. The writer should appeal to pathos to the extent that the audience appreciates the significance of the paper and one should avoid being manipulative or risk loosing ethics. The writer can further appeal to the audience’s ethos through presenting themselves as being effective in order to enhance their trustworthiness and credibility (Thaxton 122). Skills gained in English 102/8, and other classes will come in hand while writing this analytical paper. Knowledge gained about rhetorical feature such as situation and audience will help me in selecting an appropriate audience as well as the rhetorical situation of the research paper. Skills gained about the rhetorical strategies while writing paper will help in effectively appealing to the audience’s pathos, ethos and logos. Also, skills gained about research methods; both primary and secondary will go along way in gaining better information for the paper. The ability to review and revise drafts from peers and teacher will make it possible to produce high quality work without syntax and phonetic errors. Invention process of the research paper will involve extensive research from online references and library collections. The collected information will be composed either sequentially, chronologically, inductively or deductively. Revision to remove phonetic and syntax errors will be carried out. Skill developed during revision of drafts from peers and teachers will come in hand (Thaxton 124). In my future writing situation, the rhetorical toolbox will be of great significance and writing an email to a perspective customer is an ideal workplace task. The first professional task would be to carry out a background check on the customer to come up with their professional profile. For the purpose of attracting the customer’s attention on the email, appeal on their pathos, ethos and logos would be appealed. It is important to first build a personal connection with the customer. This can be done through an appropriate opening statement such as ‘I have noticed that your work has been exhibited in our galleries...’ This opening statement effectively appeals to the customer’s pathos. This statement can be followed by a second one that highlights the needs of the customer that you can fulfil as well as the benefits you offer. This is meant to appeal to the customer logos and also project your ethos (Thaxton 127). Research skills gained from class work will help in the invention process of writing the email by exploring the background of the customer. Composing the information collected will be done chronologically in order to establish what the customer is involved in currently. After writing an email, it will be revised n order to remove any syntax and phonetic error. My writing skills have improved due to the skills gained during English 102/8 and the previous courses. Unlike at the year's start , I can follow all the prerequisites for professional writing, identify the right audience, a rhetorical situation for a story and carryout research on topics to be written (Thaxton 125). Work Cited Thaxton, Terry, A. Creative Writing in the Community: A Guide. London: A&C Black, 2013. Print. Read More