Breathe In Breathe Out

Once I saw this class' description on the Blackboard "Course Search" application, I decided that this had to be the first class I took out of all the required courses for my EWM major.

So far this class has been somewhat fulfilling of my expectations. While I thought this class would be a lot more editing than writing, I like the projects we've had to do so far. I'm not a big fan of the whole

rhetoric and re

mediation aspect, considering that I never took the rhetoric course so I have no history to help me unlike some of my classmates. But I've learned to embrace it, I like a challenge.

But anyway, moving on to the good stuff...

Knowledge

I believe that knowledge always exists. It is everywhere, not only because it exists in books and scholarly materials, but also in life and experiences. We live everyday, therefore we learn everyday. I definitely agree with the saying:

You learn something new everyday.

I personally learn something new everyday, whether it be small, like how to make rice, or of greater significance, like what is rhetoric. Knowledge is always new, that's what makes it knowledge. What helps gain more knowledge is older knowledge. The more connections you can make with prior knowledge, the more material you can grasp and keep with you. That's why tactics like cramming doesn't work. When you study something at a glance, simply memorizing rather than really making connections with prior knowledge, you don't really learn it, that's why right after you're done with the examination, you can't remember anything you "learned" for the life of you.

Knowledge relates to this class simply because this class has so much of it readily available. Prior to this class I wasn't at all familiar with rhetoric and writing tactics, now I feel like with this knowledge I have gained, I can be a much more effective writer.

My Theory of Composing

A month ago my theory of composing was:

Once you begin to compose, you break free of outside influences, strip away bias, rules, and confinements until you’re left with your naked thoughts and inspiration. Composing is the art of creation and a part of you will always live within your piece. It is a reflection of you.

I still agree with this theory. I believe that composition is a form of self-expression and a part of you lives in it. Your personality or voice (my key term for our newsletter) should be dominant in your pieces and distinguishable from other authors.

Reflection is really important within composing because it gives the author room for improvement. When you sit down and think about the process in which it took for your creation, whether it was effective or not, etc, it becomes easy to sort out the do's and don't's for your next piece. Reflection does nothing but help.

So far this class has helped me a lot, and I see it continuing to help me in the same effective way to my ultimate career goal. I liked this particular assignment, gave me a chance to breathe... A little.

♥