1. I strongly agree that I can effectively evaluate the credibility of evidence.
2. I agree that I can analyze information for its relevance in my research.
3. I do feel comfortable using primary and secondary resources in my own research.
4. I agree that when I read an argument, I can understand the main idea and intention of the writer.
5. I am neutral when it comes to detecting problems in an argument, explain, and define them.
6. I agree that I can explain my thoughts regarding an argument convincingly and logically.
7. I strongly agree to change my stance on an issue provided credible research.
8. I somewhat agree to considering genre before I being the writing process.
9. I do think about the audience in contextualization of research.
10. When it comes to judging accuracy and validity of a source, I check to make sure it is on a reliable website, there’s a date present, an author present, and if they used their own secondary sources as well.
11. I recognize and combat my assumptions and biases by first seeing if the online source I am using has my bias in their article and if they agree with it or not. If I am using a person, I would see if they agree with my bias or assumption or not.
12. I decide what goes in my final draft by trying to see what the audience would understand and I will skim through to make sure I only have relevant information in my paper.
Unit Reflections
Critical Thinking Intake Assessment
I can always find good credible sources for evidence (5). I am very good at analyzing information for its relevance to my research (6). I, for the most part, feel comfortable using secondary and primary sources in my own research (5). I am neutral when it comes to understanding the main idea and intention of the writer in an argument (4). I would like to improve on detecting problems in an argument, explain, and define them (3). I am neutral when it come to explaining my thoughts regarding an argument convincingly and logically (4). I am willing to change my stance on an issue provided by credible research if it convincing enough (5). I did not think about considering genre before I begin my writing process (3). I am neutral when it comes to thinking about the audience in the contextualization of research (4). My process of judging the accuracy and validation of sources is I check 3 other sources to see if the main evidence is similar. I usually type out my assumption or bias in a search engine and I see what sources support or go against my assumptions or biases. I scan through my rough draft and notes and see what points stand out and could make a strong impact for my final paper.
Define a writer; describe myself as a writer
I define a writer as someone who stays true to themselves in their writing. They look at rhetorical stand points and objective and subjective view points. I like reading stories where the writer is not trying to conform what some may consider as normal writing. For example, Peter Elbow writes about using your mother tongue in writing and not using the Standard Written English Language. An example could be from the book For Colored Girls. English is the author’s first language, but her poetry is almost in broken English, emphasizing how she actually spoke. She did not try to translate her own language for the likeliness of others. That leads to learning literacy their own way and carrying that throughout their whole writing career like Deborah Brandt talked about in Sponsors of Literacy. Not every writer is the same, and it is unfair to reduce them to just one way to write. There are so many creative minds.
I describe myself as an opiniated writer. It can be both a good and a bad thing, but I noticed that my favorite thing to do when it comes to writing is talk about my opinions and views and beliefs. Rhetorical essays are fun to read and do, because its healthy arguing. My writing skills, I believe, are at best when it comes to choosing a side in a topic.
Unit Reflections
For each major essay assignment, you will complete a long-form reflection about your experience writing the paper. Your teacher will provide specific instructions for these reflections.