Reflection will help students learn to become independent learners by influencing one to set their own goals for writing by verbalizing their intentions without having to rely on the teacher's feedback. Intentions can be the purpose, the audience, and find any problems with grammar. This skill will not only be for academic purposes but also future situations like at work when there will be no one to grade our work besides our reflection.
Self-reflective writing will help me continue to grow as a writer because at times I tend to go off topic while free-writing when I am working on a first draft, so I can use the technique of creating an outline to gear me back into the direction of my purpose. For example, when I was working on WP #2, I was having a hard time figuring out what to do with all of the gained information. I decided to make a mapping outline and figure out what was essential to meeting the requirements for the assignment by creating topic sentences first then bullet points with one or two words of what I would say. I will continue to practice this self-reflective technique until I can make it an unconscious habit or "choice."
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What I found surprising about the process of composing WP #2 compared to WP #1 was the research because I had to get out of my comfort zone.
What I found most challenging was how to put all my field notes and interviews into a well-written paper. It was hard for me to develop a thesis statement. The assignment itself contributed to my frustrations because I did not know if I met the requirements, I had a lot of self-doubts. Like, is this good enough? Am I missing anything? I did not know what direction to go with the information I gained from my research. Now that I have worked on both major projects what seems most critical for me is the draft because honestly this week I slacked off and was not able to complete my first draft. Therefore, I was not able to submit my work for peer review, so I felt a bit off in my timing in general. If I had to teach someone else something about writing tomorrow, it would schedule out some writing time. Do not procrastinate and do not be afraid to free write, because most of your ideas come from that type of writing. Just set a timer and write. Then focus on revising afterward. I think the WPA outcomes value reflection writing so that we can continue to grow and learn from any previous mistakes. Reflection writing is a technique used by successful writers, and I think it is an essential part of writing. As a writer, proofing and formatting are a "behind the scene" prerequisites that motivate a writer to read through the whole text and make any changes to make the paper legible and have paragraphs that transition smoothly. Also, proofing and formatting are essential in the writing that I read because without it I would not be about to understand the author's ideas. Without this technique, an audience can lose interest in the writing because there may be grammar errors such as run-on sentences or not a definite purpose. When I do encounter these grammar issues, it makes me view the writer as a procrastinator that waited until the last minute and rushed through their work or not caring for their work.
There are times when one can break grammatical rules, for example, when I use social media I tend to shorten words like "you" to "U" so that my thoughts can fit in a word count or when I am taking notes for myself I will make incomplete sentences. I think this is fine as long as the writing is not intended for professional use. If different readers and writers think of proofing, formatting, and producing final pieces of writing differently, this may cause some consequences. As a reader, one might prefer the mixed vocabulary use in a paper and view it as well-written, but it may have strange, confusing sentence structure. As a writer, the English language might not be their first language so the writer may struggle when formatting writing. The opportunities that can arise would happen through the process before proofing; peer review can lead the writer to gain a different perspective. Also merely practicing revision when doing the writing journals. Breaking apart the word "revision," makes me realize that revision is the process of seeing something different. This realization affects the way I think about revision because I know this step is crucial to becoming a successful writer. I think its goals are to help gain distance between drafting and the final text, to look again at a piece of writing and see if it has a proper purpose, and gain outside perspectives through peer review.
I view revision as being a positive technique because it gives the writer a sense of power to manipulate or enhance their draft paper in an appealing way that will leave the audience to comprehend the writer's intentions smoothly. I can free-write without worrying about having my writing be pretty. Then I take a break and come back to fix my paper with a clear mind. The purpose of revision in my writing process is to let me work with less stress. After viewing the different responses of my peers, I believe everyone has a good sense of what revision is. For example, Torintree mentioned on the discussion board that revision is "taking a step back and reading the text in a new light." My sense of benefits and those of my peers are similar because it shows that we care about our writing and that there is always room for improvement. It is significant to have similar goals because it shows that we do not compete with each other, but to achieve our ultimate best. It is always the same four people working and closing every weekend for the past year now. I will be asking everyone the same questions. I want to get a sense of history and build connections. I want to exploit that friendship makes a workplace and how they affect work performance and the habits of the culture.
1) Is Starbucks your first job? 2) What makes working at Starbucks special? 3) Have you worked a different shift other than a closing shift? 4) How is working another shift different from working nights? 5) Do you ever catch yourself looking forward to coming to work? 6) Would you have ever thought we would form a close friendship? 7)What would you be doing if you were not at work? I was not able to thoroughly ask my questions because of a busy tight working schedule. I will ask these questions through a chat format, and afterward, I will elaborate more on the answers. The place I am observing is my job. I work at a Starbucks in Norwalk, California. This store is located at a busy five-way intersection. As I walk in, I see the lighting change from the bright outdoors to a dimmed warm light. I see an open refrigerator with a sign saying "Chill Wall" which contains cold-pressed juices, teas, and cold brew. I also see a glass pastry case and under there is another open mini fridge that contains protein boxes, yogurts, and string cheese. I look up to the ceiling, and I see an all the vents; this gives the store a modern industrial look. There is a long high rectangular shape table with 4 bar stools on each side. Everyone seems to have to mover around this table to reach the register to order. I can hear one of my favorite songs "pumped up kicks" playing over the speakers. I hear the oven beeping very loud. I hear some high-school students chatting in the background, and I overhear the older couple beside me in line deciding if they want to share a pastry or to get one for each other. I can smell the scent of freshly brewed coffee, reminds me of when I am home walking up early on Sunday morning, and my mom is already up brewing coffee. I can also smell the stickiness of the cinnamon bun that appears to have come out the beeping oven. I can touch the cold marbled surface on the register counter as I order my drink before I clock into my shift. I ordered a doppio espresso in a short cup with one raw sugar, once I receive my beverage, I take the first sip, and I should've waited a bit because I got a burnt feeling on my tongue now.
Now that I have clocked in the back room, I am ready to work. Instantly, I notice the previous shift supervisor on the floor rush to me before I step on the floor. They brief me down on what has been going on the shift. Once I am on the floor, I notice a fellow barista swiftly returning to the drive-thru area after taking a panini from the oven. The way my co-workers are moving through the place defines the place with a sense of urgency. People in place are working together to exceed the expectations of the customers by working fast and accurately making beverages. I observe the unique patterns among my coworkers. I notice Francisco whistling to the beat of the song playing in the background while he is making drinks, I know he whistles when he is overwhelmed on the bar, and that is his hint to me to help him clear out some drinks. Kelly is on drive-thru she acts in a friendly bubbly way when taking orders. When she is on drive-thru, she is continually trying to up-sell pastries along with drinks. I notice that Francisco is calling out names when drinks are ready, and he is repeatedly saying "Thank you, Enjoy! Let me know how you like it?" Kelly is greeting everyone the same over the headset, "Thanks for choosing our Starbucks..." Since we all wear headsets, I also notice that in the midst of all the rush and in between guest we are making vine referenced jokes to keep the mood between us happy and smiley. I see an area in the home sectioned off by a thick blue, red, and golden designed blanket used as a curtain. The room is made up of a wall with horizontal wood painted in light green, and the middle of the wall two horizontal wood are painted white with hints of burnt yellow mildew all over the wall. On top of the wall, there is a curved aluminum roof being held up by two wood planks. The wall is decorated with memories. The self-made blue painted wooden cut out with yellow glitter letters spelling out "Juan David" on the highest part of the wall and in the center lets me know this is his bedroom. On the left-hand side of this sign, three black hats are hanging on a nail, a cap with a sports team logo, a visor, and a bucket hat. Next, to these hats, a brand new white soccer ball with black triangles and red lettering is held together by a net, dangles off a nail. On the right-hand side of the "Juan David" sign hangs more hats, a lime green bucket hat and another bucket hat of his favorite sports team which is green and white with black borders, attached to this bucket hat are long strands of rope colored green, white, and black dangling down. A few of the strands of rope look to be braided. Alongside these strands of the string is a green with a dash of a faded blue bicycle helmet. If you continue to guide your eyes down the strings from the bucket hat at the end, you will see a big picture frame that contains a picture of Juan David when he was younger with his parents next to him, mother on the left and father on the right. Under the picture is a multi-color painted two-letter word "Te Adoro" which can be translated to "I adore you." Under the picture of Juan David with his parents and still in the picture frame are three smaller images of what seem to be his siblings or maybe his parents when they were younger. Now if we go back to the hand-made blue "Juan David" sign in the center of the room, right under you will see the hanging of a present that is in an un-opened rectangular shaped box labeled "Comand Headquarters," inside the box are different little slots that contain figurines and trucks. On the left-hand side of this precious present and under the dangling untouched soccer ball, pinned, is an unframed school picture of Juan David. Under this picture and slightly to the left hangs an orangish yellow fluffy rabbit that has one blue ear which is grabbing down a red heart-shaped cut-out and in the middle is a smaller blue heart with black lettering. Now under the "Common Headquarters" present is another unframed picture, this time the image is of Juan David's favorite soccer player. Under this picture are more hanged hats of his favorite soccer team. An all green bucket hat in placed right under the image, then in order from right to left is a black hat with green sides, an all green hat with black sides and a soccer logo, then an all light blue cap. That is all that is on the wall. Now against the wall to the left corner is woven brown and black checkered design dresser with his favorite soccer teams flag that is half green half white with black lettering. On top of the dresser sits a pink teddy bear with a blue nose. Beside this dresser, to the right is his bed. The bed is a twin size mattress with a headboard. On the headboard is another flag of his favorite soccer team, this flag is a bit different it stills has green and white designs, but it contains a blue section in the middle with black silhouette trophies. The bed cover is also the same color theme of his favorite soccer team, green and black vertical lines with white stars, trophy cups, and the white soccer shield printed on the cover. On top of the bed and leaning against the headboard are a few objects. A wooden brown, long neck, well-preserved string guitar, a giant golden brown stuffed fluffy ant-eater wearing his team's cap, and leaning on the ant-eater is a small tan cow with a fuzzy tiny white and green soccer ball at its feet. In front of this cow is a plastic steam engine train that is white, has red wheels, and a yellow smokestack. In the middle of the bed, and in front of the guitar you see a yellow plastic toy tractor with blue wheels. To the right is a plastic toy bus that is white with blue and red flame-like design by the wheels, this toy remains in its original packaging, up-opened. The last toy on the bed is a giant scary looking black and dark green spider; it has the texture of hairy legs and back, with red-eyes and pointy plastic fangs. The spider camouflages with the bed.
To develop an "ethnographic eye," I grabbed a notebook and went to visit a movie theater that I frequent. I invited a couple of friends to join me in watching a movie. I made sure to arrive an hour before they came so that I would have enough time to make my observations of the space. The movie theater I went to is called the Pacific Theater in Lakewood, California. At my arrival, I notice the parking lot reasonably empty for a Wednesday evening; there are sixteen cars scattered throughout the lot. The people present are mostly friendly workers from the theater, couples and a few adult groups of friends. I notice there are children and families absent, probably because it is a weekday. The language spoken in the movie theater is soft and short. People have access to the movie theaters website which has the showtimes posted, which is way guest already seem to know what movie they are going to watch and what time. They walk up to guest services to exchange a few words and cash then they are on their way, following the smell of popcorn to the concessions counter where they seem to struggle to choose what flavor soda pop they want. One of the characteristics I notice about the place is the age groups; everyone seems to be within their early 20's and early 30's. A few other features are that the theater has cheap tickets, faded crinkling wallpaper, stained multi-color carpet and a staircase leading up to an abandoned arcade room. The objects in the space are mostly posters promoting upcoming movies and current showings. There is a large cutout of a monstrous character for a film blocking the entrance leading to the hall of theater rooms; everyone seems to get startled by it and giggle it off.
Now after observing Pacific Theater, I analyzed the space. I noticed that anyone with cash could purchase a ticket. I would say those forbidden to enter this theater would be anyone looking to loiter around in the lobby because the employees told me a few times that lounging around the lobby is not permitted and I had to mention to them that I was waiting for some friends. The way the employees are dressed in clean uniforms lets me know that regardless of the old school theater appearance they care for their hygiene and service. The few guests are dressed laidback, jeans and a t-shirt, others had on loungewear such as jogger sweats. This attire says that the people were perhaps home bored and decided to go out to watch a movie. I notice that the employees use the space well, everything is clean, there is no trash on the floor. Someone who is used to an upscale movie theater would indeed feel uncomfortable at the Pacific Theater. Any guest dressed fancy in business attire and alone would stand out in this environment since all the other guest are dressed in loungewear, and those who are couples would blend into the background because it would seem they are out on a date. The cultural values displayed by the people in this movie theatre is puppy love and comradery. The objects in the movie theater such as the posters and lights on the ceilings give a value to the purpose of a futuristic vibe. This space provides a story of a casual evening out as a millennial. My position as a young adult/student in my community influences where I live, work and relax.
I live in a gated mobile home community park because it is cheaper than owning an actual home. The community is in a quiet part of town when you enter, a security guard greets you and will ask for your permit. As you pass the guard stand, you will drive pass a rectangular shape pool, a recreational center that will include turf grass with a playground set, and a rental office/hall. If you look up, you will notice the community has a beautiful row of palm trees decorating the driveway leading up to our space number which will be posted on the side of our mailbox. In my mobile home community, I am not allowed to park outside our mobile home because it is a fire lane, I must be parked in my driveway which fits about three cars. Also, I am not allowed to enter the rental hall to enjoy the pool table because you need to schedule an appointment to rent out the hall for events. My friends or family members that come to visit me have different access to the park, they can park at the "visitor's only" parking spaces. The spaces that would be private would be everyone's mobile home perimeter, which may include a small patio or backyard. Now the public spaces would be the little streets where you can find children running around playing ball or also the pool and playground area. My position as a shift leader influenced me to get the job position at Starbucks as an outside hire. As a shift leader, I am not able to participate in the space of mean-spirit. I need to set an example for the rest of my coworkers once I step on the floor. I greet everyone with a smile and delegate tasks to create an enjoyable and productive workplace. All co-workers have access to the whole store. However, they do not have access to the safe and conducting specific tasks that only I must execute. As a student, I am influenced to find relaxation at home or the library. Pretty much, anywhere with internet access. I try not to enter places that are loud and busy like coffee shops or parks. My friends have different access to study/relaxation places because some attend an actual campus unlike I that I am virtually attending class. The area that is private would be my home, in my room. On a hot day, I prefer to stay in and enjoy to study in my air-conditioned office. The spaces that are public would be my local library. Which on a gloomy day I prefer to commute and attend an open area to seek inspiration from people watching. What I found most unexpectedly when composing project #1 was the word count and actual development of different drafts because I did not think it would be as tedious to come up with a ritual, I had to dig in and reflect on my life. This development tells me that I have little academic writing experience. I am so used to 180 characters on twitter that I have learned to keep it simple.
Drafting is what I found to be frustrating to me; I had a hard time expressing my thoughts because I was so concentrated on my writing structure before I even sought out ideas. Drafting will become less frustrating with the more practice I do and by creating an outline map and just free-writing without having to worry about grammar because that is what revision is for anyways. I also found staying on topic and following the rubric to be a bit challenging. At this point, I feel that the most critical part of process writing is just to get started. Grab a pen and paper, and write. I thought that I learned the most from the post revision part of the writing process, it gave me confidence. If tomorrow I could teach someone about writing it would be to stay open minded. Along with your writing, you may doubt yourself, but do not get discouraged. If needed take a break and come back to your writing. Always reflect on your writing to make sure you are staying on track, and you may develop new ideas. I think the WPA outcomes and this course value reflection and reflective writing because it is a productive way to receive feedback. Students will not rely so much on others. Reflection also ensures that students engage in their writing to monitor progress and enrich their thinking. |
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