Mackenzie Chapman

ENG 106-R48-44889
Brittany Biesiada
December 17, 2014
Reflections
The four iCaP course goals where to (1) develop rhetorical knowledge, (2) exercise
critical thinking, reading, and writing, (3) engage in writing processes, and (4) acquire a
knowledge of conventions, and (5) compose with technology. From taking English 106, I feel
like I have acquired all of the necessary skills that they wanted me to develop. I have developed
rhetorical knowledge by finding new ways to engage myself in conversations. I have learned this
skill through writing blogs and through Unit 2: analyzing an article. Throughout the class we
each had to write three blogs about what we read the previous night. This activity engaged us
into the conversation we would have when we discussed the topic in class the next day. We all
knew the topic, and some people wrote more insightful opinions. Also, analyzing an article
helped me know how to engage in academic research writing. I learned different ways to analyze
an article. I learned how to analyze introductions using the CARS model and how to figure out
the theme and style of the researchers writing.
Secondly, I learned how to exercise critical thinking, reading, and writing through my
unit essays, journals, and class readings. As stated above, the academic article helped me know
how to critically analyze and read the research paper. Then, I had to critically write an analysis
about the theme, style, audience, and research of the article I had chosen. Also, the journals
helped me critically think and write. After discussing a topic in class or talking about a unit for
multiple weeks, we would write journals and some of the journals made us analyze images or
even think critically about what we discussed in class. These journals helped me gather my
thoughts on a topic and be able to relay them through my writing. Lastly, the class readings

helped me critically read specific stories. A person must think critically when they are reading
literature such as Edgar Allan Poe. Readers must focus on different images, find conventions,
and see if there is any symbolism throughout the story. From reading some difficult literature, I
was able to strengthen my critical reading skills.
Also, I learned how to engage in a writing process through all of our unit writings. From
Unit one to four, my writing processes became more efficient. In the beginning of the year, we
had specific deadlines for all of our drafts and final papers. Towards the end of the semester, we
did not have deadlines on specific drafts. We had to make up our own deadlines and strengthen
our writing processes. Also, I learned to brainstorm all of my ideas before writing my drafts of
the paper. This helped me organize my writing and make my thoughts clearer to the reader.
Through the mystery-writing unit, I learned how to acquire knowledge of conventions.
There are many different conventions in mystery writing. Sometimes, the detective has dark,
mysterious personas. In my story, I was able to use this detective convention. I was able to study
how other writers have used this specific detective in class and then apply it to my own writing. I
really enjoyed being able to put this convention in my own writing; it made me feel professional.
Lastly, I learned how to compose with technology during unit four when we wrote audio
essays. Before my audio essay, I never had used technology with my literature other than making
newspapers in high school since I was the sports editor. In class, we were taught how to use
recording devices to make audio essays, how to add sound effects, and use background music.
This was the hardest unit for me because I am not very technologically savvy. At the end of the
essay, I felt very comfortable with the recording program I was using and I feel it will be so
much easier when I record an audio essay in the future. I was well taught on how to use the site,
which then helped me create my essay.

I thoroughly enjoyed this English course. I felt like I learned many new things about the
English language and how to relay my thoughts clearer on paper.