My ISUcomm ePortfolio is going to include assignments and reflections that I completed throughout English 250 this 2019 spring semester. It is a way to portray my growth as a communicator. The ePortfolio also includes an about me page and an introductory reflection. On the top of this page, you will see four menus, “About Me,” “Revised Work,” “Reflection of Works,” “Works,” and “Final Reflection.” You will also find my introductory reflection on this page.

The “About Me,” page includes information about me as a person, outside of English 250. The “Revised Work,” page shows a paper that I completed this semester that Professor Schmiel left comments for revision on. After reading her comments and revising my paper more thoroughly, I made some revisions and completed another final draft. Under my final draft is a reflection of the revisions I made. The “Reflection of Works,” page includes all of my reflections over the papers and essays that we completed throughout this semester. The “Works,” page includes the assignments and papers that I completed this semester as well. The “Final Reflection,” page includes a final reflection that I completed about future communication habits.

 

Professor Schmiel,

As far as my growth as a communicator in the WOVE modes, I feel like I have grown since the beginning of this course. With my written, oral, visual, and electronic communication, I have seen myself improve in composing differently, revising more carefully, and generating important details for the intended audience.

My composing processes has changed from the beginning of the course to now because at the beginning, I found myself trying to get every detail in one paper and not focusing on the important details and summarizing it into a more simpler form. I would read the information about my topic multiple times and figure out what is the most important to include. When generating initial ideas for pieces I am composing, I would read over the assignment sheet and begin to do a little research. I found it beneficial to do some research on topic ideas, so I had some knowledge on it. For example, when asked to do the visual rhetorical analysis, I did some research on different commercials that left a big impact. I viewed a few, research about them, then chose the Always #LikeAGirl commercial. To generate initial ideas for details and explanation, I would start by writing down notes about the topic, and then narrowing it down to the most important pieces. After narrowing it down, I used those key points and explanations in the paper. To accomodate different audiences, I first figured out what my intended audience was or needed to be, and planned accordingly. If I had a more professional audience, I need to write or communicate in a formal way. For our rhetorical analysis of a visual text, we had an informal presentation to our class, so I knew I didn’t have to be as serious and professional. When I was trying to reach the audience of readers who were already familiar with the text, I had to try to include less summary and more analysis. For example, the rhetorical analysis of a written text, I had to keep in mind that the audience already have knowledge of the essay I was analyzing. I included less summary and more anlaysis because the audience would be more interested if they were reading something they didn’t already know. When I began drafting for an assignment, I would start with making a list of things I need to include and applying them to my topic. I would read about my topic and take notes. By reading I was able to gain a lot of knowledge about my topic and be able to communicate easier. Taking notes helped me see the main points of my topic and helped me to summarize it better. I really enjoy getting peer responses on my work because it helped me put things in perspective. For example, for the summary assignment, my peer reviewer was also writing a summary on the same essay, so she had prior knowledge to the essay and was able to peer review even better. She had mentioned that I tended to get wordy in some parts of the essay and that I was repeating myself at some points. I used this feedback when writing the next few papers and presenting my information during the presentations. Ways that I use others to assist me in making effect revisions is that I take my peer review comments serious and apply them to the paper. A couple of the papers, I had my dad read over them to see if he understood the summary parts. I also have my roommate read over my paper to catch small mechanical errors as well. My typical problems are mechanical, like needed to separate my paragraphs into two paragraphs instead of one giant one. Throughout the semester, I think I have improved on my mechanical issues and have less to edit before turning it in. Goals that I have to improve my communication process is to shorten them. I feel like I have too much information when I communicate and it is hard for me to get straight to the point. 
Some talents and strengths that I have in my writing communication is my style of writing, my organization, and delivery. I think that I need to improve my substance and context to a more simpler form. Strengths that I have in my oral communication is in my peer review, small group discussions, and a little bit of presentation skills. I think I can improve my presentation skills and large group discussions. I feel like I have talents in my visual communication through my presentations. I think my presentations are pretty well organized and easy to follow along with. Strengths that I have in my electronic communication is my use of the Internet for resources and electronic images. I think I can improve my website construction and layout of things.

Some discoveries that I have made through my WOVE methods are that I have a lot to improve on and that I have so many ways to communicate with people. Something that has been the most challenging for me is communicating my topic and information in the best way that will wow the audience and get my topic across clearly. To overcome these challenges, I have used my peer responses and comments from the professor to improve my pieces. To overcome the challenge of presenting information, I would present my presentations to my roommates the night before my scheduled presentation, so I would be able to practice communicating my topic and information in the best way.I have also learned that my first draft is never going to be the final draft because their are always ways to improve.