Learning Reflection as of 10/5/2011

Learning Reflection

            In English 111 I have learned many useful tools to become a better communicator and writer. Rhetoric or the art of effective communication is perhaps the most important skill we are practicing. Aristole broke rhetoric into 3 root appeals that are Logos (logic, facts, objectives, words), Ethos (ethics, reputation, credibility, trust, identification), and Pathos (emotional appeal). Learning about these 3 root appeals has given me insight to being a successful writer. I have been writing music reviews for an upcoming music blogging website. Using Logos gives the readers hard facts about the success of the album, the genre of music, the background of the artist, etc. that I can use to create powerful introductions and references for later. Using Ethos, I provide credible music websites that you can get music from or credible sources for information (usually coming directly from the artist themselves) that I can fall back on to legitimize the review. And perhaps the most important part to any music review is Pathos. By using Pathos, I can describe what I am hearing, how the song is laid out, if I think there is something missing, if the voice matched the type of music, if the song is original, and the list goes on.

            What also really helped me is practicing writing a movie review after reading through a chapter in “Writing Today” about writing reviews. That introduction to writing reviews combined with keeping my own English blog brought me to pursue it some more to see if it’s something I enjoy doing. I’ve always been a decent writer, and I enjoy doing it, so writing music reviews combines my passion for music and talents as a writer into something that I can work on in my free time.

            Another important tool I have started using when I write is the “Writing Process”, which is helpful for me because my old writing habits caused me to write and edit as I go without much planning. With a basic structure planned out and writing all my sentences down without overthinking them, I can finish a review quicker so I can jump right into editing.

Finally, the latest technique I am practicing is called “Kaizen” which is talked about in my other blog posts. Essentially it is a technique to improve small parts of a big problem until you completely correct the problem. I’m still in the process of using Kaizen to improve my money management skills. Kaizen so far  has given me some insight into my spending, however it is too early to see the overall differences.