Art of Persuasion

Evaluation of my own blog

What can I say? Another semester gone, and another writing class finished. I always feel like I learn something about myself each time I finish a writing class and look back at the ideas that I have explored. I really liked this course, as it was a nice mix of ranting and arguing, when usually I just rant.

A lot of the readings made me think about societal problems in a new way. I found the whole contact zone idea really interesting, and there has already been several times I have thought about that while I am interacting with someone who is quite different from me.

I feel like I grew as a writer because I put more effort into this class, and into my writing, that in previous courses. At first I was hesitant when you (Dr. A) said that we couldn't get by in this class simply by being a good writer, and that we would have to keep up with readings. However, I found that this structure kept me interested.

I think I liked the discussions most. I really like arguing about things that have no definite answer because I like to see the "battle of wits" of peoples bullshit, particularly my own :)

I had been thinking about how separating different branches of knowledge makes people stupid for a long time, and many of the readings in this course actually helped me make connections among my little understandings of the universe.

I had never really taken workshopping seriously until I took this class. In my past writing classes I just changed a few things and called it good, but I felt like I really put forth effort in my own growth as a writer this term.

I am sad that this will be my last writing class, as there is nothing left for me to take except scientific writing or technical writing, which sound horrible after this course.

This class has been one of the few that I have had throughout college that was truly a "contact zone," and "changed society--bizell style" for me. As much as I am excited to end my semester once I finish this post, I will miss this unique experience. Without the institution--which I "hate" so much, by the way :)--I find it difficult to write. I guess when I really think about it, writing isn't for professors, or classmates, but it is for the personal growth of the writer. Hopefully I will somehow stir up the motivation within myself to write for writing's sake. I believe that language is the glue that holds us all together and shapes the way we look at the world, and I am glad to have enlightened myself a bit more about this binding, powerful force.

Happy break, I'm done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!