English composition fundamentals and practice

¶ … role of an educator and public citizen, I have often used my skills in analyzing and integrating relevant information into my writing when preparing classroom materials and when writing letters to the editors of several local papers. I understand that it is absolutely imperative that when writing an opinion piece to go into a paper that all of my sources be evaluated for accuracy; I will not be taken seriously if I am not accurate. When evaluating information, I have learned that it is vital to make sure that they are accurate not only by double-checking facts (where possible) but also by assuring that the source is reliable and the data sounds plausible. I understand that information must be not only accurate but also made blatantly apparent, so that claims which are counterintuitive are explicated in full. I know this principle of accuracy is just as true in a classroom, and here it is particularly important that this knowledge be integrated in the writing in such a way that it is accessible. Synthesizing sources with original explanations can help the content seem more believable, and that is what good writing is all about.

2.Apply standards of evidence to support claims.

Part of evaluating for writing, at which I am proficient, is knowing how to apply discrimination standards towards any sources I may use to make claims and also to know how to judge the claims themselves on their internal standards of evidence. It is well-known (by me) that to make strong arguments one's claims must be backed both by evidence and reasoning. As the University of Virginia Writing Program materials explain, "An argument has three explicit parts: Claims/Warrants, Reasons, Evidence." I understand that sources I use for facts must be reliable and truthful; where plausible they should be peer reviewed or otherwise accountable and they should be open to falsification should they be false. Additionally, I understand that any claims I make need to have sufficient evidence. I also recognize that the evidence needs to be plausible not only in terms of reliable facts but also in plausible connections between facts. Of course, like most responsible people I also know that evidence in support of my claims should not be falsified. I further understand that there are many forms of falsification, and that it is equally important not to distort or leave out evidence as it is to refrain from creating false information.

3. Appropriately cite information gained from primary and secondary sources.

I have had a great deal of experience properly citing sources, both in my regular life and obviously in my academic experience. I understand that there are differences between the proper forms of citations for different medium. I am familiar with MLA format for citing sources in academic work regarding the humanities. Of course, I also understand APA and Harvard formats for sources in the sciences. When writing opinion pieces (as for editorials), it is important to give more information about the sources than one might otherwise, and to avoid sounding overly academic. (for example, I know for informal writing in-text citations may need to be more complete and conversational while endnotes are generally considered obtrusive) I have additionally learned that when writing for students it is especially important to model good behavior in terms of properly citing sources.

4. Explain various interpretations and meaning levels in reading selections.

As an avid reader throughout my life, I have had a great deal of time in which to explore reading in-depth with an open mind to various interpretations and meaning levels. I have found that if I am able to see a piece from multiple perspectives I will generally get more out of it. When reading good books, I generally try to look at them both from a literal and a metaphorical level, with an eye to sociocultural context. I understand that it is additionally important to look for alternate meanings to things which are read, both in a fictional and nonfictional setting. For example, one may see that there are "various interpretations" of certain news stories in which the subtext of what is said suggests a different story than the main narrative. While I know that often such in-depth reading is confined to the academic realm, this is not a necessary confinement. I truly understand that few things in life or in literature have just one interpretation or level of understanding, and it is therefore important to pay attention to all the details.

5. Apply literary terms and interpretive techniques to read, discuss, and write about literature.

Obviously as a teacher and as a student I have had a great deal of experience using literary techniques to discuss literature. I understand that literature interpretation is as independent discipline and like all fields has specific terminology with which one must be familiar in order to function. I am familiar with and understand a vast array of literary interpretive terms, such as onomatopoeia, metaphor, and deconstructionism. Moreover, I can use them in sentences to logically discuss literature. I know that using literary terms allows one to access areas of meaning and understand which would one would otherwise struggle to understand or express. Interpretive techniques are especially important when approaching literature, because they help to open up advanced fields of understanding and give one alternative guides to exploring the texts. These techniques, I have learned, are not only useful to those who want to write about literature for others (though they are very useful for that, and this use has helped me get through school and teach school) but also in personal exploration of literature.

6. Critique a variety of literature with regard to plot, theme, setting, character, metaphor/symbol.

I have very wide tastes in literature, and because of these wide tastes I have learned to critique a variety of literature styles. I know that in critiquing literature it is necessary to take genre into account because meaning is partly determined by context. Plot elements which would have a significance in one culture might have a different one in some other culture, and I understand how this may interact with the metaphor of the literature. I understand how to critique themes in many genres, even when they are expressed differently. When dealing with character I am able to separate literary conventions from real psychology and to comprehend how both interact to the metaphorical value of the story. I am particularly aware of the need for critique and understanding in terms of literary metaphor, because this is truly the key to understanding the differences and connections between genres.