Core Value 1. My work demonstrates that I used a variety of social and interactive practices that involve recursive stages of exploration, discovery, conceptualization, and development.

I demonstrated this value the most in my definition argument. I asked for feedback more than once on this assignment. After receiving the initial round of feedback and gaining a better baseline understanding of the work I had to do, I responded and specified what kind of feedback I wanted. I used this feedback to completely alter some parts of my essay and to make smaller revisions to other parts. I also had a zoom conference with my teacher about this essay, and the ideas we discussed in that conference were the backbone of my paper. The feedback and the conference opened my mind to unique ideas and helped me to explore interesting angles of my subject matter as well as refine my writing style. 

(Here is my definition rewrite to show how I applied the feedback given.)

Core Value 2. My work demonstrates that I read critically, and that I placed texts into conversation with one another to create meaning by synthesizing ideas from various discourse communities. 

I synthesized ideas from multiple sources in several assignments, but I’d like to highlight my Stone Money essay. I used ideas from an interview, an essay, and a podcast to craft my essay. I put those sources in conversation with each other by showing how the ideas presented in each were all related. My essay strung the sources together, connecting the dots between the stories told in each one. I think my transitions were natural and my comparisons were logical. Even though the three sources I built the essay from were different mediums, I think I did a good job with synthesizing the ideas in them. I also made sure to use the sources to create meaning in my own writing rather than aimlessly regurgitating the information in them.

Core Value 3. My work demonstrates that I rhetorically analyzed the purpose, audience, and contexts of my own writing and other texts and visual arguments.

My visual rhetoric assignment is the best example of this. Analyzing purpose, audience, and context was the backbone of that assignment. I watched a short ad about fatherhood involvement and wrote an analysis of the choices made in the video. I considered the audience at every turn, constantly analyzing how the video would make the audience feel or how it would persuade it. That went hand in hand with purpose. When I considered the desired audience reaction, I also considered how it was related to the purpose of the video. The point of the assignment was analyzing the purpose of every detail, really. I closely watched the video and considered the meaning behind everything, from details in the set to the acting.  

Core Value 4: My work demonstrates that I have met the expectations of academic writing by locating, evaluating, and incorporating illustrations and evidence to support my own ideas and interpretations.

My research paper is the best example of this value. I referenced over 10 sources to craft that assignment. I referenced varied points of view and types of information because some of my sources were academic and some were public. My topic required me to consult experiences beyond my own, and I made sure to choose sources that amplified the voices of people affected most by my topic. At the same time, I made sure that the evidence I used was there to support my claims rather than simply prove that I consulted outside sources. I put critical thought into crafting this assignment, making sure that my own ideas and the evidence I found were synthesized in a logical way. 

Core Value 5. My work demonstrates that I respect my ethical responsibility to represent complex ideas fairly and to the sources of my information with appropriate citation. 

My annotated bibliography is the best example of this core value. Every source that I consulted is represented in this assignment. Even if a source did not make it into any of my final essays, it can still be found in my bibliography if it informed my understanding of my topic. I accounted for everything that shaped my argument. Not only that, but I explained how I used each source, taking complete responsibility for how I represented the articles I read. I also proved my understanding of each article by writing summaries for all of them. Both the evidence of what my sources said and my admission of how I used them are out on the table for all to see. I have nothing to hide.