Morgan Snellbaker

Mrs. Thomas
UWRT 1104
5 April 2020

The writing faculty at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte has identified
following student learning outcomes (SLOs) as a phenomenon that happens
simultaneously and appears in many pieces of work. These include: rhetorical
knowledge, critical reading, knowledge of conventions, composing processes, and critical
reflection.

Rhetorical Knowledge
Rhetorical knowledge is the ability that allows writers to identify and utilize strategies
across a range of different writers and writing techniques. With the identification of a
writer’s own processes and approaches, they are able to assess how a variety of genres,
audiences, purposes, and contexts impact their own writing choices. It is important for a
writer to be able to utilize rhetorical knowledge because it allows them to develop
flexibility in shifting voice, tone, formality, design, medium, and layout throughout
different writings and contexts. They are able to make connections between texts with the
flexibility and understanding of the number of conventions.

This image was taken from Studio One, where a professor explained how cultural
influences impact her ability to be articulate and literate between the variety of groups
she engages with on a daily basis. She begins to explain that there is no correct way of
speaking the English language as there is a variety of dialects and slang found in different
areas it is spoken in. This can be similar to the range of writers and writing techniques
found in literature and other texts. A successful writer is able to be flexible in shifting
voice, tone, formality, and more in order to make connections between the diverse
audience. They have to be familiar and evolve with the multitude of writers and writing
techniques as the range is constantly broadening.
Critical Reading
Reading critically is the process of analyzing, synthesizing, interpreting, and evaluating
information and texts below the surface level. This process goes beyond the analysis of
the work of others, but the writer themselves as well. Critical reading is a crucial process
that allows readers to understand the deeper meaning of the text, which is not blatantly
stated. It also allows the readers to evaluate the sources and evidence, find their
credibility and read across the text to make connections between points made. This
practice is the foundation for advancement in the writing process recreationally and
academically.

The image above was taken from an assignment focused on the writings of Suzanne
Halaburda in ​Re:Composing, ​a journal written by the University Writing Program at
UNC Charlotte. This particular journal highlights the importance of being open to peer
review in an academic setting. With peer review entails a deeper process, and that is
critical reading which allows a reader to identify the underlying meaning and mistakes
within writing. Typically, when it comes to critical reading, the reader is often
discouraged to harshly review another person’s work, especially if they are not
comfortable with them. However, with this process comes the ability to analyze whether
the writing is credible and connected which creates a successful writer, academically and
recreationally.
Knowledge of Conventions
Conventions include the formal rules and informal guidelines that shape correctness in
compositions. Writers and readers use their knowledge of conventions by providing
adequate usage of linguistic structures such as grammar, spelling, and punctuation. In
return, these linguistic structures can have an influence on how a person chooses to style,
organize, and document design in their own work. Without the correct usage of
convention, a writer’s work could confuse the audience. Incorrect spelling and wrongful
order with the introduction of a topic are just some of things that could confuse an
audience while reading. This would then give the writer an ill fitting reputation.

To highlight the importance of conventions in compositions, I included an excerpt from

my inquiry proposal on the link between childhood trauma and mental illness. In this
introduction of the topic, my goal was to provide background information that answered
two questions: what was mental illness and where did it come from. I organized my
paragraphs in a way that initially introduced definitions and origins, so that the audience
would have a grasp on the topic before the introduction of statistics and other
information. I also incorporated phrases such as, “It was a state that absorbed her
thinking, prolonged feelings of sadness” for the audience to capture the same feeling. As
a writer, it may be beneficial to consider the audience when choosing the appropriate
grammar, style, and organization. Writers want the audience to easily understand the
material and provide zero confusion.

Composing Processes
Writers use composing processes to create successful projects through their drafts,
review, collaborations, revisions, and edits. It allows writers to have deep engagement
with other writers regarding their material. They brainstorm ideas that bounce off each
other to solidify and strengthen claims and/or arguments. When a writer rereads their own
work they may identify a few mistakes here and there, but they need a fresh pair of eyes
to overlook what is seen by the writer dozens of times. With the flexibility of revisions
and collaboration between different writers creates open social interaction, thus making a
successful writer.

In the example above is a response to an article called “Shitty First Drafts”, which
explains my own difficulty in writing drafts because of the dreaded peer review. As a
writer, I find moderate pressure in providing adequate writing to share with my peers.
You want to rush through the initial writing process, while making sure that you are
providing sufficient information and analysis. However, the composing process is all
about collaboration, revision, and edits. It is not intended to denounce a writer’s work,
but help them brainstorm ideas that solidify and strengthen their wording and/or
structure. Open social interaction in peer review, creates a writer that learns from their
technical mistakes.

Critical Reflection
Successful writers have the ability to view their own writing from the perspective of the
audience to critically reflect what they are communicating and why. This is the most
crucial process in completing a piece to ensure that the writing makes sense, especially
for the audience. It is a process that should take place throughout the entire project, which
will allow for easier editing as the structure for the piece is organized into writing that
flows. When completing each critical reflection, the writer should be able to fix any
pockets in their writing so that the audience does not have to ask any questions.
This is another example from Suzzane Halaburda’s journal in ​Re:Composing. ​However,
this time, it corresponds with the idea of critical reflection. This process allows the writer
to critically reflect what they are communicating to the audience and for what reason.
From Halaburda’s journal, I found that in order to provide useful feedback for others and
within personal work, it requires a person to read critically by looking beyond what is
surface-level. It is also important to identify what passages that are deemed “engaging” or
“dry” to see where they excel and what needs improvement. These processes coincide to
ensure that the writing makes sense not only for the writer, but for the audience as well.