Reflective Letter

During the course of our unit 2 project my thought process and ability to analyze information went through some changes. In the beginning I really didn't focus on credibility of sites and authors as much as I do now. The first change in how I approached reading/writing was with the use of Toulmins and Wysoki's methods of analysis. Those 2 specific models enabled me to broaden the way I read and looked at articles and web pages. Wysoki's analysis of web pages really helped me to take on a better understanding of what constitutes good websites vs bad ones. I guess the way I used to approach research was with a less critical eye, now I find myself being more critical in my thinking while I search through articles and websites for key information. After using the Wysoki model to determine if a website meets the criteria I'm looking for, I then apply Toulmins model to pick through the text and find out what is really being said. Gaining a better understanding of how to make sources speak back and forth to one another has helped my writing tremendously as well. The method outlined in our "writing analytically" book has helped me to understand the importance of sources communicating together to validate the information, or a point that is being made.

Being aware of one's audience is extremely important, a fact that I used to not consider. Audience awareness changes how a person writes and when used correctly it can turn a drab paper or article into one that people want to read, as opposed to a paper that is casually discarded for lack of credibility or awareness. The improvements I am making in how I approach research and writing is still in its infancy, but as I continue to apply these tools I will no doubt become a better researcher and writer.

Our unit 2 web assignment which is located at ( http://hepsuccess.weebly.com/ )I hope will reflect the use of the course material. I found it difficult to try and take an unbiased as possible stance while creating the website. I guess it is in my nature, as well as others to get somewhat emotionally attached to a subject when we delve deeper into the research and the active participation of such programs as the HEP. The many hours spent pouring over websites and articles as well as the time tutoring the students in the HEP program left me with a better understanding of the trials others go through in their lives, but also an improved understanding of myself.

We more often than not take things such as the produce in our local stores for granted without a second thought to how it got there; we just expect it to always be there. The time spent assisting the HEP faculty has taught me to look at things differently, and to not turn a blind eye, or make assumptions towards others.