Final Blog for Composition Two

In the beginning of this class, Composition Two, I had not fully developed a writing style that I was satisfied with. I was excited to get to learn more techniques for writing but was surprised when I learned that Comp Two is all about arguing. I did not know how to do that in essay form. What was I supposed to do? I had never really written an essay in which I had to perform certain criteria while arguing about something I was told about. I am very good at arguing in person but to put it on paper and in an academic essay was something new. So in the first project, I was definitely nervous. But when I learned we had to do an opening assignment I was partially relieved. I know that it was a way eases my transition into the actual essay. The first draft was for me, how it always is, messy, unfocused and pretty much all over the place. But as time went on I developed a unique style that fit how I like to write. As a writer is was the weakness of being all over the place that allowed me to break things up and rework them into a better flowing essay that I was more satisfied with. Another one of my weaknesses is that I can not input my voice as much as I should. For example in project two I decided to branch off the topic of globalization and write about women in advertising and how companies do not only sell the product. I had a lot of examples and evidence but not as much personal voice as I should of. So that is something that I am working on. One of my strengths as a writer, I think, the ability to be able to take constructive criticism and re-structure my essay into one that fits my style and the criteria I need to meet. In project three I was nervous to see all the details entailed. The amount of work and time that was needed to make it complete was more than any other project. I knew this was a time to really test my strengths and weaknesses and to see if I could really do all the work that I knew was to come in my future classes. I have worked long and hard to produce a final essay while battling my weakness’ that are ever present when I still write. Overall I think that I have come a long way since beginning Composition Two in knowing the proper way to present an argument so that I will win and convince my audience to believe what I have written. One last thing, the one on one conferences with my teacher were a major help. Often times in my other classes it is very impersonal, so the conferences allowed me to get a teachers view on what he wanted my essay to look like. I got to see what he was looking for which helped me re-structure my essay into a better more acceptable one that showed my writing style and one that I was ultimately happy with.

Teenage Pregnacy (P3)

For my project 3 I decided to write my social injustice on teenage pregnancy. I also wrote about how some type of sex education has to be implemented into a long lasting school curriculum. Whether it be abstinence only education where they talk about completely waiting till marriage to engage in sexual activity; or contraceptive education where they discuss safe ways to have sex and prevent pregnancy. In either type of education the consequences of becoming pregnant should be involved so that the teens know what they are getting themselves into the long lasting effects of having to raise a baby. In my essay I talked about each side, its pros and cons, as well as those outside sources who agree and disagree with my viewpoints. One social action I took was to hand out and post flyers across campus with websites on them that help those who have having sex/are pregnant, get more information as well as general information for those who just want to learn more. Another social action I took was to contact Advocates for Youth, an organization dedicated to lowering or preventing social injustices such as teenage pregnancy. I talked to the manager and got a bunch of information. I also asked her if there were an events already existing that I could be a part of to get the awareness out there. She said that they have some upcoming event and would be more than happy to let me be a part of it so I can talk to a wide variety of people about the need to a more extensive sex education program in the school systems.

My Social Action

When I decided to write on teenage pregnancy I knew that it would be difficult to pick a social action that had any kind of impact on the community. In the end I did two things, first I handed out and posted flyers across campus. The flyer had websites on it for people who wanted more information as well as some websites that had information for people who are already pregnant or are having sex and need some guidence. I also surveyed people across campus asking them basic statistics to see how much people did or di not know. The final social action I took was to contact Advocates for Youth, an organization dedicated to social injustices such as teen pregnancy. I asked their manager of any upcoming events that I start and organize, or if there was any event/area already existing that i could be a part of. She let me know that there are a few events coming up soon that I could help organize and spread the word about, so I feel this was the right social action. I get to see first hand how many people I can influence.