English Portfolio Reflection

Will Parriott
ENC 1101
English Portfolio
Reflection
While I was making revisions to my papers, I thought about it on a bigger
scale. A reflection of this course. ENC 1101 consists on 3 assignments that all target
a different area of the brain, whether it be memory (Paper one), analytical research
and thought process on a specific topic (Paper two), or the creative mindset
portraying in the final paper. Throughout the semester Ive learned a lot. Some
things I will never forget about the class are the time spent with friends actively
engaging in productive peer review while having a great time. The class gives you
the opportunity to write without the teachers pressure of perfect expectations.
After a first draft is written, you then share it with a peer next to you and receive
feedback as to how they felt about the piece. Constructive criticism is very effective
especially when its from a friend who only has the best intentions for your writing
abilities. We then would have a chance to talk to Professor Lehn in person and have
one on one time for her to dissect our paper and provide expert analysis and details
that could be added.
When writing this narrative/analysis, a few things came to mind. I was used
to writing traditional thesis papers, involving a statement and typically three ideas.
The purpose: to construct a paper that can easily be read and has good flow to
connect the readers to your writing. My idea behind this paper was to create a
narrative that truly represented how I felt about media and the influence it can have
on people. I start out by giving personal examples pertaining to the shows that
captivated me at a young age. I mention the pros and cons of exposing young minds
to media content, especially as it gets more mature. At first, I thought my essay
wasnt much of a narrative, but after revising it and expanding on my details, it
seemed to tell a story. The changes I made were to construct a more personal paper.
Analyzing my examples through real life situations was a great way to do so. After
Professor Lehn gave me some recommendations on my paper, I made some power
moves. I moved the introductory paragraph to the end, making it my conclusion. I
expanded on key ideas that really brought forth the message I was trying to send in
my paper. I am proud of my examples and descriptions of the shows I mentioned in
my paper. I felt as if they best demonstrated my feelings and thought towards the
media and the power it can hold. I had fun writing this paper because it caused me
to use different thought process than usual. I felt like an author writing a novel, not
just a scholar constructing a paper.
My second set of revisions to paper one just cleaned up my final draft and
added some much needed content. When talking about the shows I used to watch as
a young teen, I showed how my behavior mirrored what I watched. I provide a
visual example (not reality) of what my behavior would look like back in the day. I
1
go on explaining how television impacts the young minds and can turn into a serious
issue. If I didnt come across a wake up call myself, I could be headed down the
wrong path and my perception of social normality would be tainted by 3 cartoons
characters who go by ed, edd, and eddy.
The third assigned paper was the most interesting out of all of them. The
prompt was to pick and design an anti-ad or otherwise known as Subvertisements
to poke fun of a specific company or product. I took a different spin on the topic and
decided to shine positive light on a negative concept that kills people every year;
drinking and driving. My ad featured a car that was driving down the road, while the
median lines were predicting the cars future (crashing into a tree). I made the driver
of the car a can of beer to personify that anyone who has been drinking has the same
amount of motor skills and a beer can. If that doesnt scare you, I then added a
statistic at the bottom of the ad that states, Every 53 minutes someone dies as a
result of drinking and driving. I wanted to drive the point home about how
dangerous and costly it can be to drink and drive. The advertisement is very
personal to me so this was more than just an assignment. It was a mission, a goal to
spread the word about drinking and driving and how crippling it can be for some
many people. It can ruin families and tear people apart. The revisions I made on my
third paper were much needed. I failed to reach the required page minimum
(something I tend to do a lot) so I needed substance. I was told to bring in an actual
beer ad that shed light of the positives and brainwashed consumers. I added a
picture of a bud light bottle with girls all around the bottle, insinuating that drinking
bud light gets you girls. The amount of false advertisements in todays society is
unbelievable. Media just corrupts people right and left these days and we are so
stupid to fall for it. Dont get me wrong; there is nothing wrong with drinking, but as
long as its in a safe manner.
My writing skills have really flourishing over the course of the semester. I
feel like a while new man. The techniques and strategies taught in this course will
really benefit me later on in life. I cant wait to bring my new set of skills to my next
English class next semester. Thank you for an awesome semester Professor Lehn.

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Will Parriott

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