Dear Michele,

As a student in UWP 1Y, I was able to strengthen my writing skills more than
I had ever thought possible. Through the three writing assignments: the Living
Picture Narrative, the Wikipedia Entry, and the Podcast Project, I was able to
develop new skills that I did not have before being in this class. In my letter, I will
be telling you how I did just that- improve my writing. Ill describe to you my
writing process for each assignment, and also explain how the revision process
helped me in becoming a better writer. When doing so, I will also be discussing
what skill sets I strengthened from the list of course goals for UWP 1Y through
each assignment. Additionally, I will express how I think these skills will stick with
me for my future time here at UC Davis as well as in my career. Lastly, Ill explain
why I am so appreciative for this learning experience that has totally shifted my
view on writing.

Writing Process

Living Picture Narrative

I gained both processes and rhetorical knowledge skills after writing my

Living Picture Narrative. When approaching the Living Picture Narrative Project, I
knew that I needed to pick a topic that I was truly passionate about. Naturally, I
knew that describing the obstacles I faced while learning how to do hurdles and
how I overcame them would be a sufficient topic to elaborate on. What worked
well in my writing process was the natural flow of words that I was able to
compose. I found that with this essay, rather than most essays I create, I was
able to write without having to pause and think. I believe that my writing flowed
because I was talking about something that was a huge part of my life. Also, my
outline assisted me in keeping my ideas organized throughout my work. This
assignment was the first time I realized just how helpful outlines are. By creating
outlines, I have been able to advance my writing in the sense that I do not have to
feel flustered when writing the first draft; rather my outline
has all the information I need to write a sufficient first draft.
 Wikipedia Entry

While constructing my Wikipedia Entry, I utilized both the processes and

research course goals. Writing my paper to address a particular audience as well as
integrating source materials into my work were two strengths that I gained from
writing my entry. I knew that when I was creating my outline that I would be
essentially describing the Hydro Flask to an audience. The information I would be
displaying would be facts, and I made it a point to make sure that I did not give any
of my personal input into the entry. At times this could be hard because Id just
want to say, the Hydro Flask is awesome! but I knew that it was not my place to
make this assertion. The goal of the assignment was to inform an audience,
formally, of a particular object/idea. The information that I gave were facts and
commentary from those educated on Hydro Flask. To find such information, I had
to research and analyze what details should go into my entry as well as what I
thought was unnecessary to include. Deciphering what was useful information and
integrating that into my work truly strengthened my writing a great deal.

I was apprehensive that the Wikipedia Entry would be extremely difficult to

write. Yet, creating an outline was the biggest lifesaver because it assisted me in
staying organized and not straying off. The parts of my writing that worked well
was describing each of my subtopics. I think the reason this was not very hard for
me was that I researched each subtopic in depth and sorted out what information
would be essential to integrate into my paper. On the other hand, the difficult part
of this assignment was making an overview of the topic. Compiling all of the
information into a smaller paragraph that briefly yet distinctively described Hydro
Flask was tough because I was overwhelmed with information to put. I knew how
important it was to give a strong overview that summarized the Hydro Flask, so I
spent quite a while revising until I was happy with my introductory statement
(overview).

Podcast Project

I have never had a writing assignment quite like the Podcast Project before,
so when given this task I was excited that I would be attempting something new.
Before going to the place of my choosing, I needed to find sources that would
assist me in answering my research question. Also, although this project is
research-based, it was essential for me to be friendly with the audience and talk
to them as though I was talking to someone casually. Thus, through the Podcast
Project I have strengthened my skills regarding how I collect, evaluate and
integrate sources into my writing as well as how I shape my writing to fit what
audience I am targeting.

Finding sources that could help me in answering my research question was

not difficult, yet integrating that sources information into my podcast was. I was
able to find a bunch of quotes throughout the two articles that I read that I
thought would help answer why someone would take time out of their day to visit a
museum. This part of my writing process worked well, yet deciding where these
quotes would go was a little tricky. After pondering for a little bit of time, I finally
found where in my writing the source content would go. Once I placed the quote in
its spot, I would reread the quote including the sentence before and after, making
sure that all of the words in the writing flowed smoothly and that the quote fits
into the context. One mistake I make when integrating source material into my
writing pieces is that sometimes I place quotes into my work yet when I reread the
paper back later I realize that where the quotes are placed sounds awkward and
causes confusion. This mistake makes it hard for there to be clarity within the
paper. Through this assignment, I was able to strengthen my skills in regards to
research and how I integrate source material into my work, thus improving my
writing as a whole.

Aside from evaluating sources and depicting what would be useful to include
in my project, it was also critical for me to write to the audience in a very casual
manner. The purpose of the podcast project was to inform an audience that would
be interested in the topic. With that being said, I yearned to sound very laid-back
and relaxed during my podcast, as if someone came up to me and asked me about
the topic. In this way, the reader can feel as though they are listening to someone
talk about an exciting day they had at a museum rather than listening to a formal
book report. I love how this assignment allowed us to have that kind of relationship
with our readers.
Revision Process

Living Picture Narrative

When my peers gave me their constructive criticism, I revised my paper

multiple times to get my paper to the level of clarity that I wanted it to have. In
addition, I gained knowledge on rhetorical concepts such as purpose and audience.
Through this assignment, I have learned how essential it is not to stray away from
the writing prompt. Otherwise, it can cause confusion within the paper. Also,
through editing my captions, I realized the importance of capturing the audiences
attention with descriptive language. Your feedback on my narrative helped me a
great deal in crafting a piece that would explain to my audience just how difficult
it was for me to learn hurdles. With the help from your comments, I was able to
create better transitions that made it so my paper was thorough and cohesive.
Thank you for your guidance, it helped me construct a Living Picture Narrative to
be proud of.

Wikipedia Entry

Revising my Wikipedia Entry was not too difficult, and it taught me a lesson
to make sure to not include sales pitch language into a Wikipedia Entry. I believe
that when I was writing, it was hard for me not to have a sales pitch standpoint
because I wanted to inform my audience of one of my favorite companies. When
revising, I made it a point to eliminate this type of language because the purpose
of a Wikipedia entry is to inform an individual of a topic- not sell them something.
Adjusting my language to an audience has been a skill that I think has improved my
writing significantly while being in UWP 1Y.

Podcast Project
 I was really happy with how my first draft of the Podcast Project came out.
Yet, as you pointed out, my thesis was not very evident from the beginning. When
revising, I made it a point to express boldly my reason for visiting the Manetti
Shrem so my audience could see my purpose from the get go. Also, introducing
myself as a student I believe made it so my audience could see how the Manetti
Shrem is in proximity to where I attend college. Although there was not an
abundance of things to change, directly stating my thesis enhanced my paper
tremendously.

The new skills that I have developed will definitely stick with me when I am
in other classes here at UC Davis and in my future workplace. Considering that UC
Davis is very well known for being such a great research university, I would not be
surprised if in the future I was asked to construct other informative writing
pieces like the Wikipedia Entry and the Podcast Project. I am unsure of what I will
be doing as a career in the future, but I believe that skills such as being able to
address an audience as well as being able to analyze sources will arise in my career.

Before this class, writing was whatever to me. I didnt necessarily hate it
or love it. I felt this way because sometimes I liked writing, such as when I was
writing a personal narrative, but I did not like writing when it came to research-
based papers. In UWP 1Y, I realized that writing research papers does not have to
be difficult. Rather, when you make outlines that include quotes and summaries,
writing the research-based paper comes way easier. Honestly, the assignments we
have done in this class have been very fun and enjoyable, yet challenging me in ways
that helped me improve my writing skills. I loved writing about my journey of
learning how to jump hurdles, about my favorite water bottle brand, and even my
visit to the Manetti Shrem. Also, going to the Student Academic and Success
Center here on campus has been very helpful in providing me with extra guidance to
develop my skills. I am appreciative for this learning experience because before
writing used to be tough for me, yet now, through the skills I have gained, I look
forward in tackling future writing assignments. I am glad that you were able to be
my instructor along the way.

Sincerely

Ashley Fontanille
My images were from:
"The Science Of How Applause Spreads In An Audience." Popular Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 13
Mar. 2017. <http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-06/math-how-applause-spreads-
audience>.
Writing for the Web Identifying Your Audience. Ladybird~Ink. N.p., 11 July 2013. Web. 22
Feb. 2017. <https://ladybirdink.net/2013/07/04/yahoo-style-guide-chapter-2-indentify-your-
audience/&gt;.
What Is DIY Online Market Research and How Can It Improve Marketing & Business
Decisions? GroupQuality. N.p., 06 Feb. 2015. Web. 22 Feb. 2017.
<https://groupquality.com/what-is-diy-online-market-research-and-how-can-it-improve-
marketing-business-decisions/&gt;.
Tips for Pursuing an On-Campus Job at CMU. Central Michigan University Wordmark. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2017. <https://www.cmich.edu/fas/hr/ses/Pages/Tips%20for%20Pursuing
%20an%20On%20Campus%20Job.aspx&gt;.
Activity 02Purpose, Audience and Tone. Activity 02Purpose, Audience and Tone. N.p., n.d.
Web. 02 Mar. 2017. <http://mdlmaster.learnnet.net/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?
id=408&gt;.
"Friends of the River." Friends of the River. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2017.
<http://www.friendsoftheriver.org/>.