Academic Work
In this section, viewers will find selections of my various academic work in chronological order. Each piece will include the appropriate school, the course information, a summary, and a reflection.
Environmental Analysis
College: Sinclair Community College
Course: ENGL1203: English Composition 2
Summary: This essay was initially inspired by the article, "Walking the City: Manhatten Projects," by Ben Jacks. Essentially, reading it taught our class to take notice of the objects escaping our active awareness each day. Our instructor assigned a ten-page research paper on the "arrangement" of something within our neighborhood and/or walking distance.
Reflection: This semester-long assignment challenged me in numerous ways. For the assignment, students had to take several walks, gather research, create summaries on the articles we collected, analyze those articles and summaries, and eventually draft our final paper. The general scope of this assignment--involving my surroundings and researching them--both intrigued and challenged me. At the end, I thought that if I could do this, I could do anything.
Course: ENGL1203: English Composition 2
Summary: This essay was initially inspired by the article, "Walking the City: Manhatten Projects," by Ben Jacks. Essentially, reading it taught our class to take notice of the objects escaping our active awareness each day. Our instructor assigned a ten-page research paper on the "arrangement" of something within our neighborhood and/or walking distance.
Reflection: This semester-long assignment challenged me in numerous ways. For the assignment, students had to take several walks, gather research, create summaries on the articles we collected, analyze those articles and summaries, and eventually draft our final paper. The general scope of this assignment--involving my surroundings and researching them--both intrigued and challenged me. At the end, I thought that if I could do this, I could do anything.
Historical Analysis
College: Sinclair Community College
Course: HIST1101: U.S. History 1
Summary: Our instructor assigned a paper about a person, place, or event that had an economic, political, and social effect on America; I chose John Locke. This paper is the result.
Reflection: This was both my first true history essay and my most extensive essay to date. I spent hours in the library searching for books, and then days afterwards, reading them and writing notes. When most of those texts could not be applied to my report, I was forced to expand my my search in order to find the support I needed. Additionally, this was my first time using Chicago Style Formatting. With this essay, I learned the value of hard work, continued research, and utilizing a format other than MLA.
Course: HIST1101: U.S. History 1
Summary: Our instructor assigned a paper about a person, place, or event that had an economic, political, and social effect on America; I chose John Locke. This paper is the result.
Reflection: This was both my first true history essay and my most extensive essay to date. I spent hours in the library searching for books, and then days afterwards, reading them and writing notes. When most of those texts could not be applied to my report, I was forced to expand my my search in order to find the support I needed. Additionally, this was my first time using Chicago Style Formatting. With this essay, I learned the value of hard work, continued research, and utilizing a format other than MLA.
Poetry Book Analysis
College: Sinclair Community College
Course: ENGL2255: Introduction to Poetry
Summary: Our instructor assigned us to conduct a rhetorical analysis on a poetry book; he had a list we could pick from, or we had the option of having one of our choosing approved.
Reflection: The ENGL2255 course taught me about various forms of poetry, and this assignment in particular enabled me to apply the concepts and terms I learned, further cementing their meaning. Additionally, I was able to fully immerse myself into a poetry project for the first time and gain a true sense of what a collection is versus a chapbook. This experience aided me in understanding how to plan my own longer, future poetic endeavors.
Course: ENGL2255: Introduction to Poetry
Summary: Our instructor assigned us to conduct a rhetorical analysis on a poetry book; he had a list we could pick from, or we had the option of having one of our choosing approved.
Reflection: The ENGL2255 course taught me about various forms of poetry, and this assignment in particular enabled me to apply the concepts and terms I learned, further cementing their meaning. Additionally, I was able to fully immerse myself into a poetry project for the first time and gain a true sense of what a collection is versus a chapbook. This experience aided me in understanding how to plan my own longer, future poetic endeavors.
Exploratory Essay
College: University of Cincinnati
Course: ENGL3000: Introduction to English Studies
Summary: Our instructor assigned us to write a short essay drawing from course materials; he prompted us to select a topic we wanted to spend more time with. One of our course texts was a short story collection entitled, The Broadview Anthology of Short Fiction, and I had noticed three out of the nine stories we had read used alcohol as a story element. I decided to analyze them in this essay.
Reflection: Similar to the connections I made within this short essay, the course as a whole taught me to search for connections in literature (both novels and short stories), television, film, graphic novels, and even essays. In terms of the above essay, making connections within short fiction was a special experience for me since I primarily read long fiction; I feel more aware now, as a reader and writer, because of the experience.
Course: ENGL3000: Introduction to English Studies
Summary: Our instructor assigned us to write a short essay drawing from course materials; he prompted us to select a topic we wanted to spend more time with. One of our course texts was a short story collection entitled, The Broadview Anthology of Short Fiction, and I had noticed three out of the nine stories we had read used alcohol as a story element. I decided to analyze them in this essay.
Reflection: Similar to the connections I made within this short essay, the course as a whole taught me to search for connections in literature (both novels and short stories), television, film, graphic novels, and even essays. In terms of the above essay, making connections within short fiction was a special experience for me since I primarily read long fiction; I feel more aware now, as a reader and writer, because of the experience.
Editing Infographic
| autumnlalaeditinginfographic.jpeg |
College: University of Cincinnati
Course: ENGL3059: Introduction to Rhetoric & Professional Writing
Summary: Our instructor assigned students an infographic assignment, and the topic had to be in the field of rhetoric, professional writing, or the English field overall. A downloadable copy can be found just above this section of text for a closer reading.
Reflection: With this project, my definition of rhetoric expanded into the world of visual rhetoric. Before, I had only applied rhetoric terminology and analysis to text. This assignment started with researching its definition and looking up examples until we had to create our own. After completing the infographic, I realized just how far of a communicative reach rhetoric had.
Course: ENGL3059: Introduction to Rhetoric & Professional Writing
Summary: Our instructor assigned students an infographic assignment, and the topic had to be in the field of rhetoric, professional writing, or the English field overall. A downloadable copy can be found just above this section of text for a closer reading.
Reflection: With this project, my definition of rhetoric expanded into the world of visual rhetoric. Before, I had only applied rhetoric terminology and analysis to text. This assignment started with researching its definition and looking up examples until we had to create our own. After completing the infographic, I realized just how far of a communicative reach rhetoric had.
Repurposing of Print Text
College: University of Cincinnati
Course: ENGL3069: Introduction to Web Authoring
Website: www.therightslicecincinnati.wordpress.com
Summary: Our professor instructed us to select a student-made manual from one of the universities previous courses and repurpose it into a website, which is listed above. I chose The Right Slice: A Comprehensive and Eclectic Guide to Cincinnati Pizza. Additionally, we had to utilize WordPress, which is notorious for its difficulty among web designers and developers.
Reflection: The idea of repurposing—truly, digitally preserving--a past student's work was a special experience for me. Furthermore, the preconception of WordPress' lack of user-friendliness personally challenged me to conquer any obstacle I faced. Because of this attitude, I had an easier time than most when navigating the confusing format and controls. I feel proud knowing I can successfully create a website with WordPress when so many struggle and give up because of it.
Course: ENGL3069: Introduction to Web Authoring
Website: www.therightslicecincinnati.wordpress.com
Summary: Our professor instructed us to select a student-made manual from one of the universities previous courses and repurpose it into a website, which is listed above. I chose The Right Slice: A Comprehensive and Eclectic Guide to Cincinnati Pizza. Additionally, we had to utilize WordPress, which is notorious for its difficulty among web designers and developers.
Reflection: The idea of repurposing—truly, digitally preserving--a past student's work was a special experience for me. Furthermore, the preconception of WordPress' lack of user-friendliness personally challenged me to conquer any obstacle I faced. Because of this attitude, I had an easier time than most when navigating the confusing format and controls. I feel proud knowing I can successfully create a website with WordPress when so many struggle and give up because of it.
Multimedia Report
| personalstatementreport.docx |
College: University of Cincinnati
Course: ENGL3072: Multimedia Writing
Summary: At the end of the semester, our professor assigned a comprehensive multimedia report for our final project/final grade, allowing us to showcase what we learned throughout the course. I opted to write a guide on personal statements for graduate school since I had applied for graduate school that same semester. I have included a downloadable version above this section of text in case certain media do not translate well via the above application.
Reflection: This being my first multimedia report, I am surprised at how much I enjoyed the ease of weaving in resources, and because of that interplay, I additionally became interested in the audience's interactive possibilities and how that changed their experience. This style of essay felt refreshing amongst the constant APA, MLA, and Chicago formats typical of academia, and I would like to explore it further in the future.
Course: ENGL3072: Multimedia Writing
Summary: At the end of the semester, our professor assigned a comprehensive multimedia report for our final project/final grade, allowing us to showcase what we learned throughout the course. I opted to write a guide on personal statements for graduate school since I had applied for graduate school that same semester. I have included a downloadable version above this section of text in case certain media do not translate well via the above application.
Reflection: This being my first multimedia report, I am surprised at how much I enjoyed the ease of weaving in resources, and because of that interplay, I additionally became interested in the audience's interactive possibilities and how that changed their experience. This style of essay felt refreshing amongst the constant APA, MLA, and Chicago formats typical of academia, and I would like to explore it further in the future.
Social Media Analysis & Campaign Proposal
College: University of Cincinnati
Course: ENGL3074: Rhetoric of Social Media
Website: www.quillshiftliterarysmcampaign.weebly.com
Summary: Our instructor tasked us with analyzing a company's social media marketing for an entire semester. Our progress (weekly reviews) and eventual proposal would be cataloged via a public website; mine is listed above. After observing for eleven weeks, we had to analyze the data we collected in order to create a social media campaign proposal to better their online presence.
Reflection: This assignment was equal parts frustrating and empowering. It was frustrating because the company I selected neglected their social media platform until the last observational week. Because of this, I spent additional time comparing their inactivity to the accounts of two, other literary agencies that embodied successful online presences. I dug deep for this assignment, the campaign proposal especially, treating the entire piece as if the company I shadowed would one day receive it and give it more than a passing glance. My final, twenty-eight page campaign proposal--complete with sixteen figures, five tables, and six textual references--empowered me more than any previous assignment, including those on this page, because it felt like a true contribution to a passion I hold close to my heart.
Course: ENGL3074: Rhetoric of Social Media
Website: www.quillshiftliterarysmcampaign.weebly.com
Summary: Our instructor tasked us with analyzing a company's social media marketing for an entire semester. Our progress (weekly reviews) and eventual proposal would be cataloged via a public website; mine is listed above. After observing for eleven weeks, we had to analyze the data we collected in order to create a social media campaign proposal to better their online presence.
Reflection: This assignment was equal parts frustrating and empowering. It was frustrating because the company I selected neglected their social media platform until the last observational week. Because of this, I spent additional time comparing their inactivity to the accounts of two, other literary agencies that embodied successful online presences. I dug deep for this assignment, the campaign proposal especially, treating the entire piece as if the company I shadowed would one day receive it and give it more than a passing glance. My final, twenty-eight page campaign proposal--complete with sixteen figures, five tables, and six textual references--empowered me more than any previous assignment, including those on this page, because it felt like a true contribution to a passion I hold close to my heart.
Promotional Postcard
College: University of Cincinnati
Course: ENGL 4099: Internship
Summary: During the Fall 2017 semester, I was an intern in the Rhetoric & Professional Writing department at the University of Cincinnati. Myself and a fellow intern were tasked with creating promotional materials. Together, we outlined our designs, and I created the above postcard utilizing Adobe Photoshop. The design is reflected in other materials we developed, such as the bulletin board, brochure, and flyer.
Reflection: On this promotional piece alone, I revisited my graphic design roots, which was invigorating when applied with my newfound knowledge from my Rhetoric & Professional Writing coursework. Working alongside a fellow intern and numerous faculty throughout the internship was an honor, and additionally, the overall experience enabled me to gain insight into the inner-workings of an English department and the many avenues of marketing promotion and engagement.
Course: ENGL 4099: Internship
Summary: During the Fall 2017 semester, I was an intern in the Rhetoric & Professional Writing department at the University of Cincinnati. Myself and a fellow intern were tasked with creating promotional materials. Together, we outlined our designs, and I created the above postcard utilizing Adobe Photoshop. The design is reflected in other materials we developed, such as the bulletin board, brochure, and flyer.
Reflection: On this promotional piece alone, I revisited my graphic design roots, which was invigorating when applied with my newfound knowledge from my Rhetoric & Professional Writing coursework. Working alongside a fellow intern and numerous faculty throughout the internship was an honor, and additionally, the overall experience enabled me to gain insight into the inner-workings of an English department and the many avenues of marketing promotion and engagement.
Formal Proposal
College: University of Cincinnati
Course: ENGL4092: Technical & Scientific Writing
Summary: Our instructor assigned us a formal proposal. Students were allowed to select the type of formal proposal they would write, and I chose to write an unsolicited proposal to the Wellness Team at my current employer, VRI Cares Inc., suggesting a plan to increase Wellness Team outreach to company employees.
Reflection: While the majority of my degree has revolved around rhetoric, few of my assignments have focused on persuading an audience for business purposes. This proposal reinforced the importance of both audience and evidence for me because I was close to the problem I aimed to solve. Writing a proposal in an academic environment, where students peer-reviewed other students' drafts, furthered developed my ability to consider other perspectives.
Course: ENGL4092: Technical & Scientific Writing
Summary: Our instructor assigned us a formal proposal. Students were allowed to select the type of formal proposal they would write, and I chose to write an unsolicited proposal to the Wellness Team at my current employer, VRI Cares Inc., suggesting a plan to increase Wellness Team outreach to company employees.
Reflection: While the majority of my degree has revolved around rhetoric, few of my assignments have focused on persuading an audience for business purposes. This proposal reinforced the importance of both audience and evidence for me because I was close to the problem I aimed to solve. Writing a proposal in an academic environment, where students peer-reviewed other students' drafts, furthered developed my ability to consider other perspectives.
Website Redesign
Image 1: A screenshot of the original Harriet Beecher Stowe House website.
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Image 2: A screenshot of the updated Harriet Beecher Stowe House website before the new home page and navigation is published.
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College: University of Cincinnati
Course: ENGL5095: Rhetoric & Professional Writing Capstone
Website: www.stowehousecincy.org
Summary: Our instructor invited three local businesses/organizations to our class. Our class was broken into three groups, and while each business/organization had their own wish list, each business/organization needed their website redesigned. I was paired alongside three graduate students and two other undergraduate students to help the Harriet Beecher Stowe House organization with redesigning their website, designing Civil War panels, and creating a social media marketing guide. Together, one graduate student and I focused on redesigning the organization's website.
Reflection: I worked with clients when I studied Graphic Arts & Communications at Warren County Career Center, and this semester-long collaboration brought me back to that time. Being able to work with a client in college allowed our class real-world experience in our field, which is a priceless opportunity. For my group in particular, we visited the historical site and communicated with our client over the course of the semester while completing their wishlist. The correspondence allowed us to practice professionalism while applying the skills we attained while earning our degrees.
Course: ENGL5095: Rhetoric & Professional Writing Capstone
Website: www.stowehousecincy.org
Summary: Our instructor invited three local businesses/organizations to our class. Our class was broken into three groups, and while each business/organization had their own wish list, each business/organization needed their website redesigned. I was paired alongside three graduate students and two other undergraduate students to help the Harriet Beecher Stowe House organization with redesigning their website, designing Civil War panels, and creating a social media marketing guide. Together, one graduate student and I focused on redesigning the organization's website.
Reflection: I worked with clients when I studied Graphic Arts & Communications at Warren County Career Center, and this semester-long collaboration brought me back to that time. Being able to work with a client in college allowed our class real-world experience in our field, which is a priceless opportunity. For my group in particular, we visited the historical site and communicated with our client over the course of the semester while completing their wishlist. The correspondence allowed us to practice professionalism while applying the skills we attained while earning our degrees.