Dalisia Barraza

May 3rd, 2015

Student Learning Outcomes
Taylor Diaz
English 120
The Bigger Picture
Throughout the semester there have been many pieces of writing such as the LSAs and
MWAs where student learning outcomes have been addressed. These outcomes, which look and
sound complicated and difficult, are really techniques that are not only applied to the formal
essay, but to any piece of writing, in general. Now, mind you, the next time I send a text message
I wont necessarily consider using a student learning outcome, but as an avid reader, Ive learned
to appreciate sophisticated styles of writing that have helped me understand and thoroughly
enjoy what is being said and how its being presented.
Student Learning Outcome A: Analyze, compose, and reflect on arguments in a variety of
genres considering the strategies, claims, evidence, and various mediums and technologies
that are appropriate to the rhetorical situation.
Look at arguments in various scenarios and examine the ways that they are used and how
they are effective and appropriate.
There are a variety of ways that information can be presented. Books, interviews, and the
media are all various examples of outlets used to demonstrate various ideas and points of views.
Argumentative writing, in particular, isnt only presented in the typical essay format. Throughout
the semester we have looked at the different ways we can use information given to compose
documents to accommodate our rhetorical situation. Out of all the outcomes I have encountered,

I think this one is the most important. No matter what I end up doing, there will always be some
kind information that I have to communicate. Outcome A enables me to communicate my ideas
in one medium or another. Taking something as simple as an argumentative essay and
transforming it into a position paper or proposal to fit the rhetorical situation is the entire point of
Outcome A.
My first MWA was a rhetorical analysis, a commercial by Pima Medical Institute geared
toward my likes and interests. It was my job to take a close look as to which methods are used to
persuade me to join their educational system. The commercial (the rhetorical situation) used
ethos, pathos, and logos (rhetorical devices) to persuade students to join their institution. In my
MWA I find that Pima Medical Institute couldve written an essay to persuade students to join
their program but a commercial was another outlet to capture an audiences attention.
Because there are a variety of ways to address a rhetorical situation, i.e. a book, essay,
speech, or commercial, the argument has to be convincing. In my MWA#1 I find that Pima
Medical Institute utilizes logos: According to Pima Medical Institute in just nine months youll
be ready to enter into a career that continues to add jobs. Any student unsure about employment
in the medical industry is reassured that Pima is time efficient and aware of the need for work on
students behalf. In addition, I see the use of pathos and ethos: Pima displays an ideal
environment for students who not only want to learn but to experience first-hand. Its one thing
for students to observe and take notes but another to participate in medical procedures. Students
want to be ready for their intended career and this appeal that they will gain hands on experience
entices them all the more.

MWA #1 demonstrated that by the use of a commercial it was able to display an ideal
school setting for students who want to join the medical field. An argument is strong by its
means of persuasion and this advertisement uses all possible devices that any persuasive essay
would, to convince students to join their program. By examining this outcome, its clear that it
can be applied it to various other aspects and situations that arent necessarily commercials but
documents, books, speeches, and so on.
Student Learning Outcome C: Use multiple approaches for planning, researching, prewriting, composing, assessing, revising, editing, proofreading, collaborating, and
incorporating feedback in order to make your compositions stronger in various mediums
and using multiple technologies.
The ability to use multiple approaches, whether it may be by outlining rough ideas to a
rough draft, looking back on pre-written work, or having someone elses perspective on said
work.
Everyones writing process is different. There are multiple approaches that can be taken
when creating a document. While my instructor gave us free reign when creating any piece of
writing there was always one consistency throughout the semester: peer review. Peer review was
essentially classmates bringing their rough drafts to class and two to three students looking over
the document for grammatical, organizational, and overall fluency. Moreover, the instructor also
looked over all of our documents. MWAs #1, 2, and 3 were all peer reviewed by the instructor.
This allowed students to gain an understanding of what the instructor was looking for and to
make corrections before the assignment was due. Through the use of peer review I was able gain
various perspectives to further my argument and build a stronger document.

Student Learning Outcome F: Evaluate your development as a writer over the course of the
semester and describe how composing in multiple genres and mediums using various
technologies can be applied in other contexts to advance your goals.
Look at how you have matured in your writing and the variety of ways that you can
communicate your ideas and/or opinions/views.
I dont necessarily think that my future career in the medical industry will require me to
write a proposal or rhetorical analysis. The position paper and rhetorical analysis arent
necessarily whats important, but the Outcomes and how they transition into what I do in the real
world. The rhetorical analysis, position paper, and proposal are all various ways used to
persuade. By understanding the abundant ways one can communicate ideas and present views
and opinions I can see how they are used in everyday life. It may seem farfetched to use such
Outcomes in the real world, but we use them all the time without giving them much thought. We
take an umbrella with us when it rains or wear warmer clothing when its cold. The same concept
is applied to writing, we think through our ideas, write them down, and make adjustments to the
circumstances presented.
Student Learning Outcome H: Integrate others positions and perspectives into your
writing ethically, appropriately, and effectively, in various mediums and technologies.
Dont let it be one sided, addressing both sides of the argument gives the author
credibility and furthers your argument.
When writing, persuasively, there are usually two sides to every argument. By
acknowledging both the advantages and the disadvantages of any given argument I have
integrated others positions and addressed them in a hopefully credible yet ethical way. In doing

so, I have made my paper stronger and much more reliable had I not addressed such positions. In
MWA #2 I argue that while the idea behind e-Learning was intended to facilitate student
education, most students found the concept rather difficult and cumbersome and that the
disadvantages of e-Learning far outweighed the advantages. By deciding to acknowledge that eLearning is detrimental I must also acknowledge the opposing view in order to create an
effective argument. In MWA #2 I show both the advantages and disadvantages of e-Learning:
The ability to self-pace through learning modules allows learners to work at their own pace. On
the other hand, e-Learning can also encourage unmotivated students or those with poor study
habits to fall behind. By looking at both sides of the argument and addressing them I have used
Outcome H to build myself a convincing and stronger argument.
Through the use of these MWAs I have learned how to incorporate my writing style and
the Outcomes to create effective persuasive documents. The Outcomes are like building blocks,
when looking at one individually, one may think theyre a bit tedious and redundant, yet without
realizing it we use them subconsciously. The Outcomes allow me to express my opinions and
views to the audience in a way that is sophisticated, intriguing, and engaging. The experience for
both the reader and the author becomes much more understandable and enjoyable.