Reflective Cover Letter

Miah Smith

22 April 2022

In this section of my e-Portfolio, I will be displaying how English 1010 has helped me

become a better writer. English 1010 has taught me so many skills for writing that I can use all

throughout my life. For example, there were two threshold concepts that we focused on in this

class. The first threshold concept we focused on was learning that language and writing are

resources that people use to do things, be things, and make things in the world. The second

threshold concept we focused on was using rhetorical strategies to allow writers to make

effective choices in their writing processes.

I will use threshold concept #1 all throughout my life. I will use it in my other classes, to

get into a dental hygiene program, and even to get a job. All of these things use language and

writing. For example, I will need to write essays for my other classes and to get into a program,

and I will need a resume to get a job and know how to write a proper email. Not only do you

need a resume for a job, but a lot of jobs require you to write. For instance, in nursing, you need

to fill out reports and charts.

For threshold concept #2 it is important to use strategies in all writing in order to reach a

specific audience and to communicate a message that I am trying to get across. In order to get a

message across to a specific audience, you need to how to communicate with that specific

audience. I will use this throughout life because every time I am writing something it is to a

specific audience. For example, if I am writing an essay to get into a program I would write in a

formal manner, but if I was texting a friend, I would write in a less formal manner.
 In this class, our first signature assignment was a Reflective Narrative. As you saw from

the prompt before, I was asked to reflect on my attitudes or experiences with education and how

I see myself as a learner. This assignment has helped me realize why education is so important to

me. Education is so important to me because I care about what my future holds and want to have

a good job. I know you don’t have to go to school to get a good job, but with a degree, I will

have more opportunities.

The second signature assignment we were asked to do was a Rhetorical Analysis paper.

This assignment taught me how to look for good sources and how to properly use ethos, logos,

and pathos. Before this class, I didn’t fully know what ethos, logos, and pathos were. But most

importantly, I learned how to get an audience to agree or at least respect my message/argument.

English 1010 has helped me become a much better writer. A few ways this class has

helped me become a better writer are by learning how to perfect an MLA format, the need for

proofreading and editing, and how to find effective sources. In this class, we learned in a face-to-

face workshop that helped me better understand how to do the assignments. At the beginning of

this class, I really struggled with the first assignment. As I went on, the class became easier

because I was improving my understanding of how to do them.

English 1010 is useful for my other classes, and future classes, because in all of them, I

will at least have to write one or more essay(s). For example, this semester in my Criminal

Justice class I had to write an eight paged paper for my final, and this class has helped me to be

able to build a good paper. My paper for my Criminal Justice class was so good, that my

professor asked if he could use it as an example for his future classes. Prior to taking English

1010, I was lucky enough to get a passing grade on my essays. This class will also help me write

a good essay, if I ever have to do an essay exam for one of my future classes.
 English 1010 will be useful for my future career, because in order to become a dental

hygienist, you must go through a program. As I said before, in order to get into a program, I will

most likely need to write an essay. Not only will I need to use writing to get into a program I will

also need to use writing in the field. Dental hygienists need to make progress notes, which are

very important because they help remind the dentist how the patient is doing and what they will

be doing for the patient’s next appointment. I am very happy that I took this class because it has

helped me become a better writer and it has prepared me for my future.