Reflection

In the latter period of my second semester as a freshman attending Texas A&M

University Corpus Christi, I have learned much. In particular, about conducting

academic research, which was an entirely new concept introduced to me. Following the

most recent assignment given to me in my English II class, which consisted of

presenting on a topic using three different genres, I have learned much about my topic,

osteopathy. I utilized three compositional genres that were used to convey to different

audiences what a doctor of osteopathy is and how the practice is increasing its presence.

The first genre that I utilized was a powerpoint presentation titled “Osteopathic

Medicine 2022-2023 Yearly Report”. This presentation consisted of a collection of data

that provides a professional audience information of the growth track of the career. The

presentation highlights the notion that the practice of osteopathy is expanding within

the medical industry. The idea of including this presentation as one of my genres was to

expose myself to the professional aspects that are observed in what will be my future

career. The inspiration of researching the field of osteopathy was solely because I wish

to be an osteopathic physician, and what better way to invest my time into a research

topic than to select one that will have an impact on my future and educate me on what to

expect. The professional aspect of the field consists of many numbers and data that

inform members of organizations like the AOA (American Osteopathic Association) on

what the prospects are for new doctors entering the sphere.

The second genre that I created was meant for a student who was undecided in

the process of seeking and pursuing a medical program. I created a brochure that

appeals to those that are interested in the medical field but are not sure what kind of

program to continue their journey. In the brochure I define what a doctor of osteopathy
is and the differences between the DO and the more commonly known MD. I also cover

the history of the field, including the founder, Andrew Taylor Still, and some of his

quotes. It also includes statistics on the specialties that a DO can pursue while attending

medical school; the most common field is primary care. The goal in including this within

my portfolio of genres was to learn how to convey what I have learned to an audience

that is partially educated on the topic, and using that information to appeal to their

interests and potentially encourage the audience to continue their schooling in an

osteopathic program.

The third genre that I included in my portfolio was meant for the everyday

average Joe who had no idea what a doctor of osteopathy is. This is a conversation that I

have had with many people; they ask what my degree is, I say psychology, they ask what

I am going to do with it, I say that I want to be a doctor. What kind of doctor? A DO.

What’s that? Then comes the long winded explanation on what the duties of a DO are

and how they are different from the average doctor that everyone is familiar with. The

solution to this conversation was the creation of my third genre, a newspaper. The topic

of the newspaper covers the basic ideas and philosophy of what a doctor of osteopathy

subscribes themselves to. The genre breaks down the differences between the practices

of a DO and an MD, with the main difference being that an MD is quick to prescribe

medication, while a DO is more apt to use a more holistic approach.

Overall, I have learned much about researching and collecting information on an

academic level. I am glad to have been assigned this project, for it has served as the sole

reason why I am more familiar with my future career than I was before. Learning about

osteopathy and reading some of the material from professionals in the field has served

as inspiration for me to work harder so that I may one day fill their same shoes. In doing
this assignment, I have educated myself, but I have also learned how to utilize that

information to teach others on multiple levels of understanding of the field.