Week 3

What have we done so far that has been helpful to your writing process? How might you apply this helpful information or tool? What has been confusing or what would you like to spend more time on? If the clarificaiton/additional focus does not occur during class time, how will you aquire the knowledge?

Over the past weeks, we have engaged in a variety of assignments focused on understanding stereotypes and biases, the issues of a single narrative, and writing our learning analysis essays. Through these activities, particularly the vignettes assignment, I learned to reflect on past experiences and express them in writing. This journey has not only equipped me with valuable academic writing techniques but also fostered deeper self-discovery.

Studying rhetorical situations has significantly enhanced my analytical skills and comprehension of readings. I found annotating texts particularly helpful for retaining information and drawing connections. One area I still find challenging is writing conclusions, but the clear and effective outline provided for the Learning Analysis essay has taught me how to construct a strong conclusion. This process has shown me that by analyzing problems thoughtfully, we can uncover solutions within them.

Week 5

Analyze the rhetorical situation of your Learning Analysis. Introduce your essay’s genre, purpose, audience, and context, and reflect on the extent to which you achieved the learning goals of the assignment as well as any goals you set for yourself.

The Learning Analysis essay I wrote is an autobiography to share the ways I learn. I talked about 3 ways I’ve learned, the outcome of figuring it out, and the impacts they all had on my life, teaching me the overall lesson. This was written to other students in my class.

Reflecting on this assignment allowed me to dive deeply into significant moments from my past, examining how they’ve influenced my learning and personal growth. Analyzing these experiences involved understanding their lasting impact on my current abilities. This reflection aligned well with my goal of revisiting a meaningful moment, breaking down how it shaped my development, and connecting it to my present capacity to learn. This process of analysis gave me a clear view of how past experiences continue to play a important role in my journey.

One of the goals I set was to identify and analyze a memory that contributed to my learning, and I believe I met this objective effectively. Looking wasn’t simply about telling a story; it was about exploring how that moment contributed to my abilities and motivations today. This reflective portion allowed me to see beyond the memory itself and focus on its significance in shaping who I am as a learner.

Completing this assignment showed me that I can engage with my past in a meaningful way, drawing valuable insights that help explain how I function and think today. By meeting both the assignment’s objectives and my personal goal, I demonstrated my ability to connect past experiences with my present self.

Week 6

Annotate one article you plan to use in your research. Share what kind of information you wrote in your annotations. Did annotating help you? If yes, how? If no, why not? What else do you need to do to process this article?

In annotating one of my five articles, I focused on notes that would support my writing process and help address my research question. I specifically noted the impact of housing policies and redlining, examining how these practices stemmed from systemic racism affecting Black communities. My annotations highlighted how structural racism enables these housing disparities, providing a foundation to link them with adverse health outcomes in Black communities in America.

Given the surplus of information, I prioritized key insights to answer my question effectively. I also noted the importance of tracing the evolution of these housing impacts, as systemic racism manifests differently today than in the past, a critical aspect I emphasized in my annotations.

Week 7

Select one learning objective or one component of a learning objective. How have you learned it? How have you developed in this arena so far this semester?

One of my learning objectives was to analyze academic articles efficiently and effectively. Through completing my Annotated Bibliography, I reviewed numerous scholarly articles to gather relevant data and information for my writing. By analyzing these articles with a specific purpose in mind, I summarized their key points and identified connections to my research question, which deepened my understanding of the sources. Previously, I struggled with finding and analyzing resources efficiently, but learning to use the CCNY Library website made it much easier to locate scholarly materials. This experience has significantly improved my research and analytical skills, and I now feel confident in my ability to find and evaluate trusted sources. I can see substantial growth in my research capabilities so far this semester.

Week 8

What theory or theories are related to your proposal? How do they relate to your research? OR if absolutely no theories are related to your inquiry: What have we done so far that has been helpful to your writing process? How might you apply this helpful information or tool? What has been confusing or what would you like to spend more time on? If the clarification/additional focus does not occur during class time, how will you acquire the knowledge?

The process that I’ve done throughout completing my Research Essay has been focused on understanding and getting as much information down as possible. My theory is that systemic racism plays a significant role in shaping housing policies and outcomes, and this directly relates to my research. The idea that discriminatory practices, such as redlining, predatory lending, and exclusionary zoning, are rooted in systemic racism informs how I approach and analyze this issue. So far, the work we’ve done in class has been helpful in improving my ability to critically analyze sources and connect evidence to support my arguments. Using tools like the CCNY Library website has been instrumental in finding reliable resources to back up my claims. However, I would like to spend more time learning how to integrate evidence more effectively into my writing to strengthen my arguments. I plan to review writing guides, seek feedback on drafts, and use resources like academic writing workshops to refine my skills further.

Week 9/10

Discuss your research sources. What media are you using? How do these different types of media support your topic/ideas? your writing work?

I’m using articles that examine systemic racism’s impact on housing for Black Americans and minorites . These articles support my topic by highlighting the various ways systemic racism influences housing policies and practices, such as redlining, discriminatory lending, exclusionary zoning, and gentrification. They reveal the methods through which these systems perpetuate unfair housing, including limiting access to affordable housing, creating segregated neighborhoods, and increasing exposure to environmental hazards. The articles also specify who is most affected, such as low-income families forced into substandard living conditions or communities displaced due to gentrification. These concepts reinforce my theory that systemic racism plays a significant role in shaping housing inequality, as these disparities stem from structures designed to marginalize Black Americans and keep them in cycles of economic and social disadvantage. My main argument is that systemic racism drives economic disparities, such as wealth and income inequality, which in turn exacerbate housing inequalities. Additionally, some of the sources I’ve explored focus on addressing counterarguments about housing policies being neutral, which I plan to disprove using evidence of the racially discriminatory origins of these policies. As I continue to develop my essay, I aim to expand on these ideas with more evidence and analysis to strengthen my argument.

Week 11

What’s the intended rhetorical situation of your Research essay? What do you need to do to make this situation a reality?

The rhetorical situation of my research paper focuses on systemic racism and its connection to housing. The intended audience is primarily academics or anyone interested in reading a formal research paper. The tone of the paper should remain serious and informative, avoiding the use of first-person pronouns like “I,” “we,” or “us,” as is standard for academic writing. This approach maintains the formal and objective tone necessary for effectively conveying information to the reader. The paper must be concise while still providing all the essential details needed to understand the topic, including background context, historical examples, and supporting evidence. Every piece of information included should be purposeful, with no unnecessary filler. The foundation of the paper relies on real-world data, such as statistics and historical examples, to demonstrate the existence and effects of systemic racism. By adhering to these principles, the research paper can effectively communicate its argument and meet academic standards.

Week 12

As you have continued your research work, how has your argument evolved?

My research has evolved significantly since completing the outline, as it helped me identify key gaps in historical background that I needed to address. While I was familiar with the historical context, I realized I needed credible sources to support this information. After drafting my research paper, I now see that I need to provide more in-depth analysis following the presentation of evidence and offer concrete steps to address systemic racism, particularly in housing. Some policies that could address the economic and housing disparities caused by systemic racism include expanding affordable housing programs, enforcing stricter anti-discrimination laws in housing, and implementing rent control policies in vulnerable communities. Additionally, addressing zoning laws that perpetuate segregation and increasing investment in underserved neighborhoods could help bridge the gap. These policies aim to dismantle the structures that create and sustain disparities, promoting equity in housing and other essential areas. Moving forward, I’ll need to research additional policies that specifically target housing inequality and systemic racism to strengthen my argument and propose actionable solutions.

Week 13

What is the relationship between your Research essay and your MMT? In your response, be sure to compare the rhetorical situation of each.

For my Multi-Modal Transformation, I decided to create an infographic. I chose this format because I wanted to use a simpler space to discuss systemic racism, specifically focusing on young adults. My goal was to take the information from my research paper and simplify it into a format that’s easier for young people to understand. While the research paper goes into depth for an academic audience, the infographic condenses the key points into a visually engaging and straightforward format. The purpose of both the research paper and the infographic is to inform the audience about systemic racism in housing, its history, and the policies needed to address it. However, the presentation styles are different. The research paper is very informative and detailed, while the infographic is designed to be simple, concise, visual, and seek attention. To achieve this, I included images and a data table to provide clear examples of systemic racism in housing. This format also makes it easy to share, whether in schools or on social media. My hope is that young adults who view the infographic will gain a better understanding of systemic racism in housing and learn something new they didn’t know before.

Week 15

What have you learned that has proved most useful to your composition process?

Throughout the composition process for my MMT, I’ve focused on simplifying information as much as possible. Initially, most of my slides were structured as three-point slides packed with details. However, while working on my MMT, I realized that some of the information could be simplified further, making it more concise and easier to understand. At the same time, rewriting my Research Paper helped me see the need for deeper analysis to strengthen the points I was paraphrasing as evidence. I also recognized the importance of including actionable steps to combat systemic racism within my essay. Looking at both the MMT and the Research Paper helped me understand their distinct purposes and formats. The Research Paper is more academic and relies heavily on detailed evidence, whereas the MMT simplifies the argument, focusing on key points without delving into every piece of evidence. Much of the evidence used in my Research Paper wasn’t included in the MMT because it simply wasn’t necessary for the presentation’s purpose. The most helpful tool in managing these differences has been my outline, which allowed me to organize each piece effectively and ensure they serve their intended purposes.