TOW #27 - TOW Reflection

For my TOW reflection post I’d like to start with the good, address the not-so-good, and then discuss my progression before finally addressing how I’ve benefitted from these TOW posts. At this point, I don’t believe that I’ve honestly “mastered” any particular skills due to the fact that writers are constantly improving the more they write. With that being said, I believe that what I do best is being able to accurately identify rhetorical devices as well as read for the overall purpose. At the beginning of the year, I literally had no idea what a rhetorical device was, much less how to identify one. On the other hand, I still feel that there is much room for self improvement relative to different forms of organization as well as finding better hooks. Throughout the year I have used the same basic structure for every TOW — intro, analysis, conclusion — and have become rather bored with it. In terms of progression from the beginning of the year until now, I would say I have made significant improvements across the board. From the skills I previously mentioned of accurately identify rhetorical devices and reading for purpose to more fundamental skills as well such as vocabulary, and certainly grammar usage, I feel that I have advanced significantly. Somewhat, thanks to these TOWS, which leads into answering the question of how I benefited or did not benefit from having these TOW assignments. I have benefited through reading articles and learning things that I otherwise probably would not have, as well as through the obvious practice of writing short analysis responses. Not only have TOWs improved my writing itself, but they have also made it much easier to identify rhetorical devices, in both visual and written texts. Although they may have been annoying and, at times, simply another assignment to complete, I would say the benefits gained outweigh the perceived inconvenience.