Student portfolio by austin mak

austinmak109 — 2024-12-16 15:42:33 UTC

During this semester, I wrote several papers in my honors composition class, during which I had to write essays representing my perspective. When writing essays, a large challenge I struggle with is structure and pointless remarks. I have learned that when writing essays, it has to be concise allowing the claim to be justly addressed, and having a good flow enabling the audience to comprehend the claim to its fullest effect. Essays with pointless remarks or many fillers cause the audience to feel as though the essay could be more effective and more complete as it seems as if the words are simply mumbling words. Lack of structure causes flow and balance to be excluded in the essay where claims may be lost in the paragraph. In this class, I overcame these challenges by reading over my essay ensuring that wasteful language was excluded from my writing pieces. I wanted to ensure that my reviews were also valid, and using peer-reviewed feedback and spaced review allowed this process to be effective. Ensuring that my structure was also an issue I focused on a lot this semester. I was able to effectively overcome this challenge by following a balanced structure of using claim, and evidence analysis in my paragraphs allowing a proper flow to occur, and finishing it with conclusions or further discussions. This allowed my essays to convey my claim effectively.

austinmak109 — 2024-12-16 15:42:44 UTC

In my most recent essay, I had to use critical thinking and research skills to further develop my research question turning it into a proposal. By using research skills, I was able to explore my research question of How College Application Processes may be using Volunteer Services as an Inaccurate Measure of Character further. By using my research skills, I was able to find data connected to my question which could be further broken down and discussed forming conclusions and claims. This discussion process requires critical thinking which develops a paper.

Artifact: Data Analysis https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NtCCUKicobJ2Q9QKTSZJXkE83sDGPbkxsTSqvebU6zw/edit?usp=sharing

austinmak109 — 2024-12-16 15:42:54 UTC

My activity required gathering data and it used a survey that asked detailed questions tied to my research topic. I was able to demonstrate information literacy because I had to use credible, ethical, and valid results to find plausible results that could be used to develop my research question. Using primary research ensures credible and valid data allowing this process to be well demonstrated. Ethical values are not violated as all participants were briefed on the questions and process being asked. Additionally, all data regarding the participants are not present except consent forms ensuring that anonymity is ensured.

Artifact: Survey Responses Primary Research, Consent Forms

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ihgIKrIzhA0FkPDR_prjCAKMn47rt9KlcoZIXeCoor4/edit?usp=sharing

austinmak109 — 2024-12-16 15:43:05 UTC

The paper I wrote constrains academic genres by adhering to common rules of research rules within our academic community. Researching online has many guidelines including the use of popular media and peer-reviewed sources. My essay was able to effectively present this outcome as in my bibliography, a 50/50 percentage in the use between the two was shown where my research can be used to convey a claim, as well as to support claims with trustable peer-reviewed sources allowing my research question to be well backed by evidence. This proves my claims to be valid ensuring that the paper is valid and effective.

Artifact: Bibliography

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xnUjW2l3Eqi9YC-nqDSXIiq_oMNk49J6uWHuuAhAhKk/edit?usp=sharing

austinmak109 — 2024-12-16 15:43:14 UTC

My paper was able to effectively conclude and discuss my results presenting correlations and claims which can be further developed. In my data analysis, my results are further broken down and further discussed. This section falls under the category of discussions and claims as I can branch out from a strong basis or data collection, followed by discussion which provides perspectives. These perspectives represent my view on the issue and can identify ties with separate issues, for example, ties with students lacking equal opportunities can not properly represent the character as it is unjust.

Artifact: Discussion and Conclusion

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RZx3GNpoxnqPAtmJXdbsCF_IOrleE3a7gGHh611BdQA/edit?usp=sharing

austinmak109 — 2024-12-16 15:43:24 UTC

I can effectively use feedback as a form of reflection showing my ability to revise statements and essays. In my essay based on my research question, all of my teacher's and peers' comments on my paper are taken into consideration. Whether it is possible structure, punctuation, or evidence errors, I act positively and correct my mistakes. A large representation is my error in lack of evidence where much of my research was based on popular media. I researched further and found large pools of peer-reviewed sources to effectively enhance my research question.

Artifact: Blackbaud comments