Reflection Essay

The learning outcomes for this class were very well designed. They were created so that one could achieve them all by simply following the assignment directions. I have achieved every single one of the outcomes, and I have done so by carefully writing each and every essay/post for this class.

Identify implicitly and/or explicitly one's intentions as a writer.

In the writing Wikipedia style post, I discovered how simple it is to explicitly present information. The text is factual and plain, and it simply presents the information to the reader. There is not much that one can do to alter the style or voice, since the facts and content is already set. The only way to improve this expository piece is to organize and think about which information to keep and which to omit. 

While writing the assignment about integrating voice into expository genre, I learned how effective implicit content is. Adding my own personal touch and voice to factual information has become by far my style of writing. In my case, I wrote about my memories in Mexico and how they relate to the all-inclusive resorts available there. I used my own experience to educate the reader about the all-inclusive experience through implicit writing.

Define implicitly and/or explicitly the audience for a particular piece of writing. 

Defining audience is quite difficult to do effectively in the contents of a paper. Right off the introduction, the reader should know who the writing is directed at, and why. The best example of doing this successfully in this class would be the "Rewriting the news" assignment. I chose to rewrite a science article, and I am positive that any reader will realize from the introduction that the article is about science. I have implicitly presented the topic to my audience (the science interested crowd) by starting off talking about new technology. 

Apply appropriate style, tone and format to the writer's purpose and audience.

The one assignment which really required appropriate voice was the process analysis essay. I had to craft the voice in my essay to be informative and professional, while still being interesting and connecting with the reader. Writing about moving to a new home, I used a more personal voice. I made my paper sound like steps of guidance that perhaps a friend would be giving. I really wanted to connect with my audience so that they feel sure in what they are reading. The whole point of a process analysis essay is for it to be effective in teaching, and I feel like my tone and format really aided that cause. 

Use rhetorical formats conventional to expository writing.

When I wrote my essay on what heroism means, I used a classic rhetorical format. I included examples of heroism and then expanded upon those ideas in my paragraphs. This was the most conventional method to use for this essay as it is easy to maintain and keep clean of any bias. I was simply identifying some forms of heroism and giving examples to prove them. This kind of expository writing, where one must provide a long definition of something generally seen as simple, is made easier when writing in my format. Structure and organizations are vital for this form to work and become truly persuasive and informative. 

Demonstrate objectivity towards one's own writing.

I demonstrated objectivity towards my writings throughout the entire quarter. Because the class was structured in a way which forces students to go back and revise their writing, I was able to look upon all of my work objectively. Using the aid of my classmates and teacher, I was able to successfully revise all of my writing for the better. Taking advice from others is important, but it's even more important to think about that advice. What will it improve, how will it improve it, and why does it need improvement? These questions branch out from our revising workshops, and allow me to objectively look towards my writing.

Demonstrate practical uses/applications for expository writing beyond the college classroom.

For me, the most practical use of the expository genre was seen in the process analysis essay, and the classification essay. These assignments are very realistic and plausible in future work environments. Everything in life is a process and the process analysis essay is the perfect way to document it. As for the classification essay, many professions require differentiating between various subjects. The format of the paper is very practical when attempting to do this. I feel like I will be using these formats in my near future, since I am interested in the field of science and mathematics, where there are countless things to process and classify. 

Conclusion

It has been a great quarter and I have learned a lot. From writing two pages about one word, to explaining how to move out of your home, this class has remained true to its title. The expository genre is truly different than anything I have written in before, and I feel lucky to have experienced it.

Different Kinds of Bears (Revision)

Bears are some of the most famous mammals on our planet. These creatures have been depicted in movies, commercials, fairy tales, and every other form of media available. Often seen as symbolizing strength and courage, the bear is treated with respect and fear, and is seen as a majestic creature. With over 50 species of bears on our planet, it is hard to talk about bears in general. The polar bear, the grizzly bear, and the giant panda bear are three very distinctive species of bears which are known by the entire world.


Polar Bears
The polar bear (or in Latin, Ursus maritimus, meaning sea bear) evolved 200,000 years ago from its brown bear ancestors. These white giants are superbly adapted for surviving the temperatures in the Far North. Polar bears generally range throughout the Arctic in areas where they can hunt seals and other fish at openings in sea ice called "leads". There are five nations which meet the requirements of a polar bear habitat, and those are namely Russia, the USA (Alaska), Canada, Greenland, and Norway. 


The Polar bear is the world's largest on-land predator, weighing anywhere from 750lbs. to 1,200lbs. Females weigh significantly less, however they tend to even out with males during maternity. These predators control the Arctic food chain and prey mainly on ringed seals. Mothers usually bear two cubs, but it is not unusual to see single cubs or triplets depending on the condition of the mother. Cubs generally stay with their mothers for two to two and a half years after being born.


Global warming has hugely effected these majestic creatures. Not only is their literal land being reduced, but there is also a huge increase in poisonous methane and CO2 gasses in their air. The population condition of these creatures is rapidly declining, and if nothing is done we could lose them completely by 2080. 

Grizzly Bears
Grizzly bears are found in a variety of habitats, from dense forests, to sub-alpine meadows and arctic tundra. Often seen as the "main type" of bear, this creature has been labeled as dangerous and frightening. Human encroachment has forced the remaining brown bear populations to move to rugged mountains and remote forests that are undisturbed by humans.


Grizzly bears are omnivorous and will eat both vegetation and animals. Anything from grass and berries, to birds and fish is fair game. In some areas, these predators will even eat larger mammals such as moose, caribou, and elk. A grizzly bear's diet varies greatly depending on what foods are available during each particular season. A grizzly bear's life is quite a bit different than their bulkier white cousins. Grizzlies live solitary lives except during breeding, cub rearing, and in areas with abundant food supplies such as salmon streams. Also, these bears hibernate during the winter for five to eight months, enclosed in dens which they dig in slopes to ensure good snow cover.

The current threat to these historic predators is quite high. The once common grizzly bear population in America has been reduced to only two percent of its historic density. Climate change is destroying the higher elevation sources of food, which is forcing the bears to search for food in lower elevation inhabited by humans. Humans poach the bears for their fur, and thus become the main threat to the livelihood of these creatures.

Panda Bears
Giant pandas live in a few mountain ranges in central China, Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces. They once lived in lowland areas, but farming, forest clearing, and other developments forced them to the mountains. These beautiful bears live in broadleaf and coniferous forests with a dense bamboo understory, generally found in high elevations. The climate is dominated by torrential rains and dense mists, often shrouded in heavy clouds.

What is really unique about this famous type of bear is its coat. The black and white pattern is seemingly designed for camouflage purposes. The fur coat is also thicker than average, allowing the bear to stay warm during the rains of the broadleaf forests. Panda bears have exceptionally strong molar teeth and jaw muscles, created to crush tough bamboo - their exclusive source of food. Not nearly as large as the previous two bears, the panda bear usually does not exceed 250lbs. However, its lighter weight does not exclude it from being dangerous to humans.

Panda populations are rapidly declining, and there are only 1,600 left in the entire world! The main reasons for their endangerment is their low reproductive rate, shortages in bamboo for both food and habitat, and human poaching. While scientists are attempting to breed pandas in zoos, it will hardly be enough to stop the destruction of their living environments, and the poachers who take their furs for money.

In Foresight
Bears are fascinating creatures, and while remaining distant and dangerous they offer a sense of joy and tranquility to our natural environment. With their populations declining so fast, the next few generations might see the last few remaining bears in the world. However, the three famous types of bears discussed above will be remembered forever as distinct and beautiful creatures.