Midterm Evaluation

Taking this rhetoric class has been very useful to me. Analyzing the plot of a novel in English class is one thing, however, learning the rhetoric of the content is another. Getting a meaning or an idea across by the way an article is written or the shots a director uses is an art in itself. It is very clever and power as it may persuade a person’s opinion. For example, Wallace’s Up Simba had rhetoric that gave a positive outlook on McCain through its personal writing techniques. This makes rhetoric very useful, especially for me, as I am a film major. I will be taking very complicated film studies courses were content will have to be analyzed. Having a firmer grip on rhetoric, it will defiantly help me. Also, in terms of film production, I can actually use rhetoric in a film of my own by choosing camera shots, angles, etc.
Being a film major automatically makes me have great interest in film. That is why I had such a good time analyzing the films watched. Before, I had never broken a film down so much and I was surprised at how I could do it by myself in my dorm while watching them. This was awesome and was defiantly actively engaging them.
However, I have not been as active as I could have been on both blogs. I defiantly wrote all the necessary entries but was not consistent with it by doing them on my own free will. Although, I was not as active on the Internet, I felt I was in the class, in an uneven way. I think I contributed a lot is some areas, but did not contribute in others. However, when I did, I feel as if I did it well. For some of the topics we talked about, I had a strong opinion on and shared them.
My writing has improved according to the comments given. However, one of my weaknesses and something I can work on is the sophistication of my writing. Also, instead of being so descriptive in my papers, I need to analyze more and explain the rhetoric meaning behind my points. As a thinker, I have it; it is just a question of putting it down on paper in a way that parallels my thoughts, which is something I have always had trouble with. But I think I am getting the hang of it.
There isn’t much to add to this class to make it a better experience form me. I don’t think there is really any other way to teach it, as rhetoric is a very complicated and controversial thing. It needs to have group discussions like we have because keeping our thoughts to ourselves wouldn’t get us very far in knowing what rhetoric is. I have learned a lot, probably most from my peers in the class. In discussions, ideas were brought up that I didn’t even come close to thinking about and have helped me getter a broader outlook on some topics.
Overall, I would give myself a B. I have good participation and am on top of my work and staying organized. Although there are some areas to work on in my RA’s, I feel I have improved greatly on them and have become better. Most importantly, I am an active student and find the areas covered very interesting and not just doing assignments because I have to.