In our busy society today, there is an increased portion of our daily lives that are dictated for us, and the result of this is that, at least for me personally, we have forgotten about the light bulb that resides in
each of our heads. I have a daily routine, and the only thing that really changes with it is what is served in the dining hall, and what assignment I have to do for my classes. Even though these assignments change, I tend to do them mechanically, just doing what I know I need to do to get the grade and turn it in. Ever since I have been in Kara Taczak’s writing class, a combination of the fact that it is a class that I actually enjoy, and the content that I am learning has made me stop and remember my light bulb. When I consider it, I realize that over the course of this class it has turned on more than a few times.
each of our heads. I have a daily routine, and the only thing that really changes with it is what is served in the dining hall, and what assignment I have to do for my classes. Even though these assignments change, I tend to do them mechanically, just doing what I know I need to do to get the grade and turn it in. Ever since I have been in Kara Taczak’s writing class, a combination of the fact that it is a class that I actually enjoy, and the content that I am learning has made me stop and remember my light bulb. When I consider it, I realize that over the course of this class it has turned on more than a few times.
My first “moment” that illuminated my light bulb and pulled me out of my mental slum was the first day of class, when I first met the professor. As I am sure many students can sympathize with, it is extremely hard for me to fully devote myself academically to a teacher I find extremely dull, disorganized or mean. I am not the student who checks a professor’s ratings before signing up for their class, so the first day of ever class is a gamble. I not only let out a huge sigh of relief the first day when Professor Taczak walked in, wearing fashion forward clothes, talking without even a hint of a monotone, and pulled out zebra bordered paper, but I decided that this was going to be possibly the first class I have taken at college that I actually enjoy. My light bulb burned bright at the prospect of not dreading going to class every time, and doing my homework to the fullest and trying my hardest because I finally had a teacher I wanted to impress. Although it may not be the type of “moment” most people may expect to be a turning point during this course, as someone who doesn’t usually enjoy school, this was more influential to me than perhaps any
other moment.
other moment.
The second time my light bulb switched on was the introduction of rhetorical situations. I have always been an anti-conformist, I do not have Uggs or tall leather boots, I recently acquired my first flannel, and I refused to get an iPhone as long as I could, all because I just don’t like doing the same thing as everyone else. However, the concept of a rhetorical situation showed me that all of the unique and creative writing I have done over my life is actually not random at all, and is responding to some event or situation. This is a fact that I probably did realize on a subconscious level, but it was forgotten along with my light bulb. This “moment” has not really burnt out yet, and I do not think it ever will. It has caused me to look at my writing in an entirely new way. Understanding not only what a rhetorical situation is, but the contents of one has changed the way that I think about writing and is a new found concept that I think will stick with me for life, which is something I cannot say for most of what I learn in school.
One of the concepts within rhetorical situation that earned a light bulb of its own is audience. I
was one of the students that wrote what she thought the teacher wanted to hear. But then I realized through this course that what we think the teacher wants to hear is completely false, because in most cases they want to hear us in what we write; what we have to say. Now knowing the foundations of audience, I can appreciate that I need to not only be true to myself in my writing, but also know that I do myself an injustice if I do not. What I write about is connected
to me personally, I am communicating my ideas with someone other than myself, and if I do not do that in the most efficient and appropriate way for who I am
writing for, my opinions will not be taken for their full worth.
was one of the students that wrote what she thought the teacher wanted to hear. But then I realized through this course that what we think the teacher wants to hear is completely false, because in most cases they want to hear us in what we write; what we have to say. Now knowing the foundations of audience, I can appreciate that I need to not only be true to myself in my writing, but also know that I do myself an injustice if I do not. What I write about is connected
to me personally, I am communicating my ideas with someone other than myself, and if I do not do that in the most efficient and appropriate way for who I am
writing for, my opinions will not be taken for their full worth.
It is very easy to stop noticing the things that stimulate your brain, but once that happens then the most important thing that makes each of us who we are, our ideas and thoughts, are lost. Do not let your light bulb burn out and become another educational zombie in the system, and always take notice when it lights up, because that will not only make for better work, but
a more enjoyable experience.
a more enjoyable experience.
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