My partners highlighted how I effectively provided thorough explanations that allowed the reader to fully understand my point. This feedback helped me so I can improve my writing. However, my partners also pointed out the need for a transition paragraph, suggesting that my piece could benefit from improved flow and coherence. I took this advice very strongly and recognized that smoother transitions between ideas could enhance the overall readability of my work. Furthermore, my partners advised me to double-check the text evidence I had used in my article and work on my citing. This pointed out the importance of critically evaluating the source material, a valuable tip to enhance the credibility and reliability of my arguments. Lastly, they advised adding a transition paragraph when moving from the topic of immigrants to the Vietnam War. And surely, I will take this advice and work better on my writing. Furthermore, with my partners, I tried to carefully give them useful advice so they could improve their writing style. I suggested elaborating on certain sentences, emphasizing the need for clearer explanations and more detailed content. I wanted to make sure their ideas were fully expressed, and the readers would not have any lingering questions. I also advised them to provide a “stronger analysis for the evidence,” this highlighted the importance of deep exploration and critical assessment of the supporting materials. This will enhance the overall quality of their arguments and make their writing more compelling. I noticed that there is a transition issue in their work, where they jumped from one paragraph to another without smooth connections. I advised that they work on transitioning more smoothly between ideas, which would greatly impact the overall flow of their text. Additionally, I pointed out a lengthy sentence with a lot of commas and suggested breaking it into smaller, more digestible statements to make their message clearer and easier to follow.

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Welcome to my digital portfolio, a handpicked compilation highlighting the semester’s highlights and efforts. This section has a complete collection of assignments, essays, and projects that demonstrate my development as a writer and communicator. Please feel free to peruse the wide spectrum of work that reflects my academic and creative efforts during the semester.

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The media’s approach to women has gone through important changes since the 1990s. Back then, women like Britney Spears, Monica Lewinsky, and Mia Farrow often found themselves at the mercy of a media that thrived on sensationalism and objectification. As Molly Jong-Fast highlights in her article, “On Britney, Mia, and the Way the Media Treated Women in the ’90s,” these women were unfairly subjected to rampant sexism, their stories sensationalized, and their personal lives invaded, reducing them to mere caricatures of broken or flawed individuals. This behavior was part of a larger pattern where the media routinely objectified and unfairly judged women based on their looks and private matters.

In contrast, as Alexis Soloski discusses in “Why the Sudden Urge to Reconsider Famous Women?” a new media trend is emerging. It is about recovering and valuing women from the recent past as fully human beings. This is visible in scripted shows, movies, documentaries, and podcasts that seek to present a more compassionate and realistic portrayal of these women’s lives. This change is being driven in part by a generational shift, with people who grew up reading tabloids in the 1990s becoming adults who are reevaluating the themes they were exposed to during their formative years.

The media’s attitude toward women now is all about empathy, depth, and understanding of the structural issues that lead to their mistreatment. It represents a shift away from the past’s obsession with sensationalism and objectification in favor of a more sympathetic and understanding portrayal of women, whether they are famous personalities or everyday individuals.

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Aliou Cisse
FIQWS
Professor Sara Jacobson

In this reflection paper, I will reflect on my experience drafting my exploratory essay for my FIQWS class.

The day when the teacher assigned us the exploratory essay, I was very anxious about it, I had no idea what it was, I never heard of anything called an EXPLORATORY ESSAY in my 4 years of high school. Drafting a six-page essay on my own seemed stressful, especially given my hectic schedule. Honestly, I was afraid that I would fail this class since the essay is a major part of the final grade. All these thoughts were cycling in my head till I started the first paragraph. Surprisingly, I discovered that it was not as complex as I had initially imagined. Through this experience, I delved into the style of analyzing and synthesizing evidence, a skill I had always struggled with. I also discovered that I am a procrastinator because I waited until the first draft was approaching, and then I started. I also realized that I need to work on how to properly cite a source.

With the essay, I learned how to analyze and synthesize evidence in a well-structured style instead of just repeating what the evidence says. In my high school years, my teacher always used to tell me that I needed to work on my analysis because often, I do not analyze the evidence that I provide, instead I just repeat the evidence. With this essay, I was going through a stage where I was incredibly careful with the analytics, and I realized that great analysis is more than just presenting the information; it is about revealing something new, providing detailing something new, and improving the overall narrative.

The exploratory essay was a phenomenal experience because it helped me delve into the world of media and its significant impact on influencing public opinion. The more I researched the topic, the more I discovered the hidden way the media can mold public opinion by presenting biased or even false information to support specific points of view.

In conclusion, what appeared to be a challenging assignment turned out to be an informative journey of self-discovery and growth. I overcame my anxieties, learned to analyze, and synthesize evidence efficiently, discovered and attempted to overcome my procrastinating habits, and realized the importance of correct source citation. Furthermore, I developed an improved understanding of the purpose of the media in developing public opinion, highlighting the importance of information today.

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