Abstract
This semester, I accomplished seven out of nine learning objectives in my writing course by staying focused, understanding the material, and using feedback for improvement. In my Op-Ed, “The Rapper Mortality Pipeline,” I tackled issues in the rap industry, hitting objectives like articulating a stance and negotiating writing goals. My critical analysis conference paper showcased skills in reading, using various resources, and strengthening sources on cancel culture. However, I missed objectives about attitudes towards language standards and recognizing linguistic differences. Looking back, I see opportunities to explore language’s impact on inclusivity and celebrate linguistic diversity in my writing. Despite initial struggles, I’ve learned the importance of acknowledging weaknesses and actively working to enhance them. While not all objectives were explicitly addressed, I plan to incorporate them in my future work.

Alyssa Elliott
Professor Skelly
ENGL 21001 Section L
9 December 2023

Self-Assessment Essay

Throughout this semester I was able to achieve 7 out of the 9 of the course learning objectives. These accomplishments have been successfully made through having a strong focus on my goals for this class and understanding the course material. I also implemented feedback provided by my professor and peers and used it as a way to improve my writing.

Starting with the Op-Ed, where we had to write an opinion editorial discussing a social, political, economic, or cultural issue that has a personal impact on you, your family, or your community. Initially I was a little intimidated because I never wrote an assignment based on my opinion before. But once I figured out my topic, I was able to complete course outcomes 4 (Negotiating Writing Goals and Audience Expectations), 6 (Formulating and Articulating a Stance Through Writing) and 7 (Formulate and articulate a stance through and in your writing). It was titled “The Rapper Mortality Pipeline” and was about a phenomenon I noticed over the years called rapper mortality. For objective 4 I negotiated my writing goals by effectively communicating the urgency for positive change within the rap industry. By addressing the societal expectations placed on artists and the responsibility of the industry to provide support. I talked about the challenges faced by rappers, focusing on the unfortunate deaths of artists like XXXTENTACION and others due to violence and substance abuse. I pointed out how a study found that over half of rap musician deaths are attributed to murder. Drawing from the findings like Dianna Theadora Kenny’s study, which revealed that 51% of rap musician deaths are attributed to homicide. I also discussed the role of the industry, mentioning an interview with Lyor Cohen, who highlighted the conflict between ethical concerns and the financial aspects of signing artists. The goal of my writing was to shed light on the issues within the rap community and encourage a collective effort to create a safer environment for artists.

Objective 4 was completed through analyzing the genre and choosing to share my thoughts on Rapper Mortality in a way that mixes personal stories, facts, and quotes in order to connect to the reader. Backing up my points with data from studies and including quotes from important figures like Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and rapper Jah Rule, which added credibility and different perspectives. I made the issue of rapper mortality personal by sharing my story about XXXTENTACION, making it more relatable and brought in examples like Takeoff’s death and the trend of gun violence made the problem feel more real. The interview with Lyor Cohen also gave valuable insights into the challenges within the music industry. All in which stayed focused on the main idea about the rap world needs to be safer, and the industry should take more responsibility. Calling for unity and support in the conclusion urged readers to contribute to positive changes which also ties into objective 7.

Objectives 3 (Enhance strategies for reading, …), 8 (Practice using various library resources, …), and 9 (Strengthen your source using practices …) were completed over the curse of all of my writings this semester but I think where I did them most was in my critical analysis conference paper. In working on this essay, I strengthened my reading skills by incorporating information from various sources like Meredith D. Clark’s essay and The New York Times article. When drafting, I paid attention to structure and progression, making sure that my ideas flowed smoothly. Revising the content, I refined historical examples, from ancient times to contemporary China, to present a thorough analysis of cancel culture’s evolution. During editing, I focused on details, ensuring proper citations and proper terminology. Through self-assessment, I critically reflected on cancel culture, acknowledging both its positive and negative aspects. Examples, like Anaxagoras in ancient Greece and director James Gunn, were crucial in explaining my arguments and making what I wrote more understandable for the reader.

I effectively used a range of resources, including library materials, online databases, and the internet, to gather information for my exploration of cancel culture. I specifically drew insights from Meredith D. Clark’s essay, “DRAG THEM: A Brief Etymology of So-Called ‘Cancel Culture,’” accessed through the CCNY library academic database, to deepen my understanding. Additionally, I referred to sources like The New York Times and Pew Research Center, showcasing my engagement with diverse online perspectives and public opinions on cancel culture. By including examples from ancient Greece and modern China, I demonstrated my commitment to collecting information from different historical periods and cultures. The integration of these sources allowed me to leverage a variety of resources and online platforms to enhance my writing. In reinforcing my arguments, I prioritized the reliability and relevance of my sources. Meredith D. Clark’s essay provided valuable insights into the historical roots of cancel culture within Black vernacular tradition, while The New York Times offered contemporary perspectives. By quoting Clark’s analysis and summarizing key points from The New York Times, I tried to blend historical and modern viewpoints. This not only added depth to my arguments but also highlighted my dedication to using trustworthy sources, contributing to a more open discussion about cancel culture.

 Examine how attuites towards linguistic standards (1) … and acknowledge your and others’ range of linguistic differences (2) … are two objectives that I don’t really feel like I completed in my writing. Maybe I did and I don’t realize it, but what I was mainly focused on in my writing was the rhetorical elements of it. Looking back at it there are ways that I could have implemented these objectives by looking at the way certain languages are used to have an effect on people. For instance, in my visual analysis paper or op/ed I could have explored whether certain language used is inclusive or exclusive and how it aligns with linguistic standards which could shed light on attitudes toward language. I also could have gone into instances where something in my writing celebrates linguistic diversity within the hip-hop community would directly speak to acknowledging and valuing linguistic differences. By recognizing the potential impact of language on readers and considering the range of linguistic expressions used, I could have provided a more comprehensive analysis that aligns with these objectives, contributing to a better understanding of the topic overall.

In conclusion, this semester has been a significant learning experience for me in terms of improving my writing skills. While I faced initial struggles, particularly in the beginning, I gradually realized that not every piece of writing needs to be perfect from the start. My key takeaway has been the importance of acknowledging my weaknesses and actively working towards enhancing them. Over the course of the semester, I transitioned from doubting the quality of my writing and hesitating to revise my work, to consistently reviewing and refining my writing until it aligns with my preferences. While I may not have explicitly addressed all the learning objectives in my current writing, I intend to incorporate them in my future work.