1 | Page Trisha Villarreal English 2010 Reflective Essay Course Objectives: We were asked to assemble as a group, choose a leader, and choose a topic we wanted to write about. At that point we had to suggest topics we were interested in. Not everyone agreed, but the majority of us chose to make our topic on “A Healthy Lifestyle: Educating parents and children”. Under that topic we would then choose subtopics and assign everyone to a subtopic. That way we keep it organized and let group members write about whatever they are interested in. We were all confused in the beginning and didn’t know what was required. As a group leader I felt responsible and wanted our group to succeed, so I read up on all of our assignments. We were all responsible to write a report that was 5-7 pages on our topic and in addition write a position/proposal paper between 6-8 pages that deals with an issue of concern. Later we were also asked to choose between a Profile, Memoir, or Review, in which I chose memoir. Following that we learned about the format and genres of pamphlets, brochures, fact sheets, posters, and letters to public officials and or organizations. As a group we did a good job choosing different genres. I chose to do a pamphlet. We were asked to cite all of our work in MLA format and to write our papers in MLA format. After writing the papers we were first asked to post a draft and with every draft we were asked to use the formal method of doing a peer review on two of our group members. Decisions made as I chose the issue of concern and the topics for each assignment:
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
1 | P a g e
Trisha Villarreal
English 2010
Reflective Essay
Course Objectives:
We were asked to assemble as a group, choose a leader, and choose a topic we
wanted to write about. At that point we had to suggest topics we were interested in. Not
everyone agreed, but the majority of us chose to make our topic on “A Healthy Lifestyle:
Educating parents and children”. Under that topic we would then choose subtopics and
assign everyone to a subtopic. That way we keep it organized and let group members
write about whatever they are interested in. We were all confused in the beginning and
didn’t know what was required. As a group leader I felt responsible and wanted our
group to succeed, so I read up on all of our assignments. We were all responsible to
write a report that was 5-7 pages on our topic and in addition write a position/proposal
paper between 6-8 pages that deals with an issue of concern. Later we were also asked
to choose between a Profile, Memoir, or Review, in which I chose memoir. Following
that we learned about the format and genres of pamphlets, brochures, fact sheets,
posters, and letters to public officials and or organizations. As a group we did a good job
choosing different genres. I chose to do a pamphlet. We were asked to cite all of our
work in MLA format and to write our papers in MLA format. After writing the papers we
were first asked to post a draft and with every draft we were asked to use the formal
method of doing a peer review on two of our group members.
Decisions made as I chose the issue of concern and the topics for each assignment:
2 | P a g e
I organized the subtopics for our group and placed each member in the group where
they were most interested. At that point I decided to choose to write about Nutrition,
partly because we needed another person to write about it and partly because I am
interested in it. I have a family and I am always trying to find ways to get my family to
eat better or try new things. I figured all the research would help me out in my personal
life as well as with the report. I decided to focus on at home nutrition with my first report.
Basically on how parents or caregivers can plan, purchase, and prepare ahead of time
to help their families eat better and I also focused on how to get picky eaters to eat their
food. On the position/proposal paper I decided to focus on school. Typically if our kids
aren’t at home then they are at school for the majority of the day, so I made my focus on
the topic of school lunch. I chose to write a memoir because I have learned a great deal
personally about the importance that exercise, nutrition, and sleep play in our life. It
helps us to be the best we can be and helps us to have a positive and healthy outlook
on life when we have a balance in our lives. Finally, I chose to do a pamphlet for my
final genre. I wanted to do something that was targeted toward kids and parents. It was
a reminder to help them make healthy choices when choosing snacks and give them
ideas.
Peer Review Suggestions:
To keep it organized we tried to have each person review their peer that is writing on
the same subtopic, and then choose anyone else they want to review as well.
Unfortunately we weren’t always great on doing the peer reviews, especially in the
beginning, but I think we got much better as a group as the weeks went on.
3 | P a g e
I am grateful for peer reviews. It really helped to have another mind analyze my papers
and give me feedback. Andrew and Steve were the group members that reviewed my
papers. Their insight helped me know what I needed to fix and how to do it the right
way. I have to admit I learned a lot about writing papers from their reviews. How to grab
my reader’s attention and make it more organized so that it is easy to understand. I
learned how to write in the MLA format, and also how to do in-text citations, how to
include links to pictures, etc. I am not very tech savvy when it comes to writing papers
and it helped to have my peers show me what I need to do to make it better. Steven
had some “GREAT” graphics as did Andrew. While I am aware that presentation is a big
part of the report, I hope that those of us who are not tech savvy don’t get a lower
grade.
I was also able to review Keith’s and Steven’s paper. Reviewing them helped me know
what was required. I feel like I learned so much each week with the different genres and
formats. It challenged me to learn new things and it helped to be critiqued and critique
someone else as well.
Changes I made as I revised my documents:
I spent a lot of time on these papers, researching, writing, rewriting as I reviewed my
paper. I had to add subheadings into my papers to add organization and clarity. I also
had to figure out how to add visuals with the link attached. I had to revise a certain
paragraph in my report on nutrition. I had a paragraph where I made suggestions and
they weren’t very clear, so I had to go back and write it better and cite it better. In my
position/proposal, I started writing my paper and then wanted to add an analogy that
4 | P a g e
would help readers understand the importance of putting good food into their bodies. At
that point I went back and added the car analogy, which is what I opened my paper
with. My memoir was perhaps the most difficult to write because it was so personal and
brought back so many feelings. Regardless of the difficulty I felt it important to share
how exercise, good nutrition, and sleep were key items that helped put me back on my
feet. With my pamphlet I had to revise that again and again, trying to make it something
that was presented well, contained adequate information and was easy to read and
understand.
Process of putting together my final portfolio:
To be honest I am tired of looking at my papers! I have edited them again and again, cleaned
them up, and reorganized them. I have to admit that they look much better than they originally
did! I am proud of my progress and while they might not be perfect I think I did a great job. The
papers were very educational in terms of information and format. I put a lot of work into this
class, not only with my papers, but as a group leader as well. This class has pushed me to learn
new things, and there were many times it was difficult and frustrating, but I am grateful for the
growth I have made and the things I have learned.
5 | P a g e
Trisha Villarreal
Report
Encouraging our kids to eat healthy
When it comes to nutrition, “Plan, Purchase, and Prepare” ("Healthy eating on a
budget") are the three words that would benefit all of us if we would incorporate them
into our lives. Most of us don’t
think about what we are going to
eat for the day. We wake up,
browse through the cupboards,
the pantry, the fridge, and typically
grab whatever looks appealing.
Then we go throughout our busy
day doing the same thing without
thought, putting food into our mouth that is quick, cheap, convenient, processed, and
often filled with grease. We typically don’t realize how important good nutrition is until
we see the side effects of an unbalanced and unhealthy diet in ourselves or those we
love.
Today in society it is easy to see that these habits not only affect us as adults,
but our children as well. The United States Department of Agriculture stated, “More
than one-third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are
overweight or obese…this is a crisis we can no longer ignore”. ("Usda press release")
While it is important to recognize that obesity is detrimental to our physical health, I feel
6 | P a g e
it is just as important to acknowledge how it impacts us mentally and emotionally as
well. Eating healthy along with exercise gives us more energy, allows our bodies and
minds to function properly and gives us a positive outlook on life. For that reason,
“improving our eating habits is not only good for every individual and family, but also for
our country.” ("Usda press release")
Dietary Recommendations
In order to have a well-balanced diet, we need to first look at the dietary
recommendations and make that our daily guide. Below is a chart illustrating the
amount of portions we should consume in a day, based off a 2,000 calorie