Reflection

Blog post #5

Joshua C. Cook English 1001 (006)

Kathleen Yancey’s Definitions of reflection in here first chapter is “1) the processes by which we know what we have accomplished and by which we articulate accomplishment and 2) the products of those processes (eg, as in, “a reflection”). In method, reflection is dialectical, putting multiple perspectives into play with each other in order to produce insight.” The website grammar.yourdictionary.com defines reflection as “Reflection is a mental process. It is contemplation or a long consideration. Thoughts or opinions that come to you while you are reflecting are called reflections. Unlike a reflection in a mirror, it is an interpretation of what is going on between learning and thinking.”Yancey builds on grammar.yourdictionary.com definition by adding the idea that reflection is also the product as well as the process. According to Yancey, reflection also enables the writer to learn.

You can reflect on the audience, like who is reading your writing, who you want to read your writing, or how they read your writing. Refection on genre would be examining the traits of your writing or the writing of others and determining what makes them fall into this or that genre. Rhetorical situation fall close to reflection for rhetorical situations often make you think (or reflect) on events, and make you take action based on the reflection.

These connections to the three key terms that are used in our class Audience, Genre, and Rhetorical situation; seem to align with the views expressed by The website grammar.yourdictionary.com. The major differences is that the website the website focuses on the process of creating reflective writing with tips to start. A major similarity is the “Interpretation” phase of writing which is similar to Rhetorical situations in the fact that you focus on events and how it effects you.

Refection is a lot about learning from past actions. The actions that people tend to learn most from are those with consequences or mistakes. I drew this sketch real quick to represent a learning moment that could be reflected on. Also this is a common saying that goes with it “When a horse bucks ya, ya get right back on”. I heard this saying a lot from my grandfather growing up, mostly when I was upset. But, the sentiment of this saying rings true even today.