Styers 1

Joseph Styers
Prof. Ashley Whitmore
COMP 105
16 December 2015
Reflective Paper
Composition and Rhetoric 105 at the University of Michigan Dearborn has been quite the
experience. The papers on analysis were stimulating, yet challenging. They have increased my
skills on analyzing different texts as well as writing persuasive papers. It was a roller coaster of a
ride, I wish I could take it again just to master the skills of analyzation.
Outcome 1: Read critically a range of texts
Throughout Comp 105, the students were asked to read many different articles on
analyzing, point of views and anything else that was required; most relating to the paper assigned
at that time. They were well written and helped as an example of what the students paper should
look like. In these writings, the students had to analyze and discuss the authors point of view,
the context, genre and many other writing oriented topics. For example, at the start of the
research paper, students were required to watch a short documentary and read a paper about
restoring the city of Detroit. Before watching the documentary, the students were asked for their
opinion on Detroit. After watching the documentary, the students were asked about the audience
and the claim of the documentary as well as relating it to the students own experiences of
Detroit. Reading critically, I was able to really see why Detroit does not deserve the image others
created for it. I also drew inspiration from these articles, as they relate to the paper assigned

Styers 2

around that time. In my research paper on why prostitution should be legalized within the United
States, I argue that prostitution has some downsides, but legalizing it would negate those
negatives. In the future, I will read articles and think about the different ideas of writing that is
contained in the article like exigence, genre and point of view.
Outcome 2: Academic Genre
The students had to write many different papers in COMP 105. Three of these dealt with
analysis of different forms of literature: an article, a music video and an advertisement. For these
assignments, the students had to analyze many different genres of literature. One of these was the
music video, which was probably the most open ended. In class, we watched many different
music videos and even read an article that analyzed some of Childish Gambinos music videos.
The professor helped us understand the continuity amongst Donald Glovers music videos. She
used examples of symbolism, rhetoric and common themes that most music videos play on.
These ideas also helped to spark ideas for my own paper on the Virgins music video. In my
own paper, I look at symbolism throughout the music video, like the professor had in her
analysis, Though it only appears once, the banana and its tip represents the taking of virginity.
The red liquid found at the bananas tip represents the blood of a virgin and is handed to the main
girl to try to get her to partake in premarital sex. In my future papers, I will analyze symbolism
further when looking at a movie or music video.
Outcome 3: Beyond the either/or debate
The most content heavy and time consuming paper of COMP 105 was the research paper
that dealt with a topic of persuasion. In my paper, I argued that prostitution should be legalized in
the United States. Although some points in my paper are in an either/or form, I include

Styers 3

perspectives of people on both sides of the debate. On the side which is against the
decriminalization of prostitution, I quoted Sid Ford, who talked on the matter of legalizing
prostitution, Women will still die. Girls will still die. It wont eliminate this urge, this
devastation that happens to women and girls who are exploited sexually. While she provides a
good point, I included a rebuttal by an actual prostitute, Scarlot Harlot who has a different
opinion on the matter, Prostitution is very dangerous when its criminalized. I cant call the
police if Im raped and I was raped and I didnt call the police. I also included other quotes from
the county sheriff of one of the legalized sectors of Nevada. He reported that the legalization of
prostitution in that area is very safe, and the prostitutes are always kept clean for working, It is
very safe. Weve never had one report of AIDS. These quotes from different people help the
reader gain a real insight on the topic of legalizing prostitution. In a future paper on research or a
persuasive topic, I will make sure to include many quotes from many different people on both
sides of the topic or debate. I will also make sure to annunciate myself as clearly as possible
when referring to different quotes.
Outcome 4: Revising
Our professor in COMP 105 required to hold revision session during a few class periods.
During these sessions, we would have to revise a colleagues paper and make comments on
grammar, flow and other important academic techniques. On others papers, I would always
reread a sentence if It did not make any sense, and write awkward wording or does not flow
well on their paper. It is crucial that the audience fully understands what you are writing and
how one articulates ones ideas. I would also leave open a window of comma rules while editing
the others paper, as it would help remind me of the different uses of commas. I always make
sure to expand contractions as well, like dont becomes do not or isnt becomes is not. Looking

Styers 4

back on my old papers, I will make sure to try to follow the professor. If she edited my paper in a
certain way, I would make sure to edit someone elses paper that way to. For example, she
included an awkward wording clause in one of my papers. I always keep a keen eye for these
kinds of sentences in others papers. In future revision sessions, I will make sure to continue
these good habits and learn new ones.
Outcome 5: Approaching writing with formality and informality
Our papers throughout COMP 105 covered a wide spectrum of genres. Some were
analysis papers, like the simple, down to Earth analysis of the music videos. The research paper,
on the other hand, was difficult and took more time as I had to find many different sources and
revisit them daily. In the music video analysis, I only used one citation which was the music
video itself. In the research paper, I used a total of eight sources, ranging from television
documentaries, newspaper articles and online articles. The music video analysis was very openended, as I would have to make my own calls as to what the author thought. Its impossible to
completely tell what the authors intent was for a certain medium such as the music video, so I
would have to make inferences as to what the author meant through her symbolism. In the
research paper, I would have to use cold, hard facts to demonstrate what the best answer to my
argument was. I also used many different quotes from different perspective of the argument
which helped to further support my cause. Both papers were still challenging to write, but they
required different approaches as one was based off my opinion and the other was based off many
others opinions. In my academic future, I will observe the assignment carefully and decide
which approach I need to take, whether to write informally or formally.
Thank for this great opportunity for in the course that is COMP 105. Some of the papers
were different from what I have seen in high school; I am grateful that I have received exposure

Styers 5

to the different analysis papers that I have never written before. It will be an experience I will
never forget.