This course helped me to learn how to apply writing to my future profession. Many students may not realize it, but writing is fundamental in every career. Whether you're simply communicating a new idea or arguing toward justice, writing is important. While working on my research project, I learned that in every career, we have to be able to articulate what we do and that there are several ways to go about doing so. I read several pieces of writing from workers in a number of different professions. Good writing helps the audience to take away something. It could be simply learning something new, or it can persuade someone to change their stance on a position. I'm glad I had the course because I can now communicate better with audiences and I see that my writing would not have grown had I not taken away what I have.

I feel that I have learned a lot while working on my project and in this class in general on how to become a better researcher. As a college student, it's easy to run to the internet and select the first 10 opinions in a search engine, but getting outside sources and applying what you've learned thus far in college is essentially important as well.

I also was able to question my own way of thinking regarding my field of work. I learned that we all have opinons that can or cannot be justified by fact, but that all views have the right to be heard. For years I was a biased writer. My paper rarely considered the side of the opposing viewpoint, but in hearing both sides, I've had much less anger and more understanding toward differences of perspective. I've come to realize that each person's vision is not the same and that there should be a certain level of respect for all individuals.

This course has enhanced my view on how to approach topics that can be controversial. Many people feel that it is much easier to avoid certain conversations than discuss them in order to keep the peace, but that doesn't ever solve the problem. We as human beings must be able to communicate our feelings - no matter how uncomfortable. This is true for relationships, hobbies, business, education, etc. If everyone goes silent or decides to be one-minded about everything, how will we ever find balance? We cannot.

My goal is to one day be an Art Director. This is a leadership position. If I don't learn how to communicate properly to my staff, how will I ever have a successful business? For a long time, I have felt the to keys for success is communication and teamwork. When we learn to set aside how we feel and hear the opposing side, we then learn what it truly means to be a leader.

This is my first entry