Brandon Underwood

5/2/2016
UWRT 1102
Final Reflection
This semester I have been involved in researching travel as my extended inquiry project.
I have read many different texts and documents to become an expert in most things related to the
travel/tourism industry.
The extended inquiry project has undoubtedly enhanced my ability to create and write in
different genres. For example one of the reading responses explained the differences between
journals and personal essays. Also, during the research phase of the extended inquiry project, I
have read and included sources that differ from personal opinion to factual data about tourism.
The extended inquiry project has made me a better researcher. It has taught me how to correctly
cite different types of sources in order to avoid plagiarism. This project has enhanced my critical
thinking skills because throughout the semester it has been easier for me to analyze a text, and
then synthesize the authors meaning of it. I believe the topic of travel has made this project
easier for me because there are so many choices to make and it can really personalize the essay.
For example, in the essay I included my own opinion on travel after I explained what it meant to
different types of people. Rhetorical knowledge was used a large amount in this project due to
the fact that I had to identify a strategy in my paper. There was no rubric for the essay and it was
solely up to me as a writer to develop a logical text. Composing processes, knowledge of
conventions, as well as critical reflections were used largely in the extended inquiry project.

The annotated bibliography has enhanced my research skills by teaching me the key to a
good paper is to have different types of sources. For example in my paper I have included topics
that range from personal blogs about travel, as well as statistics about the amount of money
major tourist cities profit. Critical reading was crucial for the annotated bibliography due to the
fact that I must be able to analyze what a source means and interpret that for use into my own
text. Rhetorical knowledge was vital for the annotated bibliography because I had to pick out
sources that would complement each other when used in the essay. Knowledge of conventions
was used in the annotated bibliography because there are required rules in a bibliography, such as
being in alphabetical order as well as having hanging indentations.
The memo of my multi-modal project was composed by paragraphs explaining each of
the bumper stickers I created in order. I believe composing processes is the biggest student
learning outcome used on this project. Due to the fact that the multi-modal project is a way for
someone to share information in more than one mode, it takes quite a composer to develop a
decent project that displays information in more ways than one.
I believe in the class I should receive an A. This is because I have completed all but one
assignment, and the work that I have completed was very time consuming, and the final project
came out to a quality piece of work. I think the class was a fun way to learn about writing. Most
English classes that I have taken have been nothing but paper after paper. I learned a good bit
about the travel industry, as well as many new writing techniques such as Ethos, Logos, and
Pathos.
As far as reading responses, journals, and discussions go, I have found that the responses
from my classmates have been useful to help better my writing. Many of the topics we wrote

about were informative, which was nice to use the information I learned from these small
assignments, and apply them to my final e-portfolio.
One of the individual claims that I made in my essay that was the weakest happens to be
my personal opinion on travel. The reason that it is the weakest is because it is only my opinion
with no facts to back it up. The strongest claim probably came from my annotated bibliography,
which was all of the facts about Londons tourism industry. The annotated bibliography was the
most important piece for me because it was the longest and the most useful for the essay. The
most difficult piece was the essay. This is because I had too much information from my
annotated bibliography and I had to pick only the useful information that would flow well in
essay format. I learned to apply information between texts heavily this semester. For example,
my essay was written mainly from the items found in my annotated bibliography. Through each
major piece, my writing process went through brainstorming, researching, drafting, editing, and
professionalizing. I discovered that travel is not only about exploration and learning as Chris
Mccandless saw it. I have learned how much of a business tourism actually is, money is such a
big piece of the travel industry.
I believe my participation in class was above average. The entire semester I completed
every assignment except for one. I came up with the majority of the ideas for the ethos, logos,
and pathos group assignment and was always very active in communication with my house
members. I did as much as could to succeed and pass this course.
I believe my grade should be in the A category because my essay tackles the topic of
travel in an innovative way, has clear and concise organization, and has proper citations. My
topic was exciting and I tried my best to make the essay as enjoyable as possible to read. Finally
all of my work for the essay was completed on time.