The Podcast Project was a project that involved both research and creativity.

The fact that

we need to talk and connect with our audience makes it more personal. With this project, I

learned how to use rhetorical concepts like writing for an audience and I advanced my skills in

doing research. My writing process was different from any project I have ever done before, for I

began with an observations and thoughts T-chart. My project revolved around this chart because

these thoughts and observations will be my main topic for the podcast and they will eventually

help answer my research question. I think the fact that it was for an audience that would be

listening instead of reading really helped guide my tone for the podcast. I used a more informal

tone as if I was talking directly to the audience which I enjoyed. Since I had to connect more

with the audience, I learned how the tone can make the project more unique and personal. I

aspire to incorporate more of this connection with my future projects because it makes writing

easier for me. However, what did not work for me was explaining my thoughts. I struggled

turning my thoughts in to words that my audience could understand, yet I think that my

experiences are relatable enough that the audience can find some type of common ground. In the

future, I hope to be more concise in my explanations and incorporate the creative aspect of this

project.

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 The two skills I improved on with this project was understanding the rhetorical concept

of audience and advancing my research skills. With the observations and thoughts T-chart, I

collected and analyzed that data which was a new method for researching. Since the observations

were through my perspective, It was easier to interpret. Although my observations are based on

the Dining Commons, a subject which every student goes through, this type of research taught

me how to add new meaning to the subject. This project required me to answer a research

question which is what really added meaning to the subject, the Dining Commons. I was also

able to understand the importance of an audience, a key rhetorical concept. This project uses the

medium of a podcast to connect with the audience. Not only did I have to understand who my

audience was but I also had to figure out how to communicate with the medium of the podcast.

For me, I felt that my tone was key to linking that connection with the audience. My script

mostly follows an informal tone just as if I was talking to my audience one on one. This really

helped guide the flow of my podcast and how I added my observations. Although my peers

addressed some awkward sentences, they believed my tone was adequate for the podcast.

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 I discovered that I enjoy connecting with the audience in hopes of invoking action or

impact. Although this project allowed me to do that through my tone, my future assignments will

probably be more formal. Despite not being able to use an informal tone, I can always keep the

importance of connecting with my audience in mind in my future assignments. In terms of my

career, I think that I need to keep in mind the importance of getting the message across through

your audience. Being a Poli Sci major, it is crucial for me to communicate with my community

about political issues that affect us whether it be via podcast, writing, or a speech.

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