Diamond Moore

English 1001

Jonathan Maxey

13 April 2020

Reflective Essay

Introduction

During this course I have struggled with staying motivated to do papers. I have also struggled with one or two essays. Sometimes not knowing what to type can set me back. For example, drafting the research paper was somewhat difficult because of the transition from in person to online. Also, setting the paper up was difficult as well. The counter arguments were the hardest part of everything for me in the research paper. This transition may have impacted the quality of my paper because I have been less inclined to do homework. I kind of just push it off till the day before. I try to work around this issue by remembering that classes will be over soon, and I will not have to do this for a few months. School drains me and I like being able to do what I want when I want without having to do homework every other day. Some of my strengths as a writer would have to be my ability to really sit and try to go into detail with a paper. I think I do well with asking questions and follow the directions of the assignments. These are my biggest strengths because I like to make sure my projects are correct. I somewhat irritates me if it is not done correctly. It also hinders my grade, so this is a good strength to have. I believe my strengths have been shown throughout my papers. I try my hardest to do my best on each paper and yes sometimes I may get very sick of the papers, but I know it is important to get done.

Rhetorical Essay

The rhetorical essay was actually one of my least favorite essays. I did not like it because it was based of another essay that was written prior. But I learned that in order to write the best essay possible it is important to know and understand the audience one is writing for. Typically, the audience is the professor. The analysis helps the student understand and process the writing. The analysis is different because you are taking a lot of info from the article that was written and making it your own while also giving credit to where it is needed. I struggled with what to add. I also struggled with writing the paper correctly, but I think I eventually got it right. I did well with going back and trying my best to fix the essay.

Exploratory Essay

            While writing the exploratory essay, I learned more background information about the field I want to venture in. I have also learned more and better ways to search for information using the University of Cincinnati library website. I have also used it for many more articles and essays for many other classes. The exploration essay is different because you are looking for information that pertains to your career. This essay has made me even more interested in my career field. It was easy, in my opinion, to not take a position on the topic. The only part that I struggled with was one or two questions. Writing and finding many of my questions were the easy parts. Overall, I believe I feel good about the essay.

Research Essay

From the research essay I learned a few resources that help women business owners. I also learned that women are at a disadvantage in the business industry. The research essay is focused on a topic that I picked. Its longer and has a lot more sources and takes a lot more time to write. I think it was difficult to find information for my counter arguments. Just because I understood my side of the arguments but did not know what to search for the counter arguments. I had to really put myself in the shoes of someone who would understand the counter arguments. It was not difficult at all for me to stick with one position. I think it was extremely easy for me to stay on one side because I understand the problems. I am a woman that wants to go into business, so this topic is very interesting to me. It was more difficult to understand the counter arguments. Research gives a student a way to back up their information. It helps a student prove a point. I struggled with making my counter arguments at first. I also struggled with writing some parts of the essay. For example, the counter arguments were the hardest part for me to write. It was not my favorite part at all. I did well with doing each piece of time and meeting the requirements. I think my partner and I also did well with communicating with each other and making plans to give each other.

Multimodal Project

            I learned that the multimodal project is extraordinarily complex. It makes me somewhat irritated that there is such strict regulations for the project. Of course, the project should not be 2 minutes of someone else video, but I do not think that my video that is 42 seconds will be accepted. The project only allows 15 slides with picture and 5 can have text. There is also a time limit of 5  minutes. The multimodal project is different because it is a PowerPoint. And it is also based off another paper that we have previously done. Finding the correct images was not that hard. When finding a video, it was hard to edit out the important parts that I wanted to share. There was just so many. I struggled with looking at the instructions in the beginning. I had 11 slides before I noticed the amount of text that could be used and could not. So, I had to redo 10 slides which was not that hard but was very frustrating. Overall, the project took me about an hour and a half to do. I think I will struggle with the audio part because it will irk me if the audio does not work well or sound well on the slides. I think out of all of the projects we have done this is my least favorite. I think I did well with finding the right images to go with each topic and the placement of each topic. 

Conclusion

            I wish I did not forget some assignments at the beginning. But I am most proud that I did finish the course with a decent grade and finished all the assignments. After failing to turn in the first few assignments I have really been on top on my English homework. The assignments have   made me realize how I write and who I write to is important. I believe I have improved my writing. I will definitely use the tools and sites I have found in this course for another course like I have done in the past. The University of Cincinnati Blue Ash site was very helpful and made work for other classes a hundred times easier for me. For someone who is coming into this course I suggest making sure you have a plan to be available for assignments, do not be shy make sure you ask questions whenever needed, and put your all in each assignment make sure not to rush.

Diamond Moore- moore4dc@mail.uc.edu

Jonathan Maxey

English 1001

28 February 2020

Clothing Business Owner

An apparel business owner owns the shop that sells clothing by other designers and may sell their own clothing as well. Another but broader name for a business owner is an entrepreneur. An apparel business owner is responsible for many tasks in and outside of the shop, such as: buying and selling, hiring new employees, firing old employees, accounting, payroll, sales, promotion, marketing and much more. Although, a degree is not required it is important for one to understand the business part of the career and not just what is the new fad of fashion now.

A few questions I have about owning an apparel business are how many years of education are needed to start? What is the average salary? Is this profession important and needed? What is the work environment like? Is it easy to become an apparel business owner?  What is the everyday life of the job? Does one have the freedom to travel? Does it payoff to be my own boss? How much freedom does one have? How much work needed to do the job? Where and how should one start?  How does one know when one is successful?

The first source I will use is an article about what apparel business owners do, where do they work and salary. apparel business owners do many things for example: “he/she is typically responsible for buying, visual, merchandising, accounting/ bookkeeping/payroll, sales, hiring, firing, ringing sales, marketing and promotions and more. (FS STAFF)” Business owners usually have a small team to work with.  As an owner it is very helpful to have trustful employees to help divide the task needed to be done daily. To become an apparel business owner, you must have more than just an eye for fashion. Although, a degree is not needed it is very useful to have when running any business. Having a degree in both fashion design and business would be a great combination to run the business. Apparel business owners can work anywhere that works for their business.

The salary of an apparel business is hard to determine because there are way too many variables to factor in. As stated in the article, “The amount earned can depend on the size of the shop, location, type of clothing, years in the business and many other factors. (FS STAFF)” So there is not an easy way to determine the salary of a business unless you look at each year progress.

This source is a newspaper about small business owners sacrificing to thrive in the current economy. Eldon Kabb owner of and president of Cumberland Industries took a 75% pay cut in February and had to start paying rent for the companies plant out of pocket. It is common for business owners to make sacrifices that may break or make your company. “Small business owners are making sacrifices not just in Northeast Ohio, but across the nation: A recent American Express survey of 727 small business owners showed that 30% no longer are taking a salary.” This means that small business owners are giving up money, time, and possibly their livelihood.

Even though it is important for a business owner to try their best it is not always the best thing to continue. Sometimes you need to know when to stop as the newspaper states “Not knowing when to give up, however, can ruin a business owner’s personal credit, and in turn, their business credit, all while causing them to miss out on other employment opportunities.” These are just a few obstacles business owners face to combat the current economy.

The third source I will be using is a trade publication about a day in the life of a business owner. The publication starts off with RealReal Inc.’s senior valuation manager Sean Conway evaluating various merchandise that is in the store. Conway starts the day by looking at the merchandise to make sure it is up to par for what the customers expect. As Hamanaka states “For as much as some purists say the art of the hunt in streetwear has become watered down, the treasure hunt by a set of people obsessed with the freshest looks…”  For the most part, each day is remarkably similar and consistent. Conway comes in the office around the same time, checks the site, emails, and keeps up with anything that may have changed overnight. There may be a meeting or two between task throughout the day. It is all part of the fast pace lifestyle of buying and selling clothes. Hamanaka states that “Fastmoving items like the backpacks that sell around $200 on other reselling sites can potentially achieve $350 to $375 on The RealReal, Conway said. The more rare pieces Project Blitz keeps as its unique calling card — in much the same way brands make product specific for some retailers in a bid to control distribution and their brand equity.” One wrong move and you may lose the opportunity to have a high-quality product on your shelf. That is why it is important to move fast but to also know what you are doing.

In the academic journal “Women and apparel entrepreneurship an exploration of small business challenges and strategies in three countries” answers the question is it hard for women to be a business owner? The journal starts by clarifying that “Women-owned small businesses are making increasingly important contributions to the global economy and are developing at a faster pace than those of men (Langowitz and Minniti, 2007). Women-owned businesses are just as vital as men-owned businesses but do not get as much recognition. This journal explores three challenges female entrepreneurs and small business owners face. The three challenges are “garnering sufficient financial support to succeed, having access to mentors, networks and other types of social resources; and balancing the demands of work with those of family.” This happens because people are unenthusiastic to take chances on women. “The fact that women-owned businesses fail more often than those owned by men may in part be due to the fewer opportunities they have to secure financial support as compared to men (Alsos et al., 2006; Fielden and Dawe, 2004).” 

            A balance between family and work can be exceedingly problematic for women in the work force. Women are expected to be a potent force at home and to be solid in the workforce. There is a great deal expected from women but not much aid offered. “The women with families found it challenging to balance work and family obligations. Interestingly, most indicated that the motivation to pursue entrepreneurship was due to the flexibility it offered them as wives and mothers or that it allowed them to help others within the family. However, the reality is that they find it difficult to draw boundaries between the two.” Although, it is extremely rewarding to be your own boss it is also incredibly stressful and hard to do with having a family and not being able to get the support that is required.

            The final source that will be used in this essay is an academic journal, which answers the question how can one grow their own business? Many business owners want to know the value of their company but do not want to pay that much for one. “The truth is, there’s no such thing as a quick valuation, and there’s no (reputable) computer program that can provide an accurate valuation based on a bunch of numbers you input. (McDaniel)” According to the journal a good valuation should depend on more than just financial records. In this journal it is explained that if one receives a valuation without an interview and without understanding the business and industry then the valuation is truly not a valuation. By the definition from the article “Valuation is a prophecy of the future based on the information that the valuator has as of the valuation date. (McDaniel)” To make an honest and truthful valuation of a company and its future success should be based from every aspect that the business brings.

            Another crucial aspect of this journal is “growing your value”, McDaniel explains that it is very important to make your business the most attractive it can be. “Do you treat your business “like an investment” or as a vehicle to support your lifestyle? Business owners who have written goals and plans to increase their value will be more successful in increasing the value of their business than those who simply hope the value will increase without having any concrete plans on how to make that happen. (McDaniel)” If one takes the time to plan out what is the next step that needs to be taken and how will one get there it that business owner will have a higher chance at staying successful. Some strategies that were shared in the article were “Improving your business hygiene, increasing your sustainable cash flow, reducing your business risks, developing a growth plan, and professionalizing your business. (McDaniel)” Growing the value of one’s business may take some time, but it is important to have patience.

            In conclusion, the advice I have to offer to others that are in my field is take your time, plan out what you want to do to grow your business, make your business attractive, increase the value of your business, find a balance between family and work, and lastly enjoy what you are doing. Although, it may be extremely stressful, this is the career that you choose. In my opinion, a career is a job that someone loves and will never get tired of no matter the struggles it brings. Some of the info that I was unable to find while doing my research was is this profession important and needed? Can you travel? Do you get benefits? How does one know when one is successful? It was somewhat challenging to find the answers to the questions above because I believe the questions are ones that can be answered personally. The importance of ones business is based from how well the business is doing. The questions can you travel? And do you get benefits? Are also based off how well the business is doing and if one can afford to travel and have benefits. Although, your business can receive a valuation I genuinely believe that only the business owner can measure the amount of success they have. Some of my concluding thoughts about the exploratory essay is that I enjoyed it and it has me thinking about my next step in creating and growing my business.

“Apparel Business Owner – Fashion Career Profile.” Apparel Business Owner – Fashion Career Profile | Fashion Schools, FS STAFF, 3 Nov. 2011, http://www.fashion-schools.org/articles/apparel-business-owner-fashion-career-profile.

CHUCK SODER. “A HEAVY BURDEN; Often the first to sacrifice when times get tough, small business owners are being hit much harder as the recession continues”. Crain’s Cleveland Business, June 8, 2009. https://advance.lexis.com/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:7VX2-DCW0-Y99S-G07N-00000-00&context=1516831. Accessed February 19, 2020.

Hodges, Nancy, et al. “Women and Apparel Entrepreneurship.” International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, vol. 7, no. 2, 2015, pp. 191-213. ProQuest, https://search.proquest.com/docview/2108840567?accountid=2909, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJGE-07-2014-0021.

Hamanaka, Kari. “A Day in the Life of… A RealReal Appraiser: Women’s Wear Daily Women’s Wear Daily.” Wwd, 2019, pp. 6. ProQuest, https://search.proquest.com/docview/2319661830?accountid=2909.

McDaniel, Tim. Know and Grow the Value of Your Business: An Owner’s Guide to Retiring Rich. Apress, Berkeley, CA, 2013, doi:10.1007/978-1-4302-4786-9.

Diamond Moore

ENG 1001-027

Rhetorical Analysis 

10 February 2020

Inventing the University 

In the piece “Inventing the University” by David Bartholomae, writes about the problem students face when writing. They must learn the discourse of the community that is being addressed. Bartholomae states “The students have to appropriate (or be appropriated by) a specialized discourse, and they have to do this as though they were easily and comfortably one with their audience, as though they were members of the academy.” The student not only will need to write the language of the community but succeed in speaking it as well.

Bartholomae explains that there are two routes writers may use while writing. The first way we were introduced is writer-based prose. Writers based prose explained by Bartholomae is “the record of a writer who has lost himself in the discourse of his reader.” This means the writer is no longer writing for the reader, but for themselves instead.  The second approach of writing is readers-based prose, which is when students write with the reader in mind. Linda Flower argues that more experienced writers are better at readers-based prose and can “better imagine how a reader will respond to a text and can transform or restructure what they have to say around a goal shared with a reader.”

Bartholomae believes that Colleges and Universities have failed to include basic writing in projects that would ultimately help them act as if they are colleagues in an academic enterprise. The academic community is responsible for determining what their conventions are and to write them out.

Purpose/Audience

David Bartholomae’s piece is written with the intended audience to be teachers. But at the end he stresses to both the student and teacher that writing needs to show progress over time. This piece was written to inform and persuade both experience and inexperienced writers. His purpose is quite clear throughout the writing piece. Bartholomae shows different examples of students throughout the reading. He says most that most students are only basic writers, most have an idea of how to write, however, they do not develop what is needed to say in their essays. This reading made me step back and analyze my way of writing.  Writers can sometimes start to write about what they think about a topic instead of speaking. 

Content Analysis

The author addresses the problem that Colleges and Universities have failed to include basic writing in projects that would ultimately help them act as if they were colleagues in an academic enterprise. He then continues to say that the work students do is test-taking, report or summaries, that place the students outside of the working discourse of the academic community. “This is a failure of teachers and curriculum designers who, even if they speak of writing as a mode of learning, all too often represent writing as a “tool” to be used by an (hopefully) educated mind (Bartholomae, p.11).” He wants to fix this problem by adding more writing in the classes. I agree that students need to be aware that there are better ways to write and that it needs to be taught. “What is underdeveloped is their knowledge both of the ways experience is constituted and interpreted in the academic discourse community and of the fact that all discourse communities constitute and interpret experience. (Bartholomae p.11-12)

Organization

The tone used by the author, Bartholomae, in “Inventing the University” is very calm. It makes the reader feel like he is trying to talk to the reader versus talk at the reader. This makes the reader engaged in the reading, it also makes it easier for Bartholomae to persuade the reader in believing what he is saying. By using examples of everything he talks about to back up his reasonings. This may also draw in the reader and makes it easier for Bartholomae to prove his point. The sentences and vocabulary were easy to understand, this makes the piece better to read for almost anyone. 

Evidence

            The essays used as evidence throughout the piece is very clear and effective. The essays are easy to understand and support what he is trying to make the reader understand. Bartholomae never goes off topic unless it is used as support, this allows the reader to follow along with ease. I feel as if the author did a good job in using the correct evidence at the proper time to help support. 

Final Assessment

            I learned that if I want to have a good paper, I need to take my time and think about what I want to write and how I write it. I learned that my audience is equally important to my topic. I need to consider my audience in all papers. The intentions of this piece are to get the audience to understand that audience in a writing are very important. This can make the writing piece better in some cases or easier to write. This piece can help teachers help their students with writing. This piece is here to help students get comfortable with their writing skills; I imagine this piece would be read in an English class. 

Conclusion

“Inventing the University”, by David Bartholomae relates to me as a University student because I am not the best writer so learning to writing better helps. I have learned that I need to consider my audience instead of just writing to answer a prompt question. I will apply “Inventing the University” to my coursework by writing towards an audience rather than just trying to finish work and answer questions. It may improve my quality of work as well. 

Works Citied

Bartholomae, David. “Inventing the university.” Journal of Basic Writing, vol. 5, no. 1, 1986, pp. 4-23.

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

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This is a summary of Dr. David Bartholomae’s “Inventing the University”.