This essay has been, by far, the most beneficial for me.  I struggled at first trying to figure out a question for my topic that can be attacked from multiple ways, but once I got that question, I was able to go about the essay easily.  I enjoyed doing research and finding out the different points of view on Cochlear Implants. I found that part very interesting because it opened my eyes as an individual as to why someone wouldn’t want to help themselves hear again.

In terms of the Course Learning Outcomes, I believe this essay has gone through just about all of the bullet points.  This essay allowed me to explore and analyze a variety of genres and rhetorical situations through the three sources that I used to aid me in writing my essay.  I was also about to develop strategies for reading by jotting down notes of what I would use in my essay.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t use my draft as something to work off of because I failed to properly address the prompt.  In my draft I wrote about Jessica Cox and primarily how she was an inspiration to people around the world, as well as myself.  In terms of an exploratory essay, that wasn’t correct.  I didn’t have a question that allows for various points of views.  Therefore, I had to start from scratch, but after going through the different topics and putting a question together, it wasn’t that hard.  I collaborated information from my sources and after revising and editing, I felt that I had written a pretty good essay, while answering all the prompts.

In this writing situation, I was also able to recognize and practice rhetorical terms and strategies in order to address a range of audiences.  Making sure an audience that’s not very educated on Cochlear Implants can still read my essay and understand my essay.

While looking for sources in order to attack my question in multiple ways, I was able to locate research articles and evaluate them for credibility.  Then, I used information from those articles in my essay and composed them in my essay to work towards answering the primary question for my essay.  Since I did use information from research articles, a works cited page had to be created and therefore I also exercised the systematic application of citation conventions.  Using the CUNY database makes it very easy for citations.  Most of the platforms provide citations right on the website. All I really had to do was organize them properly.

All in all, the hardest part of writing this essay was putting a question together.  After I had my question, while exercising the Course Learning Outcomes, the rest of the essay was not only easy, but also enjoyable.  My topic was one that I was interested in.  Therefore, researching and reading other points of views on the issue was something that I really enjoyed.  This essay also educated in the issue of Cochlear Implants and opened my eyes to a broader view when it comes to my opinion on Cochlear Implants.

(Download Here: Exploratory Essay Reflection)