Bedminster, NJ
October 2023
Throughout this semester, I had the opportunity to write papers on topics that have significant meaning to me. From the transcultural object, and op-ed, to the field research essay, I am proud to say that I have grown from someone who did not like to write or read at all, to someone who understands the beauty of writing. I learned this through writing about topics I care about. Every week we would have to complete readings and write a short discussion post. Most of the readings were difficult in my opinion, and some themes of the readings were not immediately apparent; however, some were very interesting and fun to read (Learning Outcome 2). Readings that I particularly liked were thought-provoking, like the article “How Companies Learn Your Secrets” by Charles Duhigg and “Shakespeare’s Sister” by Virginia Woolf.
The first formal assignment given was the transcultural object essay, where the class was required to discuss an object that had significant yet different meanings in two cultures. I decided to write about my favorite thing to eat in my culture – Hot Pot. Today, there are countless restaurants around the globe serving groups of individuals this delicacy. As a Chinese, Hot Pot was one of my top favorite foods during reunion dinners. Food in my culture has the long-standing significance of bringing people together and fostering a sense of harmony and unity. My essay is suitable for any individual interested in Chinese cuisine, who has always wanted but never tried Chinese food, or would like to expand their cultural viewpoint on how Hot Pot has evolved into a commercialized product and service today. In the essay, I explained how I remember Hot Pot dinners as a child and how it has a strong nostalgia element in my life, as I look back at old memories now from an adult standpoint. I not only had the opportunity to learn more about the importance of traditions and culture, but I also discovered a profound aspect of myself that appreciates the art of food, gatherings, and the importance of keeping traditions alive. This first assignment was a great way to get back on track in writing after the summer break. Here, I learned to develop methods for writing, and editing, while also recognizing and practicing key rhetorical terms and strategies (Learning outcome 3,4).
Next, the class was given the assignment to write an op-ed essay that argues for a change within our local community. To be frank, this was the essay I had a difficult time with, as I was not familiar with how an op-ed essay was supposed to be. I initially settled for a topic where I was 90 percent through in the writing process, not knowing that I was off-topic and had to start over. In the end, I was glad that I changed my essay topic, because the initial one did not represent something I cared about, and it did not represent me. I eventually decided to write about the severity of Manhattan’s waste issue that is damaging Manhattan’s reputation as a flourishing tourist destination and as a bustling financial hub. My op-ed essay puts the spotlight on Manhattan’s waste catastrophe, emphasizing packaging as the main factor contributing to the issue. Today, consumers are being placed in a difficult situation, with limited sustainable options on the market to lower their waste production, items purchased often come swathed in either excessive or non-recyclable packaging, placing the burden of waste management on the consumer’s shoulder. My op-ed essay focused on the role of sellers as significant contributors to this crisis, targeting businesses to adopt appropriate measures to combat the prevailing issue.
Lastly, my favorite paper of the semester is the field-research essay. Although it was a time-consuming process as I had to collect and analyze my own data, I gained valuable experience in this writing process, and it has been the most meaningful paper yet (Learning outcome 7). My paper analyzed how global coffee chains like Starbucks became a standard in the eyes of modern-day consumers and assessed the long-term sustainability of Starbucks’ cultural impact. It is undeniable that Starbucks has a significant effect on our society, by simply glimpsing at a busy street in New York City, you would easily find approximately 6 out of 10 individuals holding a Starbucks cup. Starbucks does not only sell coffee, but it also creates a culture that society wants to be a part of. My question is, will this culture be here to stay forever? What did Starbucks do to create such a huge impact? As a coffee enthusiast, I was intrigued to analyze Starbucks as a brand and what consumers’ perception was of the brand. This was the first time I had to collect primary data for an essay assignment, and I found it particularly challenging to incorporate my findings into my essay (Learning Outcome 8). Throughout the writing process, I was challenged to find a way to make my essay flow that allows readers to understand my thought process. This challenge was primarily because many resources I found were related to my paper; however, I had trouble filtering out the most relevant ones. While I was writing this paper, I imagined my audience to be coffee drinkers or individuals who are working in the coffee industry, as some findings from my survey could aid in the decision-making processes for coffee shops in the future. I wanted my paper to be light-hearted but also informative at the same time; thus, I incorporated my experiences from working in a coffee shop to allow readers to connect with my target audience better.
Before writing this essay, I knew there was a demand for sustainable options in the market; however, I was surprised that consumers would be willing to pay higher prices for less packaging, recyclable, and sustainable packaging. Businesses should acknowledge the successful precedent of other businesses while strategizing their way to achieving corporate social responsibility. Although businesses predominantly dominate the supply chain, stakeholders such as the government and consumers should also engage in a continuous effort in this battle, to bring Manhattan one step closer to a sustainable future. One key takeaway from writing this essay was the importance of choosing a topic that lies close to your heart. A few years ago, when I was exposed to the idea of sustainability, I was shocked by the consequences of our daily choices and actions. As I reside in Manhattan, it is disappointing to see sidewalks filled with mountains of trash, not to mention the detrimental environmental consequences such waste will bring. I hope that my essay made an impact in my community. This assignment also required us to create a visual argument. I chose to do PowerPoint slides in black and white to highlight the dullness of a city full of trash. The visual argument allowed me to connect with my readers on an emotional level (Learning Outcome 6).
Surprisingly, I learned a lot about digital art and creative work throughout this writing course, which made me think that writing is all about conveying a message to an audience; however, using visual aids, it allows our messages to be emphasized. I had a fun time being creative with the visual arguments, while I was working to ensure that all the information I wanted to convey was included, I also kept in mind the mood and emotions that I wanted to share with my audience.
Lastly, my favorite paper of the semester is the field research essay. Although it was a time-consuming process as I had to collect and analyze my data, I gained valuable experience in this writing process, and it has been the most meaningful paper yet (Learning Outcome 7). My paper analyzed how global coffee chains like Starbucks became a standard in the eyes of modern-day consumers and assessed the long-term sustainability of Starbucks’ cultural impact. It is undeniable that Starbucks has a significant effect on our society, by simply glimpsing at a busy street in New York City, you would easily find approximately 6 out of 10 individuals holding a Starbucks cup. Starbucks does not only sell coffee, but it also creates a culture that society wants to be a part of. My question is, will this culture be here to stay forever? What did Starbucks do to create such a huge impact? As a coffee enthusiast, I was intrigued to analyze Starbucks as a brand and what consumers’ perception was of the brand. This was the first time I had to collect primary data for an essay assignment, and I found it particularly challenging to incorporate my findings into my essay (Learning Outcome 8). Throughout the writing process, I was challenged to find a way to make my essay flow that allows readers to understand my thought process. This challenge was primarily because many resources I found were related to my paper; however, I had trouble filtering out the most relevant ones. While I was writing this paper, I imagined my audience to be coffee drinkers or individuals who are working in the coffee industry, as some findings from my survey could aid in the decision-making processes for coffee shops in the future. I wanted my paper to be light-hearted but also informative at the same time; thus, I incorporated my experiences from working in a coffee shop to allow readers to connect with my target audience better. An improvement to be made to my essay was to add limitations from my research. The sample size of my research was only 53 participants, and a larger sample size would generate more accurate and reliable results as compared to a small size. After a feedback session with my professor, I knew that it was important to communicate this information with my audience.
The semester passed in the blink of an eye, I did not expect a writing class to be so interactive, and interesting and I have never met a professor that has so much faith in her students. The assignments given were challenging, thought-provoking, and relevant to issues faced in our society today. Throughout the course, I loved every conversation I had with my peers, we had some great laughs. I cherished every milestone I had this semester, and hope my papers brought valuable insights and perspectives to my readers.
