Abstract

This self-assessment evaluates the research, writing, and rhetorical skills developed through completing the given assignment which is the synthesis essay and its translation into a visual poster. The assessment examines the process of synthesizing multiple scholarly sources to construct a cohesive argument about code switching and its relationship to language, identity, and power. It reflects on challenges related to organization, focus, and revision, emphasizing how drafting, peer feedback, and revision strengthened clarity and coherence. The purpose of this self-assessment is to analyze growth in academic writing, source integration, and rhetorical awareness across different modes of communication. More specifically, it considers how translating a written essay into a poster requires prioritizing key ideas, adapting content for a different audience, and using visual elements effectively to grasp their attention. The intended audience includes instructors and academic readers evaluating learning outcomes. Overall, the assignment demonstrates increased confidence in synthesis, revision, and adapting meaning across genres.

Self-Assessment essay

Self assessment essay

Amaya melendez

Fiqws tues/thurs

The synthesis essay on code switching gave me a chance to look at how language, identity, and power come together in everyday communication. The assignment required me to combine ideas from various sources and shape them into a unified argument that reflected both research and personal insight. Through writing and revising, I developed new understandings of the topic and learned more about academic writing, how ideas grow across drafts, and how meaning changes when presented in different forms, like visual presentations.

From the start, code switching stood out as a relevant topic for social, educational, and professional settings. Switching between speech styles is often misunderstood or oversimplified. The research revealed how closely it connects to social expectations, cultural belonging, and systemic inequalities. Sources like Holmes, Goffman, Rickford, McWhorter, Poplack, and an NPR article provided a wide range of viewpoints. Some highlighted empowerment and strategic awareness, while others shed light on the emotional and psychological stress of constantly adjusting one’s language. Bringing together these perspectives required careful reading and synthesis, not just repeating ideas but also examining how they fit into a larger conversation about the challenges and possibilities of linguistic flexibility.

Working on the essay involved learning how to pick the most meaningful ideas and see how they connected. The reading and annotation stage helped reveal patterns among sources, particularly the recurring theme that code switching is both a skill and a response to societal pressures. It can open doors, encourage belonging, and protect people from bias. However, it can also require emotional effort and create inner conflict when authenticity feels at risk. Acknowledging this duality became crucial to my argument and guided my choices about structure and emphasis.

Writing early drafts showed how tough it can be to manage a lot of information. Many different angles appeared in my research, and I couldn’t explore them all in the assignment’s space. I had to prioritize the ideas that best supported my essay’s direction. Peer reviews were especially beneficial. Feedback pointed out where paragraphs lacked clarity or strayed from the thesis. Revision sessions focused on reorganizing sections to create smoother transitions and stronger connections between sources. This process reinforced that academic writing improves through layering, reshaping, and reconsidering arguments rather than aiming for perfection in the first draft.

Another essential part of the assignment was converting the written essay into a poster. This shift required moving from detailed explanation to clear visual communication. A full essay can explore nuances and extended analysis, but a poster needs clarity, brevity, and visual impact. Adapting my ideas forced me to simplify several pages of discussion into key messages an audience could grasp quickly. This translation became a form of rhetorical practice, where I had to decide what mattered most, how to grab attention, and how to explain complex ideas through images.

The poster featured two contrasting speech bubbles. One said, “Yoo, what’s up brother?” and the other, “Good afternoon, how was your weekend?” This visual representation captured the core message of code switching more effectively than a paragraph could. The design highlighted the changes in tone, context, and social expectations that affect how people present themselves. Turning the essay into a visual format also stressed the importance of audience awareness. An academic essay addresses readers expecting in-depth analysis, while a poster must communicate quickly and clearly. Creating the poster inspired reflection on how communication varies by medium and how each format requires different strategies to be effective.

Throughout the writing and design process, balancing personal goals with academic expectations was essential. I wanted to stay authentic and personally connected to the topic, but I had to align this with the structure, evidence, and clarity required in scholarly writing. Merging personal insights with research needed careful wording and thoughtful integration of sources. The work of sociologists and linguists, including Goffman’s idea of the “performance of self” and Poplack’s focus on metalinguistic awareness, provided a theoretical foundation that strengthened my arguments and showed how individual experiences reflect broader social patterns.

I faced challenges during the assignment, especially in keeping my argument organized and focused across multiple pages. It was easy for the essay to become too broad or repetitive, given the emotional and cultural layers involved in the topic. Revision allowed me to refine the argument, remove unnecessary details, and create a clearer, more cohesive structure. These challenges ultimately helped me grow in writing confidence, research skills, and understanding of rhetorical choices.

The assignment taught me several valuable lessons. One major takeaway was a deeper understanding of synthesis—not just placing sources side by side but weaving them into something new. The revision process also showed how much stronger writing becomes when ideas are reworked instead of just lightly edited. Additionally, adapting the essay into a poster revealed how communication shifts across genres, encouraging thoughtful consideration of how to shape ideas based on format and audience.

Engaging with the topic and the writing process deepened my understanding of code switching. Research showed that language is never neutral; it reflects history, power, identity, and belonging. It illustrated how individuals navigate expectations from different communities, where those expectations can be both opportunities and burdens. Completing the essay and the poster highlighted that language is not just a communication tool but also a reflection of society and the forces within it.

This assignment led to growth in my academic writing skills and an awareness of how language behavior connects to broader cultural and social dynamics. The synthesis essay and its transformation into a visual poster demonstrated the power of adapting meaning across different forms and emphasized the importance of thoughtful communication, whether through text or image. Ultimately, the experience revealed how writing can serve as both analysis and self-discovery, offering a deeper understanding of language, society, and the choices people make every day to be heard, understood, and accepted.