Core Value 1. My work demonstrates that I used a variety of social and interactive practices that involve recursive stages of exploration, discovery, conceptualization, and development.
When I began writing my three argumentative essays, I learned that there were more stages to writing on a controversial topic than I had anticipated. I had to explore all my sources to formulate my own opinion on said topic, then explain every aspect to readers. From those conclusions that I came to on my own, my writing went in several directions before I figured out what path I was to take for my completed research essay. Considering that my topic relied on discrediting one of the most highly revered astrophysicists in the world, there was a large social aspect to this essay in that I had to discredit him yet still give him all the respect and credit that he does in fact deserve.
Core Value 2. My work demonstrates that I read critically, and that I placed texts into conversation with one another to create meaning by synthesizing ideas from various discourse communities.
Throughout all my essays I felt as though I used evidence and quotes from my sources in the best way possible to both explain a concept and support my claims. When explaining the contradictions between the multiverse theory and the fine-tuning theory, I used several sources to explain what they were and another source to mathematically prove that they contradict each other. I also used this method with explaining several different concepts in easier ways that would typically be very hard to explain.
Core Value 3. My work demonstrates that I rhetorically analyzed the purpose, audience, and contexts of my own writing and other texts and visual arguments.
When writing my essays, I took note of every detail that I added and did my best to cut out any that were not of significance. This way my essay was full of facts and explanations that supported my thesis. I also did this specifically with my visual rhetoric assignment, it taught me to pay attention to every single detail and how to distinguish which were important or not. I leaned to take in quite literally every second of the video to put together an interpretation rather than watching the whole thing then making my assumptions. I implemented this method throughout my argumentative essays. I also learned how to write to the specific audience that I expect to be reading my paper and better explained things in a way I thought would be best explained.
Core Value 4: My work demonstrates that I have met the expectations of academic writing by locating, evaluating, and incorporating illustrations and evidence to support my own ideas and interpretations.
I have met the academic expectations by finding and analyzing numerous sources both in support of and against my initial position. I used those sources to support my claims and in the rebuttal. I used both descriptive and numerical evidence from sources to support my position. I utilized sources that fully related to my topic and added useful information rather just meaningless additions.
Core Value 5. My work demonstrates that I respect my ethical responsibility to represent complex ideas fairly and to the sources of my information with appropriate citation.
I cited unbiased sources and used their own quotes directly to interpret said concept in the way that was intended rather than twisting their words to suit my position. I also gave credit to all my used sources within the paper for both quotes and information used. This is basic courtesy and academic integrity. Plagiarism is not accepted and credit should be given where credit is due.
Counterintuitive 