1) Although it may be difficult to tell this story concisely, I wish to share about the first coffee date I had with my now roommate and best friend, Madeline. This was an unexpected pairing from the beginning, as we seemingly have personalities that oppose one another: I am pessimistic while she is optimistic, I am a homebody while she readily explores, I enjoy spending most of my time alone while she would rather spend all day getting to know people. We were introduced through a mutual friend, as she needed roommates to occupy the other room in her two-bedroom apartment. Madeline and I had both agreed to share this room together before we had spent time getting to know one another, and so we decided to go out for coffee to discuss our expectations and desires for the year ahead. At the time, I was coming out of a difficult roommate situation, and purposely attempted to intimidate Madeline so it would be clear that I was not someone to provoke. Little did I know, my strategy worked all too well, and she left our coffee date apprehensive about our year together as roommates.

2) I feel compelled to write this story because as I approach the end of my undergraduate career, it has become increasingly clear that friendships never seem to develop with the people or in the ways that I expect them to. This story serves as a reminder to me that I must remain open to beginning relationships with people from unexpected backgrounds and experiences.

3) My major driving point is that friendships can develop in almost any situation, and it can be beneficial to remain open to friendships that surprise you and challenge you.

4) My specific target audience is people that are currently ending or starting a new season of life, in which it will become necessary to make new friends in order to establish community and wellbeing. Another audience that I may engage with this story is Madeline herself, as it largely involves her personal experiences as well.

5) My rhetorical situation and strategy will involve logos and pathos, most notably. Logos will naturally arise within my story, as I hope to create a logical argument that stems from a personal experience. Pathos will undoubtedly also shine through my essay, as I feel warmly toward Madeline and toward our beginning as friends. My strategy constructs persuasion toward both an idea and an opinion, since the larger point I attempt to make is that friendships can come from anywhere.

6) A multimodal source that may support and expand my story is a picture taken of Madeline and I together in our home, or a photo that emphasizes and showcases our close relationship.

7) There are multiple aspects, addresses and approaches within this essay that qualifies it as a personal essay. For instance, this essay will relate my intimate thoughts and experiences to universal truths. Although the details of my story are unique, there’s a relatable aspect of unexpected friendships that can appeal to many audiences. However, I will not simply retell events from my experience; instead, I will conclude about how my relationship with Madeline has shifted who I am and has allowed me to grow in ways I would not have been able to otherwise. This personal approach to persuasion in the context of unanticipated friendships and a familiar composition style is a part of what qualifies this essay as a “personal essay.”

8) The personal essay form of composition differs from the open letter form of composition in specific and subtle ways. The personal essay maintains the fundamental principles of composition, while the open letter strays much further from a traditional compositional structure. In terms of rhetorical persuasion, the open letter strives to deliver a specific opinion to a specific audience for a specific purpose, while the personal essay less directly delivers a persuasive narrative from one’s own experience about the common human experience.

“I got faith to move a mountain 
/ And to watch that mountain move 
/ It’s time for words to fall like thunder / Sound of justice breaking through” – JOHNNYSWIM & Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors

Dear Lori Alexander,

This past summer a blog post of yours went viral, igniting the Internet aflame with emotional arguments on either side. Understandably, readers were eager to both agree and disagree with the opinions you shared in “Men Prefer Debt-Free Virgins without Tattoos.” You remind the young women of my generation to consider the implications that attending a secular university may have on their future, and more specifically their future in relation to a man. I implore you to consider the nature of what you are asking young women to do, and why you want them to do it.

As a Christian woman myself, I agree with the idea that we should live a life pleasing to God, because God is better than the best thing that the world has to offer. But I contend that God does not have the same things in mind for each of His children. For instance, while He might have called you into a life of motherhood and tending to your household, I personally do not see this as a life that God is currently calling me to lead. I instead feel called to minister to those nearing the end of their life, and this may not include marriage and children. Other women I know feel similarly, and are being led to full-time overseas ministry or working in “corporate America.” Your post assumes that God has called most if not all women down a path that closely resembles your own, but this fails to take into account God’s personal relationship with each person, and His own ask of them. He may not call each person into marriage, and may not give him or her the gift of a child. It is exclusionary and damaging to idealize marriage, both for those that are already married and for those that may live a life of singleness. Rather than prescribe advice to young women with the assumption that they will get married and have children, I would instead ask that you encourage women to follow where the Holy Spirit leads, regardless of where that might be.

Along these same lines, it seems important to remind you that the world is an incredibly diverse place, with people of all different backgrounds. Although many people come to know Christ through their familial upbringing, others come to Christ later in life, when they have already become collegiate women, mothers, lawyers, doctors, chefs, etc. Many still do not know, and many others have decided to walk away from Christianity for various reasons. Each person’s experiences make them who they are, and they remain important before, after, and if they ever come to know God. If they have been married multiple times before, have tattoos, and have debt that they may never be able to pay, they are still important people. In fact, they may even be living a life that reflects Christ’s in unfamiliar ways, behaving or thinking things I may wish to emulate. There is no one way to be a Christian, and I would be fearful of a religion that demanded its members to lose the pieces of them that make them who they are.

For instance, there are many aspects of my past that make me who I am, but no longer reflect my faith or values today. My mother passed away on this day three years ago, and reeling from her death, I took to numbing myself through drugs and alcohol. I have a long and unhealthy history with men, in which I’ve both been taken advantage of and have taken advantage of them. I come from an unstable and messy family, in which adultery and abuse were a part of the reality that I could not control.

I can share my experiences with you now because I have an understanding of the central tenet of Christianity: while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me. This does not mean that I am anywhere near perfect now, but it simply means that nothing I do or did can take away from His love for me. Good or bad, these experiences have shaped who I am, and I am no less a child of God or a Christian because of them.

In conclusion Ms. Alexander, I wish not to offend you or condemn you, since you are simply stating what you believe, I suppose much in the same way that I am. But I do ask of you this: remain open to learning things you may not have known before, and do not be afraid to see other Christians around you that look different than what you see in the mirror.

Respectfully,

Alexis Rivera

Author: Dave Eggers

Orignal Publication Date: October 8, 2013

Brief Overview: Within this excerpt from The Circle, Eggers describes a scenario from the perspective of a character named Mae, in which she commits a crime and must endure the consequences that follow.

Important Vocabulary: Phosphorescence, meaning light emitted by a substance without combustion or perceptible heat. Permutation, meaning a way, especially one of several possible variations, in which a set or number of things can be ordered or arranged. Denunciation, meaning public condemnation of someone or something.

Initial Reactions: This except from The Circle raises an interesting question about human privacy and the nature of secrets. At worst, secrets involve lies and deception, and at best involve careful omission. It would be difficult to make the claim that deception and omission are positive in most scenarios (although situations like experimental research and planning a surprise may require it); however, the inability for (at least) perceived privacy becomes eerily reminiscent of Big Brother. The final three statements, “Secrets are Lies,” “Sharing is Caring” and “Privacy is Theft” only apply in a world in which the acquisition of knowledge knows no bounds, and the individual is stripped of their personhood. Although lies can be destructive, I shudder at the alternative: monitoring one’s behavior quickly becomes controlling their actions. Needless to say, I am extremely interested in reading the book in its entirety.

 

Education_______________________________________________________________

Lutheran High School of Orange County                                                                                 2014

Summa Cum Laude                                                                                                                       2014

Chapman University                                                                                                    2015 – Present

Bachelors of Arts in Psychology|Bachelors of Arts in Sociology|Emphasis in Social Work

Provost’s List                                                                                                                                  2018

Class Projects/ Relevant Classes________________________________________

Introduction to Research Methods                                                             2016/Spring Semester

The Effects of Parental Cancer

• During the project, I conducted four interviews using a loosely structured schedule with individuals affected by parental cancer

Survey Research                                                                                                  2017/Fall Semester

Examining the Relationship Between Alcohol Use and Grant Point Average

• During the project, I administered surveys on Chapman University’s campus to examine the climate of alcohol use in relation to academic achievement and used statistical analysis to interpret data

Work Experience__________________________________________________

 Urban Outfitters                                                                                                               2015-2016

Sales Associate

• Provided exceptional care for customers by answering questions, giving feedback, and organizing clothing

Tender Greens                                                                                                                    2015-2016

Cashier

• Delivered excellent customer service by greeting, taking food and drink orders, and completing monetary transactions

Chapman University                                                                                                  2018 – Present

Research Assistant

• Works diligently under several professors to study a device that will benefit those at risk for pressure ulcers

Volunteer Experience _____________________________________

 National Charity League                                                                                                2008-2014

Chapter President                                                                                                                          2013

• I worked with various organizations within the local Whittier community, such as Meals on Wheels or the Children’s Museum in La Habra, to contribute to the betterment of society

Crisis Text Line                                                                                                                  2016-2017

Crisis Counselor

• I underwent professional training to effectively counsel those in the midst of a crisis
• I practiced empathy, patience, and learned the ability to take individuals from a heated state to a cool calm

Alpha Gamma Delta                                                                                                  2017 – Present

• I raise money through fundraisers to combat hunger both within the United States and abroad

Skills________________________________________________________

Proficient in: Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, ASA, APA

Mandated Reporter

Can create interview schedules and surveys

Has experience with hospice care

Following our peer-review workshop, there are several different changes I hope to make in the next draft of my open letter, and my peers specifically addressed: a possible shift in tone, as it is clear from reading that I may be holding back in my letter, a possible change of the word “sincerely” to conclude, add to the letter in general, and apply my ideas to other people from different backgrounds further. Personally, I wish to give a voice to and engage with a wider audience, and consider those who are different in their faith and spirituality.

Dear Lori Alexander,

This past summer a blog post of yours went viral, igniting the Internet aflame with arguments on either side, as people were eager to agree or disagree with the opinions you shared in “Men Prefer Debt-Free Virgins without Tattoos.” You remind the young women of my generation to consider the implications that attending a secular university may have on their futures, and more specifically their futures in relation to a man. I implore you to consider the nature of what you are asking young women to do, and why you want them to do it.

As a Christian woman myself, I agree with the idea that we should live a life pleasing to God, because His ways are the best. But I contend that God does not have the same things in mind for each of His children. For instance, while He might have called you into a life of motherhood and tending to your household, I personally do not see this as a life that God is currently calling me to lead, and I am sure that this rings true for other women as well. Your post assumes that God has called most if not all women down a path that closely resembles your own, but this fails to take into account God’s personal relationship with each person, and His own ask of them. He may not call each person into marriage, and may not give him or her the gift of a child. Many women may not get married out of choice, and many other women may desire marriage, but were never able to get married. There are other women still that may not be able to have children, or may not want them. Rather than prescribe advice to young women with the assumption that they will get married and have children, I would instead ask that you encourage women to follow where the Holy Spirit leads, regardless of where that might be.

Along these same lines, it seems important to remind you that the world is an incredibly diverse place, with people of all different backgrounds. Although many people come to know Christ through their familial upbringing, others come to Christ later in life, when they have already become collegiate women, or mothers, lawyers, doctors, chefs, etc. Many still do not know, and many others have decided to walk away from Christianity for various reasons. Each person’s experiences make them who they are, and they remain important before, after, and if they ever come to know God. If they have been married multiple times before, have tattoos, and have debt that they may never be able to pay, they are still important people. In fact, they may even be living a Christ-like life in ways that I never have, and I may need to take a pointer or two from them. There is no one way to be a Christian, and I would be fearful of a religion that demanded its members to lose the pieces of them that make them who they are.

In conclusion Ms. Alexander, I wish not to offend or condemn you, since you are simply stating what you believe, I suppose much in the same way that I am. But I do ask this of you: remain open to learning things you have yet to encounter, and do not be afraid to see other Christians around you that look vastly different from what you see in the mirror.

Loyally,

Alexis Rivera

The intricacies of life that have shaped my personality and beliefs are vast, and cannot be described in any way that might fully encapsulate the truth of the matter. However, I might start to discover pieces of who I am through a description of my simple yet important background information. I am twenty-two years of age, have Spanish, Native-American and Pacific Islander blood running through my veins, and am from a middle-class family of three. I grew up in the outskirts of Los Angeles County, and had attended private Lutheran schools until applying for college.

While these details of my life are both descriptive and accurate, they do little to effectively create a precise or complete image of who I am. Perhaps it becomes necessary then to describe seasons of my life that have dramatically shifted my view of the world: an unsteady and unfriendly father figure, the adultery and eventual divorce between my parents, the passing of my mother, friends and romantic relationships that have come and gone. In each particular period of life, I learned something new about myself and something new about the world, and as such, became new for it.

And yet, while I might be able to describe in detail each season of my life, this still does not entirely explain the unique aspects of my personality that make me who I am. More than anything else, I am explained by my reactions to all that has happened to me. I have a dark sense of humor, because in my response to particular mistreatments, I forced myself to laugh instead of ruminating on the hurt. I have a passion to care for those in the process of dying, because I refuse to feel helpless when others experience emotional or physical pain. I spend an afternoon or (if time permits) an entire day each week intentionally resting, because I’ve come to value my mental and emotional health over extra time to work. It is my reactions that best reveal my character, and put into words the things that make me unique.

 

Author: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Where: Birmingham City Jail

When: April 16, 1963

Brief Overview: While confined in Birmingham City jail, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote a letter addressed to his fellow clergymen in response to their criticism of his work and ideology. Throughout the letter, he makes clear that his actions were well thought out and quite frankly necessary in both time and manner.

Important Vocabulary: Gainsay, meaning to deny or contradict a fact or statement. Moratorium, meaning a temporary prohibition of an activity. Gadfly, meaning an annoying person, especially one who provokes others into action by criticism. Reinhold Niebuhr, an American Protestant theologian who had extensive influence on political thought and whose criticism of the prevailing theological liberalism of the 1920s significantly affected the intellectual climate within American Protestantism. Interposition, meaning the action of interposing someone or something. Clarion, meaning loud and clear. Ekklesia, meaning a particular body of faithful people, and the whole body of the faithful. Scintillating, meaning sparkling or shinning brightly.

Questions: How can the contemporary church, both as a body of people and as individual members, work more diligently to remove themselves from the bounds of the status quo? Are there any situations in which doing the right deed for the wrong reasons is commendable?

Noteworthy Quotes: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” “Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.” “It is unfortunate that demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate that the city’s white power structure left the Negro community with no alternative.” “But I must confess that I am not afraid of the word ‘tension.’ I have earnestly opposed violent tension, but there is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth.” “Lamentably, it is an historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily.” “One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that ‘an unjust law is no law at all.'” “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.” “So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an arch defender of the status quo.”

Initial Reaction: Although in the past Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” had been referenced to or cited in other works, I had never read the entirety of his letter, and can now confess I have done myself a great disservice in neglecting to do so. His letter is both eloquently written and efficient, both beautiful and concise. By refraining to lose himself in hysteria or tangents (although he would have had every right to do so), Martin Luther King, Jr. effectively makes his argument for direct action, breaking unjust laws, and extremist love. His letter is powerful by all accounts, and deserves the praise and recognition it has received.

Author: Malcolm X

When: 1965

What: The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Brief Overview: Within an excerpt drawn from The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Malcolm X describes his experience of dedicated studies while imprisoned in Norfolk, Massachusetts. Wishing to emulate the eloquent speech and plethora of knowledge that others around him exhibited, Malcolm X took to copying each page of the dictionary, and consequently increased the number of words he understood while reading.

Important Vocabulary: Mr. Elijah Mohammad, who was a spiritual leader for the nation’s Black Muslims in the mid-twentieth century, and served as a mentor for Malcolm X. Norfolk Prison Colony, which was founded as the nation’s first “community prison” in 1929. The prison had dormitories (not cells), a school, a quad, and an auditorium.

Questions: How long was Malcolm X incarcerated for? Answer: Seven years.

Noteworthy Quotes: “Many who today hear me somewhere in person, or on television, or those who read something I’ve said, will think I went to school far beyond the eighth grade. This impression is due entirely to my prison studies.” “I suppose it was inevitable that as my word-base broadened, I could for the first time pick up a book and read and now begin to understand what the book was saying. Anyone who has read a great deal can imagine the new world that opened.” “In fact, up to then, I never had been so truly free in my life.”

Initial Reactions: Malcolm X describes an experience shaped by levels of dedication, perseverance, and motivation that are fairly rare both in and out of prison. Although his initial goal was to emulate those around him that he viewed as commanding and intelligent, Malcolm X discovered an entirely new world through his studies. His description of the freedom that reading can bring reminds me of childhood, when my mother would encourage me, saying ” You can travel anywhere in the world while you read.”

 

After engaging in conversation with my peers and my professor about the first draft of the open letter, I noted several areas in which I can continue successfully, and several areas in which I can seek to improve. My peers noted that my first draft was extensively detailed, and only had questions about the wider audience I hope to address and the wariness I expressed. In the future, I hope not to allude to specific situations, but instead to actually describe what I may have been cryptic about. I explained my purpose for the letter well, and hope to keep my intensions clear as I continue writing. I need to make sure that my wording is not inappropriate, and be careful to not express that Lori Alexander is altogether wrong or incorrect, but rather that I personally disagree with her viewpoints, and that there is simply another way to be a Christian.