Reflective Journals: Exploring Public Writing Concepts 2512LHS

This assignment comprises a series of reflective journals written in response to readings and discussions related to public writing. The journals cover topics such as the decay of public language as argued by Don Watson and George Orwell, analyzing persuasive writing techniques in revised essays, exploring the role of creativity in strategic communication, understanding audience engagement through social media, and reflecting on the framing of political issues in news articles. Additionally, the journals delve into speechwriting elements, personal reflections on influential figures, and the effective use of social media in public relations campaigns, referencing specific articles and case studies to support the reflections. The student analyzes various concepts learned throughout the course, providing personal insights and relating them to real-world scenarios and personal experiences.

Reflection Journals 1
REFLECTIVE JOURNALS
By (Student’s Name)
Professor’s Name
College
Course
Date

Reflection Journals 2
REFLECTIVE JOURNALS
Week 1
Reading “Politics and the English Language” by George Orwell has made me realize that
language is more of an instrument for expression rather than thought prevention and
concealment. Orwell has argued about the utilization of vague language in political speeches o
brainwash and even confuse people to gain their trust. Orwell has not considered literary use of
language but has showcased how language is an instrument to express and not to conceal or
prevent thought. Orwell holds that the current political chaos remains connected to language
decay, and we can probably bring specific improvement by beginning our communication.
Anarchists and Conservatives use political language to make lies appear truthful. They also use
language to make the murder appear respectable and also to give the appearance of solidity to
pure wind. From Orwell view, I have learned that we cannot change all these improvements in a
moment. However, I can at least, change my habit to avoid vague language. I can also send
specific worn-out and useless phrases into the dustbin where they belong. An example where
language has been used to conceal or prevent thought when we use euphemism through inflated
style. This is using Latin words to blur outline and cover up all particulars by being insincere.
Politicians prevent or conceal thought by speaking to use using clichéd and lifeless sludge.

Reflection Journals 3
Week 2
Reflecting on question one after reading Miller (1992) and the sample essay by Karen
Rivedal for a University newspaper in the US at pages 7 to 11, I believe that the revised essay
following Miller’s criticism is more persuasive. This is because Karen seems to have considered
the comments of Miller in her edited essay. For instance, she has made the revised essay in
inclusive in terms of audience inclusion, including the initially excluded professor. Also, the
revised uses persuasive writing style achieved through rhetorical devices, which serves to appeal
to ethics, logic, and emotions and in the process, convinces the target audience.
Reflecting on question 2, upon reading “The Writing Process,” I believe that the author
comments on creativity remain well-reasoned. I agree with the observation that everyone stays
creative to a greater or lesser extent since each one of us holds a place on the scale of creativity,
between 7 Spielberg and a tree stump. Indeed, I like how the author treats the question about
creativity by saying that it should be viewed not as to whether I am creative or not but in what
ways is one creative. This is effective since it drives us to think about how to boost our creativity
and how much creativity can be employed to present public relation messages. I also agree with
the comments that people who say that one can either have creativity or not is wrong. This is
because it is indeed real creativity is never an in-borne capability, a gift, nor a knack. We nurture
our imaginations and learn innovative abilities.
Based on reading 3, I have identified specific valuable points regarding understanding
and engaging audiences taken from the article. It is time I bring such points to my tutorial and
discussion. The first relevant point is that as a PR professional, I have to account for the expected
“pulse” of the audience before the launch of any social media campaign. The next point is that I
must understand the capabilities of engaged social media audience because when I underestimate

Reflection Journals 4
them, I will only be exacerbating crises scenario. The last point is that it is not always useful to
use social media in PR practices.

Reflection Journals 5
Week 3
Reading Mustafa (2017) and Pollak (2017) about the US President announcing to
acknowledge Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, I can reflect on my thought about how the issue is
framed. These news articles have some similarities and differences, and I have considered the
values being invoked or made salient. I can also reflect on how logos, pathos, and ethos have
been used in these two news article. Both the two news articles have presented the issue of
recognizing Jerusalem as an issue necessary for the peace process and the right thing to do. They
have both recognized the need to acknowledge Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. I think the issue
has been presented more persuasively. There has been reasons or justification for the decision to
recognize Jerusalem in both news article. The similarity is that they are both talking about one
issue. Another similarity is that both news articles use rhetorical devices to persuade people to
believe that it is their best interest if Jerusalem is recognized. The difference in the two news
article is that

Reflection Journals 6
Week 4
After reading Neale & Ely (2007) and Smith (2017) articles, I have understood how to
approach my speechwriting task. I now acknowledge that speech has specific elements which
make it useful. I am more or less confident about some of these elements in planning and writing
processes. I am confident in using transitions in writing a speech. I have known several
transitioning words and phrases that can help me move from one point to the next. I am also
confident in making the speech simple, direct, and short sentences which are easily understood
by the audiences. Moreover, I am confident in using rhetorical devices, including repetition,
cadence, variation, and balance. I believe that these are essential rhetorical devices that I would
wish to incorporate in my speech. I think they are useful since they will help me emphasize my
points. For instance, I will integrate repetition to stress on my points to the audience. However, I
still face a challenge when it comes to the analysis of audiences for my speech based on gender,
age, profession, audience size, culture, occasions, and purpose of my speech. I have also not
been able to restrict my speeches below twenty minutes. The most insights from this week’s
readings and course content appeal to me for my speechwriting tasks have accepted the style of
contemporary American public address that must be natural, direct, low key, casual as well as
conversational. This is important since it will help me put the listeners at great ease and further
promotes a sense of community between myself as the speaker and audience. Another insight is
the use of imagery. I have realized that no speech can sound fresh and vivid when it is never
animated by imaginative imagery and metaphor.

Reflection Journals 7
Week 5
The most important person to me is my mother. She is presently fifty-years-old.
However, she stays much younger, and no one can realize she is fifty. Everyone in the family
likes her. She has taught everyone in the family to be a role model for others. She always sits the
family members down, including the father to discuss an issue affecting the family so that
solutions can be reached in an informed manner. It is true that mum is an incomparable person
ever on earth.
Mammy always knows when any of the family members has a problem. She is inquisitive
and can easily ask questions that help her detect when one is emotionally or psychologically
stressed. When it comes to cooking, she has always been the number one chef.
She cooks a variety of delicious foods for the family members. Eating these meals trigger
appetite and urge to even crave for more. Anyone in the family appreciates mammy for
everything she does to her family. Indeed, it would be hectic living away from her as everyone
has grown fond of her because of the caring and loving attitude she has always shown towards
everyone.
I love my mother with all my heart. I have always grown fond of her. I would appreciate
her every moment of my life. My mother has been a person I can tell secrete and my most
worrying moment, with a surety that I will get an amicable solution. In my view, I believe that
my mum is the most caring person I have ever met. I have a lot of confidence in my mother, and
I would ever hesitate to share with her any problem.
I remember a day when I was at my lowest having failed to achieve the best grades. I
shared my problem with my mum, and I was surprised to get relieved in a matter of minutes. I

Reflection Journals 8
got helped, and I was re-assured of reliable support. I felt so happy since my mum encouraged
me to put more efforts into my studies rather than quarrel me and tag me as a failure.
It is quite challenging to restrict myself in purely either the styles. I had to write and
delete from time to time since I realized I was mixing up. However, I believe that I tried my best
to stay with one style at a time.

Reflection Journals 9
Week 6
Reading article Allagui & Breslow (2006), I can reflect on the critical points regarding
the effective use of social media, which I take away from the readings. These key points are
useful for me in my public relations practice and reflect on a social media campaign I have
encountered, which has utilized the same approach to the case studies from the reading. The
main point is that efficacious social site strategies characteristically meet one principle of PARC
for accomplishment, including authentic, participatory, credible and resourceful. Another critical
point is the new resourcefulness definition which addresses social media. This new definition of
resourcefulness is useful in my public relations practice since I will not use this new definition to
design a social site campaign which is never only determined by whether campaign has given
target audience valuable info. Thus, I will ensure that I design a social media campaign which
engages its audience as well as builds a conversation. I have encountered a social media
campaign that uses case study 1 (The Scarecrow). In my encounter, it involved a company that
needed to enhance its reputation as well as reinforce its competitive edge of not using a non-
renewable source of energy. The Company launched a campaign which vulgarized the adverse
environmental effects of using non-renewable sources of energy while positioning itself as the
best alternative for the rivals that were using non-renewable sources. The Company used an
innovative fashion since it created an app for mobile gaming, which was a Scarecrow movie
companion piece. They followed this with a link allowing a target audience to download the
game as it remained entrenched at Scarecrow movie end. This campaign in social media was
given in various social site platforms, thus driving the audience to scarecrowgame.com that
directed a person to download game using Apple’s app store.

Reflection Journals 10
Week 7
Forget Me Not
PO Box 245
Corinda Queensland
Australia 4075
Charity Number CH1521
ACN 610 061 679
ABN 55 469 493 449
May 30, 2019
The CEO,
Children’s Hunger Alliance,
1105 Schrock Road
Ste. 505
Columbus, Ohio 43229
[phone]
Dear sir/madam
RE: REQUEST FOR SPONSORSHIP
Forget Me Not is a not-for-profit organization that honors rights of each kid and. We
work to guarantee that kids are flourishing, vivacious, and associated to community, family, and

Reflection Journals 11
opportunities. The organization exists to deter kids and fledgling individuals around globe from
being displaced via investment in inventive initiatives which keep kids within their respective
communities alongside families. Forget Me Not grows its influence via local partnership
leveraging on ground in-country, increasing community awareness, and advocating for desired
changes while learning. Our success is reliant completely upon product and financial support of
private sponsors and corporations. Our organization has been lucky in the previous years to
receive funding from outside entities like yours and Government of Australia receiving funds via
an Australian Aid: Friendship Grants. We remain hopeful that this year shall be no exemption.
Our organization wants to request that you consider being amongst our Corporate
Sponsors for 2019. Your organization, as a sponsor, shall receive significant positive media
attention by associating with Forget Me Not. For instance, we were lately awarded by Australian
Government as amongst Top Ten best organization. Moreover, your organization will assist
introduce a different generation of children to outdoors. We believe our perfect partner for the
kids and us.
Enclosed is our sponsorship fact-sheet along with a comprehensive proposal for your
consideration and review. If you have interest in sponsoring Forget Me Not, kindly never
vacillate to contact our organization. I will be following up through the phone within 2 weeks to
confirm if you have concerns that I will respond to regarding our proposal or organization.
Thanks very much in advance for taking time to review our proposal package.
Sincerely,
John Smith
Forget Me Not

Reflection Journals 12
Week 8
Reading (Durham 2017) has allowed me to understand how black women in the US use
social media to contest the mainstream narratives in the US and to try to bring about social
change. The women use hip hop to oppose the underrepresentation and de-representation of
women or home-girl. They cultivate distinguished literacies alongside interpretive communities
utilizing a race-gender “double-consciousness,” which could not be feminist or womanist
explicitly; however, it remains female-focused. For example, female rappers extend blues
woman tradition via the public address of sexual politics utilizing vulgar, profane, and aggressive
language that defies traditional femininity codes or middle-class respectability. Whereas hip hop
is as being a masculine defined space, it is an area where home-girls stage the public redress.
Women and girls use media to give voice and even speak back to patriarchy from a given
scenario. They use the media to oppose the surged black women’s objectification in rap music
videos as hip hop gets increasingly profitable for youth culture industries. The women use media
to enhance advocacy, which focuses on accountability. They advocate for the new knowledge
obtained from hip hop culture alongside generated via classroom collaboration to be shared
publicly with communities. They also use collaborative performance strategy to advocate for
social change through the exploration of the evocative and emotive power of language, which
makes performance to force people to act and react at the visceral degree. Hip hop is utilized as a
societal metaphor.
Reading the blog by Greenpeace Pacific Australia. (13 April 2018), I can explain the
writing style used in the blog and show what stands out as well as whether I think many
individuals would find the blog persuasive. I believe that the writing style is persuasive. This is