Defining Self - a College English Essay

Self is you as an individual, your personification, your identity and individuality. However, one may question what is taken into account, when considering the true you?

Who you are, is not as often considered by ones own reflection, but by what others see of you. The roles and responsibilities you take, your goals, interests, attitudes, behavior, personality, and even style of dress are a reflection of who you are.

These are only outwardly appearances, which tend to give false impressions, of what is being reflected from within.

Your inner self, is what you and those close to you may only take notice. Like your habit of sleeping on your right side, the emotion to cry when watching Bambie, your beliefs, your wants and needs. This is your real self. They reflect the way you may relate to society, and the way you communicate your concern for particular issues..

You can wear a three-piece suit and drive an expensive car Monday-Thursday. Wear sweats on your days off, and roll around on the floor with your children. Dress in your finest for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday for Religious services.

You are still the same person, no matter what it may seem like on the outside. The inside is you, your true self. Who Am I (descriptive)

For the past few years, I have been at a "stand still" trying to figure out my place in life. Recently I have taken into consideration my abilities, preferences, aspirations, limitations, and motivations to find the answer. These factors have been a tremendous advantage in helping to figure out who I am.

I spend my early mornings in prayer, studying, and reflecting on the Quran. I help my three children with their homework and projects that I have assigned until noon.

These details revealed that I am nurturing, generous, passionate, and emotional.

My hobbies and interests include Theology, Philosophy, Graphic Design, Event Planning, and Traveling. These details surfaced certain character traits such as, analytical, innovative, individualist, introvert, and creative.

I was aware of most of these traits; however, I was unable to describe them in a way that I could reflect upon them, or explain them to others.

I believe that is important that people take the time to analyze their characteristics and interest to help them find a joy in their lives that is an extension of them.; something that allows them the ability to express their natural talents and abilities and innermost passions to the world.

"Wrestle With the Concept of Self"

"Wrestle with the concept of self", is a topic that I personally have dealt with recently, and so I choose this topic to express in a descriptive and definitive manner.

These two rhetorical modes had five specific guidelines to follow in which to complete the previous two essays.

In my first essay "Defining Self", I choose the defining rhetorical mode.

"Definition is the process of explaining what a word, an object or an idea is. (Flachmann) I believe that I achieved this by one, giving a working definition in my theses statement. Secondly I decided to define the term "self" through use of synonyms such as individuality and identity. Third, I developed the definition "self" with examples by showing ways people see themselves or others. Fourth, I used other rhetorical strategies such as comparison of the inner and outer self, and descriptions of characteristics used to determine who a person might be. Lastly, the essay was proofread, edited and re-written in a logical way to present to my readers.

In my second essay "Who Am I", I choose the describing rhetorical mode.

"Description creates a picture in words to help a reader visualize something a writer has seen, heard, or done."(Flachmann) I described myself in a way that the readers may feel that they know me, or know someone like me, including themselves. I wanted my readers to fill excited and inquisitive about there own characteristics and the possibilities of them revealing something new to them. Secondly, I decided that the description of me would show the "inner self" that I had discussed in the previous essay. It would be subjective, and perhaps relate to something the reader, has also seen in them self. The third guideline required for this rhetorical mode was to use senses to describe. I used a non-traditional sense of feeling. Not literal, as to touch; but emotion and intuition. This is a heightened sense that a blind and or deaf person uses. It is as though the reader's eyes were closed and it was silent. Only emotion and passion was described. It was to bring out the passion and excitement of recognizing ones true self.

Fourth, I left out physical attributes because they did not matter, or show who I truly am. I wanted to use my inner charteristtics, because they tend to be the questions that we have about people we recently met. All we see is their outward appearance and we may wonder what is inside their heart, what makes them tick. What are their goals, and passions? Finally, I also proofread, edited and re-wrote this essay in a way to present it to my readers.

The difference between the two essays, even though written about the same topic, was the approach and feeling one had after reading the essays. The first essay defined what is considered "self', and questioned which is more significant and true the inside or out. The second essay gave you categories to help describe self, about yourself.

WORKS CITED

Flachmann, Kim

Mosaics

Focusing on Essays (3rd edition Chap 9 & 15)