Professional Writing is something that started as a secondary consideration to me, since my original intention was to pursue Creative Writing as a long-neglected passion and interest. In my educational background I have been introduced to many different cultural and historical issues, and it is these as well as my love of writing and my strong foundation in the linguistics of English that drive me to reconsider Professional Writing as a primary interest. I believe I have an understanding of rhetoric due to my experiences in philosophy and many theology and history classes. From what I am seeing in my Professional Writing class, I am gaining trust in my previous beliefs and understandings in the concepts necessary to write professionally, especially in the context of rhetoric. My majors of Creative Writing and Professional Writing indicate that I have a passion for self-expression and out-of-the-box thinking, as well as a respect for the cultural and historical significance of writing and rhetoric in general. My minor of C&IT (End-User Computing) suggests that I have an interest and reasonable background in computing systems and information processing.

I have chosen this course of study because I feel very strongly on several issues concerning writing, but two in particular: the literacy of the masses, and the empowerment that one’s own literacy and culture offers. My belief is that my future courses will lead to a work environment that encourages, emphasizes, and exploits my interests and ability in writing. The computing aspect will not only support me in the technologically-dependent future, but also offer an opportunity for me to be a part of well-paying major computer-related companies like AMD, Intel, Dell, Gateway, and the like.

I do not expect that writing will be easy. I have not chosen it as an “easy degree” or a way to cheap out. Many people are under the false assumption that “anyone can write.” This is utterly false. One reason we have newspapers at a fifth-grade level is because some people can’t read, much less write well. The significance of a good book or poem is sadly lost to the generation of videogames and AIM. The great necessity of a high education in literature and the arts is lost to a nation that sees technology all around it, and somehow believes that it is those electronics that define the culture. A look at history will prove that those with the power of literacy were those who ruled, and ruled well at that. Technology might be a means to an end, but literacy is an end in itself. The power of language, when used correctly, offers infinite possibilities to the wielder. Power comes to those who speak well and persuasively; wealth to those who excite and entertain; glory to those who are remembered by their names on and in books that span history. How could one not appreciate the utter magnificence of writing well? It is for these and many other reasons that I pursue a greater ability and understanding of writing.

I think that after I complete my education at Purdue, and perhaps elsewhere for a doctorate, I may invest my professional time in politics, popular literature such as magazines or novels, or perhaps even go on to teach in a university. I expect to go out into the field and change, even if just slightly, the world for the better. If that means broadening the understanding of a student or making sure no future president sounds like President Bush has, then I have done something worthwhile, something that has made my efforts meaningful. I expect that with the ever-present lack of good communication between individuals, companies, and even nations, there will always be opportunity for work and opportunity for meaningful, productive change.

-Matthew Mohamed (Team Gorgias)