Transactional Writing

Task Description:
For this task, I wrote a transactional, satirical guide adopting the voice of an exaggerated patriarchal figure from the Elizabethan era. The piece was meant to expose and critique historical expectations of masculinity, romance, and social power through humor and irony.

Academic Growth:
This assignment helped me develop a stronger understanding of how language, tone, and rhetorical choices shape meaning in transactional writing. I had to apply my knowledge of historical context and gender norms and translate that into satire that was both accurate and purposeful. By doing this, I learned how writers can use nontraditional formats to make analytical arguments, and I strengthened my ability to blend creativity with critical interpretation. It deepened my understanding of how writing can communicate a viewpoint indirectly—showing a critique rather than stating it outright.

Personal Growth:
Writing this piece also made me look more critically at the cultural values society has normalized over time. Exaggerating arrogance, authority, and moral double standards helped me see how deeply gender expectations have been embedded into everyday life—and how many of those attitudes still exist in subtle forms today. This task pushed me to question what society labels as “ideal” or “honorable,” and to recognize that these values are constructed rather than natural. It encouraged me to confront uncomfortable truths about power dynamics and reflect on how important it is to challenge inherited beliefs rather than simply accepting them.