106 Class Reflection

The challenging component this semester was the transition from high school English reading and writing level to college level. It is mainly because High school writing did not have many expectations from students, its main focus was on the ideal five-paragraph essays. As compared to college, writing is mainly geared and focused on one’s ability to thoroughly answer the assigned prompt. Initially, I was not sure if I was capable of handling a fast-paced course, however, I quickly adjusted to the change and I am glad that I chose to stay. In English 10, I have learned many valuable elements that I can incorporate into my everyday writing. I have included my writing from project 2 a rhetorical analysis on, “Black Lives Matter”, which effectively demonstrates my growth as a reader, thinker, and writer.

As the semester comes to a close, it is always interesting to look back and reflect on the events and opportunities my English class has given me throughout my first semester as a whole. At the beginning of this semester it was evident that I was feeling uncomfortable due to the adjustment that I was going through as a student moving to college. It was very difficult expressing myself through my writing since I was nervous about good impressions and my good grade. While this class was one of the most difficult courses that I have taken this far, it has become quite evident to me that I have grown a substantial amount as a writer and as a person; Especially, when it came to explaining my ideas, writing academic essays, and making arguments.

I had my appointment on the previous week at the Writing center. I brought my 2nd project for ENGL 160 class. I scheduled tutor to “face to face”, because I think it is the best way to improve all of my mistakes. Before going to Writing center, I was thinking that this tutor doesn’t help me at all, but fortunately my thoughts was wrong and I enjoyed 1 hour of editing my project.

Over the course of this semester I learned a lot about myself as a writer. This English 101 class has really allowed me to expand my essay structure and ways of thinking. This was my first college writing course and it has given me much more freedom when writing because in high school I felt limited and like what we were writing was not very important. In high school I would write essays to just to fulfill the required word or page count and to a degree I still feel like this but maybe that is why I am an engineering major but in this course I actually was able to express my ideas and for the first time really test the limits of my writing capabilities. I really enjoyed being able to incorporate my voice more in my essays and I believe

I learned that you are not only writing for your own benefit, your writing for your classmates, teachers and peers as well. It helps you gain common knowledge that you may not have known otherwise, as well as teaching us research skills that we will need later in life due to the rise is technology use. I have learned that research is a part of life and you will need it throughout college. Writing has helped me understand things I was unable to comprehend before, and gives me a feeling of capability. As Frederick Douglas, an African American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman, once wrote, “Thus, after a long, tedious effort for years, I finally succeeded in learning how to write” (McQuade and Atwan). At the beginning of the semester, I would have never guessed that I would finish this course on a positive note; however, I finished, and it was not as difficult as I thought it would

The past two semesters were great experiences. Within this past school year my knowledge as a reader and writer has improved. It felt like it was just yesterday, when I had a lot of difficulty writing and poor reading strategies. Now, as I said before, I am an improved writer and reader. The assignments and class activities over the two semesters were great benefits to me, and helped me make progress towards the first year learning goals.

Upon reflection of the FYE 105 course material from this semester I realized there have been many techniques I have been able to improve or learn new strategies for academic success in the pursuit of lifelong learning. After being out of a traditional school for over twenty years, my academic success strategy began with obtaining a rhythm of life and school. Once I developed and implemented a good personal time management routine that allowed ample time for the many competing activities life brings, I was on course for success in achieving my goals. One aspect of this class that had a significant impact on my academic success was modifying the way I took notes to include all essential information in an easy to read and review format. I will be able to use the notetaking and time management techniques I have learned this semester in not only all future courses but in any environment requiring detailed notes and strict time management to ensure success.

Over the past four months, I have made great strides as a writer. The area where I have seen the most growth is in my use of the writing process. Prior to my enrollment in this course, I would sit down and write all my papers in one sitting. This class has taught me how to lay out a plan for my papers. I have learned how to effectively brainstorm/research, draft, and revise my writings before I complete them. Also I have learned to not just stop there, instead I am now going back and reflecting on my work after I complete it. This allows me to identify where I prospered and also where my downfalls may have been. With this information, I am able to apply this to future writings of mine; lessons that will stay with me forever.

This semester has been full of different types of writing styles and writing topics. Throughout the semester of being in College Writing One we wrote a visual critique, critical review, rhetorical analysis, and an argument synthesis essay. All of the types of writings came with the struggles, strengths, and the learning parts to them. Overall writing all those different types of styles and topics I feel like I have become a little bit of a better writer than I was when I walked into the class back in January.

This semester of writing has been truly interesting for me. Being able to write within a topic that interests me has made the process more exciting and engaging. I can see this growth in my papers this semester, but I feel that other, perhaps, cannot. It is true that the mechanics of my writing have improved and I am more able to articulate my thoughts and position. However, the real improvement, that other may not see, has been in my self-esteem and confidence in my own writing skills. I chose my sixth writing assignment as my example of progress for a variety of reasons. The two most prominent reasons are that it is one of my later assignments, and, therefore, will represent the most recent evidence of my progress and that it received my highest grade of all of my assignments.

The assignments in this class have shown me that I’m a better writer than I initially thought. The assignments have where I have improved, areas where I still need to improve, and how skills developed here can transfer into other courses.

This semester was my very first semester as a college student. Being the first, it was probably the semester I would learn the most in. I learned the expectations for writing that I will have to live up to for the next four years of my college career. Though my high school teachers were usually demanding because I was in the Honors English section throughout high school, writing in college has still ?raised the bar? for me. Also, in high school, we would have weeks to pick a topic, create a thesis, outline the paper, write the paper, and then revise the paper. In college, the time restraints are not quite as lenient. I?ve had to learn to manage my time and be more productive with what free moments I

After looking at all the written assignments I have completed for this class in particular, I definitely noticed differences and progress in my writing. With every assignment I have submitted this semester, I have noticed a progress in my writing and as well as in the delivery of my intended messages. Although explanation can be important

Writing is a skill that needs to be practiced. Before this class, I didn't care about the writing because my high school teachers didn't care about my writing, as long as I turn a paper, I would be fine. Now, at the end of my Comp 2 class, I can assure I have improved my skills. From simply using MLA 8th format to writing an ethnography, this class has helped me get a more advanced writing style to accomplish the requirements that higher education requires.

This semester in ENGL 210, I have learned about most forms of business writing as well as the various means of communication used in the business world. Along with this understanding, I have also learned how to write many different kinds of letters both formally and informally. In this class, I have written a bad news letter, a cover letter, and a thank you letter all with correct formatting, styling, and pacing. We also learned about memo format and had to write two for class. Along with memos and letters, we also wrote a resume and filmed an elevator pitch. Although I already had a resume, the one I created in class was a lot higher quality, and I now use an edited form of it to apply for summer jobs. The elevator pitch is a little to unedited