Issue Analysis Reflection

Whenever an assignment was given, I used to just write everything that I could think of, similar to a free write. After doing a free write in my scrap notebook, I would then go back and insert examples from the text to further prove my points. After taking this class, I learned that is the incorrect way to write academic papers and that the best way is to make an outline instead so that I can make sure that every point is proven, clear, accurate, and most importantly understandable. I was able to see the improvement of how outlines helped through my first essay. The essay was about picking out an image and explaining its means to the visual context and its impact on culture. My first draft I had learned that I needed to step back and see

From writing thoughtful poems to research papers, I have experienced composing a diverse portfolio of literary analysis and criticisms throughout the school year. I started out the year writing minimally. By the end of the year, I noticed I was able to express my ideas and thoughts in a more clear and concise way on paper. Ultimately, each composition allowed me to widen my horizons as a writer and see how I could improve as a writer.

What can be considered “good writing” varies with context. Qualities that make research papers well written are different from the qualities that make good short stories. In the short story writing community, writers have a small amount of time and space to communicate. Kurt Vonnegut’s story “The Kid Nobody Could Handle” in his book Welcome To The Monkey House exemplifies good writing because within its brevity it packs potent emotional impact. “The Kid Nobody Could Handle” is written with a pacing that pulses to multiple climaxes, a prose that indulges in just the right amount of metaphors, and a story arc that leaves the reader in the sweet bliss of a moral realized.

In assignment number three, I was instructed to write a short summary about an article titled Hidden Intellectualism by Gerald Graff. Learning goal number two is being able to write in various academic genres. I demonstrated that I understood this learning goal because I was never able to write in any other genre then free writing. This assignment helped me perfect my skills in writing short summaries about an article because it broadened my expertise in writing. Thinking of summarizing, you’d incorporate it as an easy task but for me it really wasn't. Writing a short summary on an interesting article was not easy. I started off by using the skills of learning goal number one and annotated the article throughout my reading. Writing in different

This semester in English 1020, my writing skills have greatly improved. I used to struggle writing papers that were more than a couple pages long. Now I have learned to incorporate more information that will help lengthen my papers. My papers used to be very short, just simple five paragraph essays. I feel more comfortable now stepping away from the five paragraph format and making the paper my own.

I have never been an excellent student and perennially struggled with English, Math, and Science growing up. These subjects would cast a pall over my day and school work. Anxiety would well up inside of me which often resulted with me passed out across my desk sleeping through parts of class. When I would return home at day’s end, I rarely completed my homework. When I did try to complete homework, it often ended in tears of frustration or the hurling of a book across the room. Taking this class has helped to quell a portion of that anxiety and frustration. It was a grueling class, seemingly impossible at times, but taking this class has given me the confidence to know that not only can I finish the class if I work hard but can also excel! Writing is something that I will exercise throughout my college curriculum and my life. It will help to convey my ideas to the instructor, peers, bosses, and co-workers. In my college curriculum, it will also show my instructors that I’m learning the information provided and how to apply that knowledge appropriately. It will allow me to complete assignments, discussions, and reports, and I will also apply writing in basic communication when necessary.

Reading the short section of The NORTON SAMPLER SHORT ESSAYS for COMPOSITION was a beneficial reminder of all the different writing techniques I learned in the past even if it had monotonous moments. I enjoyed being reminded of all the past lessons I have taken to improve and perfect my writing skills. It also helped bring a sense of structure to my academic life. However, the writing and explanations appeared to be drawn out which often caused me to get distracted throughout the reading.

I find that the short writes number nine and ten were my favorite and most useful assignments given. They allowed me to write about myself and what I was doing. Since we had to test the rules stated in Choosing Civility, it allowed me to experience what I was writing about. I enjoyed testing several of the rules because of how complicated some can be to test. It helped me learn that by following some of the rules civility is possible. This was an assignment that did not involve research and more hands on experiences, which I find more enjoyable.

Looking back through all of the assignments, I find out that I have achieved the goal in becoming a better writer. Take a look at my first draft for this class, on Details: Physical Senses, my writing was totally lack of details and it was uninteresting. For example, the opening of my draft, “There is a large fish pond in my hometown. ” I was shocked when I went back and read this draft. This draft was totally lacking of detailed descriptions, and detailed descriptions are very important for the audience to create a vivid image when they are reading the description. However, after your lectures, on Details: Tone and Attitude, Telescoping(zoom in on the subject), Appositive(bring clarity to abstract terms through definition) and Freighting (capture complex and compound reading), I have grown as a writer. I understood the idea that too many short sentences will pause the reader’s

Writing is about telling your story to the world and changing the perspective of how things appear to you. Writing is about sharing your voice with the world one word at a time. It’s about creating your own opinion statement with just the right amount of detail. All writers have something they want to say, and everyone is a writer. The most important thing you should always remember as a writer is believing in yourself. If you can believe in your writing, then you can achieve the impossible and know this is a paper worth turning in.

To be honest, I have never really enjoyed writing that much. Even though I don't enjoy the activity, years of english classes have made it easier and more bearable for me. In addition these classes have taught me numerous techniques and tips for crafting a fine paper. Even though I have a few good qualities that make me a decent writer, I believe that my greatest one is my ability to plan and structure essays. When I write a larger paper I start with an outline that plans out my introduction, main points, sub-points, and conclusion. This outline helps me organize my thoughts, so when it comes to writing my actual essay the process is faster and my ideas are coherent and easier to understand. Outlining my papers before I write

My interaction with the client was more on the line with solution-focused. With the solution-focused approach the client has knowledge of what would make his life better, even though they may need some considerable help describing the details of their better life and that everyone who seeks help already possesses at least the minimal skills necessary to create solutions. Patient was focusing on what he can do to make his life better.

Not as strong: The weakness I choose is "Demonstrates positive attitude toward work and others." After reflecting on my faults during this project I realized that I could have been more efficient if I kept a patient and friendly attitude. When others in the my group were messing around I would become very frustrated. It was my job to manage our time, but everyone was making it very difficult. I stopped the talking by asking if we could continue in a manner that was aggressive and negative. If I were more tolerant I believe we could have gotten more done. Next time, I plan to ask nicely, but assertively to stay on

Before taking this course my writing styles and habits were very different. I was the typical procrastinator because I would wait until the night before a paper was due to start it. This did not allow me enough time to properly proofread everything, which resulted in getting points deducted for simple grammatical errors that could have been avoided if I would have had the time to proofread. My writing styles have many strengths and weaknesses and I have been able to improve my writing because of them. I have learned from my strengths and weaknesses how to become a better writer.

Since beginning to write papers in English class, I have had countless successes and failures. While many of my English classes have taught me how to improve my writing, I have not learned very much in others. My most recent English class was last year, my sophomore year. My class was particularly undersized; therefore, it gave each student the opportunity to have additional individual attention. Throughout the class I experienced high points, weaknesses, and even difficulties that I never overcame. Overall, my writing skills improved, but only marginally.