Reflective Essay Writing

Writing is a powerful tool for communication and connection. As an extension and expression of the mind, writing is as much about the mental processes of the author as it is about the final marks laid to paper. As we write, we hold in mind our own thoughts on the work, anticipate the reader’s thoughts, and think both in concrete and abstract ways in order to accomplish the task at hand. Whether an academic research paper, a novel, or text message to friends, writing seeks to engage, persuade, or impress concepts upon an audience. Like language and other art forms in general, the practice of writing is ever-evolving and is subject to cultural and contextual influence, expectations, and conventions. Each writer holds a theory

Teachers, parents, and friends often tell students exactly what the writing process should entail and how long it should take. However, the older I get, the more I realize that the writing process varies not only from person to person, but also from one writing project to the next. Throughout my years of life, I have written countless papers, ranging from a persuasive speech to an extensive research paper, and each project requires an altered version of my personal writing process. While each individual has his own writing process, there can be many similarities between different writing processes. Finding one’s individual writing process takes trial, error, and repetition. When an individual finally uncovers his unique writing process, better thought, work, and writing is produced.

As a writer, I can adopt a system of writing that I can use most of the time. To be involved through all the composing process, I need to gather all the tools that I need such as paper and a pen, a typewriter, or a computer. I must also choose a suitable writing environment or place, and then apply my writing techniques and skills. The writing process has different ways and steps, allowing each writer to develop his or her writing in his or her own way. By describing all the steps I go through when writing, I really show my unique style of writing which can be different from the style used by others.

Writing, something that has never befriended me, will always be an obstacle in my life. For me, it’s difficult to just sit down at a table and write something interesting and creative. I try to do so every time I am assigned a essay, and sometimes it turns out to be successful, but most of the time it is unsuccessful. Every time I am given a written assignment, I go through the same routine: I sit at the table and stare at my computer with my fingers on the keyboard. I have noticed that I come up with a lot of ideas, but I focus mainly on how to structure them while writing. In three articles written by Anna Lomott, Marie Foley and Donald M. Murray, they all discuss different strategies on how to

With practice and hard work, writing can be a good skill to have. The step that’s people follow, and their writing process is different for every person. Writing something is not just some step by step thing. It is a process where we change our minds, rewrite, and rethink all of our strategies. No matter who the writer is they always do prewriting, writing, and revising. These are the steps I use in every writing assignment that I have ever done.

Writing is the ability to form words and phrases into a well thought-out idea. However, many people find writing to be difficult and tedious at times. Even professional writers have reported episodes of “Writer’s Block”. Nonetheless, writing is a fundamental practice of an educated individual. In order to become a great writer one must examine their strengths, weakness, and strategies for perfecting the art of writing.

“There’s always room for improvement” (Shannon Fritcher). In your opinion, you may be the best you can be but non-the less, there is always a place that could use improvement. In the past months, I feel like I have accomplished a great deal. As the semester comes to an end I find myself reflecting on not only how I managed to survive the first semester as a freshman in college, but also what I have learned. One of the most valuable things I have learned thus far is becoming a better writer, mainly because I didn’t think I could become a better writer. I once believed you either had what it took or you didn’t, but I was wrong. As with any skill, it takes practice to make perfect and even then, you still need to adjust some skills to make them even better! I have grown as a writer, and I am now in the process of meeting at least half of the course outcomes. My writing and learning process, now being able to compose sentences that are accurate, concise and varied in structure, and lastly the amount of learning I have left to do are all factors of my growth as a writer.

Preceding spring semester, I had never been in a formal college-level writing class. As I am finishing up my sixth week of this semester, I am discovering what all is involved in writing. To write is not simply to put words on a paper; writing requires a developing story laid out in smooth, well transitioned paragraphs, with a strong conclusion.

Before I came to college, I felt my writing had to follow a certain pattern and be fixated around one way of thinking. What I was fortunate to learn was quite the opposite. Writing does not have to follow any certain pattern, but can rather be structured through many different possibilities. I was also told in high school that my papers either had to agree or disagree with the given topic, even if I believed otherwise. This formulated a very one-track way of thinking when it came to my papers. Now I know that I can let my mind explore new and exciting ideas. I can agree, disagree, compliment, criticize, and question the author however my heart desires, as long as I have the evidence to back myself up. Many authors in the book, Writing About Writing, explain their processes as well as the processes of others when it comes to writing. As a writer, I can draw on my own processes and relate them to the authors, as well as use their ideas and apply them to myself. Through reading, I have learned new methods of invention, planning and revising, and incubation when it comes to writing. All ways I can use to create more meaningful and creative work.

The writing process is a step-by-step route that a student can follow to make sure that his paper is ready to be turned in to the instructor. As explained in University of Phoenix’s video Writing Process (2014), the steps of the writing process is (a) read the syllabus, (b) time management, (c) outline, (d) research, and (e) revision. Using this process can ensure that the paper

As a freshman at West Chester University, I have began to learn many skills in my WRT 120 class. Writing has been never been a strong suit for me, but as I began taking this class I have required multiple skills and developed a more creative mind in my writing. Dr. Cooke gave assignments that as students, we could express our own intellectual ideas in her prompts. Like I have stated, It was always hard to write an assignment that was on one concrete subject. Being able to contribute my own personal ideas and express in my own words, I was able to find my creative side into my work. I have always believed a “good writer” was someone that was able to speak in their own words to pursue their creative side.

William Wordsworth once said, “Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” Writing is not just about picking out words that sound good together to form a sentence. I believe the philosophy of writing is to allow people to freely express themselves. Writing gives people a freedom within themselves and grants the room to grow and discover character. I have always loved to write. Before my high school career I would use my free time to write poems and short stories, along with school essays. I have always enjoyed the way the words seem to fall out of your brain and onto the paper. During high school, my essay writing has made a drastic improvement. This first semester in Comp 110 is where I feel my writing has been at its best. I have learned many new things about my writing and writing as a whole. I believe I had the room and time to grow as a writer during Comp 110. My main focus when trying to improve my writing are my strengths and weaknesses. My weaknesses also lead me to set new goals for Comp 210.

In my early childhood, I went to John Bayne Elementary a school where expressing yourself was like screaming to a soundproof window. Even though, there were a couple teachers who actually cared and didn’t come every other friday and have the smell of there brand new check coming later that day. When I was in 6th grade, my teacher Mrs. Middleton was teaching a new concept on writing, a topic i was actually really familiar about. A topic where if i would began to write all of the truth from my lips will unapologetically spill on the paper. This topic was a concept people use the very most to let anger out, to be heard and just because teachers would say we have to match each and every other word with a rhyme people would think that they are rappers. The topic i am expressing is poetry, a lauryn hill type poetry, a maya angleou type poetry. In one of my classes, after a day of just a lesson based upon different types of poems, this would be the first time i would be able to express myself on paper without anyone with a red pen who would come and scratch words off because of “grammatic error”. When all i want to say to that pen was “I ACTUALLY MEANT WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ERASE AND FIX!” This day was free writing, words didn’t have to match unless people who wasnt really good at writing, that was a way they can help there poem go into length and meet the right stanza we had to reach. This day was the day poetry became my light in a dark place. But, this was not the day where i

“Perfectionism instills fears that you will never live up to a standard set in your mind or one that’s been set for you by others” (Rosenfeld, 2015). This quote accurately describes my relationship with writing. A significant part of my fears and apprehensions about writing relate to creating that perfect paper. I consume too much time judging if what I have written is good enough for the reader, as well as for myself based on my standards. It is important that I recognize how the value in expressing my ideas in writing could potentially influence others viewpoints. Thus, awarding me the ability to create something I can admire as well. While I do not have difficulty in the writing required in my career, ultimately the goal is to become more excited about the prospect of essay writing. However, stepping outside of my comfort zone in my writing causes an increase in my anxiety due to my expectations of what perfect writing should be.

As a young girl, I loved to write and read books, middle of junior high school was when I lost my touch with writing. Before Writing 1100 I hated writing, it was one of the things I used to hate the most. That was mainly because I had a tough time putting my thoughts into a paper. Although I felt that writing wasn't my best subject, I still use to get okay grades on essays I was assigned back in junior high and high school. Things changed for me when I had two writing classes in college, I realized I was not a good writer. I knew I was not good at writing when I had to take a remedial writing class my first semester of college. Writing in the Public Sphere 1100 changed how I feel about writing, Although, in this course, it was a lot of stress and excessive assignments I can say that having all of the writing assignments helped me with improving myself as a writer. My skills with MLA formatting, citing and analyzing readings have improved. I also learned how to summarize well. In this course I have written six journals, two essays, a research paper, and some free-writes. Now that I am creating this portfolio, Reflecting on my writing now, I would say that the there was a lot of work assigned, and these assignments were somewhat repetitive and that’s why my skills have gotten better because I didn't lose touch of the skill I was taught for this course.