English 1101 Reflection

Writing used to be one of my strengths, but throughout my coursework in this semester, it was challenging to take the first step to approach my first draft. I was always taken a long time to think about the thesis and introduction because I personally felt both were very important for the entire essay in order to attract readers. Merely, I could not make my thesis clear and good as always. Therefore, I would get some inspiration from my friends or tutors, or watched drama and news; this would be my first step to write a first draft. Unlike in High School, we have assigned at least 1200 words essay, and greatly opened my mind to develop a deeper understanding of each topic. For my writing habit, when I first look at the topic, I would think about what professor taught us in class or search some websites for stimulating more inspiration. Especially working on critical response essay or opinion essay, these two types of essays were required to write an argument and to be more thoughtful. It is difficult to identity some controversy topics in my knowledge as an English learner. Although I have always been a thinker and I

The biggest thing I have learned in English 1101 about writing is to write a lot and in detail. By in detail, I mean that I have to write every single thing that’s important for my essay which means to not leave anything out which could also deduct points from my essay. By writing a lot I mean to try and fill in any every idea I have. Or, try to write the full page without editing so I can edit it later and see my ideas and not a bunch of things you don’t need in your essay to try and fill the page.

English Composition I has developed my style of writing and my skills analyzing and researching topics to write a piece about a topic. Throughout the course, I got better at analyzing articles and pieces to get the meaning of the topic. With that improved skill I was more able to use the information given from the text and install it into my essays, with proper citation if needed. Before taking the English Composition course, I was not one to organize my essays in an ordeal order to clearly state the point of the work. Now with taking the course, I have learned to organize my essays, examine research for a topic, and develop an essay with proper mechanics, and revising skills. In writing my personal, review, analytical, and cultural

English 111 was the first class English class that I have taken since my senior year of high school in 2004. When I first signed up for the class I figured it was going to be a bit difficult with reading assignments, I was not expecting to be writing 3 to 5 papers every other week which I found to be hard at first.

My experience in summer school, English 1302, allowed me to strengthen my writing skills by applying them to essays and real life. English 1302 taught me many useful writing techniques like the proper MLA format, how to cite excerpts throughout an essay, and how to avoid grammar mistakes. In this fast paced class we did a total of three major essays, my strongest most effective essay was, the proposal. Since I was not used to writing proposals I found it difficult to begin, but with the help of Mrs. Kane and the handy everything’s an agreement textbook I was able to deliver my essay effectively. I improved most when Mrs. Kane explained how to properly deliver this essay with the correct MLA formatting, reading the text book, and drafting/revising.

In English 111 I have struggled with many assignments over the course of the semester, picking myself up over time from countless mistakes on papers, to procrastinating on basic class work assignments. Before Fall semester, I had no idea what college would be like, or how hard it could be. Things were not the same as high school; it was different to a point where college seemed a lot harder than it was supposed to be. In English 111, I got the chance to meet new students and different professors that have helped guide me to success throughout the semester.

I intend on acing English 1102 online. Prior to this course, I was home schooled for three and a half years, and many of my classes were online. One of the online programs I used was Florida Virtual. Additionally, I have completed three online college courses—including English 1101. Because I have engaged in online schooling, I have established the skills necessary to devote myself not only to a physical classroom, but also to online environment. In the beginning, being self-motivated was difficult. I transitioned from a public middle school to a self-disciplined online program. My busy mother could do little to help me be accountable for my school work. As time progressed, I wormed myself into a pit of unfinished assignments. My parents stepped

I did not have a firm writing philosophy before this semester, but I to some degree I understood the importance writing can have on a situation. Now I understand that writing has two outcomes: gaining support or losing support. When writing an essay it is best if the writing is as specific as possible. This way the audience is hopefully not left with a confused opinion about the topic. Since the beginning of the semester I have put a conscious effort to change my writing style. Instead of the box format that is learned in high school I try to use a more graceful approach while still being organized. Also, I evaluate the credibility of a source before I use the information to support my thesis and understand the roles of using ethos,

As the Fall 2017 term comes to end, I look back on what I have accomplished in this class. English 102 – Composition II was one of the most challenging and toughest class I have taken at UW-Stout, but feel as though it has helped me to improve my writing skills. Even before the semester started the feeling of anxiety had taken over, as writing has never been my strongest skill, but stayed positive and confident I would be successful. Much to my surprise, my instructor, Michael Critchfield quickly addressed that this class would not be easy and amazingly changed my views of writing throughout the entire semester.

During the Fall semester I engaged in many activities related to the course English 110. For example, the service learning helped me out a lot because, I was not afraid to talk to other people or approach them. Also I was able to explore Hostos Community College by introducing English work to others such as topics about foods and how to have a healthier lifestyle. The course brought me closer to the community and the environment that I am living at because, it was not just work that us the students had to complete but we the students were educating people about the community. I find this very interesting because, although a lot of people that I interviewed did not go to college or maybe did and never finished are getting the opportunity to

During the first semester of English 1101 there were times I struggled but, I did see progression in my work along the way. Looking back on my writings from previous years, my teachers have always noticed the amount of detail I put into my papers. What the noticed I struggled in was sentence structure and excessive use of run-ons. Turning in my first writing assignment this year, I noticed those problems were still there. I understood I needed to work on my simple mistakes in order to be at the college level writing that I’m expected to be at next year.

Proficient writing is an essential skill in all aspects of academic and professional achievement. English 101, Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric, provided the framework to good writing, teaching me composition and rhetoric fundamentals, polishing up my grammar and style, and expressing a clear message. English 102, Composition, Rhetoric, and Research, continued to build on the skills I learned in English 101, focusing on the subject matter research process and employing various rhetorical and literary devices to better express a clear message to the reader. The course also improved my critical thinking capacity, allowing me to culturally evaluate my target audience, present logically flowing arguments using appropriate language and structure, and critically reviewing my writing projects for content and expression. Every writer inherently knows there’s always room to improve and I hold fast to this mindset in all academic, professional, and personal writing projects. English 102 has both challenged and inspired me to grow into a much better writer than before I began the class, providing the necessary skills to be not just a good writer, but a great writer.

Despite the review I got on any of these assignments I have taken away a ton from each piece. English 103 has given me a short measure of time to deliver a wide range of composing pieces, and in addition winding up more educated while creating bits of work. Going into English 103 I was to a great degree positive about my written work capacity and did not understand the huge measure of terms and methods I had never known about. The greatest perspective I am detracting from this class is on terms I had never utilized or heard in English class: ethos, feeling, and logos. These three associated terms were acquainted with me at the earliest reference point of the semester and were immediately installed into my brain and my composition. In class

A major area for development and improvement revolves around effective note taking and essay planning/writing. As a Higher Education student you will be required to plan and produce countless essays in relation to the course you are studying, and a key point of reference to help with this would come from “The Guide to Learning and Study Skills for Higher Education and at Work” who give the following advice and tips: ‘Identify the purpose of the essay and who the audience (reader) is and what is required for both – structure your work and develop your arguments/main points – proof read your work and improve language, spelling, punctuation, grammar and style – review what you did and use feedback to improve your essay writing for the future’ (Bingham, R. and Drew, S. 2012 The guide to learning and study skills: For higher Education and at work).

In order to analyze and understand the writing process, there are three main areas of consideration to provide an effective and understanding essay. The essay must be able to provide a clearly concentrated thesis that allows the audience to understand the point the writer is trying to make. The body of the essay must be able to provide extensive information and experience on the topic outlined in the thesis. The final process to tie the essay together must include the conclusion that overviews the thesis in conjunction with the information provided in the body of the essay.