Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Reflection: Prep for Final
Directions: in 200 words or less, describe one aspect of the semester (the blogs, the quizzes, group exercises, pre-writing, writing a particular paper, etc.) that helped you the most in understanding how to write better compositions. Your most significant moment during the semester could be as simple as what you learned from speaking to one of your classmates or to the professor. You will use this blog as a jumping off point for the final. You can print out and bring your blog response with you to class on the day of the final. The blog response is due before class on May 8th, and is worth 10 points.
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One aspect of the semester that helped me in understanding how to write better was the research paper and synthesis assignment. I drove into resources looking into my claim and desparately trying to prove it. I loved researching about Birmingham, the individuals, and the roles they played in during the unrest in Alabama. I learned how to construct a research paper from the inside out. I normally just start writing and go back and edit my paper. I, now, know how to successfully write a thesis and look for evidence with supporting detail. This class was challeneging but very rewarding.
ReplyDeleteThis semester I learned to improve my essay papers with the group feedback and the from the class as of the students like Sally and Leiya. With this feedback I got better grades on my essays and improved overall in writing skill.
ReplyDeleteHi. I will be discussing what I learned in my English 121 class. I had trouble writing a thesis for my paper and paraphrasing. With the skills that my professor had taught me were very helpful to me because of the little drawings that she did on the board. When I would be writing my papers at home, I would have the visual images of certain things that I was taught. It was a fun learning experience and I am so much better at writing thesis statements than I was when I first walked in through that door.
ReplyDeleteDuring the semester, one particlur aspect of the class taught me to balance my creative voice with academic writing necessities. After feedback from Ms. Taylor, from one of my earlier essays, I became aware of the fact that within my essays, I have an urge to write beautiful, poetic sentences which can make my mechanics and formatting of a paper suffer. After Ms. Taylor brought this to my attention, I have had more success balancing mechanics with creativity which has improved my academic writing.
ReplyDeleteOne of the biggest impacts this class had upon my writing was learning about ethos, pathos and logos. Not only learning about those rhetorical strategies, but how to construct those three aspects properly to be combined in order to persuade an audience. During the jig sawing exercise of identifying the ethos, pathos and logos in the Letter from a Birmingham Jail I learned how those strategies are supposed to be conveyed. Since that exercise I have incorporated those writing strategies into my own compositions. The in class exercises involving me and my peers improved my understanding of applying the writing strategies I have learned. Also these techniques have improved my writing skill overall.
ReplyDeleteWhen first entering my English 121 class, I felt a bit nervous and inadequate to be here, but soon after meeting my teacher, class, and viewing the curriculum I felt relieved. Being able to blog our thoughts and ideas was one of my favorite parts of the class and the most helpful with my thought process. Viewing others perspectives and gaining a different outlook either made me change my thoughts about a subject or either giving me a better understanding of it. Overall the blogs helped me with my thoughts and writing process tremendously because everyone has something different to bring to the table and has unfamiliar opinions on subjects other than my own.
ReplyDeleteOne specific aspect that helped me understand how to better construct a good paper was writing the diagnostic essay. Writing the diagnostic helped me realize that there is always room for improvement. The diagnostic essay encouraged me to acknowledge my strengths and weaknesses and accept constructive criticism. Not always do you realize that there are mistakes and flaws in your work, so the helpful tips and comments contributed to my growth as a writer.
ReplyDeleteOne of the main things I learned during this semester was how to create a strong thesis. With having in class decussions and group exercises, it helped me learn how to build my weak thesis into a stronger thesis. Learning that your thesis is what needs to be described throughout the entire essay. Learning that a thesis is a crucial part of any writing assignment has improved my writing skill and style. Not only creating a strong thesis but, having hard and soft evidence that follows and supports my most crucial part of my assignment.
ReplyDeleteWell, I learned the importantance of properly structuring an academic paper to be better received and respected by an audience. I also learned that I am not an academic writer or I do not prefer academic writing. I appreciated the reading assignments most because because I discovered writers, literature and interests I dont think I would have if not for this class.
ReplyDeleteIt has been an inspiring and educational semester. Getting out of my own head and being myself, instead of attempting to sound smart with my writing was one of the most in my face realizations you gave me about my writing style. You said to me, “I would rather you keep it simple, then over flood your writing with a bunch of words.” It seems very easy to the simple person. When I dig deep in my analytical head, it made much more sense. Which explains a lot of why free writing is so important. Looking back on the semester, I see how important writing style is to the audience reading it. Whether it is ethos, pathos or logos that draws them in to create a sense to read more, or simply just writing a thesis to give an outlook on paragraphs to come. Not knowing much of what I learned before the semester started, this class gave me a clearer viewpoint on what to expect down the road in my future schooling.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest help to me regarding understanding to write better was all of the prewriting work that was done, as it allowed me to start to piece things that I have never even heard of before before the start of the semester and understand what I was supposed to do to make a semblance of a paper.
ReplyDelete