AL-Dana AL-Emadi 

2017027575

26/11/2023

 

Final Reflection 

 

At the outset of Essay Writing 2, I had assumed that the course would teach me how to construct sentences properly. However, it turned out to be much more than that. It was like learning how to express myself in a completely new dimension. In this reflection, I will discuss how the class influenced my writing style. I discovered that connecting with people through words is more important than writing alone. I learned that writing is more than just putting ideas on paper; it's like solving a puzzle where you have to fit words together precisely. Completing a research paper was a first for me, and I learned how to write more clearly as a result of this experience. Furthermore, I have come to learn that delivery is just as important as content. 

After completing my first assignment, an argumentative essay, I realized that I had made a lot of mistakes. Upon reviewing my professor's comments on my work, I discovered that I lacked proper punctuation skills. Specifically, I had a tendency to start sentences without a capital letter, or use capital letters when not necessary. Additionally, I struggled with writing in-text citations correctly. Using an informal writing style was a major issue for me, such as writing "its" instead of "it is”. I have recently acquired a new writing style that I had not used before. It involves using persuasive language to convince the reader about my argument. I have learned to use ethos, pathos, and logos effectively to make my argument more persuasive. As an example, I used this style in my recent writing about the "effects of technology on children", and it helped me make my argument more compelling.

 

During my experience with peer review, I realized that it is not just about pointing out mistakes but also providing constructive feedback to help improve the work. If I had the opportunity to read my peer's review of my work, I would have appreciated it if they not only identified my mistakes but also suggested ways to rectify them and enhance the quality of my work.

While writing my previous reflections, I realized that I should have explained my mistakes in more detail, rather than just stating them. It's important to not only identify the mistakes but also to explain how I plan to avoid making them in the future or how knowing them will improve my writing skills. I also discovered that my writing skills are weak when I write in the first person as I'm more accustomed to writing in the second or third person. I hope to improve this aspect in my future reflections.

Giving a presentation was one of the most challenging tasks I had to face during my college life. As an introverted person with social anxiety, it was a major obstacle that I had to overcome. At the beginning of my college career, I used to skip presentations and lose marks. However, I realized that instead of ignoring my issues, it's better to face them. Having the courage to present was a huge milestone for me. Even though I didn't get a good mark while presenting in this class due to a lot of mistakes that I made, it is still considered a success for me. During my presentation, I made a few mistakes. I was nervous and spoke too quickly, which caused me to forget some of the points I was supposed to mention. This was the first time a professor critiqued my presentation skills, and I appreciate the feedback. I hope to perform better in the future.

After receiving my final research paper grade, I was shocked as I had thought that I had not performed well in the essay writing course. However, after reviewing my paper and the mark that my professor had given me, I realized that for the first time, there were only a few marks deducted. Additionally, I received a decent grade, which was a pleasant surprise. I had fixed many of the errors that I had previously made such as incorrect citations, grammatical errors, and incorrect use of punctuation. I also focused on small details that my professor would mark me on, such as using the correct font and adding page numbers. Previously, I did not realize the importance of these details, but they helped boost my grade significantly.  After completing my last assignment, I came to the realization that I dislike doing research papers. My way of thinking is more creative, and I find it difficult to write formally and precisely about a specific subject. I prefer writing that allows me to express my emotions and speak my mind like this reflection. 

In conclusion, I can say with confidence that this essay writing class has significantly improved my writing skills. Throughout the course, I gained extensive knowledge on how to structure my ideas coherently and enhance the overall quality of my writing. The course also heavily emphasized critical thinking, which is an essential aspect of effective communication. I learned that writing is not just about putting words together, but also about being mindful of the words' meaning, which can be helpful in other aspects of my life, such as decision-making and problem-solving. Overall, this course covered more than just writing exercises; it improved my ability to express myself clearly and think critically. I feel much better equipped to tackle various writing assignments and utilize the knowledge I have gained in other areas of my life.

 

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