Syed Makki

Professor Hughes
02\09\2015
English 1102
Identity Writer
When it comes to writing, there are several topic one can write, for example like a history of
someone or something one experienced in life. Writing helps to express feeling that someone have in their
mind. There are several different ways of writing in life. For example: if you are writing about a science
topic then you need to write in which you can express data conclusion and other stuff. When you are
writing about an art then you need to do some research and cite it in your essay, and if it is about your
personal experience then you just write about what you feel.
I came in America 4 years ago. English was my 4th language, so it was really hard for me to get in
the American Environment. In different countries, Speaking English or writing letter was not that
important as much it was in US. When I came in this country I had no idea what an apostrophe was, I
didnt know what an independent clause and dependent clause was. I had little or no grammar knowledge.
When I joined in Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream I had to give a placement test for it. It was
funny how my scores were. I got a 80 in science, I got approved for regular math Algebra. But, when it
came to English my testing teachers was like, Syed you definitely need to work hard in your English
skills. When I met my counselor they recommended me an ESL class, I started building some English
skills and also my writing skills got better.
I graduated from High school in 2013. When I graduated I didnt know that I will have a lot of
responsibility on me when I get in college. I was thinking that college will be easy and I will graduates on
time. I was so lazy that I didnt my registration late. Also when the College counselor told me that I need
to take a placement I took it in the end of summer. Due to which I forgot a lot of things I knew in high
school. After the placement test was over and my score was here, I realized that I was definitely not ready
for college. Rather than getting English 1101 I had to take 0491, rather than taking math 1431 I had to take

0482. At first I was really disappointed because I felt like that was a waste of time. I told myself I dont
need those classes, they dont even count in my major program. However I had to take it since it was
required to get in English 1101. So I signed up for that class. My first professor was Sarah Hughes. Who I
took my first college English writing class.
On the first day of class when Professor Hughes was explaining her syllabus, a lot of stuff was
making sense to me. But I always had that question what I will learn from this class and will there be any
changes in my writing skills. The way professor Hughes teaches is amazing. So we have to write an essay
on a given topic, then submit it. The interesting part was that the first draft was not graded, because we
submit two more drafts after it and the final draft is the one which will be graded. This was a really
effective way of learning, because I saw how bad my first draft was and how I made my essay look so
good in the end of the final draft. I could really see the difference in my essays because I got a lot of help
from the writing center. Taking English 0491 was really a smart choice for me because after taking that
class a lot of material started making sense and I also felt prepared for my English 1101 and 1102.
I also took English 0492 but I was really happy to take that class because 0491 gave me so
interesting facts about English that I wanted to explore more. I did an essay on Advertisement in my 0491
class which I still remember was on Axe product. We had to see an Ad and tell what is happening in the
Ad. It was really good experience for me because I never notice an ad so deep and write about it for me it
was a topic worth writing for. It was fun Writing