Castaneda 1

Daniel Castaneda
Professor Intawiwat
End of Semester Reflection
9 December, 2015
Reflection Portfolio
Project 1: Initial Extended Inquiry

This assignment enhanced my use of technology to create and write in multiple genres. It
has allowed me to use credible sources, such as the UNCC library and databases. I also
enhanced my use of technology when it came to researching general source sites, such as
Google.
My research skills avoided plagiarism when it came to citing my sources. Whenever I
used someone elses ideas from a website, I was sure to cite it using parenthetical
citations and then acknowledging it at the end of my paper, at the references page.
My critical thinking skills have definitely increased because I consider myself more as an
open person. I have learned to not be biased on my thinking and allow others to make
their statements. Their statements have allowed me to see things from a new perspective
and also question my own thinking, and I am sure I grew as a person as a result from
those opinions.
Reflecting on my writing and choices I made were changed to a way that I was more
comfortable in. I was used to writing extremely formal in my essays, which made them
dull to read. By writing my own style of writing, my voice in other words, not only do I
enjoy writing more but I also learn that others get interested in reading what I wrote.
Knowing the style and the audience I am writing in definitely helps whenever I write.

Project 2: Annotated Bibliography

This project enhanced my research skills because apart from researching about my topic,
I also had to research about the author and how this source will be incorporated into my
writing. It was almost as if I was preparing myself for using this source before even
adding it into my paper. It made things a whole lot easier when it did come to writing the
paper.

Project 3: Multi Modal Project

The multi modal project took the creative side of me out. It was fun to make mostly
because it stayed away from writing the typical boring paper and made things more
interesting. We still had to express what we said in our essay into the project, but in an
innovative way that was more creative.

Castaneda 2

Class in general

I think I deserve an A in the class because I was never absent and I also turned in all my
work in on time. I might not have gone above and beyond on all, but I did put in a lot of
effort on them. The class went extremely well, I have no complaints. I did learn more
about myself when doing the inquiry project and I also learned a few things when it came
to research and adding my own voice into the paper. I loved my house group; I was glad
that I was paired up with all of them. They kept bringing ideas onto the table and put their
part to our group assignments. They also had a good sense of humor; I could not have
asked for a better house group to be in.

Discussions/Journals/Responses to Readings

I liked having discussion groups because I got to share my own opinions and get
responses from other people in my class. It definitely helped me to not be biased on my
information and they challenged my beliefs so I would not be so simple in my thoughts.
Whenever I needed more ideas for my writing, I went straight to those responses because
I knew that they were going to be useful.

Think about these words

a. My strongest points are organization, developed, integrated, and demonstrated. My
weakest would have to be revised and/or evidence.
b. Organization in my paper is the most important for me because if there is no type of
structure, then the whole essay to me is a waste and no point will get across without a
clear organizational pattern.
c. The revised evidence part was more challenging because researching and finding
evidence to me is both time-consuming and stressful, especially when it came to
citations.
d. I have learned to make connections between texts in my actual inquiry paper, where I
incorporated the book The Awakening to the book Into the Wild when comparing Edna to
Chris.
e. Each major piece was difficult to begin because I did not know where I was going with
my information. But once I delved in more into each, it was easier to accomplish. First I
began with putting thoughts into paper without any type of organizational pattern or
anything. Afterwards, I organized my thoughts to things that would best fit each
paragraph. Then I would find evidence to those thoughts to help back me up. I would
then revise one last time to see that my points would get across and then finally consider
that piece as my final draft.
f. I discovered more about myself than anything when doing this inquiry project. I learned
how I see or define myself by writing about Chris, and I also discovered a more creative
side of me when it came to the multi modal project. I also learned more about my peers
and their way of thinking when it came to reading their responses or their rough drafts.

Castaneda 3

Own Participation and Effort

a. I would say that I did participate in this class very well. Although it was not vocally when
it came to group discussions, I did participate fully in my writing. I also contributed to the
group work that we had to do. I also navigated to Moodle frequently so that I could know
what is going on and what id due. I always made sure to stay on top of my things so that I
would not be penalized later on.
b. I did almost everything to succeed, except go the extra mile for several assignments.
Going above and beyond for certain things is difficult for me, especially at the revising
part. I often feel like my rough draft is my final draft, and putting even more effort than I
had already put into the rough draft is something that I do not want to go through again,
so I tend to leave it as it is. Other than that, I did turn in my work on time, I was never
absent in class, and I was always aware of what we had to do or what had to be turned in.
I would say that I was successful in this class.