Lanie Render

Wilson 4
Hour 4
11 February 2016
Synthesis Reflection
I did not know much on this tropic prior to writing because it was the first
synthesis timed write written this year. To produce this piece I read the six sources
provided, similar to the Document Based Question Essays we are assigned in
European History, however, not the same. Over the years I have improved in
utilizing the time given to me and relating the sources to the thesis, not just
including a quote from a give source. There is still, aspects of this process I struggle
with. I have no quite grasped the skill of including strong word choice and correct
grammar and spelling. Also I have improved in using my time wisely, but I still
struggle with rushing through my last paragraphs. I did not come into the
assignment totally unaware, however, I came with prior knowledge from 1984 along
with the information acquired from the given sources. My work does not tell a story,
it focuses more on the informative facts and arguments.
I was fairly confident after finishing, however I was aware that I had no time
to revise the pieces. I think I strived in using the source information and outside
information to support my thesis. My lack of word choice and poor grammar
restricted my piece from a strong support and in turn from a higher grade. I am
extremely frustrated in my poor grammar, there were certain mistakes that if I had
just examined it further I would have fixed. I think my standards were higher than
they should be, I need to realize that this is a learning process and I am slowly
improving. This improvement proved Im learning from my mistakes I was making in
the beginning. Also, I discovered I understand the piece and I am able to form
strong ideas, however, my structure holds me back from them being clearly
expressed. Comparing this to my Things Fall Apart Essay gives me a new found
confidence in my abilities. My first essay had a weak thesis and I struggled to
support it, this essays thesis was stronger and I used the sources to create strong
supporting details. I am discovering as I complete more and more of these
assignment I learn through practice and repetition.
From viewing other writings I think I gave similar arguments, however, I
focused more on the effect of a totalitarian governments effect of the individual
while other focused more of it impacts on the society. In others pieces, similar to
me, evidence from the sources were typically paraphrased and then compared to
1984. When viewing my work, I want people to clearly understand the point I am
trying to make and my interpretation of Orwells warning. I belief I met the
expectation for my thesis and my use of the sources. I failed to meet the standards
of strong grammar. If someone were to read this piece I think they would believe I
had a clear understanding of Orwells message and was able to relate it to other
writings.

In the future, I would like to use my time in an appropriate manner and spend
less time on analyzing the documents. With more time, I would be able to improve
my grammar. In the next revision I would improve my structure and strengthen my
word choice. Next timed write, I would like to make my argument crystal clear to
readers. In school, I think I need to strengthen my vocabulary. I hope my next
teacher thinks I am strive in brainstorming strong ideas, but I need assistance in
improving my structure.