Lee Mandon

Dr. Rieman

October 06, 2009

English 1101x

Self Reflection

Throughout the year we have been writing journal entries, essays and discussing

and revising our work with classmates. I have learned new techniques that help me to

analyze and organize my thoughts, which has always been my biggest problem as a

writer. By making comments on my ideas before I start writing I am able to follow a

mental and physical outline, which keeps my writing on topic. Prior to this class, I never

took notes twice on the same piece of literature I was writing on. My note taking skills

have definitely improved since starting this class and I have noted that my essays are

more concise with less filler and more information. That was the first time I have ever

taken multiple sets of notes for one piece of literature, and I believe it helped the strength

of my essay immensely. Another important and helpful practice we began doing in this

class was peer revision. I used this system in high school but it was always a one on one

revision, rather than the group revisions we perform in this class. I like the feedback and

opinions I received when my group revised my paper, and it was helpful to get multiple

ideas of how to correct my work. The most difficult assignment this year for me was the

critical inquiry because I am used to asking questions before and answering them in my

paper, not the other way around. Writing can never be perfected, but the techniques and

approach taken makes all the difference in the quality of the final product.

The strongest area of my writing is my vocabulary and articulation; the weakest is

my organization and structure. I have worked hard to keep my essays structured and the

extra work we do in class has helped immensely. The biggest area of concern I still see in

my technique is the lack of support I give my ideas. I have good ideas but sometimes I do

not support them with enough evidence in the paper. My biggest goal for the semester is

to become a more structured and concise writer. I have always been able to interpret and

come up with ideas, but the structures of my ideas are often off choppy and lackluster. I

hope that the writing techniques we learn this semester help me in this regard and I

believe I have been making progress. I think the Classroom culture agreement is

effective, especially with our class. We have a particularly quiet class and the fact that we

are all in agreement to accept our classmates, whether they are silent or talkative, has

helped in creating an environment that allows for open discussions. The techniques I have

learned thus far are already paying dividends in my other classes. I was able to write very

well supported essays in my other classes, and I took notes using the tips we were given

in class. I think writing is one of the most important aspects of a well rounded education

because not only is there writing in many other classes you take, the processes used while

writing expands your vocabulary and comprehension.