English was always my favorite subject in high school. I took many creative writing classes, because my favorite thing to do when writing is to use my imagination and include myself into my stories. However, writing research papers was always a struggle for me. I didn't always understand how to switch up audiences when writing, and to use my sources as a way to tie different ideas together. I never thought I would be able to learn how so when I heard college English courses were filled with writing research papers I was panicked. All I could think about was that I was going to get a bad grade and not write to the best of my ability. But, when I walked into the door of our English 151 class, that all changed.
Seeing the words "Grading Contract", and hearing the explanation, literally lifted a thousand loads off of my back. I found myself tackling the different readings and writing assignments with ease. I focused more on what I got out of the assignment and not what was exactly correct. This helped me figure out different things on my own, and actually learn the material. I feel as if with every new reading, I learned something new. Gradually throughout the course I believe my writing improved. I learned how to adjust to different audiences and focus on different types of writing. I learned how to gather a bunch of sources and combine them in a way that I could base my ideas off of. Learning about inter-text really helped me a lot when it came to writing. I was able to "read between the lines" of certain authors and use the information to use my knowledge and create new meanings of that information. Using sources is key in writing, and I have so much confidence in that ability now that I went through this course.
When I came home for break, I had my dad look over my fourth paper. Just five minutes into it, he looked at me and said "Lanie, I can't help but feel that these aren't your own words, you are not the type of person that knows what a discourse community or a literacy sponsor is". That made me feel great, because with confidence I told him exactly what those things and how they tied into writing and every day life, and he was astonished. I have re-read my fourth paper and I honestly think that I sound like a completely different writer from when I first started. I know that I struggle with getting my point across sometimes and that I don't always stay on task, but I feel that it mostly sounded like a scholarly article. I was able to quote sources when I needed to, and paraphrase and site them when needed to also. I learned how to include counter-arguments with my writing, and although I struggled with backing up my arguments, I think that now I have a good idea how to. It's amazing how someone's writing can change over a few weeks.
Another great thing about this course was peer editing. I have always been a fan of peer editing. I believe that it is a great way for young writers to hear from their peers and understand how to make their writing better. I really strived to help my peers out when I edited, and I learned that sometimes it's hard to be honest, but that in the end, criticism is so helpful when writing.
I feel as if I deserve an A because I really did learn from this course. I believe that throughout the course my writing improved and that I got a better sense of what kind of writer I really am. Even if I didn't understand a reading, I tried to work around the difficult parts and learn from it. Everybody makes mistakes, and for writers those mistakes show on paper. Learning from our mistakes and seeing how we can better ourselves is what makes a grade A student. And I think I did that. I paid attention in class and participated when I felt I had a suitable addition to the conversation and I really strived to write to my best abilities. Thank you for a great ten weeks, I appreciate everything that you did Professor Whicker!
Paper 4: http://www.scribd.com/doc/85221897/Paper-4-Final
Major Re-Write: http://www.scribd.com/doc/86000816/Major-Re-write
Peer Revision: http://www.scribd.com/doc/86001593/Reed-s-Peer-Reponse
Other Additions: http://www.scribd.com/doc/86001637/Other-portfolio-additions
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