I’m not sure that my writing has greatly improved throughout this semester, however I can say that my confidence in my writing has improved drastically. Prior to this class I never allowed anyone, but my teachers, to read my writing. I was so self-conscious about it, that I would hide it away from everyone. However this class has helped me recognize that the only way to improve my writing is to share it with others. I think one of my best pieces this semester was actually my very first essay. Not because it was the best logistically or grammatically, but because I was writing about something I was really interested in and passionate about. I feel like I have a pretty strong voice in all of my essays, but it really shone through in my first essay. Especially when I said, “Jasmine is a child friendly version of a sex slave,” that was just such a strong claim that really shined throughout my essay.
I am also very aware that I have tons of weaknesses in my writing as well. My biggest weakness is my grammar and punctuation. I am absolutely awful at using proper grammar. I am the queen of run-on sentences, and replacing what should be periods with commas. Another weakness of mine is finding supporting evidence for the points I want to make. I honestly find it so tedious to just go through source after source picking them apart for quotes to use, so oftentimes I just don’t. I understand that this is a crucial part of the writing process, but I just absolutely hate it. It is something that I need to stop avoiding while writing papers, and just face it head on.
My writing process has changed drastically over this semester. Prior to taking this course I never wrote a rough draft or really planned out my essays before writing them. However, this class has taught me how important the ENTIRE writing process is in creating an amazing essay. Learning to plan out my essays and create rough drafts has helped me improve the organization of my essays a lot. My writing has a much better flow to it now than it ever had before.
One piece I am particularly proud of is my free write, “Societal Impacts (Free Write).” There was nothing very special about this piece, but I think the backbone was very good, and comparing it to my first free write, “Me as a Writer.” I can see so much improvement. It almost feels to me that I figured out how to do a more successful free-write. This class definitely helped me learn how to get a train of thought and just run with it. Which you would not think it was helpful, however it is incredibly helpful when you have writer’s block on an essay.
This semester has helped me learn and grow a lot as a writer, and I can not wait to continue that journey throughout the rest of my college career.
