Writing essays or anything involving writing words was a dreadful task. When I heard I had to do a two page report, I found myself struggling to make the page requirement. Essays came hard and I just overall did not enjoy them at all! Even if was just a few paragraphs, I wasn't too sure on how to approach this task. Now that I'm taking English 103 and almost done with this class, I find writing so much easier. In the beginning of the semester I remember reading the tasks we have to do, and it all involved so much writing. The first couple of weeks it took me awhile just to complete one assignment. Now, it all comes so easy thanks to a variety of things. Our blogs helped me the most. When I thought of 500 words, it seemed like nothing, but in the beginning it was really hard. During my essays I would keep checking my word count, and 500 words was a good two to three paragraphs. So these blogs helped me the most. It really got me to think fast, and even use critical thinking skills to answer some of the blog topics. Another thing that really helped me was the critical thinking questions. I hated doing those so much, but in the end it was so worth it! I was able to read a story and answer questions so fast, in the beginning it took me a good one to two hours. Towards the end I got it to the most one hour. Having our essays is always good practice, but I liked how we had two chances to improve our papers. I know teachers who would only collect a final draft. Having the drafts help because it doesn't seem so bad. The peer draft reviews were different, and sometimes it was stressful. I personally don't like critiquing someones essay. I just get frustrated, but I have to remember it is only a draft. It did help me though because it did give me ideas of how my paper should be. It was nice to get opinions from my classmates.
Overall this class has helped my writing so much! I now can write a four page paper in just one day. Before I would struggle and didn't even know where to begin. Writing feels more natural and I find it just flows out. I can just keep writing and writing. I never thought I would be able to write essays as easy as I can now. This class has helped me in so many ways and really and provided me with greater knowledge of writing essays. I don't dread writing essays anymore, of course it is still stressful, but once I take the time to sit down and write it all comes together. These blogs has helped me so much, I thought it was going to be a waste of time and boy was I wrong. I also love reading my classmates blog, because we end up relating to one another. It makes me not feel alone. These blogs were probably the best thing we ever did in this class and I just enjoyed it. Sometimes the topics were tricky and wasn't too sure how to approach it. Those blogs made me a stronger writer, because we aren't always going to get topics we love. So this is why these blogs are so special, the difficult could vary from each week which was interesting. Last week was probably the best blog because I was just able to vent to you guys. It's nice to get opinions and advice it just helps hearing my classmates. You guys reply and make me feel so much better. Thank you class you really are the best!
Ashlie,
ReplyDeleteIt’s great to hear how this class has helped you! After all the work we have had with this class through the semester it is good to reflect back and see where we were at the beginning and then see where we are now. The hard work was not in vain! We did learn and the things we have learned will stick with us. With most classes there is a lot of information that is interesting but once the class is done, we forget it because we do not use it (like math formulas or science definitions), but we will continue to use and improve (hopefully) the writing skills that we have learned in this class. Except for math, I cannot think of one class that I have had that has not involved writing of some sort, whether it was a paper or essay question on a test. We will continue to write throughout our college experience and we will not escape from it in our careers either. So it is good to know that we have grown in our writing abilities in this class and that it will continue to help us in the future! I’m glad to hear that writing has become more enjoyable and less stressful to you! I still do not enjoy writing and still get stressed with papers, but I am more confident in my abilities now!
-E