Transitioning from writing five paragraph essays to a five page paper was definitely a challenge. In writing 121, we spent our time reading, discussing and analyzing complex stories in particular Heart of Darkness. We analyzed not only Joseph Conrad’s novel; but also, Anton Chekhov’s short stories on characterization. After reading these short stories from Chekhov, we wrote our 100 minute timed write; in addition, I wrote my best other essay about poverty. This class has given me a glimpse of the writing expected of in college. Although it posed challenges for me, it has helped me improve my skills as a writer.
Writing 121 was unlike any other language arts class I had taken before. I decided to take this class to improve my skills as a writer; also, learn how to write college level papers. Expectations and assignments were different than what I was used. Something I had never done before was use citations, so incorporating them into my paper was a major challenge. Up until now the closest I had been to a research argumentative paper would’ve been either a persuasive essay which doesn’t compare to such a complex novel. Heart of Darkness changed this and in writing my paper I had to think critically about what Joseph Conrad meant and decide how to explain the quote after inserting it. At first I didn’t know how to do it but after practicing a bit I got the hang of it and now instead of simply stating “Conrad is a racist because he said he saw “a certain enormous buck nigger” and that he “fixed [his] conception of blind, furious, unreasoning rage” so he’s a racist for talking like this about them (Achebe 10). Now, I’m able to introduce and discuss this quote better. Instead I say, Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, professor and...
... middle of paper ...
...lt material and write a five page paper on it, it was much simple so this was a new and difficult concept. I got valuable skills out this class, experience in research, using citations and glimpse into reading material for college. Getting experience with this will be beneficial in my future college language art classes. At the beginning of writing 121 I knew it was going to be hard but I thought I wouldn’t enjoy the material. Quite the contrary, reading Chekhov’s stories were difficult to understand but very interesting because I wasn’t used to reading material in that format or maybe I had but hadn’t really given it much thought. I also found the articles addressing poverty interesting. It was interesting seeing different writers perspective on the issue then arguing my own. The experience and knowledge I have gained will be valuable in my future college paper.
As I chose to take this class and better my writing skills at a college level, I knew this class was going to be difficult. With a total of four essays to write I knew I had to be on my game from the beginning. Throughout durations of this class, I have learned how to become more responsible, plan ahead of time, and how to become a better writer. With each mistake made i have been able to learn and improve. An Ad Analysis, Comparative Analysis, Narrative, and an Argumentative Essay are the four papers we had to write for the course.
"Unit 2: Reading & Writing About Short Fiction." ENGL200: Composition and Literature. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. 49-219. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.
In this semester, I had to take the English 1301 course. However, I did not see myself liking this course and did not have the best attitude towards it. This course changed my overall experience with writing. In the course I gained so much knowledge that I did not see myself learning. This essay will help analyze my experience throughout the entire journey. It will help understand how I became the writer I am today. Over the last several weeks, I have grown into a great writer that I did not see myself as.
"Ms. McMulkin, this is Alex. That essay--- how long can it be?" "Why, uh, not less than 600 words." He sounded a little surprised. I'd forgotten it was late at night. "Can it be longer?" "Certainly, Alex, as long as you want it." "Thanks," I said and hung up. I sat down and picked up my pen and thought for a minute. Remembering. Remembering a handsome, dark boy with a reckless grin and a hot temper. A tough, towheaded boy with a cigarette in his mouth and a bitter grin on his hard face. Remembering- -- and this time it didn't hurt--- a quiet, defeated-looking sixteen-year-old whose hair needed cutting badly and who had black eyes with a frightened expression to them. One week had taken all three of them. And I decided I could tell people, beginning with my English teacher. I wondered for a long time how to start that theme, how to start writing about something that was important to me. And I finally began like this: When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride
Throughout this semester I have written several essays and journals using techniques both important and unfamiliar to me. This class helped me use these techniques and steps that are involved in creating and formalizing an essay. The writing process of an essay includes information gathering, creating ideas, and writing it on paper to create a cohesive and organized paper. In complete certainty I can say I lack many of the skills necessary to create such a paper, but during this course I have learned some writing methods which I believe have improved my essays. The essays and journals in this portfolio reveal both my strengths and weaknesses in my writing and how I have both continued to make the same errors and improved in other areas.
In conclusion, this class has truly been an invaluable learning experience for me. From finally figuring out how to correctly use the MLA format to effectively eliminating my procrastinating habits, the class has given me multiple opportunities to grow as a writer. I have developed an organizational pattern of success for me to write successfully in the future and have gained the confidence I desired to aggressively handle future written assignments. This class has allowed me to improve in areas I was already competent in and has made me address the areas where I was weak. Learning how to use the research tools available is an amazing skill that will be highly marketable no matter which career I decide to pursue. The foundation I have built by attending this class will enable me to be an expert in communicating with others in writing.
As the semester finally approaches the finish line, I revisit my past work to compare and contrast how this class has developed me into a successful writer at the college level. Throughout the year my writing style has developed and become broader as I have learned how to incorporate more of my personal views as well as reliable, unbiased information. This portfolio is a representation of how many things I have learned along the way while being an English 102 student.
Writing doesn’t come easily to me, which must make me a glutton for punishment. It has taken me years of training, learning to structure an essay and unlearning to begin again. Only since attending HSU am I realizing how exceptional my writing has become. Over the course of two semesters, I have seen my writing expand and grow. While I still adhere to the training I received in high school, I am excited to now take these tools and develop my own unique style in the years to come.
Over the course of this fall semester, my development as a writer have transformed positively. I feel more confident organizing my ideas because my literacy development has improved. Specific improvements that I can recall reflecting back to the three major assignments in this course are the thesis statement construction, forming my ideas together and write clear sentences. Another personal accomplishment would be the understanding and implementation of the rhetorical terms. Throughout my years in college, mainly I had struggle writing in English because English is my second language. However, I used all the tools and knowledge available resulting in a noticeable progress as a writer.
Learning to be an adequate writer for certain people can be as easy as putting a pen to paper, but for others writing has proven to be a frustrating and difficult process. It can be challenging for a new student facing the first essay paper wondering what to sort out first; there is a great deal of confusing and tricky processes to follow, and rules to abide by. While the plethora of resources made available to avid seekers is practically limitless, it is no surprise that writing still isn’t a smooth process. Taking that into consideration, two profound authors in writing could aid with this kind of struggle. William Safire’s “The Perfect Paragraph” and Kurt Vonnegut’s “How to Write with Style”, providing their readers with an excellent
reviews of Heart of Darkness are mistaken in their compassion toward the author and the "European mind." He also refers to Conrad's "problem with niggers" and "his inordinate love of that word itself." After attacking the credibility and sanity of Conrad, Achebe goes on to belittle Conrad's book. He calls the book "offensive" and "deplorable," stating that the book "parades prejudices and insults" while calling the "very humanity of black people into question." By now the essay has turned to anger and you can feel the author's passion to defend Africa through his powerful words and exclamations.
In attempts to right the wrongs of the past and move to a better future, many critize the novels taught at school, taking their content at face value. While it is not the point to negate their claims, one ought not to dismiss the value of literature in an academic setting. As one of the most popular books of the twentieth century, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad receives much critizism. Sparking a debate over the merits of texts that are inherently racist and use hate speech, many hail it as an abhorrently racist view of the Congo and of Africa as a whole, because it erases African identity, culture, and history by painting its people as savages with animalistic tendencies or as body parts. , Conrad’s novel uses extensive derrogitory language
During this period my writing seemed to have experienced maturation. I have added transitions, semicolons, sentence variations and even learned a variety of other ways to write. One of the best ways I have learned to write was through “The Vanishing Stories” my literacy essay. Although it was not very far in the semester, I applied everything I knew, new and old, to that essay as to prove what effect writing my first horror story had on me. This essay also manages to clarify the start of my minor writing activities. On the other hand, the essay that reflects me best is “More Than a Parade,” my profile essay; this is because it took on a personal aspect due to its relation to my heritage. All of the descriptions within the essay were from many years of experience to reflect both the enjoyable and significant parts of the festivities. Aside from the opportunity to flourish as a writer, this class also provided me with a chance to understand writing on another
Literature and the writing process. Ed. McMahan, Elizabeth, Susan Day, and Robert Funk. 8th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2007.
When I reflect back to the beginning of this semester I am astonished at how much I have learned. English 124 has been a real eye opener for me. Not only have I grown as a writer, but it has challenged me to become more of a critical thinker. In the class we have read many articles on diverse topics, studied theories of history’s greatest philosophers of education, and wrote various styles of papers.