Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Reflection: Prep for Final
Directions: in 200 words or less, describe one aspect of the semester (the blogs, the quizzes, group exercises, pre-writing, writing a particular paper, etc.) that helped you the most in understanding how to write better compositions. Your most significant moment during the semester could be as simple as what you learned from speaking to one of your classmates or to the professor. You will use this blog as a jumping off point for the final. You can print out and bring your blog response with you to class on the day of the final. The blog response is due before class on May 7th, and is worth 10 points.
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The synthesis outline was the most helpful for me. It was not easy filling out the format because there was a lot of reading to be done. Once I was able to tie the relevant evidence to the topic sentences, it made it clear where I wanted to go with this paper. It gave a clear avenue of approach to creating my paper. The hardest thing for me was to find suitable sources that would fit my thesis statement. It seemed like I was doing busy work with the synthesis assignment but in reality it was very useful writing the assignment.
ReplyDeleteThe thesis workshop helped me the most and the whole class discussions we have. Sometimes you need other classmates’ opinion on things and that will help you get a better understanding. The thesis workshop was probably the best thing to have help with in the class room and I wish I could do that for every and any thesis I have to write. It really is a good workshop to keep doing in the future. Ms. Taylor you are truly amazing and you helped me a lot during the semester with taking the time out to guide me on my drafts and giving me good feedback. Most professors wouldn't take the time out to do that and because you did it helped me a lot. This class has made me a better writer then when I first started writing in the beginning of the semester. All the good tips I have received from the students in the class as well as you Ms. Taylor have giving me a positive influence on my work. The blogs didn’t really help me throughout the semester, but I wouldn’t say it’s something that should be discontinued in the future. The blogs might not have helped me, but it could have helped another student.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that when I start this class I was a little lost, but I have learned a lot. The most that helped me was to learn the Rhetorical Analysis of LCB that I call it P.I.E (Point, Illustration, and Explanation)
ReplyDeletesubject (Point), a quotation (Illustration) and the Explication of the Illustration (Explanation) at least it’s how I learned and it works easy if I put it this way. I found Fallacies a little frustrating. Since I write with words that I use in the daily basis, I can easily end up with an essay full of fallacies. I learned the Three Main Rhetorical Styles or Modes of persuasion Ethos, Pathos and Logos was a very helpful tool to do the Rhetorical Analysis and I can also use it to figure out a person speech and to where it most appeals.
I would say the most helpful for was when we got into groups. I'm not a shy person so I don't mind working with other people at all. Plus when we are in the groups it helps to get a different view and good feedback from all the other group members. Sometimes Ms. Taylors explanation of something we were working on wasn't so clear to me, but I was able to understand more thoroughly after I had multiple different view points. For example it was also helpful because on our latest paper I was having a hard time with making a good thesis statement but was able to get good feedback from a couple of my group members. I would say that future courses should try to incorporate more group projects.
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ReplyDeleteAfter so many years away from school, I was happy to be back in school. I was there to test myself and refresh my mind. As for English 121, every assignment that was given to me, I learned from it. The blogging. I've learned so much about people from just reading how they analyze a story, and I am pretty sure they found out a lot about me as well. I would like to continue blogging after this semester is over. It might help in English 122. The quizzes is something where comprehension is a must. Five minute quizzes, OK, I can use that in life. You got to read with understanding to pass a 5 minute quiz. A nice refresher for me on that one. Groups. If I can get with a group of people before I make a final decision, I would not have bad dreams. The groups were so helpful. I feed off of the ideas that come from someone brainstorming. Pre- writing. This is something I will use from this point on. Brainstorming and pre-writing, just to get a gist of what you're trying to say on paper. Even the extra credit was so helpful. I hear and use words I though meant one thing but meant something different. I was not ashamed to put words on that list that I though I knew the definition to. I listen to people more carefully now because of this exercise. I am smarter today than I was yesterday. English 121,
ReplyDeleteI have learned a lot of academic writing skills in English 121. Engaging in free-writing in many forms like, covering the computer screen and not stopping to check for errors and knowing I am just getting out ideas. I've learned the three step read technique and I notice I like to skim through pages instead of critically analyze pages. I found out when I do use the critical read technique it is more effective than skimming the same page four times and not getting or comprehending what I supposed to be comprehending. One major factor was the "Little Brown Handbook" and the reading homework gave me a better understanding on how to approach a writing assignment. I feel I needed these tools in writing to communicate better. English 121 was not my strongest subject but I learned a lot.
ReplyDeleteIn English composition the most significant aspect of the class to me was working on writing the essays for persuasion, synthesis and analysis of rhetoric papers. The class lectures and assigned readings were the essential tool for me to understand how to make strong persuasive argument in a well written structure and proper format. Form the beginning of class I found the lectures the professor gave to be the primary way I learned and one lecture that I find myself constantly recalling to aid in all my writhing is a lecture on thesis statements. The professor taught us how to connect all aspects of are papers through a strong thesis. The professor used really insightful analogies like comparing the thesis statement to a shish kabob skewer because like a skewer the thesis holds all the parts of an essay together. This leads the audience were we want to take them with no distractions reinforcing are what the paper is trying to convey. The assigned readings were the next tool I used most to straighten my writing. By reading chapters on continuity and coherences I understood how to make my papers flow better and with more direction. I really feel these tools greatly straightened my writing.
ReplyDeleteIt's been ten years since I have stepped foot into any classroom. Coming into college is a bit nerve-wracking because you never quite feel completely prepared for what's inside of the classroom.This feels the same for any age. The moment I stepped in and saw the syllabus, a part of my stomach went into my throat. How was I going to handle writing so many papers? I haven't written besides the occasional poetry, in YEARS! In my busy lifestyle, I have barely even had the time to go on a computer, let alone remember everything that would be expected of me for 121. A blog? How would I remember to check that along with the D2L when I don't even know how to operate it??? There were so many confusing feelings at the time and I did debate if I was ready. However, the moment we had our first "Shitty First Drafts" assignment, I felt good. The confidence boost an eye opener for me was the initial grade and comment I got on that. I needed something positive to remind me that I can keep going and that I could do this. From there I took that confidence and slowly tried to build it up. I have a tendency to underestimate myself but each blog, helped my thought process and I enjoyed it immensely. The biggest milestone was when I challenged myself to write a paper on the Gloria Anzaldua essay. I pushed myself and with A lot of questions and re-direction, i was able to pull it off. Sometimes all you need is 1 positive thing in the beginning to keep you going. If i hadn't gotten that, i would've never pushed forward.
ReplyDeleteIf someone was to ask me "how do I like reading and writing", I would have to respond not very much. See for me reading and writing have always been very difficult, because I have a hard time concentrating on the material I read. I have always needed to read things a few times before I could comprehend. So the time consuming aspect has always held me back from reading and writing. I would have to say that my first rhetorical analysis paper in ENG 121 was the most helpful, although I did not fully understand the process at the time. Frustrated and confused I decided to go to the Writing Center for guidance on that paper and I had a break through. Then I understood what was expected. Even though it was still time consuming that realization of understanding what was needed took a lot of stress of my shoulders. When I received my grade for that paper I gave myself a pat on the back and felt encouraged to continue to give my papers my all and never give up.
ReplyDeleteI have learned the most from English 121 would have to be the synthesis Assignment. I am not going to lie, it was very tough and I don’t know how many times I wanted to give up on that paper. Trying to find sources for this assignment was the worst part. Nothing would come up and I struggled for a long time, but once I started filling out the synthesis assignment it made it easier and easier to fill in. After I finished the synthesis assignment putting together my essay was a breeze. I felt that my paper was more organized which I struggled with a lot. I tend to jump around, but I felt like this assignment helped keep my paper very organized. I wish we could have done this for every assignment.
ReplyDeleteOk, I am going to just free write everything this class has been for me this semester. First and foremost I want to thank you Professor Taylor for providing us students with the basic knowledge and so much more about college level english. I have been out of school for almost 11 years now. Leaving the military life to pursue my dream and vision for self improvement threw education. Since day one life as a new student has been nerve wrecking. I can remember the first day of classes. And how I missed classes and got dropped from a few of my classes because of missing the first day. I have never felt so challenged. I have had the luxury of training with the best military in America and they made me feel like I can do anything I put my mind to. Yet, coming to school and having to think critically and on the spot was the biggest challenge for me. Regardless, coming to ENG121 and listening to the new material, or brainstorming with classmates, just coming to school and trying really helped. My final paper is going to be for future students. Especially future military students. I want to express the importance of being focused and passionate about the time and effort those new students may put in is key. I had a goal of getting an A or B in this class, but due to my lack of effort and focus during the end of the semester may stop me from accomplishing my goal. But whatever the case may be, pass or fail, win or lose, I won't run away from these books. I will be back for more next year. Thank you for the great year! And thank you for taking the time to teach us how to be better critical thinkers.
ReplyDeleteKelly T.