M.+Course+Reflection

I would forget to put a comma in places, I would put commas in the wrong place, and I would spell words wrong. These are the characteristics of my essays at the beginning of the year. I have learned a lot this year, from how to get the reader’s attention in the first sentence to learning how to spell new words. I feel like I have definitely grown throughout the year, particularly more than I have grown any other year.

I feel like I have grown as a writer throughout the year because I am now able to write stronger opening sentences to get the reader’s attention. I have also learned how to finish my essays strong rather than just let my essay wither away towards the end. I am still trying to get into the habit of not using contractions anywhere in my writings. I have also learned that it is very important to go in order and not just jump from one topic to another. I also feel like I have strengthened my skills and also improved on my weaknesses.

I have quite a few weaknesses and what I feel are only a few strengths. I am bad at staying on topic and transitioning from one paragraph to the next fluently. I have also tried to improve on my terrible habits of putting commas in the wrong place and not putting commas where they are needed. My strengths, on the other hand, are being able to grab the reader’s attention in the first sentence and adding a variety of words into the essay.

My most favorite work this year was the poem that we got to write when we went outside. I always thought that writing poems was difficult and, if I was ever able to write a poem, I thought that it would be terrible. However, after trying to write a poem about what I saw and smelled, I realized that it came out very nice. I never thought that I would be able to write a good poem, but I did. My least favorite piece of writing that I did this year was the Persuasive Essay because I am not very good at persuading people to do things and I thought that this was one of my bad essays. I did not like this piece because it was hard and because I did not like the topic. No matter what topic is presented, I would rather type an essay any day of the week than write it on a piece of paper.

In the case of WIKI versus paper portfolios I would always choose Wiki over paper portfolios because it is easier to type then write. Also, when I mess up on the computer I can just backspace and change it, but when I am writing on a piece of paper, I have to scratch it out and then it looks all messy. I also like Wikis better because it keeps me very organized, because when I have papers in my binder I tend to lose them or they get ruined. Another reason I do not like writing on paper is because it makes my hand hurt.

Throughout the year I have learned a lot of things that I should and should not do. For example, using I and using contractions. I have also grown in my weaknesses and strengthened my skills. I feel like I have progressed positively as a writer and have grown to like writing more than I have ever before. I have grown to become a better writer and am more willing to write poems now.