My English 101 class with Prof. Gross has let me expand my writing skills exponentially. I have always felt that I was a weak writer in the academic world, but that has changed over the past 15 weeks. I now know that I can write a purposeful, intriguing essay with only minor hurdles in my way. I realize now that my writing has always been strong; I just was never able to realize it because I was always a shy writer that was not confident.
The single largest influence in my writing style would have to be the group work. Everything that we students did in groups helped me realize my potential, from the Peer draft Reviews of our essays to the comic strip group projects; the groups allowed us students to collectively examine the work and brainstorm ideas together. It also helped that the groups that I was a part of were filled with like-minded students who focused on the end result. We wouldn’t attack each other for ideas that seemed different from our own, but rather request an explanation on the idea, and usually this would present a new point of view that could add a little diversity from the norm. The groups were also a big part of the essay writing process with the Draft Reviews. There was no tolerance for flaming or mindless destruction of character, but rather constructive criticism that usually led to better flowing papers and stronger evidence presentation.
The discussion forums were an open community that felt like a discussion that was in class. While this may not have been a place to really improve writing style, it was a challenge for me to write my thoughts on the topic without sounding too conversational. The forums helped me develop a writing style that was casual enough to use with friends or colleagues but not too informal to where the reader brushes the message off as immature.
The best part of the course would have to be the blogs. Blogging allowed me to vent my thoughts on a number of topics that I would normally bite my tongue on in class. I have always enjoyed speaking my mind on a topic that I felt strongly about, but I never like to step on people’s toes; the blogs allowed me to openly vent about the topic and not have to worry about offending someone in class. The blogs took me back to an old friendship that I had where I would get into political arguments with a friend for the fun of it. We would never attack the other person; rather focus on the argument at hand. Although the blog is a little different setup than a one on one debate, the same principles held true to me. I was able to use my blog as a place to fight for my position on the topic and gave readers the chance to challenge my view on the topic. In the end I feel that my writing has improved drastically and my confidence has shot through the roof, but not in an overly cocky way.
I really like what you had to say. I would say from the very first day to now you have imporved lots, but you were always a strong writter. I admire some of your works. I truely liked to read your blogs every week. I feel that this class was good for us all even the people who didn't hang around. They even learned something, mostly about themselves. I feel that everyone will walk away from this class with a higher understanding for writing. I really liked our teacher I thought she was great. I really liked the class mates that chose to correspond with me also. I am thankful to the rare honesty that I encountered in the PDRS. Thanks for all of your help as well. :)
ReplyDeleteYour comparison between how you used to write and now is interesting because I don’t feel that my writing has improved by this course. However, my typing and reading skills have.
ReplyDeleteI like how you point out the crucial aspects of the course that helped you. Some of these aspects such as the group work were useful to a certain extent but for one to complete a thought or idea in writing would haven inevitability been put upon the individual which is how I felt. As for the discussion forums I would agree with you when you say “While this may not have been a place to really improve writing style, it was a challenge for me to write my thoughts on the topic without sounding too conversational.” I usually write how I talk and the forum was another way to experiment with my writing when it came to writing about certain topics. As for the blog I feel that I didn’t understand why people wrote blogs or journals but since I’ve had a blog I now understand why it intrigues writers. I thought that your example of your blog taking you back to an old friendship was intriguing because I never would have seen a blog as a “one on one debate”, yes you do state that the blog isn’t setup like that at all however you are still able to voice your opinion and give “readers the chance to challenge your view on the topic.” Which I think was what I enjoyed to a certain extent as well.
I’m glad to hear that you gained a lot from this class. It was a struggle for all of us, not just yourself; I’m sure you understand this. I must say, congratulations on making it this far! I too realized a lot of things from this class, as far as reaching a higher capacity of confidence in my work. I felt more strongly about my work that I had used to think, and this helped me create a stronger and better essay.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you were able to use the blog as a way to vent frustration and the sort. I also appreciated how much more free it seemed in comparison to the essays. This balance between informal and formal essays is a great way to keep the class motivated and working on their writing skills.
On the topic of the discussion forum, I have to admit I liked the reading discussions the best. We actually spoke with one another, amongst peers, asking questions. I thought that was fun in a way. It was disappointing that no one really used the cyber-café though; I guess no one was really interested in becoming that involved, haha. The group work was undoubtedly the biggest struggle that we had to overcome, though. I remember the first time we had to do it, it was pretty crazy!