Throughout the semester, I have spent time learning about different methods of rhetorical analysis, literature analysis, how to write an expository essay, also an argumentative essay, how to write/develop a thesis, how to analyze college level reading, and how to compose an essay. We’ve also learned how to do develop a research essay. We learned how to find appropriate sources for our research essay and how to cite them properly. In this course, we had many class discussions on the readings that we read for homework. I was able to participate in some of those discussions and I was able to put my input on the topic discussed. If we wouldn’t finish the class discussions, we would continue the discussion online. Or as for homework, we would have group discussions. This English 1A class was sometimes challenging but it has improved my reading and writing skills.
Coming into this course I had many struggles with reading and writing. Ever since I was a little kid English was never my strongest subject. Taking this course has really helped me improve as a reader and writer. When I started this course I struggled with critical thinking, analyzing literature, my grammar skills, and basically how to write a good essay. Sometimes when I would read I wouldn’t understand it. With this class, I’ve come to learn that it doesn’t take just once to understand the reading. I’ve learned that it is ok to read the article as many times as possible until as a reader you are able to understand it. With these readings, I sometimes would stay up all night to really focus on what I was reading. It wasn’t just about focusing on the reading it was also comprehending what I was reading. Despite by improving my reading skills, I have come to learn that when I read I need to analyze everything. So when I was assigned a certain reading I would take my time and analyze every single bit of it. I have also struggled with my grammar skills. I have improved in them but I still sometimes struggle in with it. Besides my struggling with grammar, I have come to fully understand the different types of grammar errors. For example, I never really paid attention to my grammar and I would just write my essays. Now I have come to realize that it isn’t about just writing an essay it is more to it.
The class discussions, the readings, the writing college level essays, and the critically thinking have helped me improve. I’ve always been a shy person and with these class debates I have gotten out of my comfort zone. It has made me think outside the box when it comes to the readings. Also writing college level essays in this class has helped me improve tremendously in my writing skills. I feel like throughout these sixteen weeks of class I have overcome many things. I may still have my struggles as a reader/writer but I have advanced more from where I started. I hope to continue improving and continue challenging myself as a reader.