Reflecting More on My Writing Experiences

In this blog post I will provide answers to six questions on my writing experience this semester. When appropriate, I will refer back to old blog posts, comments, and drafts.

Screenshot from my computer, 12/5/15

1. What were the biggest challenges you faced this semester, overall?

• This semester, the biggest challenge was writing in new genres I had no previous experience writing in. For example, I had never heard of a QRG before this semester. Learning the conventions and specific style of this type of writing was difficult for me. My final draft for Project 1 took by far the most time and effort to create.

• Also, time management in general was a big challenge at times. It was especially difficult when other courses also demanded lots of time and energy.

2. What did you learn this semester about your own time managment, writing and editorial skills?

• My thoughts about time management in the "Calendar Reflection" where I said that "For this class specifically, if I dedicate one hour a night to homework I can easily meet the weekly deadlines" are funny in retrospect. I learned that I was not able to follow this regiment. Also, when I said I was a "heavy reviser" I was absolutely correct. To complete my assignments in the most effective manner, I need to begin writing without an entirely clear idea of where I want the piece to go. Along the way, I find exactly how I want to get my point across.

3. What do you know about the concept of 'genre'? Explain how understanding this concept is central to being a more effective writer.

• After going through this course, I understand what it means to write in a certain 'genre'. There are infinite types of writing situations that must be written in a very specific style or genre to be effective. It's imperative to understand that and choose the exact right genre for your writing situation, otherwise your writing will not be as effective.

4. What skills from this course might you use and/or develop further in the next few years of college coursework?

• I think one of the most important skills I will use and develop further in the future is writing with a specific audience in mind. In the professional world, I will likely write for a select few people while trying to achieve a very specific effect. I plan on practicing this important skill whenver I write something. 
• Another skill I will use in the future is researching a topic quickly and effectively. Over time, I will learn exactly what search terms will yield the results I want. This skill is very valuable for not just writing, but learning anything you want.

5. What was your most effective moment from this semester in 109H?

• My most effective moment from this semester was constructing a compelling argument for Project 3. I feel like the sequence in which I presented my ideas was effective and clever. Also, the images I presented were appropriate and helped convey my ideas in a clear manner.

6. What was your least effective moment from this semester in 109H?

• My least effective moment was my failure to effectively link my ideas in Project 2. I made several compelling points in the paper, but my transitions from point to point and general commentary were lacking. This hurt the effectiveness of my project significantly.