Self-Analysis of Writing and Class Experience - Essay Example

Self –Analysis Of Writing and Experience Introduction Writing is a skill which can be honed over time. It just takes a good grasp of the English language, an artistic flare, a degree of creativity and imagination, and a genuine interest for writing. However, as can be expected from this kind of theoretical discipline, writing follows a set of rules to guide practitioners into the correct line of thought and discourse to ensure a sense of reward and success in this field. The course proffered student learning outcomes and written communication hallmarks which we use as a guide to gauge personal progress on the module. In this regard, upon close review and evaluation of the skills honed and improved from the course modules, I am hereby detailing the personal progress made in writing through the student learning outcomes and written communication hallmarks, as required. Student Learning Outcomes and Specific Scores 1) Write complex and well-reasoned compositions in language, style, and structure appropriate to particular purposes and audiences. I have initially conceded that I was trained early to write since my elementary years. Through diverse literary subjects and kinds, my writing skills continue to improve over the years. Effective writing needs more than rules to compose a fairly effective essay. Rules are merely practical guides that give the writer direction and focus on the concepts and theories which he already has a competent grasp of. Writing, to be effective, has to consider other factors such as the audience or the reader, the writing process itself, and even the elements of communication. This course enabled me to be exposed to effective writing structures composed to suite various purposes and readers. Thereby, I put a score of 9. 2) Engage in a writing process that includes exploring ideas, considering multiple points of view, developing and supporting a thesis, revising with the help of peer and instructor feedback, editing, and proofreading. One of the rules in effective writing is to always check your work for accuracy and completeness. This is always true. The method of seeking the assistance of peers and the instructor for feedback is effective in evaluating and reviewing my work. Due to the fast pace of work that needs to be completed on time, there are also tendencies to fail checking the accuracy and completeness once work is accomplished. Contemporary writing already provides appropriate utilization of technology to facilitate checking; the grammar and spelling check provided in Word software programs used for typing and encoding, recognize the need to change and edit words which are not properly punctuated. However, it is still effective to use peer review and instructor’s comments for second and third opinions regarding the ideas explored and compliance to required structure. The feedback mechanism is critical in making corrective actions in cases of weaknesses and mistakes. This tool is also being used as part of a monitoring process in other organizations. The inputs provided by our professor are most relevant in making improvements in all of the tasks assigned and accomplished. The score I put here is 9. 3) Find, evaluate, integrate, and properly document information from libraries, the Internet, and other sources, with an eye for reliability, bias, and relevance. This outcome is also accomplished through the requirement of utilizing authoritative references from diverse sources: books, magazines, journals, electronic references, among others. This is a critical learning tool considering that the source of the essay should come from reliable and authoritative sources. In this regard, my outcome score is 9. 4) Read for main points, perspective, and purpose, and analyze the effectiveness of a variety of rhetorical approaches in order to integrate that knowledge into their writing. One of the lessons learned is that effective writing should utilized concise, direct words without necessary being redundant to reinforce or emphasize, as required. Through a determination of the main points, a more holistic and comprehensive writing structure would be developed. Experience also gives the writer more confidence in organizing thoughts and messages which are needed for the work. My score for the learning outcome is 8 because I honestly believe that I can still develop this skill through more practice. Written Communication Hallmarks Written communication skills can be improved through constant practice. Learning is never a one time experience. With continued writing on various topics, continued participation in group meetings and discussions, I know I would continue to improve my written communication skills. These are required in the most organizational settings as I would correspond with people from various levels of the hierarchy in the future. The opportunity accorded me by our professor in honing my written communications skills through the modules discussed under this course is very much appreciated. Our professor can best help by giving constructive criticisms and by identifying the weaknesses so corrective measures can immediately be applied. And indeed, his assistance was instrumental in the improvement of my written communications skills in general. Examples of Most Memorable Writing Assignments The first assignment was indeed memorable (the Face in the Mountain) as it provided me with an awareness of my inclination to write. The succeeding writing assignments on delving into the career of my choice also enlightened me that topics which prove to be of genuine interest to me are easier to write with words coming out naturally. The commencement essay was a revelation since it was the first time I wrote on a topic that is futuristic in nature. It gave me to foresight to put myself in that time and frame and to seriously evaluate what are the appropriate words to say to a group twenty years younger than me. The writing assignments provoked my imagination and challenged me to continuously improve my writing skills. The part that required us to write annotated bibliographies are most useful for future writing assignments in terms of determining the appropriate authoritative references for guidance in writing structures and contents. The course enlightened me that there is no shortcut to effective writing. One should remember that humans always have tendencies to make mistakes. These mistakes give the writer the opportunity to examine one’s work and to closely evaluate the areas for improvement. Effective writing simply aims to transmit a message that should be clear, concise, direct, and easily understood. This is the reason that most of the rules from different literatures emphasize using short words and sentences and being clear and direct. If the writer was able to achieve this objective, then, he is considered effective. I learned that effective writing needs more than rules to compose a fairly effective essay. Rules are merely practical guides that give the writer direction and focus on the concepts and theories which he already has a competent grasp of. Writing, to be effective, has to consider other factors such as the audience or the reader, the writing process itself, and even the elements of communication. Of greater significance, a writer should possess a genuine interest for his work to be able to excel in this endeavor. This course accorded lessons which are applicable to an individual in uplifting one’s condition in life. By assisting the individual in honing the skills important for effective business communication, one would be equipped to face whatever challenges in life. These encompass the very essence of our existence – to realize that communication, through writing, is a gift to express that living is just a means to be of service to others. Read More