Self-assessment Essay  

I came into this course with a blank canvas of expectations, unsure of the creative terrain I was about to explore. I told myself that I was to go with the flow and handle challenges as they were thrown at me. It seemed like I was entering undiscovered terrain, with the syllabus serving as my compass and the assignments serving as the unexplored territories. As a college student, I assumed it would be another class with essays and deadlines. Little did I know the amount of time and research that I would be putting into my work. My lack of expectations was both a blessing and a curse, having the work right in front made it easy to set these expectations but I still lacked the motivation. This would be shown in my first drafts of two of my essays. It was not till the very end that motivation entered my body, which helped me push through and create these final papers that I can proudly display. I genuinely love writing so hitting a block and not being able to put out work to my standard was horrible. Overall, I managed to pull through and make it through my first semester.   

My exposure to many writing genres and rhetorical contexts over the semester has certainly broadened my understanding of successful communication. I was first drawn to familiar genres, hesitant to venture outside of my comfort zone. However, as the projects progressed, I recognized the need for expressive diversity. For instance, when writing a Research paper, I must adopt a different voice and structure to build credibility compared to a reflective essay such as this one. This adaptability improved my writing skills and made me more conscious of the importance of adjusting messages to different audiences and settings. In one assignment, I looked at the controversial subject of magic mushrooms while we studied rhetorical scenarios. This assignment made me think about how various rhetorical decisions could influence readers with diverse opinions. I was forced by the process to consider language use carefully, realizing that even minor changes in emphasis or tone could have a significant impact on how my message is understood. Writing requires writers to be strategic and thoughtful in their decisions, so understanding the rhetorical issues helped me figure out how to make proper literacy choices in my work.   

This semester’s exploration of linguistic standards has been eye-opening, bringing to light the subtle but prevalent influence of language norms on communication. Realizing the impact of linguistic standards on language users hit me during different assignments. Wrestling with linguistic biases felt like navigating a maze where certain expressions were seen as more acceptable than others. This awareness really shaped how I approach writing. I have been consciously trying to find a sweet spot between sticking to the rules and challenging biases that might slip in. Take this paper, for example; It feels like I can let my thoughts flow freely. But in my research paper, it is a whole different story. I caught myself second-guessing my default language choices. There is this pressure to sound super credible, so I ended up feeling like I had to switch up my language and throw in big words just to drive my point home. It is a bit of a juggling act, trying to strike the right balance between sounding academic and staying true to my voice. But from now on, I will stay true to myself and find a balance between my language and a language that may sound more credible.   

Throughout the semester, my journey involved the constant refinement of strategies for reading, drafting, collaborating, revising, and editing, a process that significantly shaped my writing approach. When faced with complex readings, I learned to employ active reading techniques, extracting key ideas and synthesizing information effectively. When it came to drafting, I would usually write down all my points, in order, then expand on them to create my first draft. Collaboration was a pivotal aspect, especially during peer review sessions, where the constructive feedback I received challenged my perspectives and prompted substantial revisions. When speaking to one of my peers about my Personal narrative essay, her feedback led to me adding more poetic language to have more of an emotional impact on my work. The revision process consisted of me using the knowledge I had built from in class sessions and feedback from my professor and fellow peers. It evolved from a mere proofreading task to a critical analysis of language choices and rhetorical effectiveness. All in all, these encounters tested my abilities and showed me where I could do better. My writing process has grown more purposeful and adaptive as a result of the constant cycle of reading, drafting, working with others, revising, and editing.   

Navigating the realm of research this semester has been both enlightening and challenging, putting my ability to find and evaluate sources to the test. Initially, locating relevant materials posed a challenge as I sifted through the vast variety of digital and library resources. The challenge wasn’t merely about finding sources but discerning their credibility, accuracy, and relevance to my research objectives. Overcoming this obstacle required developing a discerning eye for trustworthy information. I critically evaluated sources considering factors like the author’s expertise, publication date, and potential bias. Additionally joining the library sessions and using online resources also greatly improved my ability to evaluate sources. As a result, my ability to navigate the complexities of research has grown, and I now approach the task with a heightened sense of confidence and competence.  

In retrospect, my journey through this semester has been a rollercoaster of self-discovery and growth as a writer. Entering the course with a blank slate of expectations, I found myself traversing uncharted territories and overall understanding them. The lack of initial motivation proved to be both a challenge and a catalyst for improvement and hitting a creative block tested my love for writing, but it was overcoming these hurdles that made the journey worthwhile. As I reflect on the semester, I see not only the areas of growth but also the path ahead for continued improvement. This course has been instrumental in shaping me into a more confident and versatile writer, and I leave with a deeper appreciation for the complexities and nuances of effective communication.