27 November 2013

Dear Mr. Campbell, Fifteen weeks that means a whole semester to prepare for the creation of a portfolio that I could call my own. As assignments began as free writes and blogs, and sooner twisted into the final draft of an Extended Inquiry Project (EIP). At the very beginning of the semester I didnt realize how free writes would lead me from informal to formal writing. Simply because I didnt feel like they were going to be impactful. However here is my final reflection that will explain how those feelings slowly changed. As an intro to the class we were asked to write our First Letter (Dear Malcolm Letter), and in that letter we were to include facts about ourselves. Which really included any facts that we felt were most interesting, and were willing to share. Sharing in detail our partial backgrounds like our goals, majors and hobbies. After all, this was our first impression to you. Your chance to get to know my peers and me, before really getting to know us. Along with a sneak peek of the way each of us write and think of ourselves. Thanks to your example that you had presented us with, you had made me more than comfortable and willing to write. Furthermore, you had granted me with an encouraged mindset that this ENGLISH course might not be as bad as I thought. The very first OFFICIAL assignment was just that, an informal writing the Literacy Narrative, which assigned the class to reflect upon our thoughts about both reading and writing and the influence that it has on our lives. Whether it be positive or negative. In addition to the first assignment, we were introduced to informal work that included free writes, blogs, and fast writings. This was highly unexpected, coming from a high school where my AP English teachers stressed how strenuous English courses in college would be. Besides the encouragement of your letter, the style of informal writings gave me the desire to happily continue with this course. Immediately taking away the pressure as a first year college student.

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In between these writing assignments were readings and class discussions that lead me to a higher level of critical thinking, let alone towards the anticipation to express my point of view(s). The readings and discussions were somehow always relative to top notch strategies to writing. Specifically transforming writings from being informal to formal. Although the stories that were discussed, didnt literally say Here is a story, to inform you of tips and strategies to make a paper the best formal paper that you can write! Instead they were equipped with insights on subjects that were related to real life situations. For an example, comparing and contrasting The Case for Reality TV and Reality TV: Should we Really Watch? Two articles that were written based on two different viewpoints on reality TV and its effects from the media and to the audience(s). Since these two viewpoints were against each other, this had given us clarification on a strategic way to write an argumentative essay. Not to mention that this was one of my favorite readings that we had discussed, because it seemed like a stimulator to my brain shown by the way that I had engaged myself expressing my personal viewpoint. After a few weeks in, every class discussion that we had had were starting to sink into my free writes and we were then told that we would soon have to prepare ourselves to produce our Big Mac with Cheese(Malcom Campbell, Syllabus). At first I was unsure about what that meant, but since I knew that it was English related I assumed that it meant that free writes were going to slowly be processed into a one topic paper, for the sake of our non-existing inquiry project. A topic that was of our choice, thank god. Therefore, reviving from a passion that we hold, the topic had to spark as some type of personal interest. With that being said, the only thing that I could think about was dance, DANCE THIS and DANCE THAT. After all that is my prime passion. Even so I was not sure that I had wanted to write my inquiry paper on the elements of dance. When in reality the unsureness had come from me not knowing how to make

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the elements of dance as interesting to others as it is to me. So instead I had decided on the Medicaid Program as a topic, because there had been a fresh debate in my LBST: Health and Quality of Life course. Therefore it was the only other topic that I could think of. Although this topic may not have sparked as interesting (personally) as dance would have, it was still interesting enough for me to yearn for a better understanding partaking in research. Once a topic was chosen, we were asked to write out a topic proposal, also known as an outline to propose an objective. Its emphasizes was not based on the format nor writing style, but it was to have the ability to think critically, within a fast pace. Due to its purpose, this assignment was very helpful because it allowed me time to think thoroughly through what would eventually result as my EIP. As I organized my proposal by listing relevant facts about the program and ways that this topic would be interesting and effective, not just to myself but to others. Eventually what had started as a list had somehow rearranged itself with greater detail spreading into summaries of explanations. I was also sure to include the type of material/resources that I was aiming to use for the completion of my inquiry project. Leading me to the best part of the topic proposal, which was NOT having to CITE any webpages in either formats of MLA nor APA. For once I could literally just write, copy and paste here and there, all without the initial stress of trying to conquer perfection. Therefore after the completion of my topic proposal, there was a brand new feeling because I had felt a new type of accomplishment. Knowing that this was the official start of my research journey, as well as the buildup of collective assignments that would later be used in my portfolio, I was already off to a good start. Next assignment was a fast draft, or as I knew it the clearest as a first/rough draft an informal paper before the formal paper. In general, rough drafts are always the easiest. With the help and use of my topic proposal, this fast draft had to be the easiest thus far. Since I legit

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havent written down a work plan for a paper ever since middle school, so I think. But with the opportunity of having my entire paper outlined, my next move was to specifically follow by my outline. This had been another fast paced assignment that was greatly worth my time. I had honestly wanted it to last forever. Well maybe not forever, but for a while. Mainly so that I could research and gather all of the information necessary, to create both an argumentative yet informational essay. Luckily I had had two drafts and a presentation (power point) to build upon before the final draft. Plus the opportunity to have them both proofread multiple times more importantly, the second draft needed to be proofread since it was filled with more research than the first (fast) draft. Before we could get to the final assignment, we had to complete a research presentation as a part of the EIP process. This required an on-going conversation, meaning that we were to include what others outlooks were on our topic. With the inclusion of its significance and the summary of key points that were selected from used sources. For me this process was somewhat fun, mainly because I had had a chance to spiff up my project by being as creative as possible with my power point. Starting from the design and animated effects of my slides to the order of the information. Although, I must admit that when it came down to arranging certain parts of my researched information it was nearly difficult. Making sure that every piece connected to one another was my goal. When it was time for the final assignment of my entire freshman writing journey, in other words my final draft. It didnt take much but a few more detailed statements to support my personal assertions. In addition to that, a few grammar errors and citations that needed to be changed. However for the most part, what was now known as my inquiry project, had been slightly official after the revision of my second draft. Although I must admit that making

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significant elaborations was the hardest part of the entire inquiry process, due to the fact that there was now a need for perfection. Finally it was time to put all of my assignments back to use, by creating my E-portfolio. With well-known experience with Weebly, thanks to my AP English 1101 courses website that was required as a final grade my junior year of high school. I was able to use the same skills to create my portfolio. This process was the second to easiest, because every assignment that was required was already completed. They were all just patiently waiting to be uploaded to Scribd, downloaded into my Scribd uploads, and embedded into the pages of my Weebly site. As my assignments were transformed my word documents into Scribd form, making each page of my site amazingly presentable, neat and professional. Once all of the embedding was done, the next step was to add an initial text box, used for the reflections of each of my assignments. Reflecting upon any changes that were made and why. Or either reflections of the way I had approached certain tasks. This semester has brought me good intentions and a different perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of my writing. Before I began as a freshman writer, my mind only focused on my weaknesses when it came down to writing essays. Which had made the writing process a struggle for me. However, now that I am able to look past that, I can look directly towards my strongest writing skills. All with the encouraging feedback that you gave me on the behalf of my writing assignments. I really appreciate the fact that you were always very supportive and open to questions. Along with the questions and concerns that we all had, you always had an answer that would do.

Thank you, for being that one professor that always knew how to start off the day

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Sincerely, Zna Le Grand