Halle Kowalewski

IB HL English 2
Mr. Wolfe
6 May 2020

Reflection

I chose to revise this essay because I believed that it best represented my changing

opinions over the past three years and willingness to look at situations from a different

perspective. Though I scored well on my original essay, I believe that I did not fully explore my

opinion about the topic. I looked at the prompt from multiple perspectives, as I often did during

my sophomore year, but never came to a conclusion about how I personally felt about the issue

or what I was trying to prove with this essay. However, in the years since I first wrote this essay,

I have gained more confidence in my writing and my opinions and now am willing to assert my

own thoughts rather than merely reiterate those of others.

In my original essay, I looked at the role of digital technology and social media in our

modern world, alternating between exploring the pros and cons. Though I gave a good overview

about what most people feel regarding social media, I didn’t assert that one opinion was correct

and as such didn’t truly make an argument, as was the assignment. In rewriting this essay, I

thought critically about which opinion I agreed with the most and made the effort to prove to a

reader that I was correct. Though I still included many of the previous paragraphs in which I

argued for the opposite perspective, I attempted to disprove these opinions with my own

evidence and analysis. This made my assertion feel stronger and allowed me to better adhere to

my thesis.
 I also added a new paragraph regarding the COVID-19 crisis. As I was discussing

technology and connectivity, it felt appropriate to include a discussion of the present

circumstances and how the distance required by quarantine has forced us to connect in new ways

using digital technology. In living through this situation, I have gained new insight into how best

to connect with the world around me. Three years ago when I wrote my original essay, I could

not have imagined how the world would change. Now, I have greater insight into the true role of

technology in communication and am able to address it in a more nuanced way.

In editing this essay, I demonstrated that I have grown more confident as a writer, that I

am willing to assert my opinions and that I have a more nuanced world view which will allow

me to be a better writer and student in general.