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Garrett Simes

Professor Jan Rieman

English 1103

October 9, 2010

Self-Assessment:

Overall I like this paper. However, like all essays it has its strengths and weaknesses. I think
that my description of my reading and writing practices is pretty strong. I might be able to
further elaborate on what I am uncomfortable and comfortable in those practices. I also feel that
my conclusion is weak but I am not sure what to do to make it stronger. If I had more time I
would elaborate on the whole essay and try to fix the weak points I listed earlier.
Looking Forward and Looking Back

We have had quite a few writing pieces in English 1103 this semester. We have written

about many topics from choices in our lives to the language we use with different groups people.

Many of my writing practices have been consistent throughout. My last writing to explore

looked into my writing rituals and I learned how comfortable I am with them. I have used those

rituals for all of my different writing pieces so far. All of my papers have been based on MLA

format so far. I write in this form because I understand it and I am comfortable with it. I

brainstorm and outline for all of my papers, in English and in my other classes. I do this

brainstorming and outlining on the same notepad. I always write my papers and read for class in

the same spot. That spot is in the lounge on the third floor of my dorm. It is always a quiet place

that I can free myself from as many distractions as possible. Even right now, I am writing from

the lounge.

All of these practices or rituals make writing easier for me. Another thing that makes it

easier for me to write is when a paper includes my opinion. I know exactly how I feel about
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things and I do not have a problem writing those feelings in a paper. One thing I struggle with is

writing papers on things I am not as familiar with. I also have problems with writing objective

papers. I have an opinion on everything and it is very hard for me to exclude my opinions from

my writing. It is also a heck of a lot easier to write about things I know and understand. I also

struggle to write in other forms than I am comfortable. I write all papers and essays the same

and I don’t feel comfortable changing how I write.

I believe that everything we have done inside and outside of class has worked toward the

class goals. We have read and discussed academic texts, including Sponsors of Literacy,

Intertextuality and others. We have used key ideas, terms, and concepts when we applied the

term “sponsors of literacy” and applying it to “Learning to Read,” by Malcolm X and Alexie’s

“The Joy of Reading and Writing.” I am still working on exploring other modes. I hope to

address this as I continue through the semester. I think that the classroom culture document is

being followed and that it is further encouraging the achievement of the class goals. All the rules

help us, as the students; complete our goals and those of the course.

Peer workshop is a great help for the development of my writing. It is really hard to

evaluate your own writing. It is much easier to look at your paper with new eyes by actually

using someone else’s. I also enjoy receiving multiple opinions. Every time we have a peer

workshop, I take all the advice given and it always helps me better my essays.

My inquiry has branched off of the writing I have done so far. My inquiry question is

based off of one of the writing to explore prompts. It was conceived after reading about the

writing log prompt. It made me wonder how technology has influenced the way people read and

write. So much of the information we receive comes from technology. Through my research I
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have decided to focus on the digital language formed from this new technology. I want to learn

how this changes the English language as a whole, if at all.

We are halfway through the semester and it has gone by extremely quick. One thing has

held true. This class has focused on writing. We have written over 25 pieces of writing so far

and I don’t see the pace letting up any time soon. We are making good progress towards the

accomplishment of our goals. I look forward to the continuation of the class and the semester

and finding out what else we will write in the course.