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Bree Foate

Professor Gates Domeier

WRTG 121 - Researching the Public Experience

24 April 2024

WRTG 121 Final Reflection

Over this semester, I have learned countless pieces of information that will help further

my academic writing as a college student. This course has led me to self-analyze and critically

think when referring to my work. I can clearly see the growth, improvement, strengths, and

weaknesses that I have developed as a writer, and I will take this knowledge with me as I embark

on the rest of my college journey. Looking at my journey from the beginning of the semester

until the end, I can say that I have grown confident in my writing, learned about my writing

style, and learned efficient skills that will set me apart from my classmates in future courses.

Along with the soft skills I have refurbished, I’ve learned concrete information that I had no

prior knowledge of, such as rhetoric, structure methods, and the importance of peer review.

Ultimately, I am very happy with what I have learned from this course, and I will persevere

through college with a better understanding of myself as a writer.

Firstly, I’d like to go more in-depth on the strengths and weaknesses that I have as a

writer, and how I came to these conclusions. To begin, one major strength that I consider myself

proficient at is my ability to take constructive criticism. I am aware that I am not the best writer,

and I genuinely enjoy the advice and criticism I may receive from my peers. As long as the

guidance is respectful, I take it as an open door to learning. I consider myself a humble person,
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and so when the opportunity arises to better myself individually, I jump on it as soon as possible.

This specific skill came into play when we began peer reviews for each other with our projects.

These specific class periods were my favorite because they allowed me to learn more about

writing from another classmate’s perspective. It also taught me little lessons here and there that I

was unsure of when considering the structure and grammar of writing. Also, it allowed me to

share my knowledge and experiences with others, and help them on their projects and writing

assignments as well. I think that this specific method will be carried with me throughout college

because it gives me the means to get to know my peers while also expanding my knowledge

beyond what I would learn over a single semester.

One weakness that I am still struggling to overcome is my tendency to write in the

passive voice. I constantly have to be hyper-aware of how I am communicating, and sometimes I

find it difficult to get my thoughts out in an active format. However, I have improved since the

beginning of the class, and this is an issue I will continue to work on as I continue writing.

Although this is something I struggle with, I believe I have grown over the semester in this

regard. My peers have been a huge help in picking out my passive voice and highlighting it in

the comments when reviewing. I am now aware of this weakness of mine, which is something I

was ignorant of at first, and I am excited to move on from this class with the information I have

learned. Another weakness that has been highlighted to me in WRTG 121 is my struggles with

structuring my papers. Sometimes I feel as though I have far too much information, and sliming

down into an easily digestible paper is difficult for me. In the beginning, I thought this was an

issue that should have been resolved in the past, and I felt that I was behind in my writing

capabilities as opposed to my classmates. However, when we took the time as a class to discuss
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how we could structure our writing, my confidence grew and I became more comfortable with

my writing and my peers. Another notable growth area has been my ability to integrate research

seamlessly into my writing. Initially, I struggled with combining diverse sources and weaving

them into a cohesive narrative. However, through practice and exposure to various information

and stances, I've developed a somewhat keen eye for identifying relevant sources, critically

evaluating their credibility, and synthesizing their insights to enrich and support my arguments.

Going off of this, I've become increasingly aware of the nuances of voice and tone in my writing,

recognizing the importance of cultivating an authentic and authoritative voice that resonates with

readers and establishes my credibility. By embracing my unique perspective, experiences, and

insights, I've learned to convey my writing with authenticity and conviction, forging a deeper

connection with my audience based off of my topic.

Over time, I discovered the power of revision as a transformative tool, recognizing that

writing is a dynamic process characterized by refinement and errors. Each draft in our projects

served as a stepping stone toward my writing clarity and precision, as I meticulously revised and

polished my pieces to convey my ideas with maximum impact and professionalism. Additionally,

feedback from peers and instructors proved invaluable in identifying blind spots, challenging

assumptions, fostering a culture of improvement, and highlighting the gaps between my

understanding and their own.

To conclude this analysis, my writer identity is a dynamic and evolving construct shaped

by past experiences, present growth, and future aspirations as a college student, and even my

future career. Through self-analysis, experimentation, and dedication, I've embraced writing as a
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journey of discovery and self-expression, marked by perseverance, adaptability, and a pursuit of

excellence. I see it more as a fluctuating, independent path as opposed to a right and wrong. As I

continue to navigate and evolve my sense and style of writing, I am filled with motivation and

excitement for the possibilities that lie ahead of me. The lessons I have learned in this class will

provide me with great use in my future, and I am thankful for the opportunities and direction that

have been brought to my attention as this semester comes to a close.