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Maura Donnelly
FRINQ 157744.001: Race and Social Justice
Assignment: Examining Myself as a Writer
Dr. scar Fernndez
11 June 2015
The Power of Reading
I was a timid third grader when I finished the last page of the book Because of WinnDixie. I was at my tutors house, in a warm yellow room upstairs sitting at a desk when, I turned
the last page. This was an incredibly influential moment in my literacy development. Like most
third grade girls, I liked recess, my Tamagotchi pet, and hair braiding. Unlike the majority of
third grades girls, I had a learning disability in reading, writing, and math. I was regularly pulled
out of class to go a special education class to improve on my reading comprehension. I
absolutely hated school.
In third grade, I read my first chapter book, Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. I
had never been close to reading a chapter book by myself. I was proud of myself, I did not skip
over any parts and I read the whole thing out loud. Every week when I went to tutoring I would
read a chapter of Because of Winn-Dixie out loud at the end of our session. At first I hated it,
because I had to stop and sound out words often. As time went on I got better, and as I got better,
something phenomenal happened; I started to enjoy reading. I would watch the clock until it was
finally time to read. When I finally turned the last page of the book, I felt a feeling of triumph. I
didnt know I had a learning disability; I was told your brain is wired differently from everyone
else. I felt like I had just said Take that brain, I read a chapter book. From that moment on
things really did slowly start to look up for my reading carrier.

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After reading my first chapter book, I gained self-confidence. For example, I would raise
my hand in class when the teacher asked for volunteers to read. Two years ago, I wouldnt have
been caught dead reading out loud entire an entire class for fear of not knowing all the
words. After that I felt confident enough to read Amelia Bedelia out loud to my little sister. I
slowly started reading for a pleasure. I read the American Girl Magazine and Junie B Jones. My
teachers noticed theses changes in me and complimented me to my mom. I was privileged to
know the community around me wanted me to grow up to be a strong reader. When I read that
first chapter book, my literacy development sparked as well. I believed in myself, so I could, is
the most important message I took out of this. Anyone will tell you confidence in a young girl is
extremely important.
I know this is true because learning to read helped me outside the academic classroom. I
was reading more, and because of this, I flourished in other ways. I was able to talk about things
other third graders were talking about. For example the new Harry Potter book, or how books
were different from movies. I was becoming a strong reader, so I could leave the class less and
less to go to special education classes. I also wasnt embarrassed to tell people I needed help with
reading, a skill which has helped me my whole life. For example, I remember the day I told my
best friend that I left the class to go get extra help sometimes. This was always a task that seemed
daunting my whole life. In fifth grade, I was in a book club and in middle school, I no longer
needed to go to special education classes. By high school, I was able to be a tutor for elementary
school students.
People could argue that youre most influential literacy times happen when youre old
enough to write an essay that gets you an A+ on, or when you get into a name college. Most

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likely, it all started from someone who helped them. It is good to reflect on these moments as
people grow up.

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Maura Donnelly
Professor Dr. scar Fernndez
FRINQ: Race and Social Justice
Assignment: Yearlong Experience as a Writer
11 June 2015
Growing Writer
Portland State university studies program has a goal of making students able to
communicate efficiently through writing. Whats interesting is this means something different to
every student taking an inquiry class. As I am now finished with my freshman inquiry class I
can communicate through writing without over explaining myself. I can communicate efficiently
by knowing my audience and in express in my writing that I am writing to them. There are no
doubts this year my freshman inquiry class has helped me grow as a writer. There was not one
specific moment when I became a strong writer, rather lots of small moments.
The many different skills I learned this year make me a strong writer that can
communicate effectively through writing. I learned the difference between summarizing and
interpreting evidence. Interpreting data for research papers and to form a thesis helps me become
a stronger writer. Through many activities and workshops in class I learned the importance of the
oxford comma. In high school I was taught, put commas where your voice pauses naturally.
Reflecting on that, it doesnt make much sense, its very subjective advice. I know now the
placement is after the verb in the sentence. Through instruction and writing feedback I learned
the correct way to cite sources in my writing. I know now to write John Smith said rather
John Smith argues. Through the various types of feedback I received for my freshman
inquiry work, I understand that negative feedback is not personal. I received feedback from my

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professor, tutors from the writing center, peers in class and various peer mentors. Feedback on
writing is, for the most part objective work. When someone critiques my writing it is nothing to
do with me personally. This newly acquired skill will help more outside of the classroom greatly.
Through trial and error I learned the importance of time management specifically as a writer. It is
valuable to go back and edit your work after the first draft. Even the best writers do not turn in a
first draft and receive a good mark. My yearlong experience as a writer challenged me in the
best ways. Because of this class I believe my writing is ready to take on the rest of my higher
education.