Jessica Calles

February 22, 2010

Mid-Term Reflection Assignment

My primary goal when I registered for this class was to ultimately improve my

writing so that I would write at a college level and distinguish the differences from papers

written in high school than those in college. I especially like the way this class takes you

through a step by step process when writing a paper. I found this to be especially helpful

because it helps me develop a better paper when I develop it in stages rather than

composing it all at the same time.

I found the peer workshops groups to be helpful because it gives you the

audience point of view of your paper. This can help you figure out if the paper conveys to

the reader the same message it coveys to you as the writer. The peer workshop groups

also help you catch mistakes such as run off sentences, punctuation errors, or confusing

phrases. It is also helpful to listen to others peoples paper because it provides ideas on

topics you might also want to further research or talk about in your paper.

So far in to the semester I feel comfortable with my writing especially when I

write a paper in stages like we have been doing in class so far. My only weaknesses in

English classes have always been the reading assignments. It is difficult for me to

sometimes read a relatively large article or essay because I tend to loose focus at what it

is I am reading. In order to correct this I can read my reading assignments in stages as

opposed to all at the same time. By doing this I can concentrate better on what it is I am

reading so I will not be confused later on. It would also help if I took notes on my

readings so that I won’t have problems finding specific examples I want to include in my
paper from the readings. I can also try the technique of reading my assignments in a quiet

and relaxed atmosphere were I won’t be distracted by my surroundings.

In general I have to say the best thing that has helped me improve in class has

been the step by step transitions to writing a paper. The step by step process of doing

things as it pertains to papers and assignments help me stay focused and on task. It has

helped me shift from high school guidelines of writing papers to more of college level. I

have also learned the importance of the MLA source citing in papers and how that affects

my academic life here at UNCC if I would fail to cite information on paper. Overall I

feel the atmosphere of the class encourages my learning because it makes me feel relaxed

and comfortable.