Dear Neil,

I hope you enjoyed viewing my work. I spent significant time editing drafts, analyzing

conventions, and perfecting designs to present my writing projects in their current form. For

Writing Project One, I translated an academic article, “Predictive Modeling of Kudzu Habitat in

the Great Lakes Basin of the United States,” into a different genre, a fable. By translating, I mean

emulating certain characteristics of the academic article into my new genre, since they aren’t

very applicable. This included my main subject of the kudzu vine, producing a children’s story

based on its twisted characteristics. My product was a fable about a deer and the kudzu vine,

coming into conflict, ending in the loss of the deer’s home. However, she does stand her ground

and learns a lesson; to set boundaries and to not let your kindness be taken advantage of. This is

a convention of the fable genre that was the primary driving point of my story, producing a

moral. For Writing Project Two, I created a Reddit discourse community of researchers rescuing

a poor student who foolishly left their 10-page paper to the last minute. I focused on the topics of

writer’s block and procrastination, as it is something I personally struggle with. An anonymous

user reaches out to a Reddit thread in a panic, hoping to receive guidance. Following this post,

multiple researchers discuss how to approach this assignment, offering both long and short-term

changes this user can make to prevent their procrastination and writer’s block. Substantial

changes were made throughout my draft process and I believe this style of writing has been

extremely productive in composing my best possible work. I’ve had a history of editing as I

write, getting stuck on sentences, and attempting to procure a single “perfect” draft. This class

has taught me how beneficial writing multiple drafts is for creating “good writing.” Along with

drafts, I feel my attention to detail in writing has increased, leading me to spend more time

thinking about how to formulate my sentences. This includes punctuation, word choice, and
sentence structure. I’ve learned even the smallest of details matter, changing the tone of every

remark. These are some of the takeaways I obtained after viewing Kevin Cassell’s “Punctuation’s

Rhetorical Effects.” This article has also taught me to use ‘visual reading’ and to read as a writer,

identifying the function of each convention. Putting this knowledge into action was like a puzzle

piece clicked into place.

Writing Project One was a challenge from the beginning. Attempting to change an

academic article into a completely creative piece proved to be a challenge. I abandoned most of

its conventions, embracing the creativity of a children’s book genre to appeal to my audience.

One of the critiques I received was to increase the page number of my story. I believe this change

proved to be most effective in conforming to the fable genre. It no longer reads like a manuscript,

but a true adventure with highs and lows. I wanted to grab my audience and pull them into my

writing, selecting compelling images and designs for each page. The second draft of this story

was incomplete, leaving the reader with an unsatisfying resolution. To create a clearer

understanding for my audience, I explained the Deer’s thought process and motivations when

leaving the meadow. I believe formatting the moral as a vow the Deer made to herself, instead of

presented at the end, solidified the understanding of the takeaway. Neil, I appreciate your

feedback on this portion of my final draft. The changes I’ve made on this assignment have

allowed me to feel proud of my work.

In Writing Project Two, I wanted to tidy my writing as I tend to fill my sentences with

unnecessary detail. I took inspiration from a quote by L. Lennie Irvin’s “Changing Your Mindset

About Revision,” that reads, “Revision, it turns out, is about discovery, and growth, and

problem-solving” (Irvin 319). I resonate with this quote as it describes how I felt during this draft

process. I was discovering how each message supported each other, analyzing which
perspectives held the most significance, thus informing what areas to accentuate in my writing.

A more crucial altercation to my final draft was made by highlighting the difference between

short-term and long-term advice the writing researchers were offering the Reddit user. I did my

best to voice this connection clearly, making sure to explain them with applicable examples. I

made this a reoccurring topic to point out the importance of these two methods, providing advice

for short-term changes to complete this paper as well as focusing on changing long-term writing

habits. Similarly to Writing Project One, I produced this final draft in the website Canva. Oh, the

joy of Canva. After hours of snipping, cropping, and clicking, I was able to place this discourse

community a proper home. This was a major upgrade from a blinding white page with clumsy

reply formatting. This experience has taught me the importance of adopting appropriate genre

conventions. The difference between my second and third draft was monumental, just from the

visual component.

To comment on my growth during this quarter, I would like to reflect on my ability to

formulate my words. I began this course, heavily doubting my ability to write. In past courses, I

have spent extended periods of time dedicated to perfecting my writing. I began to dread this

experience and didn’t know if I’d ever be able to replicate the skill of my previous work. The

guidance and support I have received in this class had completely altered how I view the writing

process. Writing does not have to be a 10 hour crunch to the deadline, resulting in a single

mediocre draft. If I management my time and dedicate myself, I find joy in writing. I think back

to a nugget of wisdom Neil bestowed upon the class; to treat writing like a craft. Although you

may not notice it, the hours of writing and reflecting put into your papers build upon your ability.

I believe this falls into line with Anne Lamott’s lesson of “Shitty First Drafts.” Writing drafts is

also one of my weakness so this article taught me how to work through it. The multiple draft
process during this course has, no doubt, changed my writing style. Developing my skills, I sense

my understanding of the writing process has deepened, resulting in growing confidence. My

Writing Project Two discussed this topic of confidence relating to procrastination tendencies. I

believe I have experienced this change in strength over the course of this quarter. The largest

weakness in my writing is time management. WP2 was a fitting topic for me as I relate with the

user asking for help due to their procrastination. I would say this project has been a battle against

myself, in terms of dedicating time to my work as well as formulating it. Funny enough, WP2

has been extremely helpful, allowing me to adopt the advice I am writing for the user. If I had

more time to edit my writing, I would spend it giving more attention to performance and mastery

goals within WP2. I only briefly mentioned this core topic at the end of my writing. I believe this

is an important concept to be aware of, not just in writing, but for your outlook on life. I would

also take time perfecting the design of my children’s book and Reddit post. I believe I can

classifying this as one of my strengths.

As I turn my head, reminiscing on this class like the Deer and the memory of her home, I

realize this is just the tip of the iceberg. I have just begun my writing journey and I have an

incredible amount of work ahead of me. This class has provided me with tools to write with

confidence and purpose. I believe I will take my advice and nurture my writing ability much

beyond this course. I truly appreciate the skills we covered in this class and the care you’ve taken

to inspire my improvement. Thank you for setting me up for success.

Best Wishes,

Zak Bilodeau
.Citation

1. Cassell, Kevin. “‘Punctuation’s Rhetorical Effects.’” English 1101 OER Resources,

College of DuPage Digital Press, 19 Aug. 2022,

cod.pressbooks.pub/english1101/chapter/punctuations-rhetorical-effects/.

2. Irvin, L. Lennie. Changing Your Mindset About Revision,

wac.colostate.edu/books/writingspaces1/irvin--what-is-academic-writing.pdf. Accessed

17 Mar. 2024.

3. JM;, Kovach-Hammons AM; Marshall. “Predictive Modeling of Kudzu ( Pueraria

Montana) Habitat in the Great Lakes Basin of the United States.” Plants (Basel,

Switzerland), U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36616348/.

Accessed 17 Mar. 2024.

4. Lamott, Anne. “Shitty First Drafts.” HCCS Learning Web,

learning.hccs.edu/faculty/pamela.golden/engl2327/shitty-first-drafts-by-anne-lamott/view

. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.