Dear Portfolio Evaluator,
Writing in English as an ESL student can be a real rollercoaster of emotions. It can feel overwhelming to accurately express your precious thoughts in a foreign language, causing frustration, intimidation, and uncertainty. On the other hand, some ESL students may find the challenge of writing in English exciting and stimulating. Crafting sentences that capture the essence of their ideas and emotions can be satisfying and fulfilling, providing a sense of intellectual growth and achievement. Personally, I’ve experienced a mix of both while writing in English. I’ve realized that it’s crucial for ESL students like me to keep in mind that these emotions are normal and very well expected. Anyone can develop and improve their English writing abilities with practice and support and become confident when expressing themselves in this complex and nuanced language.
In my Writing and Rhetoric course, I gained a valuable insight into the significance of performing extensive research before beginning to pen down any paper. I came to a realization that research is not just a matter of gathering data to fill the pages of a document, but it is an opportunity to comprehend the topic at hand, recognize different perspectives, and make well-informed arguments, considering the opponent’s point of view. In one of my papers for the class, Ghost Stories, Horror and Death in Children’s Literature to be exact, I put this understanding into practice by going deep into the subject matter with my research, taking into consideration very vital bullet point. This gave me a chance to organize my thoughts and come up with a compelling thesis statement. Later on, when tasked with a different paper for the same course, such as Memo or Movie Review, I applied this research process and discovered that my writing had significantly improved.
This course was truly a treasure trove of skills and strategies that proved to be handy in my other classes. Among the many pearls of wisdom, I learned the art of crafting a compelling thesis statement – a potent weapon to make any arguments more effective. I was taught that a good thesis statement should be concise, backed up by solid evidence throughout the paper. The course also enlightened me on the nuances of research, empowering me to dive into diverse sources such as books, academic journals, and online resources, which I hardly used before. I was trained to evaluate each source’s credibility and relevance to my paper’s topic and turning it into a well-supported argument that left no stone unturned. The power of effective writing cannot be underestimated, and these skills will serve as a beacon of light in various fields simply because a well-crafted thesis statement is like a lighthouse, guiding readers towards the main argument of the paper.
Furthermore, Writing and Rhetoric course brought about significant changes in the way I think about college-level reading and writing, situations, and processes. The course taught me the importance of careful reading and how to read critically. Previously, my reading approach was passive, without analyzing the text’s deeper meanings or implications. However, through the course’s intensive training, I learned how to read actively and critically, evaluating the author’s arguments, identifying biases, and understanding some other subtle ideas present into the readings. This ability truly assisted me in my other courses and improved my understanding of challenging literature.
My method of approaching writing has also evolved. In the past, I frequently started writing without fully recognizing the question at hand or planning the tactics I would use in the future paper. However, the course placed a strong emphasis on the value of organizing and planning writing before starting the first draft. Prior to writing, I like to brainstorm and outline my ideas to produce nicely organized papers, which was also something I’ve practiced a lot in this class.
Additionally, the course explained me how to carry out successful research. I used to base my arguments on the first few sources I came across before enrollment in the course. Fortunately, the course placed a strong emphasis on gathering many sources, evaluating their reliability, and determining how relevant they were to the subject. This method allowed me to write well-supported papers that are more in-depth.Also, the stages of brainstorming, planning, drafting, rewriting, and editing are all essential to improving my writing skills. By following this writing process, I have become a more confident and competent writer. I came to understand that writing well is a process with several steps rather than a straightforward activity.
I was able to identify my strengths as a writer, which lie primarily in two areas: Conventions and the Research process with ethical citations. Conventions are a vital aspect of writing. From understanding specific genre requirements to utilizing MLA format, correct spelling, and proper grammar, the Writing and Rhetoric course has taught me how to apply these conventions in my writing. I’m now more confident in my ability to write various essay types and format my papers accordingly. Furthermore, my spelling and grammar skills have improved through a combination of practice and constructive feedback. The Research process with ethical citations is another strength that I have developed thanks to the course. Through the course, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how to conduct research efficiently and evaluate sources for credibility. Integrating these sources into my writing with quotations and paraphrasing has also become second nature to me. The course has taught me about various citation styles, including in-text citation, which is very important in academic writing. I’ve also learned about the significance of ethical citations, avoiding plagiarism, and maintaining academic integrity.
When I think about my writing skills, I realize that while I am developing strengths in some areas, there are still some where I need to put more effort into improving. I think that boosting my critical reading and analytical thinking abilities in particular will be crucial for improving the levels of my writing, since effective writing requires a basis in both. Although I’ve made a progress in these areas, I understand that I still need to work on perfecting them. I intend to keep practicing reading with care, discussing them alongside with peers, and asking for feedback from mentors and professors to further develop my analytical thinking and critical reading abilities. I’m excited to see how my growth in this area will enhance my writing skills and will make me a more effective communicator.
Critical reading and analytical thinking are among the most crucial abilities that, in my opinion, should be emphasized more in any intensive writing course. Students may improve their ability to recognize essential arguments, analyze challenging texts, and express their thoughts in a persuasive way by developing these abilities. It is necessary for students to focus on these abilities since they are necessary for efficient communication and are highly appreciated in many professions.
Research skills are another area that I believe also needs more emphasis. This involves finding out how to choose trustworthy sources, properly reference them, and perform an ethical research.The ability to do efficient research is more crucial than ever given the amount of information available in today’s digital era, and these abilities will be increasingly valued as we move forward.
After finishing this course, I feel more certain and ready to take on the writing requirements of college and other professional environments which require sophisticated writing abilities. The Writing and Rhetoric course has given me the information and resources I need to approach writing more confidently and effortlessly. These abilities will be of great use to me in both my academic and career goals in the future.
Sincerely,
Anna Chekhlata.