Dear Adam Sprauge,
Throughout the semester, I have learned a great deal on how
to write many different types of papers. I learned how to focus on a specific
question or task, and how to actively engage in the topic to answer the
question in a proper writing format. I have also learned a lot about how to
think critically and how to really analyze sources to achieve the best use for
the purpose of each paper.
The pieces of writing contained in this portfolio include my
response to an article, “Two Years Are Better Than Four,” my first draft and
final paper of an article review to Dan Sperber’s, “The Future of Writing,” my
business letter to Mrs. Black, my annotated bibliography for my research essay,
and finally, a first draft and final paper of my research essay.
I have showed rhetorical awareness in my writing, especially
in my response to the article, “Two Years Are Better Than Four.” I focused on
the purpose of responding to Liz Addison’s article and showing my opinion on
the matter. I also made sure my audience could be young or old, and wrote in a
style that could be readable by both. I also demonstrate appropriate voice and
level of formality by looking at exactly what Addison is talking about and
clarifying how her writing style gets the point across.
The research essay I did on embryonic stem cell research
really helped my understand how to think critically. I was able to identify an
issue and present a position and argument on the topic. With the first draft of
this essay, I went too in-depth with the background information that my
arguments were unbalanced. Overall, with this paper I was able to integrate my
ideas on a topic with those of others in a critical way.
To incorporate information literacy, I provided my review of
Dan Sperber’s article, “The Future of Writing.” I was able to evaluate the
article and with my knowledge and experience on the subject, I effectively
wrote a review and showed my view on the matter. I had a few errors and
mistakes on the first draft of this paper, so I included a revised version to
show how I can revise a paper to show more understanding and to more
effectively accomplish the purpose of review the article.
To demonstrate my ability to revise papers that were given
feedback is addressed mainly in my final research paper. I realized that my
first draft was not the best it could be, and I proved that I can reread my
essay and provide changes to overall improve the quality of writing. With this
class, I fully understand the importance of proofreading and editing essays. I
also learned a great deal on how to review my peer’s essays in order to show
them my opinions on how their papers could be improved.
Grammar was a minor problem to me, and I learned how proofreading
my paper can ultimately eliminate many common grammatical errors. My letter to
Mrs. Black showed how to create block style letters, using no indentations and
skipping a line for each body paragraph.
Overall, this portfolio really shows how much I was able to
accomplish in English class, and how I was able to use revisions to improve the
quality of each paper. I was able to strengthen my writing style and most
importantly, I am now able to think in a more critical way, which will be
useful in many essays to come in my education.
Sincerely,
Chad Allen
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