Self-reflections played a very important role throughout the semester since they help us to realize the errors and abilities that one has as a writer. Here I recount my strengths and weaknesses in writing and my evolution in this class.
One of my strengths is that I am good at following instructions, which is why at the letter of introduction I met all the guidelines that were provided for the formal letter. I went through each point that was supposed to be at the letter and make sure that it was on it.
Also, I noticed that I am pretty good at recognizing the audience since I did a good job delivering the message on each paper.
I am also good at developing rhetorical sensibility and making a bond with the audience. One of my strengths is that I am persuasive. However, in the memo, I was not that persuasive.
On the other hand, one of my main weaknesses is that English is my second language. What happens is that sometimes the sentences and the words make sense to me in Spanish, but they do not make any sense in English. I faced these difficulties through all the semester. Besides, another difficulty I faced was with the grammar, punctuation, and the correct formulation of the sentences since some of them were way too long and they tend to lose clarity.
Another weakness that I always face is that I never know how to start writing. The technical description was very difficult to me, since I am not good at choosing good topics, or in this case a product. Once I had the topic I started writing about it. Same as in the Introduction Letter I did well overall, but. I also had difficulties with the organization of the content in the discussion and the correct use of the grammar. And last, but not least is that in some of the papers I didn’t use too much information so the sources were poor.
One of my favorite pieces was the technical description. I loved to work on that paper since throughout my student life I have seen many essays like that and being able to do one and in another language was incredible. I felt like a professional. It was also very useful because I was able to apply this knowledge in one of my other classes.
On the other hand, my least favorite piece was the rhetorical analysis, since it was very difficult to recognize what kind of persuasion artifices the authors were using to sell their idea to the audience.
If I would have more time I would try to improve the technical description essay since I was not that good at paraphrasing, and that could be considered plagiarism.
I think I did a good job overall, but I do have many things to improve. The most important thing that I have to start working on is to improve the formulation of my sentences. I also have to improve my grammar, And last but not least, I have to do a lot of work on the organization and flow of my writing. In the technical description, I realized that I was not writing as organized as I thought, and it is very important to be clear and make your ideas flow smoothly so that the audience can understand what you are trying to say. On the other hand, I consider that I can persuade and deliver the message to my audience, but I have to start basing my persuasion on logos and ethos and not so much on appeals or commonly known as pathos. Something that has helped me a lot throughout the semester is the samples that were provided by the professor, since they served as a guide in the elaboration of my papers.
On the other hand, I consider that I have improved a lot in the correct use of the library and databases on the Internet, since I have been able to find appropriate resources to use in the papers such as the technical description and the rhetorical analysis of a paper. I have also improved my paraphrasing and citing skills. At the beginning of the semester, I did not know how to properly cite a resource, and do the reference list, but know I am good at it. Also at the beginning of the semester, I did not sound professional in my essays now I have noticed that I use more words and connectors than before. Another thing that I have learned this semester is the APA format that I used on my essays. Now I am more familiar with using this format and now I am more familiar with using Word and its tools, which makes work easier. Speaking of programs, it is important to highlight the learning module on PowerPoint since it was very helpful in preparing the presentation of the collaborative project.
This course has been very helpful since it has helped me to write professionally in other classes. In the past, I didn’t know how to write memos neither technical descriptions and now I do, and I did it for my CE class and for this one as well, which is amazing because I am using the knowledge that I have acquired so far. It is a fact that the languages used in engineering, and everyday life are completely different. I also learned that there are various types of audience and that there are papers written for certain types of readers. For example, in the Rhetorical Analysis, the audience is aimed at students with advanced engineering degrees, professionals in the civil structural field, and chemical and environmental professionals. The authors’ language used is clear, formal, and concise. It also includes a high level of statistics, mathematics, and chemical references. Therefore, anyone reading should have the same degree of intellect to understand the methodology.
In my opinion, the most difficult part of writing all these essays has been the correct use of language, since all of them are characterized by the use of a professional language, but at the same time understandable for the public to whom these papers are addressed. In the future, I would love for my work to reflect that I am an excellent professional and without a doubt, I will continue working on improving my skills as a writer. I also have to improve my performance in the course and try to interact more with the professor, like asking more questions, and lastly visit the Writing Center.
