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Alex Nguyen

Professor Vyvial

ENGL 1302

10 May 2017

The Final Project: The Portfolio

The English 1302 college course provided by Alvin Community College is an advance

English course that is design to heighten the writing skills of the student taking the course. There

are three major essays required in order to pass the course. In addition, there are 5 short

academic responses that are similar to the major essays but on a much smaller scale. The short

academic responses are designed to make the writer focus on the writing techniques and writing

styles in order to prepare for the major essays. There are also chapter quizzes to make sure the

student is able to comprehend all of the writing techniques being discussed.

There are new writing techniques and skills that I never learned or knew about until I

took this English college course. For example, skills such as the proper usage of commas and the

argument language. Some skills that were strengthened were the usage of ethos, logos, and

pathos. During the chapters about the arguments and how to take a position, the notes and

lessons opened my mind to a more advance way to write and persuade my audience. I would like

to further improve my explanation skills and my planning skills. When I write an essay I just

write what comes to my mind; however, I believe that if I am able to strengthen my planning

skills I will be able to write even more efficiently and effectively. I have to be able to plan ahead

and prewrite for all of my future essays. By continuing to prewrite before I write any essay, I

continue to practice my prewriting skills and strengthen this skill.

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Furthermore, I believe that the easiest essay was the first major essay. The first major

essay was the easiest because it is a textual rhetorical analysis essay. The first semester of the

English college course taught me all about rhetorical analysis and its different forms. Textual

rhetorical analysis is about analyzing all the writing technique used in a certain composition and

identifying if it appropriate. In addition, the most difficult essay was the causal argument essay.

The essay was difficult to write because it was difficult for me to comprehend and formulate a

plan to write a cause and effect essay. I was confused as to how to set up the essay and all the

major points to talk about. The causal argument essay taught me the most because I learned how

to write a proper cause and effect essay as well as how to write a proposal. The skills I learned in

the English college course can be helpful outside of this course and can help me in the

workforce. I am able to express myself through my writing and effectively communicate with my

superiors and peers.

In conclusion, this college level advance English course is designed to help the student

strengthen their writing skills as well as help the student outside of the classroom and in the real

world. In addition, these skills are the key to become a better writer and to effectively

communicate.