Dana Hoskins

Mrs. Litle

English Comp 1

04/28/2019

Semester Reflection

This semester has been such an amazing growing experience, my first paper I wrote

the topic was close and dear to my heart. I was unable to keep my own emotions out of the

paper trying to put my feelings aside was such a difficult task. I am an emotional writer,

when something is dear to my heart. Taking me out of the equation was never something I

thought needed to be done in order to make my papers something that would capture the

attention of other readers. This semester has shown me the difference in writing for only

my eyes, and writing for others. This remarkable journey of growth has made me see the

difference in myself as a writer and as a person. Writing is a big part of how I cope with

feelings and thoughts.

Paper one was just the beginning of the journey to becoming the writer I want to be.

When I reflect back on my first paper the spelling and punctuation errors, were many.

Entering this class was the scariest thing for me, after not being in school for to decades my

confidence in myself was so low that all I could do was pray that I was good enough. In

paper one, I was so disappointed to get a C, I felt like all my fears were true. Then I

reminded myself that I was in the beginning of my learning. I took the advice of my peers

and the advice of Mrs. Litle, so I knew that I had changed my way of thinking therefor I was

at the beginning of changing as a writer. If my goal was to be the best writer I could be, the

advice of other readers was detrimental.

 I can be stubborn especially when it comes to constructive criticism; it just feels like

criticism to me. Understanding that growth comes from listening and applying what others

have to say. Letting go of my pride was not always easy, but I did and paper two’s grade

went up by ten points. Every paper, every journal the growth was there I just needed to

accept that I was good enough, and not second guess myself as well as not compare what I

made on papers to other students, I needed to learn that if I put my heart and soul into

what I was writing as well as the techniques I was learning that is what mattered. Without

the patience and understanding that you Mrs. Litle, I truly feel that my growth in your class

would not have been as successful. If someone would have asked me at the beginning of the

semester if I thought I was going to be able to succeed in college English I would have said

that I would probably fail in the class. I go back to the confidence thing I had none, now I

feel like I can go as far as the moon as long as I listen and swallow my pride (Dana 2019).

Paper four really showed me that my growth in how I write and present my work

has improved so much. It has also showed me that even if I don’t get the grade I was hoping

for its ok. I have realized it truly not about the highest grade its about improvement and I

can see that in myself my punctuation and spelling has improved so much, and the way I

speak and word my papers. I have learned how to research my topics and cite them as well

as use in-text citation (Dana 2019). My last paper by far was my favorite, I was able to go

into more detail about the cases in which I wrote about therefor able to put a little more of

my personal feelings in with my writing. Understanding and knowing when personal

feelings are needed to get across a point that I am trying to make is something that has

helped me grow. I will never be able to say it is always easy for me, because I am an

emotional writer. I recognize that about myself now. Paper four allowed me to be the best I
could be, while allowing me to put my feelings in it, but knowing how to put them in. One

thing I do know is that without this class I would not know the difference in right and

wrong writing, I never new there was such a thing. Now when I write I use the proper

punctuation, and though im not the best at it yet I can recognize that a sentence does not

look right. Take this paper for instance it is something different from the papers we have

written in a since, but all I know is that I am not scared to write (Dana 2019).

Taking my writing to the next level is not so scary to me now. I am ready to move on

to English Comp two, because of the amazing and skilled instruction I received in English

Comp one. The learning experience and growth I see in myself shows me that nothing

comes from fear; everything comes with effort and patience In myself (Dana 2019). I still

am second guessing myself while writing this paper, but I know this is my reflection on my

growth as a student and as an individual.