Reflecting More on My Writing Experiences

In this blog post, I will be answering questions that allow me to reflect on this course and this semester as a student. I will be keeping my previous assignments and blog posts in mind as I write this blog post.

1. What were the biggest challenges you faced this semester, overall?

I think the biggest challenge for me was setting aside enough time each day to complete what I needed to, whether it was homework or club related. Also, I think I also set unrealistic expectations for myself for the things that I needed to get done in one day. Next semester, I am sure that I will know my capabilities in regards to homework and other things, and I will set realistic to-do lists.

2. What did you learn this semester about your own time management, writing and editorial skills?

I learned that the best time management strategy for me is to chip a little away at an assignment everyday, instead of saving it for the weekend. (Unfortunately, I have had to learn this the hard way, multiple times.) I also learned that my writing process is more successful with some form of pre-writing. I identified my writing process style as "heavy reviser," but I hope that I keep some of the pre-writing strategies that I have learned and practiced in this course.

3. What do you know about the concept of "genre?" Explain how understanding the concept is central to being a more effective writer.

In this class, I got to explore a lot of genres and learn about the conventions of each one. I really appreciate how we did this, and how I got to write and examine a specific article in several different genres, because it definitely improved my writing skills. On top of content, genres also consider formatting, style and tone of voice. Understanding this concept opens many doors to a writer, because they can appeal to a specific audience and topic more appropriately, within a genre.

4. What skills from this course might you use and/or develop further in the next few years of college coursework?

As I said earlier in this blog post, I am thankful that I have learned and practiced the art of pre-writing. In my blog post titled "Revisiting My Writing Process," I said, "I definitely have some more work to do with the first stages of writing, which I will have plenty of time to practice and try out in my papers to come," (Bello).

MorBCN. "Reflections." 12/19/2006 via Flickr.
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5. What was your most effective moment from this semester in 109H?

I think my "most effective moment" was learning and actually writing in so many different platforms and genres. I feel accustomed to several genres, which will come in handy in the years to come, especially in college. I now can identify different conventions, audiences, tones of voices and formatting choices for at least three different genres.

6. What was your least effective moment from this semester in 109H?

My least effective moment was struggling with time management in the beginning of the semester. I would save or put off my homework from this class until Friday or Saturday, which is the least effective thing I could have done. I definitely learned my lesson, after several breakdowns and late nights.

--Jenny Bello