First Semester Writing Conference
What do you notice is most difference about your writing structure and format?
Over these few short months, my writing has changed tremendously. In my summer essay, I had one to two full paragraphs of quotes that I thought were necessary. I have learned that only tree lines of quotes are permitted, and I cannot restate the book's plot as an example. Also, my paragraph format and structure were almost entirely incorrect, with only one piece of evidence and a restatement of the thesis for a explanation. I now use at least two pieces of evidence and thorough explanations of that evidence. Overall, my writing has changed for the better in these last few months.
What is an example of your improvement?
My improvement over these last few months has been shown in many ways. For example, in my summer essay I wrote 48 full lines for only three separate quotes from the book, The Pearl by John Steinbeck. Now, in my To Kill a Mockingbird essay, I wrote only 16 lines for six different quotes from the book, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This drastic reduction of plot quotes is an example of learning that I only need to include parts of the text that are absolutely necessary for proving my thesis, and must be under 3 lines per quote. Also, in my summer essay for my thesis I wrote, "Greed was embodied within the mind of Kino, and so gluttony took over his life and rid him of his innocent spirit." This thesis was directly related only to Kino, not a general audience. In my To Kill a Mockingbird essay, my thesis was, "As demonstrated by three young children born into a racist culture, childhood innocence is lost when society refuses to change its ignorant norms." This thesis is much better, considering it is related to To Kill a Mockingbird, but directed to the general society in our everyday lives. This change in my writing is definitely for the better, and I am extremely proud of my improvement so far this year.
What elements about the writing format do you find make writing easier? What components of the structure do you feel are challenge areas that you feel you need the most practice?
The actual set format makes writing easier for me. In my earlier writing, I never had any required number of sentences or what I was supposed to prove with those that I had written. Now, with the new format, I can plan exactly what i want to say in my paragraphs to prove my point. The hardest part of my previous paragraphs were the analysis ideas. I know think that the hardest part of the format is the rebuttal in the argumentative paragraphs. Although some components can be challenging, the set format is much easier for writing my paragraphs.
What overall goals do you have for your writing? If you could target one specific area, what do you believe is most critical for you to improve upon?
With new writing knowledge, I now have many goals for my writing in the future. One goal is to be able to write intelligent paragraphs quickly with ease. Even now, I spend hours scrutinizing every last word in my paragraphs to try to make them sound better. Also, I need to improve on my transitions greatly. I am still stuck on a level four or five and need to improve to transitional phrases. My strengths and weaknesses in my writing need improvement, and that is my overall goal for my writing.
Over these few short months, my writing has changed tremendously. In my summer essay, I had one to two full paragraphs of quotes that I thought were necessary. I have learned that only tree lines of quotes are permitted, and I cannot restate the book's plot as an example. Also, my paragraph format and structure were almost entirely incorrect, with only one piece of evidence and a restatement of the thesis for a explanation. I now use at least two pieces of evidence and thorough explanations of that evidence. Overall, my writing has changed for the better in these last few months.
What is an example of your improvement?
My improvement over these last few months has been shown in many ways. For example, in my summer essay I wrote 48 full lines for only three separate quotes from the book, The Pearl by John Steinbeck. Now, in my To Kill a Mockingbird essay, I wrote only 16 lines for six different quotes from the book, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This drastic reduction of plot quotes is an example of learning that I only need to include parts of the text that are absolutely necessary for proving my thesis, and must be under 3 lines per quote. Also, in my summer essay for my thesis I wrote, "Greed was embodied within the mind of Kino, and so gluttony took over his life and rid him of his innocent spirit." This thesis was directly related only to Kino, not a general audience. In my To Kill a Mockingbird essay, my thesis was, "As demonstrated by three young children born into a racist culture, childhood innocence is lost when society refuses to change its ignorant norms." This thesis is much better, considering it is related to To Kill a Mockingbird, but directed to the general society in our everyday lives. This change in my writing is definitely for the better, and I am extremely proud of my improvement so far this year.
What elements about the writing format do you find make writing easier? What components of the structure do you feel are challenge areas that you feel you need the most practice?
The actual set format makes writing easier for me. In my earlier writing, I never had any required number of sentences or what I was supposed to prove with those that I had written. Now, with the new format, I can plan exactly what i want to say in my paragraphs to prove my point. The hardest part of my previous paragraphs were the analysis ideas. I know think that the hardest part of the format is the rebuttal in the argumentative paragraphs. Although some components can be challenging, the set format is much easier for writing my paragraphs.
What overall goals do you have for your writing? If you could target one specific area, what do you believe is most critical for you to improve upon?
With new writing knowledge, I now have many goals for my writing in the future. One goal is to be able to write intelligent paragraphs quickly with ease. Even now, I spend hours scrutinizing every last word in my paragraphs to try to make them sound better. Also, I need to improve on my transitions greatly. I am still stuck on a level four or five and need to improve to transitional phrases. My strengths and weaknesses in my writing need improvement, and that is my overall goal for my writing.