Journal 4

This semester has been going very well for me! I feel like both of the Inquiries so far have been great. I loved the book Fight Club and I think our classroom discussions of it have been helpful to follow it. Focusing on the process of composing an essay has also helped me in writing better papers. I really like that this class focuses on that aspect. With regards to my writing, i think that i can improve in the structure of my papers. I know what i want to write about but structuring it in a way that helps the effectiveness of my argument is something i need to work on.

Journal 4

At this point in the semester I definitely want to get more organized with my assignments in this class. Pledging takes up a lot of time and it does not help my cause to wait until the last minute to do all of my assignments. I want to start working on my papers multiple days in advance so I don't have to cram. On the positive side I have learned some new techniques to write with. I have enjoyed reading Fight Club and I am opening up my way of thinking to new interpretations.

Midterm Assessment

I think after taking English last semester I have improved on organizing my papers. I have always had plenty to say I just did not always have a way to organize it all. I think I have somewhat also improved in my grammar area that I always struggle with! I take a lot more time reading and rereading my papers to edit grammar mistakes. It also helps to have someone else check your paper as well! Which, sometimes is easy to do and other times I cant find anyone! I still think I have a lot of improvement to do in the grammar area, as well as organization. There is always room for improvement, well that's how I feel at least. I also still want to improve on cutting down my papers a bit. When I am giving a page length I would like to be able to stick to it and not run over at all. BUT, I am taking one step at a time!

Journal 4

This semester, I have gained many skills in my writing. I have learned how to take a close reading and relate it to the "bigger picture" of the novel/literary work, like we did in Inquiry 1. This was the first time I've had to tie a close reading back to a central theme in a formal paper. This skill will definitely come in use in my future, especially in my writing, because it is important to have textual support to prove the analysis. Another important skill I feel I have improved this semester is being able to focus in on a single theme of a literary work, specifically, Fight Club, in Inquiry 2B. This is an extremely complex novel, especially because of its random events and numerous themes. It was difficult for me at first to choose a single theme because of the many overlapping aspects in the novel and because I was unsure what was actually happening at certain points in the novel.

However, I have much to improve on for the remaining weeks. I feel as if my writing is unclear at times and I want to improve my clarity. Also, I want to work on the organization of my papers because the way a paper is organized greatly affects the quality of the paper, and I usually don't know what way will be most efficient in getting my ideas across to the reader.

Journal 4

During english 112, I feel like I have accomplished becoming a better writer. For inquiry one, I learned how to analyze a novel and that there was more to it then just summarizing the book. I learned about gender roles and how society stereotypes males and females. For inquiry 2a, I learned how to look for articles and find reliable sources to incorporate into my paper. I am still working on inquiry2b and am discovering different ways to write a paper and through research I can include more to my topic. My topic I am working on now is inquiry2b and I am writing a paper on "Dear John." I am learning a lot about war and relationships through this book and this love story is about a relationship that has fallen apart because of war. I am also learning more about September 11th through researching it and I didn't know I could possibly learn anymore about that event, but I am learning little details. I still want to improve my writing skills and be able to have a strong argument for inquiry2b.

Journal 4

What have you accomplished? What do you still want to improve?
So far this semester, I feel like I have accomplished a lot. Through the first inquiry I have learned more about how to do a close reading and truly how to analyze a novel. Before completing that assignment I mostly knew how to summarize a text without looking deeper into the meaning behind the novel. As I continue writing my inquiry 2 I am learning how a culture and a time period shape a text and how knowing the background of a piece of work can help a reader to understand the meaning behind it. However I still have a few things I want to improve on. One important thing is my workshopping skills. I have the most trouble fixing my first drafts. I feel like once I write a paper I can't find a better way to follow the prompt or rewrite my essay.

Journal 4

Midterm Self-Assessment: Consider your progress at this point in the semester. What have you accomplished? What do you still want to improve?

Due: Thursday, March 3