While it has been a long time since I took a writing intensive course like English 1302, the last time I spent hours crafting a flawless paper on a computer was in 2011 for English 101 during my first semester at Texas Tech. Despite being warned about its difficulty, I underestimated the course and felt confident in my ability to handle it due to my high school experience. However, I soon realized that my writing skills were not as advanced as I had believed.
In the past, prior to beginning college, I garnered praise from my high school teachers for my adeptness in crafting papers. Specifically, I composed essays that delved into analyses of notable literary pieces such as “The Great Gatsby” and dissected various poems. One particular task that remains vivid in my recollection involved providing a critical summary of Robert Frost’s poem titled “The Road Less Traveled.” Regrettably, those uncomplicated days have now dissipated. Presently, the majority of my time is devoted to composing emails on behalf of staff members and instructors.
While at Texas Tech, I had the opportunity to work in the Administrative Office of the School of Law. A significant aspect of my position was typing emails from a computer screen. This experience has allowed me to excel in composing formal messages and effectively conveying information professionally. As a result, I am confident in my writing skills and eagerly anticipate further improving them through this course.
When evaluating my writing skills, I acknowledge that my strengths can also be perceived as weaknesses. One aspect where I excel is being highly self-critical. I engage in numerous revisions to evaluate the overall tone and direction of my paper.
Nevertheless, there is a drawback in terms of comprehending or accepting feedback from others regarding my writing. For instance, graders have provided comments on my assignments with the intention of highlighting any potential flaws.
A lot of times, I don’t fully agree with and understand the errors that others document. This makes it difficult for me as a writer to improve when I don’t want to hear their evaluations. I am very critical of my own work, but struggle to accept criticism from others. My goal for this class is to improve my understanding of the flaws in my writing and overcome my discomfort with people critiquing my work. After reading Shelby’s letter to her friend Tanana, I noticed many things.
The text clearly aimed to convey her experience of attending a Tech football game to Tanana. The intended audience was evidently someone she is close to, as evident from the informal language used in the letter. The inclusion of terms like “101” and “ha” gave the letter a youthful and casual tone, similar to that of notes exchanged in high school hallways. The frequent use of exclamation points reflected the writer’s enthusiasm. The utilization of slang indicated that the author was familiar with the contemporary language trends. These choices effectively facilitated effective communication with her intended readership.
