Take a look at the letter written by a student in Everyday Writer on pages 64-65. Although you aren't submitting a portfolio like that student, write a letter to your professor reflecting upon your learning in this class, using your answers to the questions below to help you write your letter. Make sure you format your reflection in letter format, with the date, a salutation, body, and closing. Submit your reflective letter to this discussion board.
To help you brainstorm your letter to your professor, think about the following ideas:
your definition of the writing process,
if/how your writing process has changed because of this class,
the best lesson you learned in this class (or your favorite assignment), and
which lesson you think will be most helpful to you in your future career.
Also consider these questions presented in Everyday Writer on page 66:
What lessons have you learned from writing — from an individual piece of writing or an entire course?
From what you have learned, what can you apply to the work you will do for other classes and to the writing you do for personal reasons?
What aspect of your writing do you feel most confident about — and why do you feel this way?
What aspect of your writing needs additional work, and what plans do you have for improving?
Identify a favorite passage in your writing; try to articulate what you like about it.
How would you describe your development as a writer?
What goals do you have for yourself as a writer?
Dear Professor [Last Name],
I am writing to reflect upon my learning in this writing class. Throughout the semester, I have come to understand the writing process as a fluid and dynamic journey that involves brainstorming, drafting, revising, and editing. It is not a linear path, but rather a continuous cycle of reflection and refinement.
Thanks to your guidance and the assignments we completed in this class, my writing process has evolved significantly. I have learned the importance of outlining and organizing my ideas before diving into a draft. This practice has helped me write more coherent and cohesive essays, as well as saved me time in the long run.
One of the best lessons I learned in this class was the power of peer feedback. By exchanging drafts with classmates and receiving constructive criticism, I was able to see my work from a fresh perspective and make improvements I wouldn't have thought of on my own. This experience has taught me the value of seeking input from others in order to elevate my writing.
I believe the lesson that will be most helpful to me in my future career is the ability to tailor my writing to different audiences and purposes. In the professional world, I will likely need to communicate with various stakeholders, each with their own preferences and expectations. By practicing this skill in class, I feel more confident in my ability to adapt my writing style accordingly.
From this course, I have learned the importance of clarity, precision, and organization in writing. These lessons can be applied to the work I will do for other classes and to the writing I do for personal reasons. Whether I am crafting an academic paper or composing an email, these principles will guide me in producing effective and engaging written communication.
I feel most confident about my ability to structure my essays logically and develop a clear thesis statement. This confidence stems from the feedback I have received from you and my peers, highlighting my strengths in these areas. However, I believe that I still need to work on incorporating more varied and sophisticated language into my writing. To improve in this aspect, I plan to expand my vocabulary through reading and practicing with different writing prompts.
One favorite passage in my writing is the conclusion of my argumentative essay on climate change. I like how I summarized my main points and emphasized the urgency of taking action to address this global issue. The conclusion tied everything together and left a lasting impact on the reader, which is something I strive to achieve in all my writing.
In terms of my development as a writer, I have grown in my ability to express myself clearly and persuasively. I have also become more conscientious of my audience and purpose when writing, allowing me to tailor my message effectively. Moving forward, my goals as a writer are to continue honing my skills in crafting compelling narratives and conducting thorough research to support my arguments.
Thank you for your guidance and support throughout this course. Your feedback has been invaluable in helping me improve my writing skills and confidence. I look forward to applying the lessons I have learned in future endeavors and continuing to grow as a writer.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]