Lindsay Thomas

Cris Longhurst

Intro to Writing-English 1010

April 16, 2017

Cover Letter

While taking the course English 1010 at Salt Lake Community College, I developed

skills and writing techniques that are demonstrated for this section of my portfolio. Some of the

techniques and skills I have acquired were how to use critical thinking and how to write different

rhetorical strategies while incorporating them into my work.

As an introductory class to writing I expected that I would be writing many essays. To my

relief, this class was not focused on just how to write words on a paper, but to analyze and

evaluate content and use deep learning skills to draft excellent papers. During this course, we

worked both individually and as a group, and continually wrote invention work. This invention

work was often a series of questions and was intended to stimulate our thinking and create ideas

for the assignment. Through many rough drafts, we received many opportunities to ask questions

with the instructor. Along with gaining peer responses on places of improvement. It opened my

eyes and mind greatly to invest in others standpoints and views on topics. I am now more

capable of accepting and incorporating constructive criticism and peer review.

In many of our assignments, we used different aspects and styles of writing. We were

taught to keep in mind who our audience was and what values and beliefs they may hold. With

that, we could utilize effective details in our work to keep the reader engaged. I can incorporate
knowledge I have acquired in this class to be more adequate in other courses. Effective writing

skills and techniques are obviously an integral part of most college courses. By laying this

foundation of writing and other skills such as reading, problem solving and divergent thinking, I

will be prepared when any assignment comes up.

What I have learned from this class goes beyond just writing. I have used critical thinking

techniques I learned in this class to analyze articles and controversial documents, like we

fulfilled in our second portfolio. Additionally, I have noticed an improvement in my

communication with other students, fellow peers, and with my professor. This is because English

1010 has taught me to consider my audience and adapt my styles accordingly. Additionally, what

I have learned from this class will help me not only with other classes as I continue my

education, but in the professional world as well.