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Karla Loya

Professor Ditch

English115

06 December 2017

Reflective Essay

Writing is a form of communicating and sharing perspectives. It can even be used to argue

viewpoints. Writing is an essential skill for everyday life. Even if it does not seem like it. I have

never been the greatest writer. Always reaching the bare minimum for my essays, but still getting

a passing grade. However, this being my first semester of college, I was not surprised by my grade

for my essays. Nevertheless, I have seen that my writing has improved and will continue to

improve. It might not be a grand improvement, but it is something. In my first essay, this semester,

I received a seventy-one percent. Which is a very low C. Then, in my second essay, I received a

seventy-eight percent. Therefore, my writing skills have improved in a certain amount of time.

This was only possible by being open-minded and taking into consideration all the feedback I

received when others reviewed my essay. My key issues in my writing usually tend to be

punctuation, quote and analysis, and connecting my body paragraphs to my thesis. Therefore, by

knowing what I must focus on. I know I have improved as a writer.

Commas are used to either lists things or they are used after a transition word. However,

many people, including myself, either do not use them at all or misuses them. Some may even just

place commas just to add it. In my case, I tend to forget to add them when they are needed. Even

though I know they should be used. Plus, I also add commas to my sentences which turns them

into run-on sentences. For example, in my project text essay, I was introducing one of my sources
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to help support my claim. When I was done introducing the articles title and the author it was time

to add to what the author said. However, I forgot to add a comma in between the quote and the

author. Therefore, in my next essay, I made sure not to do this mistake. My other mistake was

using commas to combine sentences. Which I should have just created new sentences. Plus, I also

learned more about commas by the PowerPoint presentation during class. That presentation helped

me realized what I was doing wrong. Therefore, I was aware of my problem with commas and

revised my essay by correcting my punctuation to help improve my essays.

Next, one uses quotes to support their claim or argument to persuade the reader into

thinking a certain way. This is called using textual support in writing. When quote and analysis

are done properly it can make the essay very persuasive. However, when quotes are used

incorrectly they can throw off the whole essay. Therefore, it is important that one, you should

make sure the quote matches what you are trying to prove. Second, the analysis should be your

own words instead of restating what the quote says. Also, connecting it to your argument. My issue

with my writing was not using textual evidence in my project space essay. I did not add any

because I thought I did not need it. That my paper already proved my point that I was trying to

make. It just created a conjecture. Then, when it came time to turn in my project text essay I made

sure to add my textual evidence. Which really help my grade improve. Plus, I received positive

feedback on my quote and analysis. Therefore, I have improved my writing skills by using quotes

and analyzing them to help support my claim/argument.

Lastly, conclusions are meant to conclude everything. Tie everything together and rephrase

what has already been said. However, I kept on adding additional information to my conclusions.

For example, in both essays, I added new evidence thinking it would help my claim. If I wanted to

add something else I should have created a whole new paragraph. Now, I know I should not do
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that. Therefore, I went back and revised both essays and took out the additional information. Then

I just rephrased my main points of all my paragraphs. Even though I did this for both essays I now

know not to do this. Therefore, with this I can show that I have improved as a writer so for my

future essays I will not make the same mistake.

Writing is used in everyday life to communicate ideas and perspectives. From an early age,

everyone is taught to write. This is because writing is essential to be successful in life since its

used to communicate with others. I have always struggled with my writing skills. Usually receiving

only, a passing grade. Which never really bothered me in high school since it was still considered

passing. However, this semester realized I need to work more on my writing skills. In my class, in

my first semester of college, I could have the resources I need to help me improve my writing

skills. Also, others reviewing my essays to give me feedback. With all these resources, I realized

I need to focus more on my punctuation, quote and analysis, and making sure I do not add

additional information to my conclusion paragraphs. I have improved my writing skills starting

with my punctuation more specifically the way I use commas. Then, using quotes and how I

analyze them really helped my grade improve plus my writing skills. Lastly, I know now not to

add additional information to my conclusion paragraph. Therefore, realizing what I have been

doing wrong I have fixed my essays and I know I have improved as a writer. Even if it is a slight

improvement.