Development
My experience in Freshmen Composition in CCNY was a unique one. The first semester was spent online due to the coronavirus pandemic, therefore I spent a majority of my time at home in a shared apartment with my family. Due to the setting change, I believe I wrote from a perspective that was less influenced by my peers and more of my own thoughts/ideas.
Language attitudes and standards play a huge role in my writing, I am able to recognize the tone and how their writing helped develop the context. For example, in Phase 1’s Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto the tone went from a bubbly, first love to a dark, empty death to show the drastic change of the main character’s life. While writing my Rhetorical Analysis Essay, I was able to pinpoint a variety of genres and rhetorical situations used in Mother Tongue. I wrote, “She does not feel like an authoritative figure who makes the readers feel nervous, or someone who cannot be wrong. Tan gives off a vibe that says, she’s human, she shows her mistakes and her growth. (ethos).” Prior to taking this class, I had low experience on citations and locating research sources. However, now I feel confident in creating a work cited page and format. Additionally, the CCNY Database allowed me to explore a wide variety of sources that were specific to my topic. I’d say I am comfortable in finding sources related to my topic, as shown in the Researched Exploratory Essay. I did not use digital technologies in essays personally because I felt as if they did not fit there, but I understand how to.
One objective I had difficulty was with developing strategies for reading, drafting, revising, and editing. Besides utilizing input from my peers when they gave feedback, I did not edit my essays much. I hope to research more strategies and work on my paper in sections for longer periods of time so I have more time to revise. Furthermore, I did not practice key rhetorical terms and strategies as much. When writing, I do not plan out or create an outline to use certain rhetorical strategies, I kind of just go with a simpler idea. During this year, many social issues were talked about in normal conversations outside of classrooms and politics. Therefore, I had the knowledge of engaging in social aspects, but did not go in depth. Prior to writing, I should research more often and double-check my information to provide an in-depth insight. I focused more on summary than analyzing, that is something I can improve on.
Over the course of the semester, I learned new skills and improved my writing. Prior to taking the class, I was more insecure and scared to write because I felt like it had to be a certain way with a right answer. However, after reading a wide range of writing styles, my mind expanded its definition and expectations. Each story made me look into its background, exposing me to different strategies and what not. Therefore, I’m encouraged to find my own voice and style of writing.
