27 November 2013

Dear Mr. Campbell,

Fifteen weeks… that means a whole semester to prepare for the creation of a portfolio

that I could call my own. As assignments began as free writes and blogs, and sooner twisted into

the final draft of an Extended Inquiry Project (EIP). At the very beginning of the semester I

didn’t realize how free writes would lead me from informal to formal writing. Simply because I

didn’t feel like they were going to be impactful. However here is my final reflection that will

explain how those feelings slowly changed.

As an intro to the class we were asked to write our First Letter (Dear Malcolm Letter),

and in that letter we were to include facts about ourselves. Which really included any facts that

we felt were most interesting, and were willing to share. Sharing in detail our partial

backgrounds like our goals, majors and hobbies. After all, this was our first impression to you.

Your chance to get to know my peers and me, before really getting to know us. Along with a

sneak peek of the way each of us write and think of ourselves. Thanks to your example that you

had presented us with, you had made me more than comfortable and willing to write.

Furthermore, you had granted me with an encouraged mindset that this ENGLISH course might

not be as bad as I thought.

The very first OFFICIAL assignment was just that, an informal writing – the Literacy

Narrative, which assigned the class to reflect upon our thoughts about both reading and writing

and the influence that it has on our lives. Whether it be positive or negative. In addition to the

first assignment, we were introduced to informal work that included free writes, blogs, and fast

writings. This was highly unexpected, coming from a high school where my AP English teachers

stressed how strenuous English courses in college would be. Besides the encouragement of your

27 November 2013

letter, the style of informal writings gave me the desire to happily continue with this course.

Immediately taking away the pressure as a first year college student.

In between these writing assignments were readings and class discussions that lead me to

a higher level of critical thinking, let alone towards the anticipation to express my point of

view(s). The readings and discussions were somehow always relative to top notch strategies to

writing. Specifically transforming writings from being informal to formal. Although the stories

that were discussed, didn’t literally say “Here is a story, to inform you of tips and strategies to

make a paper the best formal paper that you can write!” Instead they were equipped with insights

on subjects that were related to real life situations. For an example, comparing and contrasting

The Case for Reality TV and Reality TV: Should we Really Watch? Two articles that were written

based on two different viewpoints on reality TV and its effects from the media and to the

audience(s). Since these two viewpoints were against each other, this had given us clarification

on a strategic way to write an argumentative essay. Not to mention that this was one of my

favorite readings that we had discussed, because it seemed like a stimulator to my brain shown

by the way that I had engaged myself – expressing my personal viewpoint.

After a few weeks in, every class discussion that we had had were starting to sink into my

free writes and we were then told that we would soon have to prepare ourselves to “produce our

Big Mac with Cheese”(Malcom Campbell, Syllabus). At first I was unsure about what that

meant, but since I knew that it was English related I assumed that it meant that free writes were

going to slowly be processed into a one topic paper, for the sake of our non-existing inquiry

project. A topic that was of our choice, thank god. Therefore, reviving from a passion that we

hold, the topic had to spark as some type of personal interest. With that being said, the only thing

that I could think about was dance, DANCE THIS and DANCE THAT. After all that is my

27 November 2013

prime passion. Even so I was not sure that I had wanted to write my inquiry paper on the

elements of dance. When in reality the unsureness had come from me not knowing how to make

the elements of dance as interesting to others as it is to me. So instead I had decided on the

Medicaid Program as a topic, because there had been a fresh debate in my LBST: Health and

Quality of Life course. Therefore it was the only other topic that I could think of. Although this

topic may not have sparked as interesting (personally) as dance would have, it was still

interesting enough for me to yearn for a better understanding – partaking in research.

Once a topic was chosen, we were asked to write out a topic proposal, also known as an

outline to propose an objective. Its’ emphasizes was not based on the format nor writing style,

but it was to have the ability to think critically, within a fast pace. Due to its purpose, this

assignment was very helpful because it allowed me time to think thoroughly through what would

eventually result as my EIP. As I organized my proposal by listing relevant facts about the

program and ways that this topic would be interesting and effective, not just to myself but to

others. Eventually what had started as a list had somehow rearranged itself with greater detail

spreading into summaries of explanations. I was also sure to include the type of

material/resources that I was aiming to use for the completion of my inquiry project. Leading me

to the best part of the topic proposal, which was NOT having to CITE any webpages in either

formats of MLA nor APA. For once I could literally just write, copy and paste here and there, all

without the initial stress of trying to conquer perfection. Therefore after the completion of my

topic proposal, there was a brand new feeling because I had felt a new type of accomplishment.

Knowing that this was the official start of my research journey, as well as the buildup of

collective assignments that would later be used in my portfolio, I was already off to a good start.

27 November 2013

Next assignment was a fast draft, or as I knew it the clearest as a first/rough draft – an

informal paper before the formal paper. In general, rough drafts are always the easiest. With the

help and use of my topic proposal, this fast draft had to be the easiest thus far. Since I legit

haven’t written down a work plan for a paper ever since middle school, so I think. But with the

opportunity of having my entire paper outlined, my next move was to specifically follow by my

outline. This had been another “fast” paced assignment that was greatly worth my time. I had

honestly wanted it to last forever. Well maybe not forever, but for a while. Mainly so that I could

research and gather all of the information necessary, to create both an argumentative yet

informational essay. Luckily I had had two drafts and a presentation (power point) to build upon

before the final draft. Plus the opportunity to have them both proofread multiple times – more

importantly, the second draft needed to be proofread since it was filled with more research than

the first (fast) draft.

Before we could get to the final assignment, we had to complete a research presentation

as a part of the EIP process. This required an “on-going conversation”, meaning that we were to

include what others outlooks were on our topic. With the inclusion of its significance and the

summary of key points that were selected from used sources. For me this process was somewhat

fun, mainly because I had had a chance to spiff up my project by being as creative as possible

with my power point. Starting from the design and animated effects of my slides to the order of

the information. Although, I must admit that when it came down to arranging certain parts of my

researched information it was nearly difficult. Making sure that every piece connected to one

another was my goal.

When it was time for the final assignment of my entire freshman writing journey, in other

words my final draft. It didn’t take much but a few more detailed statements to support my

27 November 2013

personal assertions. In addition to that, a few grammar errors and citations that needed to be

changed. However for the most part, what was now known as my inquiry project, had been

slightly official after the revision of my second draft. Although I must admit that making

significant elaborations was the hardest part of the entire inquiry process, due to the fact that

there was now a need for perfection.

Finally it was time to put all of my assignments back to use, by creating my E-portfolio.

With well-known experience with Weebly, thanks to my AP English 1101 course’s website that

was required as a final grade my junior year of high school. I was able to use the same skills to

create my portfolio. This process was the second to easiest, because every assignment that was

required was already completed. They were all just patiently waiting to be uploaded to Scribd,

downloaded into my Scribd uploads, and embedded into the pages of my Weebly site. As my

assignments were transformed my word documents into Scribd form, making each page of my

site amazingly presentable, neat and professional. Once all of the embedding was done, the next

step was to add an initial text box, used for the reflections of each of my assignments. Reflecting

upon any changes that were made and why. Or either reflections of the way I had approached

certain tasks.

This semester has brought me good intentions and a different perspective on the

strengths and weaknesses of my writing. Before I began as a freshman writer, my mind only

focused on my weaknesses when it came down to writing essays. Which had made the writing

process a struggle for me. However, now that I am able to look past that, I can look directly

towards my strongest writing skills. All with the encouraging feedback that you gave me on the

behalf of my writing assignments. I really appreciate the fact that you were always very

27 November 2013

supportive and open to questions. Along with the questions and concerns that we all had, you

always had an answer that would do.

Thank you, for being that one professor that always knew how to start off the day

Sincerely, Zna Le Grand