With the two full-scale writing assignments this semester so far, I have noted that I do tend to rant regarding my chosen topics. I normally write a paragraph or two before I actually start to write on my actual topic. Introductions for my papers are typically long, and I have to go over them at least three times to cut them down significantly. Unfortunately, I do realize I write in a passive voice. Through the span of all my writing pieces, I have also noticed my writing has developed in some ways and reverted in others. Initially, my first paper was easier to write than the second one, as I got straight to the point, yet despite a full outline and approach, it was hard to do that with my second paper. I noted that I do have a better structure for my papers, as I no longer have those massive chunks of paragraphs that are three pages long. My work this semester has inspired me to revert away from passive voice in the future and have a better approach when developing my thesis.
Regarding my paper on the Black Panther Party, it was very easy to get my entire essay done as the topic resonated with me deeply. The information in the media was abundant yet something not many have covered, so it was easier to put everything together when the time came. Like any work, Project 1 has room for improvement, yet I covered almost every aspect possible when it came to the Black Panther Party and governmental sabotage. I revised my outline and paper structure to make sure each point aligned with the next one to convey my thesis and point. Despite that, there were times when my paragraphs were unclear or confusing due to extensive information within them. I was concentrated on the paper; however, after years of assigned writing, you tend to see what approaches work and what doesn’t. I don’t think I have precisely yet developed a style of writing, but perhaps in the future. The feedback on my project did enlighten me, as it’s nice after hours of writing and occasional headaches to be recognized with specific comments on the information presented.
Project 2 was perhaps the most challenging work due to the number of guidelines and structures one had to follow. Writing ten to eleven pages wasn’t difficult, but explaining critical race theory, feminist theory, Marxism, and other elements first was hard, as afterwards one had to make sure it fit in the right place for the essay. Specifically, Marxist feminism wasn’t a prominent aspect of my women in red, so it was challenging to connect her with the concept. Although one did have the choice of redistributing the rubric to fit one’s paper, it still threw off the balance of the writing, so one had to constantly go back and edit. Wikipedia in general, with its editing and website regulations, was upsetting, as I think I have more headaches with that than with my actual paper. Sometimes the website would work, whereas other times, like citing the bibliography, it wasn’t possible. After completing Project 2, the insight I gained is that truly anything is possible, as I personally thought that paper would be the end of me. Yet, here I still am. Overall, in the future, with other writing assignments, I will remember that I’ll be fine by the end of an assignment. I have tackled pages of annotated bibliographies, Wikipedia error display pages, and MLA citing, so what can’t I do?