My writing journey has been an exciting path of self-discovery this semester. I’ve learned that writing is more about the process of going back and revising your work than it is about getting it perfect the first time, from the early assignments that made me feel hesitant to the later ones after gaining confidence. I learned a lot from my classmates since it allowed me to evaluate errors from different angles. Rather than focusing solely on how I read something, I needed to make sure that I was using language that was understandable. Furthermore, I can now see that writing is about more than just providing information, it’s also about holding readers’ attention and igniting their curiosity. This has improved my communication and thinking skills and affected how I approach other courses. I connect old movies and advertisements that bring up subjects we’ve discussed in our writing when I see them. I’m motivated to set higher objectives and stretch the limits of my imagination as I anticipate taking more writing classes.
The process of writing this essay about Black Panther and Black Lives Matter was incredibly intimate and life-changing. A rich tapestry for investigation was created by the meeting point of modern social movements and cultural history. I had a strong emotional connection to the subject matter, which helped me write with a clarity and intensity that can be difficult to achieve at times. It was a cathartic and energizing process; I was “in the zone,” completely engrossed in the stories of resistance and resilience. I was able to refine my aggressive yet reflective style and combine historical background with contemporary activism to produce a piece that, in my opinion, best represents my writing. The praise it got confirmed my conviction that these are important tales, and the encouraging comments inspired me to keep investigating and highlighting neglected voices. I feel that I have found my voice through my work; it is a voice dedicated to justice, truth, and the power of narrative.
The argument essay based on our Woman in Red from Wikipedia was the assignment I struggled with the most this semester. Finding reliable sources or any sources at all to compile my knowledge from proved to be quite difficult. There were stories about my wife’s style and work, but not many about herself because she was an artist. Wikipedia was not the only source of information available online. I also felt guilty since I let my own overthinking prevent me from choosing my partner till later. I was having trouble deciding who to research, but I’m happy with my choice; I only wish my article was more cohesive. After writing it, I became aware of how poorly I had managed my time and how much better I could have done. I tried to plan it perfectly and gave it my all. However, this experience made me realize that I frequently make mistakes and that I should have peer critiques before wrapping up. I’ll be more proactive in asking for input going forward as I understand that it can improve my work.