Throughout the course of the semester, I learned a huge amount of knowledge having to do with academic writing. Each class had its challenges and unique style to it. Especially the research based assignment has challenged me a lot. I learned a lot of things not only things which were relating to my topic as well as I got a huge amount of experiences that challenged me a lot. I have acquired many new skills that will be useful in the future. I have learned how to apply the things in my writing pieces that we reviewed in the class. Before taking this class one of my weaknesses was that my writing did not flow smoothly. However, I succeeded at the major goals in my papers throughout this semester. Such as working with intellectual problem, addressing to the problem with a strong claim, which is supported by evidence in the form of close reading; working with the exhibit and tying back to the intellectual problem; to answer so what questions; choosing the specific audience.  Also, the readings for this course largely was focused on issues surrounding identity. We explored different angles of identity, including language, nationality, race, heritage.

My first assignment was based on a critique analysis which was to evaluate somebody’s work in order to increase the reader’s understanding of it. A critical analysis is subjective writing because it expresses the writer’s opinion or evaluation of a text. Analysis means to break down and study the parts. Writing a critical paper requires two steps which are critical reading and critical writing. For this assignment, I identified an intellectual problem in Zadie Smith’s “Speaking in Tongues” essay. I developed my inquiry into my problem and the chosen passage, conveyed an original claim and supported it with evidence from the text in the form of close reading. I also articulated my motive for addressing my problem with my claim and close readings. At the end, I progressed my paper with a clear beginning, middle and ending using MLA citation. Analyzing Smith’s essay, I found out the intellectual problem about her essay. To make clear my points I used several examples and close reading strategy directly linking to the Smith’s article. These steps helped me a lot in order to improve my writing skills and abilities. For the second research-based assignment I utilized the skills that I developed during essay 1, making observations and claims about passage from close reading passages, working with an intellectual problem, claim, and motive; and utilizing reader-based prose in a cohesive and coherent structure. I also added new skills rather than considering just one text. I analyzed the works of various writers, considering each writer’s argument, audience, purpose, political and historical context, placed writers into conversation noting how they extend, revise, and the larger goals complicate one another’s points and why those convergences and divergences matter. I was engaged with the larger goals like writing for the specific audience. For this assignment, I chose a particular audience in order to deliver my message and problem clearly to the readers. I also supported my claim with compelling evidence, organized my writing in cohesive and coherent ways. Over the period of drafting, the process was done by stages. First, we visited the library where we met with the Liberians. They explained us how to find properly the sources and books. Then we made a project proposal and preliminary reflective annotated bibliography which helped us to propose the structure of assignment and to order chosen sources and books. After that we had an individual conference with the professor that we were able to discuss our claims and arguments with professor. After receiving her comments and suggestions, we revised and improved our papers in order to make it completed. I did a research on topic “The cost and benefits of illegal immigrations in the US”. For this paper, there were many areas within my paper where I used specific details to help support my claim. I utilized five different sources to gain information about illegal immigration. Also, I combined an exhibit which was the first and main concrete piece of towards the development of to the rest of my paper. By using that I was able to gather further information providing concrete examples to each point I was trying to make. In each paragraph, I explored new point that each was related to my main argument and exhibit. I was able to do this by linking each point back to my thesis.  For the next Remix Project I composed a multimodal project, creatively remixing my research-based argument essay for this multimedia project I used a “Prezi” presentation maker program. Prezi helped me to deliver my argument clearly to my audience that I could describe my project through video, pictures and graphs that attracts more audience’s attention.

Passing through all these processes my critical thinking and analyzing improved properly. Also, I would like to use these skills and techniques that I learned through this course for the next my academic writings and projects. Overall in English 2150, I achieved the main goals of this course. I enhanced my writing, close reading and critical thinking skills. I have read a wide variety of intellectually challenging texts, ranging from speeches to personal essays to longform journalism articles. I also sharped my critical thinking and analytical skills learning the rhetorical and stylistic choices that the writers of the texts we read made in their works. After completing this course, I can now analyze and interpret key ideas in various discursive genres; use a different media to compose in multiple rhetorical situations; identify and engage with credible sources and multiple perspectives in my writing also use conventions appropriate to audience, genre and purpose; compose as a process that is experience writing as a creative way thinking and generating knowledge and as a process involving multiple drafts, reviewing my work by my peers; use conventions appropriate to audience, genre and purpose that adapt writing and composing conventions.