Throughout my education, I have known myself to be a below average writer. I mess up with punctuations, spelling, etc. Despite this, I still enjoy this class very much. I enjoy to stories that we read and the deep analysis that we talk about during class. Most would say that I am wrong, but I enjoy the quizzes. They make sure that I read and understand the text, instead of just reading it and not interpreting any of it. For my strengths and weakness, I can know for a fact that my oral work is weaker than my written ones. The problem with oral for me is you have to speak it and that is a hard thing for me because I’m shy. When I get shy, I get flustered and I lose my train of thought. I have however believed that I have improved a bit this semester by participating in the large class discussions. As for my written communication, I have a lot of things to still work on, for example, my grammar.
-Denny Huang
Hi Denny!
I have the same problem in spelling and grammatical errors all throughout my education too. What I find helpful, is going to the writing center or having a peer edit my work. Most of the time I do not even recognize that I made a mistake in my grammar. I also agree, I like the quizzes as well. It forces me to have a clear understanding rather than just reading it and not really taking anything away from it. I am also shy, so when we sit in a circle and share our free writings it also makes me nervous. However, I feel as though the class environment is very relaxed and everyone really does care about what others have to say. I also like how there really are no wrong answers. Sometimes when others share their options I wind up having the same one.
Hi, Denny,
I remember once you came up with an idea about “From Life of Sensuous Woman” while discussing in class. I believe it was about is her pure or not, and you hold an opinion of the personal confession which is similar to many religious confession. Honestly I can not remember the theory exactly, but I remember that you directly talked about that idea in front of the class. You were confident at that moment, I believe, and it was because you were familiar with both the text and the idea of religious confession. I do think that the originality of ideas can help you to conquer the shyness. Be brave to make mistake.
Speaking to a group that I’m not comfortable with, like one would be with a group of friends, is also a challenge for me. But during my time here and after taking a communications course I’ve learned that if you have your outlined speech planned and written well in advanced and practice with friends or whomever, it is much easier when you have to actually present. What also helps me is finding a focus spot in the room so I don’t feel too uncomfortable but also remembering that if I feel flustered at any point it is okay to stop to regain my thoughts and that every so often you have to look around the room as if you are making eye contact with everyone… even if you’re really not.