"Write another self-assessment. Wow, what a difficult task. I just wrote one a couple months ago. What else could I possible have learned between then and now that is different than before?" This is what I said to myself when I realized that we had to write another self-assessment. I had a difficult time trying to figure out what I had learned that I did not know before. However, after I sat down and really thought about it, I realized that I have learned a few new, valuable things.

Citing in essays, particularly in a research essay, was something that I thought I had a pretty good grasp on. However, after having a class discussion about how much citing is truly necessary in this type of essay, I realized that I did not know as much as I thought. Before learning this I did not think that it was really necessary to state, "author so-and-so said this…." I thought that if I cited the author’s name after I quoted or paraphrased, that it was better. However, I have discovered that stating, "author so-and-so said this…" actually helps. It helps to show that there is clear, strong support for what I am trying to prove. It also shows that the things stated are not just coming from my own opinion, but from famous authors as well. In a research essay that we recently had to complete, Professor Jones had pointed out that I was mostly just stating things without giving an author’s name. I was giving my own opinion instead of stating something that an author had said. In my first draft I said, "There are many reasons as to why men do not play a role in the decision of abortion." And then I proceeded to state the different reasons. When I went back to revise my draft, I stated an author’s name that had given the same reasons for men’s non-existent role in the abortion decision and then I went on to state the reasons. This was not an easy task; as a matter of fact it was pretty difficult. I had to go back and look at all of the quotes, etc. that I had taken and find ones that would help support my argument. I have learned that by providing names of authors and other support, it allows the reader to know that what I am trying to prove actually has some sustenance.

I was also having difficulty with some of the sentences that I would write. I would create sentences that did not flow properly, perhaps a problem with logic, awkwardness, or tense agreement. These are all things that I have been trying to improve the entire semester. Although it seemed as if I was not making any progress, I have realized that I have drastically improved. The thing that has helped me improve is reading my essays aloud. By reading aloud it helps me to catch mistakes that I have made, a lot easier. Sometimes in the writing process I get so caught up in what I am going to say and what I have to say that I do not realize that my sentences need some work. Despite the fact that I have made improvements with this, I surely have not mastered it. I still have a few awkward sentences here and there, but I am going to continue to work on it, I have to.

I sometimes have difficulties with commas. I just place them everywhere that I feel it is necessary. I have begun to realize that commas are not needed all the time; it is just needed when necessary. It is sometimes difficult to decipher when a comma is needed and when it is not. The only solution that I have discovered that could help me with my comma splices is to refer to my Bedford Handbook whenever I have doubt.

Revision is still, in my opinion, the most important part of the writing process. It allows me to see what the exact problem is and try my best to fix it. It allows me to be able to see what parts need more support and elaboration. I am able to ask and answer questions that the reader will be asking, such as, "Why?" and "So what?" I find that in the revision process I end up adding paragraphs, sentences, fixing sentence level problems, and many other things, which is exactly what I am supposed to be doing. Going through this process helps me to improve my writing skills even more. Another very important part of the revision process is feedback from my peers and professor. It is so helpful to have someone else point out parts of my writing that needs work. They ask very important questions and give me suggestions. All of these things help improve my essay. An example of a peer’s comment helping me was on my Persuasive essay. My classmate, Kevin Grier, suggested that I use a music artist who was suing Napster to help present the opposing viewpoint a little better. This never even crossed my mind, but when I thought about it, I realized that it was a great idea. Being able to comment on others papers also helps me a lot. It helps me to be able to recognize other’s mistakes so that it is easier to find my own.

The reading skills that I have learned in this class are also very important. Prior to this class I had a difficult time remembering what I had read because I would find the story boring. Sometimes I still have trouble with this, but I have learned one way in which I can help myself remember. I have learned note-taking skills that have helped me very much. Pointing out important parts and taking notes about them in the margin is something that has truly helped me remember important details about stories. Underlining key terms and concepts allows me to be able to understand the main ideas in the story. It allows me to be able to summarize the entire essay using the main points to guide me along.

I have always been a pretty good writer, however learning these skills have allowed me to improve my skills even more. It has also given me the chance to apply them in other classes such as Philosophy and Sociology. I have learned how to take better notes so that I can remember the important facts for tests, quizzes, etc. I have also been able to write better essays and cite my sources even more. All of the skills that I have learned in this class have truly helped me in everyway possible and I am very grateful for that.