The Evolution of a Writer
This semester in College Composition II has been a great experience for me. While going along this college journey as a first-year freshman, I’ve had to take in account a lot of things. This hi-tech program has forced me to think beyond what the average college student usually thinks. It has shaped and molded me to write both physically and mentally in my writings. In order to write successful and scholarly pieces, one has to be mentally matured to produce the best and well-crafted works. It depicts the ultimate level of professionalism. Wise College Composition is unlike any other English class offered here. Our English class worked in close conjunction with our History class, and it helped me better grasp the information I needed to retain. When we were discussing a certain topic in History, in some way, shape, or form, Professor Peterson was incorporating certain information in her lecture. This technique enabled me to get the information in a historical lens and also in a writing perspective when I would write on how I felt about slavery or certain issues on education and the empowerment of African Americans. Professor Peterson is one of my most effective professors that I have encountered thus far. Her teaching tactics are unlike any other I have experienced, and the change was a good change. It was different but still good. She made herself available to us at any time, and I think that was a very influential thing. It made me understand that if I am attempting to do my best then she would help me as much as she possible could. Even while writing our papers in history, she still had us present the information in her class so she could critique us and guide on the steps we needed to take to produce a stronger and more productive research paper. I applaud Professor Peterson for that because although all the departments work in close conjunction with one another, she still did not have to take her lecture time to help us in another professor’s class. That showed me that she was out to help and further uplift us, and to encounter a professor like that is truly an honor and a privilege. Upon the completion of this course I have learned my strengths and weaknesses in writing and how it is I can improve in those areas. Our classroom setting was so small, and my classmates and I were all able to have a close and interactive relationship with Professor Peterson. She has really pushed us to put forth our best efforts in all our endeavors whether it was in our research papers, blogs, or lives. She has taught me to adhere to the “rhetorical” situation while writing. Since the start of the semester I’ve had to write two research papers in both my History and English class. Before our history paper was due, we were assigned to write a research paper in English on certain aspect of a slave narrative we found interesting to learn more about. The paper was based off our group presentation and the slave narrative of our choice. Prior to submitting our rough drafts, we had to submit a proposal research-prospectus. The proposal simply stated the main focus of our paper, and what it was we were further researching. I think the proposal was an excellent technique to keep us on task. It helped us not write a research paper that was completely incorrect with no sense of direction or focus. Professor Peterson gave us feedback on the proposal, and thus we were able to continue on a good path or change a few things to get on that good path. Just those little things greatly impacted my performance in the class. It was almost like Professor Peterson is telling me what it is I need to correct from a scholarly point-of-view, so for me to not take heed to her words of wisdom would be foolish on my part. It just could not get any easier than that. Once my proposal was straightened and ironed out I was able to continue the writing process. I submitted my rough draft, and once my rough draft was graded and sent back I continued on to my final draft research-final-draft-2. To be honest, I know I could have produced a much better research paper. For some unbeknownst reason, I just could not become motivated towards the end of the class. I was completely content with getting a “passing” grade on the research paper and being done with it. I was just ready for the whole process to be over with. I do not know why but they whole research process just mentally and physically drains me. I know it should not be like that but I had completely run out of stamina. Once the English paper was done, we also had to complete a research paper in history research-final-draft. In this process, we looked into a certain aspect of history from a historical lens. That paper was a bit confusing at first. We were required to submit our work in CMS format. It was a different style then what I was accustomed to using. My English paper had to be written in MLA format so to have to switch and adhere to a different method was somewhat scary. At first I was uncomfortable with writing in CMS format because I was so used to using MLA, but then again it goes back to what I said earlier, the Wise program has forced us to think outside the box and do something else besides the normal. Besides the two research papers, we were also assigned to apply our critical thinking skills and respond to blogs. These blogs were a way for us to voice our opinion on the subject matter and actively interact with our peers and get their feedback on our responses. The three blogs that I felt strongly about were the W.E.B. Dubois vs. Booker T. Washington the-education-of-a-negro, the Hurricane Katrina post the-storm, and the effects of interracial relationships in the world today integration . In some way, shape, or form, these blogs all impacted my life. Overall, I would say I had a great first year here at Clark Atlanta University. This course has propelled me and taught me all the things I will need to know to help sustain me along this journey in this thing we call college. I feel I have matured as a person, and am capable of applying the skills and pointers I have received from Professor Peterson. I was a little leery on taking Professor Peterson, because I did not know what I was up against, but I must say I had a nice encounter in the class. I would not trade this learning experience for anything in the world. I would like to thank Professor Peterson for sharing her wisdom and knowledge with us. Your deeds did not go unnoticed!
Sharaine's Blog 