Good writing
My Writing Improvements
The past 15 weeks had a big impact on my writing development. In these few weeks, I discovered new styles and improved my writing skills. I learned many things that directly shaped my writing. Before taking composition 105, I never thought I could write a seven or even five pages easily. In fact, I now could write an essay as long as I wish. I learned how to control the structure of the essay and divide it into subtitles. This way, I could freely write organized connected paragraphs. To put this into practice, I had to write a report for my Political Science class. I divided the report into subtitles and tackled each issue independently. I had so much to say and write about. I was rewarded with a grade of A. I was very satisfied with the result.
I also learned that I need to back up and prove everything I write about. This way, I have a strong argument. And consequently, the reader finds it easy to follow. In the other hand, the acceptance of the reader to my ideas is more welcoming. I will now keep improving these skills until I become professional. It is the ultimate goal. I will do my best to reach that level. It may take a while since I still have a long road to travel, but I am determined to reach it and that’s what I will do.
What I have created
The work I have created is just the beginning. It is one step to many. When I compare my writing to the past, I see a big improvement and feel satisfaction. As a student, I know that I have to be good at writing. This will determine my success. Writing is the tool to best communicate and convince others. It is the way I express my thoughts and opinions. If I become skillful with my writing, I will have no problem doing so. Therefore, I will make sure that my writing will be well written and thoughts are well expressed. The great writer E.M. Forster once said, “how can I know what think until I see what I say.”
Paying it forward
At this point, I have not helped anyone become a better writer. Perhaps, I have helped those who read what I wrote in some shape. My goal for now is to become a skilled writer. Once my goal is accomplished. I will pay it forward to other. This starts from my little brothers to my friends. It may expand and I eventually have my own lecturing class. The community is very important to me. To teach middle school or high school students would be a spiritual and motivational is a valuable role for me.
Preparation for Next Level
I have never been more prepared for my next level of writing at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. I am very excited to expand my writing skills even more. I look forward to learn new writing styles and be around good writers. The University of Michigan has great instructors that inspire and motivates students. Knowledge seekers come from all over the world to the University of Michigan. I cannot wait for the competition and the interaction with higher level writers, who just like me, their number one goal is to improve their writing. To be even more prepared, I will use the two weeks break to revise my work as many times as it will require. I will only be satisfied with near perfection. I understand that the next writing level will not be as easy. Therefore, I need to have as much motivation.
Revision
I think that revision was the main reason of my writing improvement. Revision gave me the opportunity to go back and fix my mistakes. Professor Stewart, the great instructor and the reason of my huge writing skills, gave me feedbacks that guided me through my writing. For example, when she gave the class an assignment asking to choose a topic and argue it, I choose the topic of immigration. My argument was whether immigration is good or bad. I started my introduction with the following paragraph:
As the issue of legal immigration’s advantages and disadvantages become a popular topic, I am determined to uncover many benefits immigrants bring along with them. Immigrants bring ideas, new skills, and unique experiences. They are a reflection of the other world that Americans do not seem to understand at times. Immigrants make it easier to communicate with other nations. They tighten foreign relations and improve international trades. They improve the economy and overcome the workers shortage. All of these are only a mere part of immigrants’ contributions. I will discuss in this paper some of the major false assumptions toward immigrants.
Professor Stewart brought to my attention that it was unenjoyably and boring to start an issue paper in such a way. She suggested that I convert it and start with ethnography for example. I took her advice and took a different approach this time. I brought a real life story that dealt with the same issue. I change the introduction to the following:
Ten years ago at the age of 19, my brother Muath immigrated to the United States. At first, he spoke little English and his income came from working as a dishwasher in Bobevens. In the same time, he attended school regularly and was determined to do well. Now, he works with the US State Department that focuses on foreign policy. He helps tighten US foreign relations, improves international trades, and makes it easier to communicate with other nations. While my brother built himself from the bottom up, he also sat a clear example for those who think that the US does not benefit from immigration.
Another example was when Professor Stewart assigned us to write an article analysis. When I turned in the article analysis, the Professor pointed out the writing mistakes I had. The is part of the essay I wrote:
In The Book Thief, by Zucks. The power of words is one of the main themes of the story. Here, the story takes place in a region where words have never been more important, Nazi Germany. The story heavily associates Adolf Hitler with this
theme. Hitler, who with his talent and speaking skills manipulated a whole nation to violate, discriminate against, and even mass massacre other human being. Better yet, those who disagreed with him did not have the power of words he possessed to prove him wrong. For instance, in (page.120) for example, any book that opposed Hitler’s regime was burned. By burning those books, it meant that the knowledge and the power of those words are burned. Still, Liesel stole some of that power. She stole a book; a book that had words; words that Hitler himself was expert at, yet feared to be used against him. Another example was in (page 223) when Max painted over Hitler’s Mein Kampf to write his own story. Mein Kampf is the book that Hitler put his expertise into action. The book that was filled with hatred, discrimination and superiority, has now became a story of friendship, peace and human equality.
The Professor pointed out that I have not properly used the APA intext citation style. She also told me that I have many claims that are not being backed up with actual facts and quotes from the article. I went back and revised my writing and a huge difference was clrear. The article has become a lot smother to read and more convincing. This is how it turned out:
In The Book Thief, by Zuask, The power of words is one of the main themes of the story. The story takes place in a region where words have never been more important, Nazi Germany. Zusak heavily associates Adolf Hitler with this theme. Hitler, who with his talent and speaking skills manipulated a whole nation to violate, discriminate against, and even mass massacre other human being. In the other hand, those who disagreed with him did not have the power of words he possessed to stand against him. For instance, in (page.120) any book that opposed Hitler’s regime was burned. By burning those books, it meant that the knowledge and the power of those words they contained are burned permanently. Still, Liesel stole some of that power. She stole a book; a book that had words; words that Hitler himself was expert at, yet feared to be used against him.
Another example was in (page 223) when Max painted over Hitler’s Mein Kampf to write his own story. Mein Kampf is the book that Hitler put his expertise into action. The book that was filled with hatred, discrimination and superiority, has now became a story of friendship, peace and human equality.
Some may underestimate the power of word. These individuals ignore their strong influence on human actions. Words can erupt violence or bring peace. They same words can be used to creat a Mein Kampf that calls for races superiority and discrimination or a US constitution that calls for equality and tolerance . In the story, Liesel had the greatest influence by the power of words. We witnessed in (page 66) when Hans first taught her how to read. Later in the book in (page 527) she tears up a book from the Mayer wife' library. That is the exact moment when she realized how powerful words are. She wrote "I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right."
Writing as a grade
As much as it bothers me that my writing is graded, it is an inevitable requirement. Grades are connected to many things. Supposedly, it measures your success and achievement. I completely disagree with this idea. In many cases during this course, I found myself in many situations where I was afraid to try new writing styles. I was very concerned with my grade that, at time, I paid more attention to them than my writing improvement. I believe that writing should always be graded as a good or not good enough scale. This way, students will come up new and creative ways of writing. In the other hand, I believe that I should get an A because I have put so much work and effort into my work.
Attendance
Overall, I have attended class always and on time but for emergencies. I avoided distraction such as Facebook and other social networks. I focused in class and took good notes. This semester, I had good classmates who I turned to when I needed any help. The professor was always there for me when I had writing emergencies. It was a great time and a great learning experience.