Reflection Journal

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The final journal you will write in English 131 is a reflective essay. An essay of this sort uses all of the tools you have gleaned while improving your writing skills:

bullet focusing on one topic with an explicit thesis statement;
bullet developing a logical progression of thought;
bullet using transitions to move from one idea to the next;
bullet drawing upon specific evidence;
bullet displaying a mastery of mechanical and grammatical correctness.

What is important in the reflection essay is that you display care and concern that reflects who you are as a writer. This is your opportunity to show who you are and what you care about; this piece should show the skills you have gained throughout the quarter. Some ideas you might incorporate, but you are not restricted to:

bullet what surprised you about your writing
bullet what you still need to work on
bullet what you gained and/or loss
bullet who you are as a writer/reader
bullet how your writing has changed
bullet how your appreciation of literature has changed
bullet what you would have done differently if you had the chance
bullet what was your best work? the worst?
bullet what were moments of failure, success, indecision, humor, frustration, happiness, sadness
bullet do you feel your actions had any impact on your skill
bullet what more do you need to do
bullet does this experience compliment or contrast with what you are doing in other classes? How?

The goal here is to reflect back upon your development in these last few months, and write about those insights. This is your chance to talk about yourself as a person who writes about and reads literature. Please follow your own inspiration here. Know, too, that reflection essays are rarely less than three pages long, as they require depth of thought. Since this will be the final essay you write in English 131 and is a key piece of writing, your talents should be amply displayed.

Contents within this site are copyrighted by both the author of essays and/or Jan Strever.
The contents within these pages are solely those of the author and S.C.C.
should not be held responsible.  ©1999-2009
Last revised: November 19, 2009 by Jan Strever -- jstrever@scc.spokane.edu
Personal site:  http://www.js.spokane.wa.us/

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