Josue Pichardo
Professor Sara Jacobson
English 11000
18 December 2024
Self-assessment is an invaluable tool for personal and professional growth. In this essay, I will reflect on my performance in English 11000 by evaluating my strengths, identifying areas for improvement, and outlining strategies for future success. This class has provided me with the opportunity to improve my analytical skills, refine my writing process, and develop a more profound appreciation for the art of communication.
During the course of the semester igot to talk to my peers and understand how to view topics from different points of view. Their perspectives enriched my understanding of audience expectations and rhetorical approaches. When reviewing others’ work, I learned to appreciate how different rhetorical styles can effectively convey complex ideas. These experiences taught me to adapt my writing to diverse audiences and contexts, enhancing my rhetorical sensibility. This semester, I made significant progress in refining my writing process. Early on, my approach to drafting was faulty, often leading to underdeveloped ideas. Through class peer reviews, I adopted a more iterative process, involving multiple drafts and active revisions. For example, while constructing my research-based argumentative essay, i faced trouble finding the correct topic or theme. Talking with my peers and taking their advice helped me clarify my thesis and improved the organization of my essay. Another area of growth was my ability to locate and utilize credible sources. Before this semester, my research process was largely limited to surface-level internet searches. However, through library workshops and guided exercises, I became proficient in using online databases to find peer-reviewed articles and other scholarly resources.
Despite my progress, I still struggle with time management and procrastination. Throughout the semester, there were several assignments I completed at the last minute, which limited the time I had for thorough revisions. This was evident when i made some careless mistakes like forgetting to number my pages and putting the wrong date of certain assignments. If I had spent more time revising, I could have addressed these issues before submission. Another area for improvement is my use of complex sentence structures. While I am comfortable with basic sentence variety, I sometimes overcomplicate my writing, making it harder for readers to follow. The most important lesson I’ve learned in English 101 is the value of feedback. Before this class, I often saw feedback as criticism, but now I view it as an opportunity to grow. By incorporating suggestions from my classmates, I’ve been able to refine my writing and produce work I’m genuinely proud of.
English 11000 has been an invaluable experience for me. I am proud of the progress I’ve made in crafting clear arguments, embracing the revision process, and learning to view feedback constructively. However, I recognize that there is always room for growth, particularly in managing my time effectively and improving sentence clarity. Moving forward, I plan to dedicate more time to drafting and revising, and I will continue seeking feedback to improve my skills further. I look forward to applying these lessons in future courses and beyond.
