Minsu Kim
Professor Conroy
ENG 110
12/20/2019
Theory of Writing
Over the course of my schooling, I have learned so much there is to know about being a writer and how I can improve my writing. In high school, I learned a lot about writing from a general aspect, but by taking this class, I have learned how to write a traditional academic essay and non-academic essay, a self(peer) review, and create a good synthesis. I do believe there is still much to learn about writing always, but this class has put me on the right track for the future.
From writing 3 essays in this class, by analyzing each essays’ rhetorical terms, choosing a research question and writing essay that can answer my research question, and composing two genres about the topic I chose. I have learned much about my own writing, as well as how my theory of writing has changed as the papers have changed. Through editing my essays, I have better communicated with the audience as well as better communicating my findings in sources through my paper. There have been many changes that have been seen through the different papers. The third essay, Composition in Two Genres taught how to communicate my findings in a paper.
One of the hardest parts about starting a new piece of writing is picking a topic, if given the choice, and specifying what to write about by pinpointing my topic. This was true when trying to pick a topic for my essays. Once I picked my topic of euthanasia, I had to see how I could I better narrow my topic and concluded about specific euthanasia types and what stance should I stand for. This was hard, euthanasia has been controversial topic for decades. For this I was then able to write to create an argument using my sources point of view and my own opinion. Working in class, using feedback, and using help from the writing center made this easier and helped me understand things better.
The prewriting before papers seemed always helped me. I brainstormed some ideas and wrote them down. After that I may think of some points to go with my ideas before sitting down to write my paper. Once I know what I want to write, I tried to make sure I have enough time to sit down and write all my thoughts as they flow. Once I’ve wrote all my thoughts, I’ll go back to read it again, edit, add, and rearrange things as needed. This is my style of writing and its what works for me. I do the same thing for all my prewritings. With the pre writings I even throw those together and arrange stuff, because it’s just the easiest thing in my mind. I’ve always been a visual person so writing what I’m thinking then adding or editing to it in my paper has always how I’ve done it.
For the revising of my essays I was trying to revise my essay according to my professor’s comment. In my essay#1, A Source Based Essay, In paragraph 4 and 5, I added the author’s name and italicized all the copyrighted names to show that I am quoting from that journal. For the purpose section, I tried to add evidence that what I understand and claim for readers.
At the last part of the essay, I was trying to synthesize my reference articles and wrote a conclusion so that readers can understand what message I was trying to give them.
In my essay#2, An Inquiry Based Research Essay, I wrote my essay #2 from the beginning again. I tried to maintain context and what I wrote of the essay #2’s first draft. I wrote my essay in the form of my model essay, in the form or typical medicine journal, which are Introduction, Methods, Background, Main context, Benefits and Considerations, Possible solutions, Conclusion and Citation page.
In addition, it is necessary to develop strategies since they can improve your paper and allow more thought to be invested. It is important to keep in mind that writing a research paper is not all about stating facts but giving a perspective that is important to a chosen area of research. A good, effective research paper also makes an argument and summarizes any answers to research and survey questions. It is imperative to read and evaluate your sources to make sure they are credible and have information that is relevant to your topic. With effectively explaining your thoughts and insights, your research findings will become clear to your audience. Organizing your ideas in a linear format helps gather information easily and makes it simple to only include information that’s on topic.
This class has taught me many things I had never done before. I’m going to continue practicing these things and my writing, because it will be important to write great papers in the psychology field. I will continue to get better, so I can write great papers for college and graduate school. I foresee myself accomplishing great things and becoming a skilled writer, continuing on the track this class has set me for.
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