This website was designed in a way that my assignment can be accessed from one area. It is easy to navigate and find what is being looked for. The theme for this site is galaxy simply because I have always been fascinated by it. It is so complex so no one truly understands all its elements. The galaxy is endless and full of beauty. The darkness allows the stars to shine even brighter. The unknown makes everything more interesting.

The process of completing an assignment started with writing an outline using the DDC method — describe, develop, connect. This method made it possible to have a good rough draft because it was in simple terms. Workshops — the next step — allowed different people to read my rough drafts and suggest edits. Having another person look over my paper gives the opportunity for unseen errors to be noticed and fixed. My final paper would be improved by these corrections.

Library sessions were held to help find sources to use on our papers — such as my abstract and research paper. I learned how to navigate through City College’s library site. I was able to use the search engine and search for articles. These sessions were crucial to me because I would not have been able to find the correct sources needed for my papers.

Citations are a tricky concept. It needs to be written in a certain way in order to be valid — failure to do so can lead to plagiarism. Professor Stoler clarified how to cite articles by providing examples. I learned the correct way to do in-text citations — using the author’s last name — and a work cited page. 

Interviews were a section explored during this course. The mini essay was all based on an interview I had with a fellow student. It was my first experience interviewing someone so I was nervous. This gave me the chance to improve my socializing skills by pushing me to reach out of my comfort zone. 

The papers from this course required deep thought and creativity. Everything was preparing me for the research paper — I had practiced all that I needed. Pathos, ethos, and logos were concepts that I was being exposed all course long. By the time I had to write my research paper, I felt as if I mastered those concepts. The abstract, narrative story, and mini essay assignments exposed me to necessary content for the big finale. Since each were my first try, I found it hard to write in the beginning — but they helped develop the best piece of work I can deliver. 

All the poems I have written tell something about me in a way. It is said that one expresses themselves through their writing — which is what I aimed to do. I love reading poems much more than writing them. Finding the right words to represent a certain emotion was hard for me. Also, I had to really think about past events that I could use for the poem.

This semester has been a mixture of enjoyment and difficulty. I have never been very fond of writing. This course challenged me in ways that I am grateful for. It taught me valuable writing lessons I would need in the near future. It helped me become a better writer and a better student overall.