Reflection

Reflecting on the past four weeks, I think my writing has definitely evolved since the first day of class. In high school I was never challenged to write papers that were more than four pages, and at that time I thought it was a ridiculous amount of work. I am extremely proud that I have written two papers exceeding 6 pages. I have more confidence in myself and I realized that it is not as intimidating as I thought.
Another effect that has greatly impacted my writing is the use of details. I had never realized before how adding in sensory details can really help the reader visualize the situation you are trying to convey. Details allow the reader to feel emotion, visualize the setting, and allow them to relate on a deeper level. It has considerably changed my thought process when writing a paper. Now I think about what details I could add in to really make my scenes vibrant and alive. I also realized that by adding details it keeps your reader entertained, which is always a good thing because no one wants to read a boring story.
Another aspect that has greatly contributed to my writing is the writing process itself. I have learned that prewriting greatly contributes to my writing by making it more organized. I find it to be a lot easier to write a lengthy paper when I already have my ideas outlined. After reading Shitty First Drafts I realized how important drafting is, and that not everything I write is going to be perfect the first time. This also showed me that all writers go through this process and to not be self conscious of my first drafts. I think that a lot of the skills I have already learned in these short four weeks will continue to aid my writing in the future.