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Prof. Douglas
Imani Jackson
UWRT 1101-090

Midterm Reflection
Day book entries are essential for passing the writing class; they hold your thoughts,
feelings, responses and work ethic from the course. I believe if one tries their hardest and does
their work in their day book, it should be accepted as good course work. Well thought out and
relevant responses to home work should be the base of a daybook grade rather than how long the
answer looks by skimming. Though, based off how my old day book looked, it did not seem that
I was trying hard enough on my class work. I have now remade my day book and would say that
it is above average considering the way I think it should be graded, with the way the professor
has previously graded it. My day book has all of the day book entries, long responses, handouts
and all of the homework assignments. These entries are from my own work ethic and I think that
it deserves a B.
Evaluating my participation in class with attendance, attitude, engagement, preparation
and involvement I would say average or maybe above, if the professor believes so. I have only
missed one day of class which has affected my grade and the paper for my grade from missed
information, I take full responsibility. I try my hardest to engage in class and try to figure out
answers and responses to share with the class. The excuse of being shy is there but I believe I can
work on getting more out of myself during class. My attitude during class I would say is
excellent since I get along with most of my classmates and have not started any trouble. When
there is conflict or a bad grade given to me I stay in a calm state until it is necessary to engage in

my emotions. My preparation for this entire class I would say is not there at all. I was never
taught to read or write at a higher level during my earlier years of education and it is such a
burden on me. Reading and writing is very important in life, and Im already struggling with that,
so it is even harder to take in the depression from my inability to give great work in this class. I
am trying to learn new tactics on writing and find the motivation to continue on through the
stress of this course since I am struggling. Other than that, I am usually prepared in the fact that I
do my work before class and I submit most assignments on time. My participation is important to
me because I believe it has many elements that need improvement. My motivation is here but
since Im trying to develop more, I think I deserve at least a C in this area.
I am starting to read and write more and more every time I enter this class. I think Im
progressing nicely being I wasnt that well in the beginning. Im starting to have more
motivation to continue on with this course and try harder than I was from the beginning. The
issues I am running into in my literacy are that I need more to read, and more writing strategies
to help me with my papers. I do think I am getting the hang of a few things in the class but I
could definitely use more advancement in the literacy area.
Lastly, my entire grade in this course I believe should maybe be a C. I do think that it is
lower from the fact that my first paper was graded very poorly from my lack of knowledge and
motivation. My first paper was a big learning experience for me as well as a huge depressing
experience. I have never cried over the grade of a paper so much in my life, but I knew that it
was just my fault in the end, and for that I deserved the bad grade. I have redone my day book
and hopefully it was a change to that grade. I would love to have a grade at or above a B by the
end of this course; because I am trying very hard to get better at what I have not previously
learned. I would love to have such a successful end to this course because that would be the most

motivation of all. I hope that I can show the professor how much improving my reading and
writing skills means to me but only I can do that from my performance. It would be very helpful
to get more tips, hints and criticism on what to do specifically in my writing if the professor had
time to do so. Other than that, I just want to overall improve myself in English reading and
writing to help me further my college experience for a career.
The four day book entries I have chosen to show you are the Book of Eli response, my
slam poem, This Isnt What We Did in High School questions and my portfolio questions. I have
chosen these entries so that the professor can acknowledge my progress, knowledge, work ethic
and group skills.
The Book on Eli response shows that I can look at a film and put my thoughts about it on
paper. It shows that I can interpret what I feel from what I saw and make it into a complete
thought. It also shows my work ethic, since I really tried hard to evaluate what I thought about
the video.
I have chosen This Isnt What We Did in High School questions as an example of my
knowledge and past experience in my literature. The questions help show that there is a lot of
different tactics from high school that are not carried on to the college experience. Showing my
answers gives a little insight of my previous experience, what I think about literature as well as
what I want to accomplish in literature.
I picked my slam poetry entry because it was done in a group. This was my first group
project in this class and I think it was a huge accomplishment for me, since I believe it turned out
great. It was different at first to talk about religion to a class being it was never allowed in high

school. It felt like a big step up in the college experience and it was a fun opportunity to share the
groups ideas on the matter.
My last entry I picked was the questions about the portfolio. I wanted to share these with
the professor because it shows that I can understand the material and explain the process of the
portfolio. I have also chosen this writing because it was basically an understanding on what is
due at the end of the class. If the professor sees and confirms that I understand what is due at the
end of the course it is more likely that I will get a better grade. Hopefully with this writing I will
get feedback on my understanding of the portfolio.

Day Book Entries

Slam Poetry
I am Scared
It is slam not an exam
So, I believe in Islam
A religion with roots from Abraham
Worshiping God is an obligation to anyone
Made of mud and contains blood
Is tells us not to lie
Not to steal
Not to covet
Islam said that
Is it Christianity?
No, it is Judaism
Why the combat? They all said that
We all pray for the same thing, peace
Is his name Jesus? Is his name Allah? Is his name Buddha? What is in a name?
There is only one or two or three?
Why does it matter whoever we believe?
If we all stopped to think about what it meant to someone else; we wouldnt have so much
disagreement and conflict.

This Isnt What We Did in High School

5. What influences me to write and create ideas about writing is just taking the time to be by
myself in a quiet area and imagine. I sometimes drift off and wonder about other peoples day or
what could happen later on in my day. I start thinking about the past, the future and other
mystical things; because you never have to write about something real. Writing is essential in life
but remember what previous professors and teachers have taught me gets me to write, as well as
my imagination.
7. Generally I am a shy person, so presenting myself and speaking up is difficult. My voice was
never as loud as others growing up, pretty sure that has yet to change. It is hard to find a way to

jump into a conversation in class and be heard. Participating in this class gives you extra
knowledge about what is going on from the conversations. Even though it is easier to speak
within a group, trying to speak up in this class and be heard is one of my goals.
8. What I can contribute to this course is not much but it is all I have at the moment is my
motivation to succeed. Even though my motivation alone is not that high from the difficulty of
this class, I continue to strive for accomplishment. It will be hard to stay consistent in this class,
but if others start losing motivation I would love to help out and give a little hope to those.

The Book of Eli

My response to the book of Eli was the fact that it was very interesting as well as inspirational.
Im not sure that the world will ever get this way but you can never be too sure of the future. I
believe a religion should always be this strong; it brings happiness and hope to those who believe.
Eli was a very strong and destined man who had a goal to strive for. His belief of Christianity
helped him live in such a threatening environment with little to go by. It was a huge eye opener
being Christian because there was so much devotion and optimism in the movie.

Portfolio Questions
What I Already Know: This project reminds me of my senior exit project in high school. I had to
create a portfolio and present my topic and product to judges. Having a little experience with
making a portfolio makes me feel a bit more prepared and comfortable with getting a good grade
in this course.
Restrictions: The restrictions I believe are the internet because the internet alone has its own set
of restrictions. Theres things you can and cannot do online and it will make it harder for first
time users, like myself. You absolutely have to make it online, which means there has to be some

sort of individuality and understanding of your own choosing. I do feel a bit unprepared for the
purpose of my English skills and the guidelines being very strict and somewhat complicated.
Choices: The choices that I am grateful about is the design of the portfolio, which is a good
choice option being that the presentation is very strict. I feel free with the set up and due date of
the portfolio; also, with the assignments because it reflects my opinions and ideas.
Values: The values of work ethic, progress and participation are being showed through the
portfolio. I see the professor valuing the progress and creativity of my writing and my ability to
think through my literature. What I think the professor will be looking for is complete thought
out work and thorough ideas.