Kirsten Rogers

Rogers 1

Professor Ditch
English 113A
8 December 2015
Reflective Essay
Throughout this semester I have grown in many ways. On a personal level, I have gained
more independence which has contributed to my sense of belonging in adulthood. Academically,
I have expanded my horizons and grown as a student in subjects I never previously considered to
be so significant to me personally. As a writer this semester, I believe that I have grown
exponentially. Throughout the two progressions in English 113A, I have learned to analyze and
given piece of writing, cite my sources properly, more eloquently express myself, and structure
my essays. Being in this class during my first semester in college has undoubtably set me up for
a successful college career as it has provided me with the solid foundation needed to write in a
formal and proper way.
First I would like to thank the people who were instrumental in my success in this course.
The support from my professor, Dr. Ditch, my supplemental instructor, Miss Fish, and the LRC
sculpted my writing into what it is today. All three have provided me with knowledge throughout
this semester that has helped and guided me to become the best writer possible. Professor Ditch
taught me how to critically read and annotate all ideas that come to mind while reading because
when someone becomes a better reader, by default they become a better writer. Being able to
critically read any article and identify what is important, what could be improved on, and what is
missing in someone elses writing, helps me to ask myself those questions while writing. In my
second progression essay, called The True Message Behind Sex in Advertising, Professor Ditch
writes nice analysis in the middle of my introductions because I was able to read beyond

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just what the words tell the reader, and see exactly what the true meaning of this advertisement
is. I was able to do this simply because analysis had been taught and stressed so much at the
beginning of this course.
Although I did not consider myself to be a poor writer going into this semester, I do
believe that there is always room to improve, and in my essays I was able to do that. In my
opinion, I would confidently say that repetition is the only way to improve. With the help of the
SI class with Miss Fish, I was able to ask any questions I hadnt remembered to ask during class,
ask for writing advice, and go over the lesson from the previous class. In doing this, all the
important information was ingrained into my memory, which therefore made it easy for me to
recall it and implement it into my writing. Not only did Miss Fish add to the lesson we had
learned in Professor Ditchs class, she also helped me by teaching us the proper way to cite
sources, and give us different worksheets which were intended to force our class to grow as
writers and become more eloquent in our essays. One thing that I have learned throughout this
semester, is that an authors credibility is what is most important and will determine how
significant the reader considers what the writers work. By learning the proper way to cite any
type of source in an MLA format has aided me in my writing tremendously. Previously, I had a
very vague idea of how to cite my sources the correct way, but I realize now that it is far more
important than I had ever considered it to be. Now that I am able to cite sources in the MLA
format, I can say that my writing as a whole has improved because it is now more formal and
credible. Aside from the formalities I learned during SI, I improved the way my essays sounded
in such a way that I sound more mature than I am in my writing. In my first essay, Gender
Constructions and Gender Dichotomy: Societys Downfall, there were instances in which

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Professor Ditch notes Insightful title!, and in my essay The True Meaning Behind Sex is
Advertising, she writes Well said!. I believe that by working with Miss Fish over these past 16
weeks, it has influenced my writing eloquence in a positive way.
The LRC was unbelievably helpful and I am so grateful that Professor Ditch required us
to make an appointment for each essay. One problem that I had previously had was organizing
my thoughts and structuring my writing. Through my appointments at the LRC, I was able to
take my time and plan everything that I wanted to put into my essay in an effective, concise, and
direct way. I will admit that I most likely would not have gone to the LCR had I not been
required to, but now that I have experienced it and gotten the grades that I am more than satisfied
with, I will go to the LRC any time I have an essay due. Through each 30 minute session I grew
as a writer because although my ideas were up to par, they were disorganized. With the private
tutor at the LRC I was able to work through any of my problems with someone who can relate to
me personally considering they are also a student. During my first appointment I received a
document which helped me plan out how I wanted to structure my writing by putting my ideas
down on paper and playing around with the supporting evidence. Once this document was
complete, it was clear in my mind what had to be written and where it should all be put. I could
relay this information to my reader in a clear and direct way. This therefore impacted my writing
by insuring that my reader could completely understand my points and see the supporting
evidence.
My English 113A experience has been nothing but one of hard work and results. One last
thing I learned throughout this course is the Japanese word Kaizen, which translates to the
constant pursuit of improvement. This course has left me with the foundation I need to constantly

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practice kaizen, not only in my writing but in my every day life. In closing, I am very proud of
myself for getting through the transition from high school to college with such ease, and I am
now more than prepared to take on any writing assignment given to me throughout my college
career. This would not have been possible without those who have helped, guided, and supported
me along my journey through my first college semester.