Reflections of English Class

English has always been a subject that pops in my mind as dreadful. I have never felt very confident about my ability to write. My better talents for school are in science and history. Reflecting back on this semester that has zoomed by me so quickly, I have realized that English is really not so bad. I have actually enjoyed taking this semester of English and being able to express myself through writing. My professor has taught me several techniques in writing such as, the different modes of writing, picking a good topic, and developing a good thesis. I have had lots of practice with the different essays that I have had to write, and practice essays that he has given me.
Looking at the modes of writing there are three different ones that we as a class focused on for our writing purposes. They are to inform, teach or instruct, and entertain. The essay in my portfolio that is titled, Innocence Remembered is an essay that I feel entertains the reader about my adventures through the Kentucky Barbeque Festival. My second essay that is in my portfolio titled, The Rush of Boxing, is more of a way to inform the reader about my passion for boxing. I show this love of boxing by putting a lot of detail into my piece.
When it comes to picking a good topic to write about for me, it can be extremely hard. It seems like I have so much that I could write about and just can’t narrow it down. Then I get all this jumbled thoughts in my head when I do narrow it down and start to doubt myself if it’s the right topic to write about. Taking this English course has helped me to figure out which topics are the best for me by doing pre-writes and different exercises on paper in class.
When it comes to making a thesis statement before taking this course I would just grit my teeth. Now after breaking an introduction paragraph down I realize that it really isn’t that hard. All I have to do is be sure that my Introduction paragraph has one main sentence that can explain the whole essay without reading it. I have learned that the thesis can be in the middle or even the end of the Introduction paragraph. Now, writing a thesis doesn’t even phase me. Now every now and then they could be a little tough but I can figure it out all on my own.
I have enjoyed this English course this semester. I have taken this course one time before and have had no passion for it. But now I really do have a passion for writing and have learned so much more that I can do to become a better writer. My two pieces within my portfolio reflect what I have learned as a writer. I feel that both pieces show me as a person as well. They both correlate with each other in a way because they are both things that I have enjoyed doing. I am really glad that I have had the opportunity to take this English class with an excellent professor that has really helped me in many ways to write and to bring out this ability in me.