Sharon
English 1010
Reflective Essay for Portfolio 3
Self-Reflective Essay
When I first started this course I didn’t know what to expect. I knew I would have to
write essays but I didn’t know that I would have to do a lot of research. I guess I thought that we
would use the book more than we actually did. Since taking this course I definitely feel more
confident in writing essays. I learned how to write papers that have in text citations and how to
reference the information. At first it was a little challenging to properly reference my work but
after awhile it became easier. I know if I had to write a paper for another class I could feel
confident with it because I have the skills for it.
I learned a lot in our English book. It had great writing strategies that will help my future
writing. I also believe that I have become a better and faster reader. I was taught how to free
write, as well as looping, to think critically as well as analyzing texts and its contents.
I enjoyed my fellow peers reading my essays because they gave my papers good criticism
as well as great feedback. Having peer editing is a great way to teach students, because in a way
we are all teaching each other. By reading their essays taught me how to learn from their
mistakes as well as taking its good aspects of their essay and applying them to my essay. It’s also
a great way to see what other students are writing about and how they feel about specific issues.
By taking this course I now have the skills to properly structure an argument/essay. The
subjects that I chose with all my essays were important to me because they have affected my life
in some way. My last essay was difficult because I did not know where I stood on the argument.
After finishing the paper I gained useful knowledge and I could understood the both sides of the
argument. I was able to take a side on the subject at hand and felt confident with my stand point.