Self - Eval

Stephanie Riccio

Eng 112

Self-Eval

Prof. Guarino

Coming to college is a frightening thought for many, how much work will I get? Are the professors mean? Will I fall behind at the fast pace in which we move? Personally, the college classes I’ve enrolled in have been nothing but a positive impact on my life and education.  I have tremendously improved as a writer throughout English 112; I’ve gone through multiple drafts, peer review, and lots of classes to get me where I am. Whether it was learning how to in cooperate logos, ethos, and pathos or how to organize my paragraphs in an essay…it all contributed to my success.

The first essay that we were assigned in this class was an autobiographical piece, and it was to be four to six pages. When I first heard this my heart dropped, it was the longest essay I have ever been assigned. When it was time to bring in our first draft I was only two pages deep and I was nervous for the reaction I was going to receive from my classmates and professor. When I got to class I heard that we were doing an exercise called peer review. I have heard of this term but have never gotten the chance to practice it with my writing. My first draft was a D, after the peer review session I went back and revised my essay. I made changes in the amount of information that was used, the thesis statement was strengthened, and the organizational structure was altered.  For example, I changed the story line to be just about my mother’s and I relationship, not my whole life in general. My new thesis statement was, “My relationship with my mom throughout the rollercoaster ride of my teenage years has taught me that even though I don’t understand the reasoning behind some of the decisions she makes for me; she is always looking out for my best interest.” My final grade was a B+ after the revisions I made.

Furthering on in this class, we had lessons on argumentative writing; how to structure the essays, adding in logos, ethos, and pathos, and mentioning the opposing side. In an argumentative essay we had to write for our third assignment, I had to write about the living conditions here at Southern Connecticut State University. When writing this kind of essay you need to prove your position in the thesis, For example my thesis was,” Due to the rude RA’s, absurd rules, and filthy bathrooms, the quality of living on campus needs to be a better experience socially and physically here at SCSU.” Here you can clearly notice what side and position I took with the argument. When adding logos, ethos, and pathos into your writing it helps you gain creditability. This makes your essay stronger and more interesting for the viewer.

One aspect of English 112 that helped encourage me and push me as a writer was the one on one time that Professor Guarino provided for every single one of her students. While in these meetings she provided helpful information to strengthen our writing skills. She took a lot of her time going through every essay and specially pointing out aspects that needed to be fixed and even offered alternatives for you to turn to. When ever I had a question of=n any of the work in this class, she was there with her helping hand to guide me along. I strongly feel that Prof. Guarino encouraged me to strive to be a better writer; she always had uplifting things to say to me or a positive remark to help.

After all of the practice I have had in making my writing “perfect”, I am confident in the writer I am today. Over the past four months my writing has lengthened, strengthen, and greatly improved due to my English 112 class.