My Progression

I have always loved to express my ideas on paper in one of my writings. This class was a perfect fit for just that. I came into the semester as a self-proclaimed "good" writer, but as we progressed week by week, I could see improvements in essays.
At the beginning of this semester, I encountered problems with simple mistakes such as using informal language in my writing. I would write in the colloquial manner instead of professionally. Simple mistakes such as using the language in which it seemed I speak in an everyday manner really seemed to take a toll on my essay writing. The semester continued to move on and I continued to grow and learn as a writer. I began to use formal language which I quickly began to realize, even when proofreading my own work, gains a lot of respect from the reader. Although I believe that I have essentially gotten rid of colloquial language, I still feel like I struggle with it from time to time.
In argumentation, I feel more confident in standing for what I truly believe in. I feel like before this class I would just as easily give on some other person's standpoint. The debate helped me gain the confidence I was seeking when trying to stand for a subject a strongly believe in. The in-class writings also were a huge factor in the sense that I could argue a point easier in the privacy of my own essay. Finishing with the verbal debates around the circle allowed me to put in a touch of my own feelings that I expressed in my in-class writing.
I love to talk to friends, peers, teachers, and anyone with the will to listen to me. In high school, I was a bit wild in all of my classes and I would never stop talking or trying to make the class laugh. Coming into this class I expected to talk quite a bit, especially with it being a language controversies class. Although this was the case, I never actually put myself out there in conversation. I just felt like the people in the class were just fine with me keeping quite and thoughts to myself. It seemed as if the class had all the people they needed to partake in debate so I was unneeded. I know that this is not the case at all, but I wish I would have put my ideas out for discussion instead of to myself.
My goals and attitudes have altered throughout this semester. While I was focused on running cross country, I also had a sense of focusing harder on my schoolwork than I ever had. Toward the middle of the semester schoolwork seemed pointless to me. I had yet to come to the realization that everything I do here affects me for the rest of my life. The past few weeks have seemed a lot more meaningful to me. I have focused more on school and how this will help me in the long run. Overall, this class was the most helpful in helping me find my way in school and the passion I need to have in every class I take in college.