My composition 1 class
By: Amanda Weigel
December 2000
Overview of the semester…..
When I think back to August, and the first paper
we wrote which was about the goals that we
wanted to fulfill in this class, I smile. I have
improved on everything that I wanted to. I am
more confident now then I was the first week in
this class. When I think back there was not one
day that I left this class down or feeling stupid
because the professor was understanding and
realizes that everyone is different and at different
levels in there writing.
Changes in my Writing this
Semester
 I have learned to write an effective summary.
 I know how to cite sources correctly in my
writing.
 I have learned four ways to organize essays.
 I know the essential features of a good thesis
statement.
 I have learned different ways to write an effective
introduction.
 I have learned that poetry is what you make of it.
I Have Learned to Write an
Effective Summary.
 Thru out this course I have been asked to write
several summaries. The first time I didn’t know
where to start. I was not good with words and I
could not summarize.
 We often summarized in small groups. This
helped me learn and see what others think
summarizing is.
– Working in small groups also gave us a chance to
cooperate and gave us a skill that can be used for the
rest of are lives.
I know how to cite sources
correctly in my writing.
In the are persuasion paper we were
required to cite are sources. This is to
prove that your information is believable
Example:
I have learned four ways to
organize essays.
 Narrative- Description
 Divide- Analyze
 Argument- Persuasion
 Compare- Contrast
– I enjoyed writing this paper the most. I think I liked
writing it because I picked a topic that I was dealing
with at the time. I picked the difference between living
at home and living on my own. This was a big step in
my life and I felt I was qualified to write it.
I know the essential features of a
good thesis statement.
 A thesis indicates what the narrowed, focused
topic is. Probably the most important criteria for
a thesis statement is that it anticipate the
conclusion.
 I knew what I thesis was when I came to this
class but I never wrote a really good and effective
one. I always thought that they had to be big and
sound so good. I found out that the simple ones
or almost better, they get to the point.
 Examples:
I have learned different ways to
write an effective introduction.
 I believe that the introduction is the most
important part of any writing. It is the deciding
factor if the reader will continue reading or will
just set it down. I have learned several different
ways to write an effective introduction.
–
–
–
–
By story.
By question.
By suspense.
Interesting fact.
I have learned that poetry is
what you make of it.
 I have never been interested in poetry before.
Poetry is always what makes me scared of
English classes. In the first few weeks we were
suppose to write about poetry and how we feel
about it. I told the truth and said that I have a fear
with poetry.
 The professor said, “everyone will understand
poetry different.” This is what I wish I would
have heard a few years ago. I always was told
that this is what this poem means, when I was
thinking different. This made me think that I just
did not understand it and that I never will.
Conclusion–
Am I Level One or Two
 Level One and Level Two
– When I think about my progress thru the last
semester in terms of level one and two I can
see the improvement that I took when
comparing the two levels. I believe when I
started this class I was at level two, I am not
sure if I would but myself in level one yet but
by the end of composition two I will defiantly
be able say that is where my writing belongs.
• My composition two goals: