Kelly

Kelly Harlander

College Comp 1106

Introduction     

            During this semester I have learned to step out of the ordinary, and express myself in ways that I normally wouldn’t dare to explore.  I began this semester with topics that were within my comfort zone.  I realized that I could write a very good paper this way; although, I wasn’t allowing myself to develop as a writer.

            The first three essays that I wrote were the most challenging emotionally. I have been told by several teachers to write about “something you have great passion or interest in.”  This was a difficult concept for me to grasp at first.  I have been out of school for fourteen years, and feel that I have nothing to be passionate about. After trial and error, I have found that to be the farthest thing from the truth.  On occasion, my opinion has even annoyed myself. It has been difficult to become vulnerable within a group of critical strangers.  There is always the chance for ridicule, and lack of empathy for my subjects.  I have found my classmates to be empathetic, yet just judgmental enough to allow my skills as a writer to develop further.

            Prewriting is a skill I wish I would have utilized more.  As the semester began I found some of the subjects I had chosen were too personal to allow myself objectivity.   By writing down the outline prior to sitting in front of the computer, I could arrange my thoughts more easily.  My second essay is a prime example of this problem.  As I was reviewing this essay I found the paper to be one of the worst things I have ever put together.  By writing about an issue that was still painful to me, I couldn’t separate my thoughts from my feelings. Outlines and Prewriting are tools I will definitely be using in the future.

            By tackling difficult subjects I have learned to be a more confident writer. Although some of the subjects were difficult to address, I have found writing about these issues to be therapeutic.  Being able to effectively express my feeling and thoughts on paper has strengthened me as a writer, and a student.