Reflecting Upon My Journey as a Writer: A Self-Assessment Essay
In high school, most of my writing was creative or humanities-centered. Entering this semester, I was disappointed that I would have to take another English course as a premed student. As the semester progressed, I noticed a considerable shift in my perspective. I began to realize the different ways writing and the sciences intersect and how it could actually serve as a functional scientific instrument.
Throughout this course, I have achieved a majority of the objectives; the first being Linguistic Differences and Rhetorical Sensibility. In the company of a varied group of classmates, I gained an understanding of the importance of diverse language styles. Analyzing and critiquing the work of my peers inspired me to incorporate a range of rhetorical strategies into my own writing. This exploration found its way into NYT Summary/Evaluation, titled Lost Learning: COVID-19’s Devastating Impact on Students’ Education, where I juxtaposed casual and formal language to construct a discourse on the topic of academic opportunity during the Pandemic. Next, I mastered the Reading, Drafting, Revising, and Editing objectives.
With practice, I’ve refined my skills in drafting and editing. My writing style has transitioned from hurriedly scribbling thoughts to carefully constructing coherent arguments. The evolution of my writing process can be seen when comparing the initial draft of the Literature Review with its final version. My ability to self-evaluate has improved significantly, a skill that not only enhances my writing capabilities but also contributes to self-awareness in other aspects of life.
Thirdly, I learned about writing goals, audience expectations, and rhetorical situations The significance of tailoring writing to my audience became evident when I was writing the Scholarly Article Analysis, What Effect Did the Loss of School Time Have on Learning in the Pandemic. Striking a balance between maintaining scientific correctness and using language that is understandable to a non-expert audience presented a challenge. Nonetheless, gaining a clear understanding of my audience’s needs simplified this process and has subsequently influenced my writing strategies in various rhetorical contexts. Then, I was introduced to the collaborative and social aspects of writing. The routine peer review sessions played a crucial role in cultivating a collaborative atmosphere in our writing practices. The critiques I received from my classmates greatly enhanced the lucidity of my argument in the Lab Report, titled The Effect of Living Arrangements on Undergraduate Academic Performance, and reciprocally, appraising their work improved my analytical abilities. Lastly, I had some practice with finding and using sources. The necessity of evaluating and integrating sources was emphasized while working on the Literature Review. I learned to differentiate between credible and unreliable sources, improving my quoting, paraphrasing, summarizing, and synthesizing skills.
This course has facilitated a transformative writing experience. While I’ve made progress in various areas, I recognize that I need to work more on articulating my stance in different rhetorical situations. My perception of writing has evolved from seeing it as a mere tool to an essential skill that facilitates communication and expression, extending beyond academic requirements to professional and personal domains. Finally, my portfolio encapsulates my development as a writer. It includes the revised versions of my essays, abstracts, and poster, showcasing my journey and growth throughout this course. In each document, you can see the evolution of my writing skills, from grasping the basics of rhetoric to effectively articulating complex topics. Looking forward, I aim to continue developing my writing skills, particularly in expressing my stance more persuasively across various rhetorical situations. Despite the progress I have made this semester, I acknowledge the need for consistent practice and continuous learning in mastering the art of writing. In the world of medicine that awaits me, clear and effective communication will be as crucial as my scientific knowledge and clinical skills. This writing course has been an unexpected but rewarding journey. It has expanded my perception of writing from a mere academic requirement to a multifaceted skill that impacts various aspects of my life, academic, professional, and personal. I look forward to taking these learnings and applying them to my future courses and eventual medical career.
