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Juan Melchor

Professor Maddie

Writing 2

11 June 2024

Final Reflection

As a writer, this quarter in WRIT 2 has been incredibly transforming for me. I have been

able to examine and expand my understanding of writing through reflective essays, cover letters,

free-writes, and a variety of other projects. I now see writing as a complex and dynamic form of

communication rather than merely a mechanical ability. I will explore and explain my writing

journey in this reflection, emphasizing key phases, obstacles I overcame, reading-related lessons

I acquired, and my general growth as a writer.

The phases of my writing process that were most important for both Writing Projects

(WP1 and WP2) were brainstorming, drafting, and rewriting. I found that brainstorming was

quite helpful in putting together and organizing my ideas. This step was especially crucial in

WP1, when I wrote in a new genre, as it gave me the chance to investigate other perspectives and

strategies for approaching my topic of choice. For WP2, which required extensive research,

drafting was a crucial stage. This is where I began to see how the pieces of my research fit

together into an argument that made sense.

Maybe the most crucial phase for both projects was the revision phase. I could strengthen

my points, make my writing better organized, and guarantee clarity during revisions. In WP1,

this phase involved making sure my writing matched the guidelines of the new genre and
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corresponding to its patterns. For WP2, revision required me to more skillfully summarize my

research findings and tie them to my main thesis.

My favorite part of WP 1 was the introduction. I experimented with a more imaginative

and intriguing opening while writing in a different genre, which was an improvement from the

more formal openers I was used to. This part helped me to grab the reader's attention right away

and set the tone for the remainder of the essay. Which is a great goal to reach when it comes to

grabbing the younger audience's attention. I had a lot of fun developing the analysis section for

WP 2. In order to provide a balanced conversation, I produced different sources and merged my

own thoughts. The core of my research work was this section, when I was able to show off my

abilities for critical thinking and my ability to participate in scholarly discussions/ conversations.

The most difficult task for WP1 was adjusting to a new genre. Writing in a genre I didn't

know much about gave me a lot of insight into the adaptability and flexibility needed for writing.

It also emphasized how crucial it is to comprehend the rules of genre, as Dirk ("Navigating

Genres") and Johnson ("On Genre") discussed in their readings. These readings focused the ways

in which genres influence our writing and communication, emphasizing the necessity of knowing

a genre's rules and expectations in order to write effectively.

The main task for WP2 was carrying out and applying research. Despite my prior

research experience, this project needed a more in-depth interaction with sources. It was a

practice in gathering relevant information, evaluating it critically, and putting it into my topic

that was chosen. My research skills have improved as a result of this experience, and I am sure

that they will help me in my future schoolwork.

This quarter, Johnson's "On Genre" and Dirk's "Navigating Genres" were especially

useful readings. I learned from Dirk's examination of genres as relationships that writing is about

actively connecting with readers, not just obeying rules. I'm now more conscious of the logical

decisions I make and how they impact my message when I write in various genres after reading

Dirk. Johnson underlined the evolving aspect of literature once again in his discussion on genre.

He emphasized the need for authors to be flexible because genres change over time. This

realization came in very handy when I was working on WP1, which required me to write in a

genre other than my comfort zone. It served as further evidence that good writing requires not

only following rules but also being creative and sensitive to the reader and situation.

My way of thinking, reading, and writing has changed dramatically during this course. I

used to think of writing mostly as a technical ability. But as a result of numerous assignments

and reflections, I now regard it as an effective tool for expression and communication. My

understanding of writing has evolved; these days, I see it as a complex process including

creativity, adaptation, and critical thought because of how much I have written during this

course.

Realizing the significance of writing with an audience and purpose was one major

transformation for me. The readings on genre and the assignments that asked me to write in

various formats and styles served as further evidence of this. I discovered that writing well

involves more than just being accurate and clear—it also involves holding the reader's attention

and accomplishing the intended goal. Regarding writing techniques, I discovered that breaking

down the writing process into manageable phases proved to be extremely helpful. Each step of
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the writing process—brainstorming, drafting, and revision—has a specific function and improves

the final product's quality. Using feedback and rubrics to direct my changes has also proven to be

a useful tactic.

I have no doubt that the knowledge I have gained from WRIT 2 will impact my future

writing, thinking, and research projects. The focus on comprehending and adjusting to other

genres will be very helpful when I come across a variety of writing assignments in both

academic and professional settings. Furthermore, the research and critical analytical skills I've

learned will improve my capacity to build arguments with strong evidence and participate in

scholarly conversations.

To sum up, this quarter has been a rewarding experience of personal development and

writing exploration. I now understand writing to be a dynamic, complex process that involves

anything from experimenting with new genres to doing extensive research. I have acquired

useful abilities and strategies from the readings and tasks for the course, which I intend to use to

tackle future writing challenges.

Thank you for the guidance and feedback throughout this course. I look forward to

continuing to develop my writing skills and applying what I’ve learned in new and exciting

ways. You have my respect for being a very understanding teacher and I'm glad I was able to be

your student. Sorry again for not keeping up with dates but I hope it was worth it in the end after

you finish my portfolio. Thank you again Maddie for an amazing quarter and hope you have a

nice summer!!!
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Sincerely,

Juan Melchor