Much to my dismay, this creative writing class (which is only a semester in length) is coming to a close. Over the course of that time, I have had the luxury to write about topics that interest me in the form of this blog that I’ve become so attached to. It was often difficult for me to find the time to write about such things prior to having this class, and I’m happy I’ve had the opportunity to discover and create new ways of organizing my thoughts. Even the exploration of other mediums of writing proved to be eye-opening. For instance, poetry isn’t my forte, but I feel a bit more secure about the topic now that I’ve had more insight into it.
Of all of the assignments and pieces I have written in my digital portfolio, I’d have to choose the expressive/reflective piece as my favourite. Starting the assignment at the time, I wasn’t really sure what direction it would lead me in; Looking back over the piece now, I’m rather proud of how I was able to capture the memory of my lost friend. It was a brief, but special time in my childhood, and to escape back to that time while writing about it was one of the most nostalgic things I’ve done. To me, writing is almost like a trance, and creating this piece felt as though I was reliving those memories. I’ve composed one of my most descriptive duo of sentences in this narrative. I didn’t even know I was capable of remembering this much until I looked far back into the depths of my mind. A sentence should always flow smoothly into the next, but I'm especially pleased with how I was able to incorporate a recurring theme into the both of them. “Growing more and more curious as ever, my weekends were spent eyeing the intriguing home - the vacant trampoline in the back yard, and a dull bike leaned up against the thin wooden panels, with worn paint chipping away after years of weather and wind. The day finally came, however, when I discovered whom the house of the chipped white paint belonged to." The symbolism of the chipped, white paint is evident in both of the sentences, and is a detail that transforms two different ideas into a similar one.
As far as areas of needed improvement are concerned, I’d have to emphasize time management. This goes for everything - classes, and even responsibilities outside of the classroom. Now, I’m certainly not saying I’m completely guilty of being the world's biggest procrastinator, but I’d have to say that this class in particular has helped me become a bit more aware of the time I am given to complete certain tasks. One of my favourite things to do has been to free-write my daily blog posts here on my blog, but I will admit that I had the tendency to pay almost too much attention and detail to a mere five-point post, and fell a little behind schedule on my main digital portfolio pieces. (I still got them all finished and turned in on time, at least.) I really need to convince myself out of this “why do something now if you can do it later?” excuse. I have been getting better about it, but it still does need some work. (I have made big improvements since freshman year, which I wouldn't start in on my homework until evening.) However, I will say I stayed on task during the class time I was given. This class has certainly taught me many valuable lessons about how not to leave a pile of seemingly small responsibilities until the last minute - those “easy” things can combine together at eleven o'clock in the evening, the night before they're all due, and feel as though you’re trying to solve an impossible algebra equation. Or at least, that’s the best way I can best explain it.
As I stated above, I loved to write my daily blog posts. If there was something that was pestering me, I could vent. If there was a funny incident that happened in school the other day, I could tell it. If I had just seen an incredible film in the theatre or an awful holiday special from the late ‘70s on YouTube, I could express my thoughts and opinions on the matter. To be fair, this blog has served as a place where I could explore aspects pertaining to my future interests. Just by writing subtle film reviews and forms of character essays have helped me independently learn and understand quite a bit about the field I'm interested in going into. Some may say that their internet home is Facebook, or Twitter, or Instagram, but mine is nothing other than this very blog.
I would be lying if I didn’t say that my writing skills didn’t improve at all. Over the five past months or so I’ve been in this class, I’ve found myself more comfortable and confident about whatever it is I’m writing about - whether it be the topic or how I’m going about doing it. I am able to apply organizational skills to better improve my research reports and informative writings in classes such as chemistry, and my now extensive vocabulary really helps convey my views and opinions better than I have been able to before. (These skills will especially help me as I advance to College Prep Writing II this coming semester.) I’d say those are my main strengths in writing - my vocabulary, and also being able to properly convey what I feel. That is what I loved most about this class. I was free to express myself.
Of all of the assignments and pieces I have written in my digital portfolio, I’d have to choose the expressive/reflective piece as my favourite. Starting the assignment at the time, I wasn’t really sure what direction it would lead me in; Looking back over the piece now, I’m rather proud of how I was able to capture the memory of my lost friend. It was a brief, but special time in my childhood, and to escape back to that time while writing about it was one of the most nostalgic things I’ve done. To me, writing is almost like a trance, and creating this piece felt as though I was reliving those memories. I’ve composed one of my most descriptive duo of sentences in this narrative. I didn’t even know I was capable of remembering this much until I looked far back into the depths of my mind. A sentence should always flow smoothly into the next, but I'm especially pleased with how I was able to incorporate a recurring theme into the both of them. “Growing more and more curious as ever, my weekends were spent eyeing the intriguing home - the vacant trampoline in the back yard, and a dull bike leaned up against the thin wooden panels, with worn paint chipping away after years of weather and wind. The day finally came, however, when I discovered whom the house of the chipped white paint belonged to." The symbolism of the chipped, white paint is evident in both of the sentences, and is a detail that transforms two different ideas into a similar one.
As far as areas of needed improvement are concerned, I’d have to emphasize time management. This goes for everything - classes, and even responsibilities outside of the classroom. Now, I’m certainly not saying I’m completely guilty of being the world's biggest procrastinator, but I’d have to say that this class in particular has helped me become a bit more aware of the time I am given to complete certain tasks. One of my favourite things to do has been to free-write my daily blog posts here on my blog, but I will admit that I had the tendency to pay almost too much attention and detail to a mere five-point post, and fell a little behind schedule on my main digital portfolio pieces. (I still got them all finished and turned in on time, at least.) I really need to convince myself out of this “why do something now if you can do it later?” excuse. I have been getting better about it, but it still does need some work. (I have made big improvements since freshman year, which I wouldn't start in on my homework until evening.) However, I will say I stayed on task during the class time I was given. This class has certainly taught me many valuable lessons about how not to leave a pile of seemingly small responsibilities until the last minute - those “easy” things can combine together at eleven o'clock in the evening, the night before they're all due, and feel as though you’re trying to solve an impossible algebra equation. Or at least, that’s the best way I can best explain it.
As I stated above, I loved to write my daily blog posts. If there was something that was pestering me, I could vent. If there was a funny incident that happened in school the other day, I could tell it. If I had just seen an incredible film in the theatre or an awful holiday special from the late ‘70s on YouTube, I could express my thoughts and opinions on the matter. To be fair, this blog has served as a place where I could explore aspects pertaining to my future interests. Just by writing subtle film reviews and forms of character essays have helped me independently learn and understand quite a bit about the field I'm interested in going into. Some may say that their internet home is Facebook, or Twitter, or Instagram, but mine is nothing other than this very blog.
I would be lying if I didn’t say that my writing skills didn’t improve at all. Over the five past months or so I’ve been in this class, I’ve found myself more comfortable and confident about whatever it is I’m writing about - whether it be the topic or how I’m going about doing it. I am able to apply organizational skills to better improve my research reports and informative writings in classes such as chemistry, and my now extensive vocabulary really helps convey my views and opinions better than I have been able to before. (These skills will especially help me as I advance to College Prep Writing II this coming semester.) I’d say those are my main strengths in writing - my vocabulary, and also being able to properly convey what I feel. That is what I loved most about this class. I was free to express myself.