Melissa Garcia

ENGL 1302 -181

Fall 2021

Professor Alexis Walker

4 December 2021
Final Reflection Essay

Throughout the entirety of this English course, I have learned skills that will be helpful in my

college career. The three assigned essays throughout the semester each had their own purpose for being

assigned to an English comprehension class. The first essays purpose was to propose a problem while

constructing an experiment in order to address the topic. The second essay allowed me as an author to

present a topic and provide both sides of an argument. This essay also required the construction of a

peer-reviewed annotated bibliography. The third essay focused on one side of the presented argument

from the previous essay. Each final draft still needed few minor tweaks and revisions suggested by peers

and my professor.

In the first essay, I felt I was lacking a proper thesis that addressed my reasons for conducting

this experiment. The sentence I added effectively connected to each point made in my introduction

paragraphs “the consumption of healthy green smoothies has numerous positive attributes such as improvement

of health, integration in school systems, and convenience for on-the-go individuals.” I decided to revise the

second paragraph. Although the paragraph presented good sources, the main purpose of the paragraph

was not clear. It was important to include a strong topic sentence that would make the new point clear.

Then I was able to add new sources to further support my claim. I added additional sources to my

conclusion in order to emphasize my purpose of the experiment. There was a lack of a results section

included in my essay. I wanted to make this part separate from my discussion in order just present the

findings of my research. I also added a paragraph that was touching on a topic presented in my thesis.

“The superfood liquid beverage can be beneficial for individuals who live a fast-paced lifestyle who may lack
 ENGL 1302 2

meeting daily nutrition requirements. There is research lacking in regard to conveniency of consumed smoothies

reported amongst participants”. It was important that I add a paragraph in support of the claims I had made in my

thesis. I also added a new data recorded in regard to the time of preparation for smoothies throughout the

experimental study, “All smoothies were prepared in a time of under 5 minutes.” Overall, I think the rhetoric

changes I have made for essay one has effectively made the essay very strong

For my second essay, I decided to make revisions in the paragraphs where I felt my point were

weak whether it was lacking an additional source or more explanation to support the topic presented in

each paragraph. I added an additional source to help an argument that was weak. The paragraph was

only four sentences long with one in text citation. I used the TAMIU research engine to help me find an

article that was specific to medical marijuana usage and its effects on migraine headaches. This is the

information from my essay presented, “A study using 121 adults diagnosed with chronic migraines consumed

medical marijuana over the course of a month. Results demonstrated positive effects in 103 reported patents with

a decrease in frequency of migraine headaches occurring (Rhyne et al. 507). Patients consumed marijuana by

varying forms including vaporization, edibles, topicals, and smoke inhalation for medical treatment.” Overall, the

rhetoric changes I decided to make for essay two helped the essay have strong supporting evidence.

For the third essay, I implemented an argumentative paragraph that would present a differing view. This

choice was pointed out by my professor during revision. I decided to implement a source I had previously used

for the second essay. Despite the previously mentioned benefits to medical marijuana laws, there has been

reported negative consequences due to the legalization. “In states with medical marijuana legalizations, drivers

have been found to test positive for the presence of psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (Fink et al.

1948). This behavior can be extremely reckless. It is due to cannabis having the ability to impair the driver’s

reaction, spatial perception, and decision making (Fink et al. 1949). With the increase of cannabis policy

liberalization, governments need to advocate for not operating behind a motor vehicle to prevent driving under the

influence of cannabis (DUIC).” With the addition of this contrasting paragraph, I am able to present to the
 ENGL 1302 3

audience that my writing is not biased. I made revisions to my thesis statement as well. This was due to my thesis

not connecting to all the points presented. I also restricted my conclusion paragraph in this essay. This is because

it lacked the contrary point about marijuana legalization consequences. The sentence I added was, “The amount of

research conducted over recent years has grown exponentially whether it’s in regard to benefits or consequences.

Few consequences like drivers in medically legal states reported an increase in drivers under the influence of

cannabis.” Mechanical correctios were also made for this essay including un-bolding the title of the original

submission.

When designing my website, I needed to construct a theme that conveyed all three of my essays.

I decided to go with very earthy and green tones since my first essay discussed health benefits and my

second and third essay discusses medical marijuana benefits. I wanted a layout that showcased all my

work in an easy to access manner. For example, I had to display my reflection essay at the homepage, so

it was easily accessed by my professor. Then I made sure to upload all three of my revised essays so I

would receive credit for that portion of the assignment. A rhetorical choice was made to add the

assignments I submitted for each writing. I made the decision to include the assignments that heavily

influenced my final submitted drafts. The assignments include library worksheet, writers’ workshop, and

homework assignments. I decided to display these items under “my work” designated area of the

website. To add a couple of finishing details to make the portfolio more inviting, I added pictures of

flowers and green plants in order to connect to the earthy tones.

The homework assignments that truly influenced my writings were the ones that analyzed

different rhetoric questions thorough out the essay. The assigned readings in “Everyone’s an Author” by

Lunsford presented valuable information I could use to strengthen my writing skills. Specifically, for the

third essay, I recall the readings correlating with the argumentative topic essay we had to conduct at the

time. There were also chapters that touched on the subject of tone and how to present it to readers. I
 ENGL 1302 4

also believe the library workshop assignment were greatly appreciated in my writing strategies. This is

because I was able to narrow down exactly what I was looking to present in my essays. The writing

workshop worksheets also helped me gather the most from each peer-reviewed source. It allowed me to

dissect each source I wanted to present in my essay. This allowed me to really understand and present

the information in a way that may have not been possible before without these assignments. I am very

grateful for the assignments assigned, as it did not seem like busy work at all. Each assignment had a

different reasoning to strengthen us as writers.

In English 1301, I learned how to address different audiences. We had a big project due at the

end where we had to portray an argument to one specific audience. I feel I am very confident in making

sure my writing style addresses who my intended audience is. In English 1302, I have learned even more

writing skills. I have learned how to complete proper MLA formatting and citations My first submitted

essay had incorrect formatting following APA formatting. This is because as a writer, I am more

comfortable writing scientific papers opposed to literature analysis. Although, having to construct

various rough drafts for this course allowed me to apply revisions to my incorrect formatting In this

current course English 1302, the writing strategies and skills I have learned could not be applicable to

my science classes in terms of citations skills. The science papers I am typically writing used APA

formatting for citing instead of MLA we use in our English classes. Knowing how to do multiple forms

of citations and formatting makes me a well rounded writer. I am grateful for the experience to be able

to apply MLA formatting in other classes if needed. Although there are similarities in the structure of the

essay as you must present your point to an audience after. I have learned that ultimately throughout this

course. It has throughout me the value of presenting a topic and making sur eth audience really

understands the points trying to be portrayed. I have also learned how to properly assemble a website.

Prior to the portfolio project, I had never created a website that showcased a semesters worth of
 ENGL 1302 5

assignments. I gained skills in layout design. I also gained knowledge on how to portray a theme to an

audience given differing topics in my essays.

My writing strengths have definitely improved throughout the semester in terms of writing in proper

MLA formatting and presenting a topic and properly providing evidence throughout the paragraph with

citations. I also improved on not ending paragraphs with in-text citations. When this would happen, it

leaves the reader with not enough explanation on the presented information. I improved on addressing

each topic I was discussing in the essay in the thesis statement. This allows a connection to be made

from the introduction with each sub point made throughout the essay. I feel like I successfully did this

for every one of my essays revised

The most challenging draft of the website process was deciding which website engine to go with.

I was a bit confused since there was not a designated search engine provided to us, only the suggestive

one which seemed to require method of payment in order to share search engine. I decided to go with the

website maker Weebly website designer, which was the suggested website. This website allowed me to

display my assignments in a professional way which appealed to my liking. The least challenging part of

the website was adding the essay to the template provided. Luckily, the website I used made the

application of documents very easy for me to do. I was able to display all the work I have put into this

semester all in one place.

My identity as a writer has changed from the beginning of the semester. I believe I can now

effectively write paragraphs that contain a topic sentence that connects to my thesis. Within these

paragraphs each citation is supported with at least 2 sentences to explain and further support the

presented information. There was removal of paragraphs and references that did not connect to my main

idea. I have also become a more rounded writer as I can apply different writing formats and in text
 ENGL 1302 6

citations to essay. This will be important to me throughout my college career for differing types of

classes I could potentially enroll in. I can conquer MLA formatting with consequence now, something I

can say for certain that I struggled with at the beginning of this course. With the writing of each

reflection essay after the final product, had completely allowed me to understand what skills I

effectively applied to the final draft. This assignment also allowed me to reflect on all the knowledge I

have gained throughout the entire semester.

With the completion of this course, I have developed new skills and improved old skills. I have

taken a lot from the assigned readings, homework assignments, peer-review workshops, and each

differing essay. The first essay allowed my creative side to strive. The second essay made my research

skills sharper due to the creation of an annotated bibliography. And finally, the last essay, which in my

opinion was the hardest, made me a stronger writer in order to present an argumentative essay. I am very

happy and pleased with all the new knowledge and skills I learned from enrolling in this course.
 ENGL 1302 7

Works cited

Fink, David S., et al. “Medical Marijuana Laws and Driving under the Influence of Marijuana

and Alcohol.” Addiction, vol. 115, no. 10, Oct. 2020, pp. 1944–1953. EBSCOhost,

doi:10.1111/add.15031