Looking back on my writing this semester, I’m particularly proud of the piece I wrote about an event I went to this semester. The event was a Chem Seminar in which Professor Gene Hall of Rutgers University talked about his study which was conducted to find the different types of macromolecules that are in the food we eat by using a Mass Spectrometer. In fact, I really enjoyed writing this piece because I felt like my voice truly came through in that piece, and I achieved a balance between personal narrative and analysis. It was like I was writing an article to publish on my blog (which is what I was doing), but at the same time writing the pieces as if I were explaining this fascinating experience to my friends and family. 

Additionally, to reflect on how my writing has changed over the course of the semester, I would say it has not by much. I felt that my writing had always been mediocre and that I was able to put my thoughts to paper. Even though it has not changed by much, it has changed a little bit in the sense that I am able to connect each thought in the paragraphs of my essay to my main thesis. Although I was able to do this before, I feel like I have gained new insight this semester and that I can do this even better through constant improvement and focusing all the first sentences that start my body paragraphs back to my thesis by connecting each thought and idea from one main idea (like the idea of 10 on 1). Another idea of my writing that has changed over the course of the semester is the way I’ve been able to perceive and understand concepts better. This includes seeing the ideas in a new light. For example, a purpose of a map, or what the map is truly trying to tell us. With that, I was able to integrate that more into my writing this semester and look at concepts that we covered in class in a way that, a year ago, I would have never perceived. This has changed not only the way I write but also my outlook on life. 

Something good about my writing is that I can explain and express my thoughts well. But with that being said, I cannot do that on a long scale. Meaning, that I am only able to express my thoughts in one sentence and add on to concepts that are not really about the main idea, which is not what a strong analytical essay looks like. With that said, I would say that is my weakness and something that I can improve on. I would say that I have learned how to do this skill this year and something that allowed me to improve my writing skills, but it still has not been a firm tool in my toolbox making analytical writing still difficult for myself. Something that I can do to make this happen, is to just write and keep revising my essay because as said before the writing that one does is never completely finished and there is always room for improvement.

That being said, there are pieces I’m not as fond of—specifically, anything that was not considered a formal essays. This is because I feel as if I did not take time to review them in any fashion. They were just exactly what I was thinking in the moment, which had little thought to them compared to my formal essays which I reviewed over 5 tmes before submitting them. 

As I reflect on my writing this semester, one piece that stands out as having potential for extension is my Event #3: A Celebration of Lights. Although the piece has solid foundations, but I feel like it lacks the reflective depth that could make it more impactful. It captures the vivid imagery of the event and provides a strong sense of place, but I realize now that it leaned heavily on description, focusing more on what I saw rather than the thoughts and emotions I experienced while being there. If I were to revisit and expand this piece, I would start by delving deeper into my personal connection to the event. What drew me to it in the first place? How did it resonate with me emotionally? Including these reflections would give the piece more emotional weight and help readers connect with the experience on a deeper level.

Additionally, I would incorporate a stronger takeaway for readers. I want them to leave the piece feeling inspired or thoughtful, rather than simply imagining the event through my eyes. Perhaps I could highlight how the event offered a moment of unity amidst life’s chaos or served as a reminder of the beauty in collective human traditions. Adding onto the peice I could turn it into something more than just a descriptive snapshot—it could become a meaningful narrative with broader significance.

Overall, my growth, although little, has improved and I feel proud of how much I’ve grown as a writer this semester. My reflections have become more authentic, cohesive, and insightful, and I’ve gained a clearer understanding of what works in my writing and where I can still grow.