Final Self-Assessment: 

Throughout this semester, I embarked on a journey to improve my essay writing skills, an area that had previously posed many significant challenges for me. Throughout high school, I didn’t have to write any essays at all. My curriculum in high school didn’t include any writing because I had a Medical Science track. The most writing we did was a paragraph where we would diagnose patients and talk about medical ethics. Though in college we had to do real assignments that would be graded on correctness instead of completion. Throughout several assignments and peer review sessions, I dedicated myself to honing my abilities and embracing new strategies. Looking back at my progress, I am proud to acknowledge that I have made significant improvements in my writing in this Writing of Sciences course.

When the semester began, I must admit that I was apprehensive about my writing skills. Formulating coherent arguments, organizing my thoughts, and effectively communicating my ideas on paper seemed like daunting tasks. The process often felt overwhelming, leading to frustration and self-doubt. However, I was determined to overcome these obstacles and grow as a writer.

One of the major areas I focused on was developing a strong thesis statement. Previously, my thesis statements lacked clarity and failed to effectively convey the purpose of my essays. However, through consistent practice and feedback, I learned to craft concise and compelling thesis statements that serve as a roadmap for my essays. This improvement has had a profound impact on the overall structure and coherence of my writing.

Additionally, I struggled with organizing my ideas and maintaining a logical flow throughout my essays. I often found myself jumping from one point to another without any clear transitions throughout my assignments, resulting in disjointed and confusing prose. Recognizing this weakness, I actively sought guidance from fellow students during any peer review sessions or in group work. Through their feedback and by looking at many well-structured essays, I began to grasp the importance of creating smooth transitions and organizing my thoughts in a logical manner instead of rambling. As a result, my essays now exhibit a more coherent and engaging flow.

Furthermore, I realized that my vocabulary and word choice were one of the many reasons that were impacting my essays. I tended to rely on repetitive language and lacked the variety necessary to convey nuanced arguments effectively. To address this issue, I engaged in extensive reading and made a conscious effort to expand my vocabulary. By incorporating new words and phrases into my writing, I was able to communicate my ideas with greater precision and eloquence.

One crucial aspect of my growth as a writer was my willingness to seek feedback and embrace constructive criticism. Initially, I viewed feedback as a personal critique, and I struggled to detach my self-worth from the evaluation of my work. However, I gradually developed a growth mindset and realized that feedback was a valuable tool for improvement. By actively engaging with the feedback provided by my instructor and peers, I was able to identify areas for improvement and make the necessary adjustments to my writing.

In conclusion, this semester has been transformative for my writing skills. I have moved from a place of uncertainty and struggle to one of confidence and growth. Through consistent practice, seeking feedback, and adopting new strategies, I have witnessed substantial progress in my writing, and able to organize my ideas coherently, employ a diverse vocabulary, and engage readers effectively. I am excited to continue refining my writing skills in future courses and beyond, knowing that I have laid a solid foundation for success.