Mayeda Kamaly

Professor Deeadra Brown 

ENG 21003 

05/22/2023

Self-Assessment Essay: Reflecting on Course Learning Outcomes

Throughout this semester, I embarked on a journey that has led me to develop my abilities as a thinker and writer. By providing evidence to support my claims, I can demonstrate how these experiences have affected my abilities to communicate and write. My essay aims to introduce my portfolio and show my progress.

Claim 1: Expanded Writing Skills

This semester, I have improved my research skills by gaining a deeper understanding of various subjects and gathering information for my writing. I have also learned how to identify credible sources and extract relevant data from my sources. I have become more capable of expressing my ideas concisely and clearly. I have effectively conveyed my message by comprehending the importance of vocabulary, sentence structure, and grammar.

Claim 2: Strengthened Critical Thinking

Through this course, I have gained the ability to evaluate multiple perspectives and present balanced arguments critically. This skill has helped me develop a deeper understanding of various subjects, which I can use in my writing. In addition, I have also improved my logical reasoning abilities. By creating my analytical reasoning skills, I have been able to identify logical fallacies and come up with compelling arguments. This has allowed me to present my ideas persuasively.

Claim 3: Effective Communication Predict

Audience Awareness: I better understood how my writing could be tailored to specific audiences through this process. I improved my writing style and made my work more accessible and engaging. I improved my ability to structure and organize my essay through feedback and practice. I now know how to create logical and practical structures, and I can also incorporate transitions to enhance the flow of my work.

Development of Critical Thinking Skills: 

Through this semester, I have improved my ability to think critically. I have learned how to assess the validity of information sources and the relevance of data. For instance, in my paper on climate change, I tried to analyze different perspectives and find out what scientific evidence is trustworthy.

Effective Communication:

Through the revision and peer review processes, I have improved my ability to articulate my ideas. These have resulted in more transparent and more concise writing. For instance, in one of my essays, I received feedback on how my arguments should be organized, which resulted in a more cohesive final product.

Research and Information Literacy:

Through this semester, I have developed my information literacy and research skills. I have obtained reliable and relevant data to support my arguments through the various methods I have used, such as conducting interviews and databases. In addition, my annotated bibliography has highlighted my key points and provided a concise summary of the sources.

Critical Reading and Writing:

Through this course, I have improved my writing and reading abilities by analyzing and interpreting different texts. Besides being able to identify the main arguments and evaluate the evidence, I have also been able to participate in class discussions and study the various viewpoints of other students. This has allowed me to develop critical reading skills and respond effectively to the assigned readings.

Self-Reflection and Growth:

This semester, I have been engaged in a process of self-reflection, which has helped me identify areas of improvement and create new draft ideas. Feedback from instructors and peers has also allowed me to revise my work. This feedback informs my portfolio, which has included recent revisions.

Identifying Areas of Limited Progress:

Despite my notable progress in various subjects, there were some areas where my proficiency or time constraints prevented me from progressing further. These include the use of sophisticated rhetorical techniques and the use of figurative language.

Quoting and Addressing Five Course Learning Objectives:

“Develop effective writing skills”: Through feedback and active participation in writing assignments, I have improved my skills in clarity and organization.

“Apply critical thinking to analyze and evaluate arguments”: I have developed my analytical thinking skills by reviewing course readings and writing arguments in my published work.

“Conduct research using appropriate sources and citation practices”: I have demonstrated my ability to thoroughly research and incorporate sources into my writing by following proper citation procedures and utilizing credible sources.

“Revise and edit writing for clarity and coherence”: I have improved my ability to write coherently and effectively through the revision process. Feedback from my instructors and peers has also helped me develop my confidence in my writing.

“Reflect on and assess personal growth as a writer”: I have been able to document and assess my growth through introspective reflection and incorporating revisions in my portfolio.