This portfolio is used to present my overall progress as a writer and in communications after taking the English 250 course. You can find out more about me on the about me page. All of my writing reflections from this semester can be found on the reflections blog. You can look at my most recent revisions on my revisions page and my most recent research paper, which is a research supported argument. The oral, visual, electronic (OVE) page is where my communication skills can be identified. I would like to use this introductory page to thank my professor.
Dear Mrs. Holt,
I want to start by saying thank you for all your help and support this semester. When I first enrolled in this class I was very nervous, mostly because I felt I struggled a lot in writing and expressing my ideas clearly. You helped me open my eyes to new processes that make my writing and other forms of communication easier and more efficient. You have taught me how to add quality to my writing without necessarily incorporating length. From the process of starting a paper to recognizing my strengths and weaknesses, here are some things I learned this semester.
In this course you taught me how to adjust my composing process by creating a stable thesis before farther developing my topic. I learned that I should do most research before starting my paper and more detailed research as I write my paper rather than researching after I’ve already started my paper. This way I can write around my research instead of finding research based on what I have already wrote. I’ve learned to accommodate different audiences by considering who would agree/disagree with my argument and why. From here I can plan out my arguments to touch on any disagreements the audience may have. You taught me that the point of my paper is “not to get the audience on my side, but to meet in the middle”. When it comes to editing, I now know that I should always consider rephrasing in a way that is most appealing to the audience and to identify my statements as evidence, claims, or visuals.
One of my strengths I believe I have in writing is context and detail. I think I write in a manner that is complex, yet easy to understand for the audience and I provide plenty of support for my arguments. For oral communication I feel I clearly answer questions the audience may have and provide excellent eye contact, which is essential to showing interest in an oral discussion. I feel that I express my thoughts and opinions clearly but also in a respectful manner. My visual communication has improved through this course by teaching me how to clearly present an argument through an image and provide details in the image that provide a clear statement and appeal to the audience. Like writing, visuals must also catch the audience’s attention and keep their interest.
I hope I can continue improving my communication skills in all forms, as they are very important for my career. I know I can always continue to strengthen everything you have taught me this semester as well as find new ways to improve my weaknesses I still struggle with.
Sincerely,
Jaye