Joshua Wooi
Meredith Smith-Lane
Engl 250
6 May 2019
ENGL 250 Final Reflection
In closing of English 250, much could be assessed of my continuing improvement in the WOVE communication modes as is reflected by my work during the course. I have noticed some strengths, and also some weaknesses in my communication practices. By addressing them, it allows me to project myself into the future as a way to establish new goals for myself.
The WOVE mode that I can most confidently claim to be a strength is the oral mode. As mentioned in the introductory reflection, I had never thought of myself as a good talker, nor had I explored the possibility to ever require or want it as a soft skill. It stands to reason then, that the two presentation assignments in this course would come as blessings in disguises. Neither one of the presentations that I did were perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but there was a euphoric sense of validation in the completion of a well-executed presentation, only matched by few others. It’s the proverbial payoff to hours of stress, practice, and preparations, and the relief that comes immediately after could almost be addicting. More than ever, I am consequently more inclined than ever to build on this skill, and perhaps one day, build my entire career around it.
Conversely, the WOVE mode that I struggle with most is writing. Simply put, I don’t enjoy it, especially when pushed with a deadline, as most paper assignments are. My writing process may be condensed to a constant, destructive cycle of putting off writing till the eleventh hour because I don’t enjoy writing, and not enjoy writing because I feel pressured for writing at the eleventh hour. In some ways, I am a perfectionist and feel the continuous urge to correct every trivial mistakes while writing, which extends the writing time to ridiculously unnecessary amounts. This then adds to my apparent disdain towards writing, which is that it takes too long and exceeds the span of my patience and/or attention. That said, I do believe that I can produce quality work despite the mentioned hurdles, however one has to wonder how drastically my work could have been improved without them. An example of this scenario, is my work with Assignment 3, which was written within three hours.
Relatedly, the rhetorical aspect of communication that I struggle with most is substance. I believe I am an adequately educated person, but when presented with a topic to write a paper about, my mind draws a blank to any of all ideas. I suppose this may be explained with performance anxiety, but it often feels as though it requires the stars to align and a stroke of genius for me to generate one half-baked idea. It is in these moments that I feel really down with myself, which doesn’t help when I have a paper due the next day. That said, I suppose the most concrete and realistic step that I can take to improve on this would be to read more. I am aware of that it is encouraged that everyone reads as much as they manage into their busy schedule, but I am ashamed to say that I only read when it is absolutely necessary. For a test the next day which may require some revision, for example. To write more, is to read to know more to write, I suppose.
It is undeniable that more needs to be done to push me towards the person that I want to be. My strengths in the oral mode may allow me a step ahead of some, but my weaknesses in substance may be a drawback from others. Now with experience, I understand that growth and improvements are imminent, but they come with their caveat of desire and effort to achieve set goals and aspirations and I will continuously work hard towards them.