WHAT

Write a formal business letter in which you reflect on your development as a writer by doing a close re-reading of 3 writing projects you have written to date, and re-review comments I provided on each one of them:

  1. Critical review essays from BS 101 Academic Reading (first semester)
  2. Argumentative essay from BS 111 Academic Writing (second semester)
  3. Rethinking the functions of an object essay from BS 306 (current semester)

Your goal is to reflect and make an argument about your writing development from last year to now. For this project to be meaningful and helpful, you must be honest and open. Don’t try to give the “right answer” to impress me. Your letter should be about 1,000 to 1,250 words.

WHY

Reflection is an important part of growth. How can you improve a skill if you can’t understand your strengths and weaknesses? By doing an honest reflection based on 3 evidence–your 3 different writing projects–you will be able to leave class with clearer knowledge of what else you need to do to improve your writing.

HOW

Re-read and annotate your 3 previous projects for strengths, weaknesses, and patterns. Do the same with my comments.

In your letter, answer:

  1. What are some similarities and differences across the 3 projects?
  2. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a writer?
  3. In which areas have you improved, and in which areas do you still need to improve?
  4. What goals might you establish for yourself in your next writing project?

Cite passages (quotations) from each project to back up claims you make and patterns or issues that you see. Be very specific. These statements are not acceptable: I improved my writing, style, and grammar. They aren’t specific enough. What specifically about style or what grammar point did you improve or need to work on?