One of the key components of the course learning outcomes is the development of critical thinking skills. My writing assignments have significantly contributed to my growth in this area. Through essays and assignments, I was often required to analyze complex topics, synthesize information, and present well-reasoned arguments. For instance, in my “Creative Nonfiction Essay” I had to critically assess different viewpoints and provide strong arguments to support my perspective. This experience honed my ability to think critically, a skill that will be invaluable in my future writing and decision-making.

Effective communication is another vital skill emphasized in the course learning outcomes. My writing assignments have encouraged me to convey my ideas clearly and concisely. I have learned to structure my essays logically, ensuring that my audience can follow my line of reasoning because in the Exploratory Essay I have each paragraph sorted nice and even and I have all the works cited on a completely separate page to make it look more professional and the impact of that is that it has made me into a more organized and neat writer. Feedback on my assignments, particularly regarding organization and clarity, has further enhanced my communication skills because in the Creative Nonfiction Essay I have received a good amount of feedback from my professor on that assignment and as a result I have improved on that essay and made it more detailed and the impact of that is that it has better improved my writing skills and made me a more detailed writer because of what the professor told me what I needed to do better on. And as a result this will undoubtedly be beneficial in my future writing endeavors and in my professional life later on.

My coursework has stressed the importance of research skills, and my writing assignments has given me practical experience in this regard. I have learned how to gather information from various sources, evaluate their reliability, and integrate them seamlessly into my writing. For example, in my research paper on “The Impact of Obesity on Personal Identity” I had to consult numerous academic sources and properly cite them using a recognized citation style. This skill will be invaluable as I continue my education and engage in more advanced research projects. The research and writing skills I have developed through my coursework will be directly transferable to future academic writing. I will be better prepared to tackle more complex essays and research papers with confidence and precision.

Outlining has been a strategy that I have attempted and accomplished by doing multiple outlines for different essays, and that helped me because it better honed my skill of outlining and made me maintain a clear and organized structure throughout my essays because of it. And outlining has also helped me stay focused on the main argument of my essays. The strategies that I will take to my future writing is maintain a clear and organized structure in my writing, using well-defined introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions, use transitional words and phrases to improve the flow between ideas, and dedicate time to revise and proofread my work to eliminate errors and improve clarity. And by doing those strategies I believe my work will be very professional and it will make my essays better for the readers to understand my arguments.

Reflecting on my writing journey so far, I have overcome many challenges so far and learned many lessons along the way. My dedication to continuous improvement and a growth mindset will be a valuable asset in my future writing endeavors because I embrace feedback and because I do that I keep refining my skills and approach every writing task as an opportunity for growth. In summary, my essays, assignments, and chosen artifacts have been instrumental in helping me  encounter and achieve specific components of the Course Learning Outcomes. The skills and knowledge I have gained through my writing work will undoubtedly have a positive and lasting impact on my future writing, whether in academia, my career, or personal projects.