Reflection Essay

The goal of this assignment is for each student to demonstrate that you have successfully accomplished the learning outcomes of this course and can articulate a reflection of your growth as a writer in a descriptive essay. Before beginning, contemplate where you were as a writer at the beginning of the semester, how your writing has developed over the course of the semester, and the ways in which you might utilize the skills that you have gained in the future.

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Writing Instructions
In this assignment, you are asked to write a descriptive reflection of your composition experience over the course of this semester and your future expectations for writing in 700+ words (approximately 2-3 pages) with specific examples as proof or support for your thesis statement (no sources).

You will need to think carefully about the ways in which your understanding of writing and your personal composing process has changed or developed during this course. Use specific examples of lessons, papers, or writing experiences to critically examine your experience in composition and to illustrate your points.

You may find it useful to compare the first drafts of your previous essays with the revised versions you have written. Also, consider the ways that your approach to composing essays has changed by examining your assignments from the first half of the semester and the more recent essay that you completed. I am not looking for the quick or obvious answer here. The best responses attempt to analyze the changes that occur intellectually, psychologically, and emotionally as you grapple with the concepts of academic writing.

You may use your answers from the Final Reflection Questions handout (optional, not graded) to complete your essay. Feel free to discuss any aspects of the writing process that occur to you; again, do not feel limited to the handout questions. You may also want to create an outline to generate ideas for your reflection; although, this is not required.

Answers should be written in essay format with an introduction paragraph, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph. The thesis statement (main point) should be the last sentence of the introduction paragraph and the first sentence (reworded) of the conclusion paragraph. Body paragraphs should be organized and an appropriate length (5+ sentences for all paragraphs).

The essay should use transitions, be well organized, and display adequate knowledge of proper sentence structure. Basic grammar conventions will be graded, and students should proofread, edit, and revise their essay before submitting the final document.

Each essay is required to correctly utilize MLA formatting with a unique, creative title and cannot use any sources.

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Grading Criteria
Each essay should adhere to the following requirements:

Introduction: introduces the topic of the personal reflection and narrows into the specifics of this course; clearly ends by stating a claim about the development of your writing in the form of a thesis, without using any direct paraphrases or quotes any sources. (15 points)

Body: 2+ paragraphs that give clear and accurate supporting claims by explaining the details of each main point and offering logical, supportive reasoning and examples in each paragraph; one main point or focused area of the thesis should be addressed in each body paragraph. (30 points)

Conclusion: restates/rewords thesis, summarizes points, looks to the future, proposes a solution or course of action related to composition, as applicable, writing without using any direct paraphrases or quotes. (15 points)

Organization: Paragraphs are constructed in a logical manner and adhere to the standards of paragraph structure with topic, supporting detail, and concluding sentences. (10 points)

Grammar, Mechanics, & Style: sentences are clear, complete, and of varying lengths; correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, with very few or no errors and an appropriate tone with use of academic language and vocabulary. (15 points)

Formatting: 700+ words (approximately 2-3 pages) that are appropriately formatted in MLA (Times New Roman, 12-point font, black ink, 1-inch margins, and double-spaced without extra spacing) with a recurring header and pagination, required heading, and a unique, creative title; no sources are used. (15 points)
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Course Outcomes (CO)
This assignment fulfills the following learning outcomes, as outlined in the course syllabus:
CO1, CO3, CO5, CO6, CO7, and CO9.

Learning Objective (LO)
LO 5.2: Given detailed writing instructions and prewriting questions, compose a reflection essay in MLA format that contains at least four paragraphs and totals at least 700 words (approximately two-three pages) with no sources by analyzing, evaluating, and reflecting on the personal learning and composing process and demonstrating Edited American English, academic language use and tone, consistent use of rhetorical modes of discourse, and proper sentence placement and paragraph structure.

Course Competency (CC)
This assignment fulfills CC5: Compose and revise a multi-paragraph essay that analyzes and reflects on the areas of improvement, development, and strengths in regard to personal writing process with a detailed thesis statement, an organized paragraph structure, accurate use of MLA formatting, and Edited American English.

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