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Justin Madrigal
Professor Trisha Briones
ENGL 1302-162
April 30, 2024
Reflection
In this course, we used academic research to complete our writing assignments done. It
was essential for us to learn how to properly borrow practices from other sources. Without the
proper citation on the essays would mean that we had potentially plagiarized our work. I gained
an understanding of the importance of proper citation and referencing. I learned how to
accurately cite sources using specific citation styles, how to create a bibliography or works cited
page. Proper citation is essential to acknowledge the intellectual contributions of others, avoid
plagiarism, and maintain academic integrity. I learned about the concept of paraphrasing and
summarizing. I discovered the significance of accurately representing the ideas and arguments of
other authors in my own words, while still giving proper credit to the original source. This skill
is crucial in academic writing to demonstrate comprehension of the material and avoid
unintentional plagiarism. Overall, the English course provided me with a comprehensive
understanding of academic research and proper borrowing practices. The activities that helped
me better understand the way on how to properly do academic research were the peer reviews.
Peer reviews were a bit more helpful because I was able to see others work. This side of
academic research will help me in other classes. These lessons have equipped me with the
knowledge and skills necessary to conduct research in an academic setting.
The writing process in this course was a bit more difficult than the previous considering
that there was a lot of research and pacing in this course. I learned different ways to cite,
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research, and how to pace my writing assignments. The best activity that helped me improve my
writing was again, the peer review. I feel as though peer reviews were the most beneficial when
it came to my writing. Learning of this new type of writing process built my knowledge because
it gave me an opportunity to improve my writing and my way of thinking analytically to
outperform others in my future classes, allowing me to get the best grades.
When it came to revising my essays, I found that it was a very long and tedious process.
But as I slowly would get my ideas nice and organized it benefitted my essays immensely. I
remember working on my research genre assignment and having to go back to the articles I
chose and make my essay make sense with what the other authors were mainly speaking about. I
made several strategic choices when revising my essay based on the feedback from my
professor. Firstly, I carefully restructured my introduction to provide a clearer thesis statement
and better contextualize my argument. This helped to set the tone for the rest of the essay, which
better guided the reader through the analysis. Additionally, I incorporated more specific
examples and evidence to support my main points, enhancing the depth and credibility of the
arguments. By including relevant data and quotes from reputable sources, I was able to
strengthen my claims and provide a more persuasive case for my argument. Furthermore, I paid
close attention to the organization of my essay, ensuring that each paragraph flowed logically
from one to the next. This improved the overall coherence of my writing and made it easier for
the reader to follow my line of reasoning. Overall, my revisions demonstrated a thoughtful and
purposeful approach to addressing the feedback provided by my professor, resulting in a more
polished and effective essay.
The revision aspect of the research genre assignment was particularly difficult and
challenging due to several reasons. Firstly, the task of revising requires a critical evaluation of
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one's own work, which can be challenging because it involves objectively assessing the strengths
and weaknesses of the original essay. Incorporating feedback from the professor and making
necessary changes can be a complex process. It involves carefully considering the suggestions
and comments provided, determining how to effectively address them, and deciding which
revisions will best enhance the overall quality and flow of the essay. Revising a research genre
assignment often requires extensive research and analysis. It may involve locating additional
sources, gathering more evidence, or reevaluating the existing arguments and claims. This can be
time-consuming and mentally demanding, as it requires a deep understanding of the subject
matter and the ability to critically evaluate the validity and relevance of the information
presented. The revision process may involve making tough decisions about what to include or
exclude from the essay, as well as how to restructure the content for better clarity and coherence.
This requires careful consideration of the overall argument and the impact of each revision on
the essay's effectiveness. Overall, the revision aspect of the research genre assignment is
challenging because it demands a high level of critical thinking, analysis, and decision-making. It
required me to be open to feedback, willing to make significant changes, and dedicated to
producing a final version that effectively communicates the intended message and meets the
requirements of the assignment. The peer review process can often seem like the easiest aspect of
the writing process for several reasons. Firstly, it provided an opportunity for me to receive
feedback and suggestions from others who have a fresh perspective on the essay. This can help
the writer identify areas of the essay that may need improvement or clarification. The peer
review process can be less stressful than the writing and revision process because it involves less
pressure and responsibility. The writer is not solely responsible for the quality and effectiveness
of the essay, as they are receiving input and suggestions from others. Peer review allows for
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collaboration and discussion between the writer and their peers. This can create a supportive and
motivating environment, which can help to alleviate the stress and pressure that often
accompanies the writing process. Moreover, the peer review process can be a learning
opportunity for both the writer and their peers. It allows for the exchange of ideas, perspectives,
and knowledge, which can help to expand everyone's understanding of the subject matter and
improve the overall quality of the essay. The peer review process can seem like the easiest aspect
of the writing process because it provides a collaborative and supportive environment for the
writer and their peers to improve the quality and effectiveness of the essay. It can also be less
stressful and involve less pressure than the writing and revision process.
In order to effectively communicate these course concepts such as academic research and
the writing process to a general audience on my website, I made several choices. I used calm
language and avoided slang or technical terms as much as possible. This was done to ensure that
the information was easily understandable to someone who may not be familiar with these
concepts. By explaining complex terms and concepts in simple and accessible language, I aimed
to make the content more relatable and approachable for the audience. I also incorporated real-
life examples and relatable scenarios to illustrate the concepts. This helped to make the
information more tangible and relevant to the audience. By presenting examples that they could
easily relate to, I aimed to engage the audience and help them see the practical application of the
concepts being discussed. Overall, these choices were made to ensure that the course concepts of
academic research and the writing process were effectively communicated to a general audience.
By using regular language, incorporating real-life examples, I aimed to make the information
understandable and accessible to individuals who may be unfamiliar with these genres.
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This English course presented several challenges that made it difficult. One of the main
challenges I faced during the research and writing process was managing my time effectively.
The course required a significant amount of reading and writing, and I found it challenging to
balance the workload with other commitments and responsibilities. Another challenge I faced
was understanding and applying the various genres and formats required for different
assignments, such as the annotated bibliography, literature review, and researched position
paper. Each of these genres had its own specific requirements and conventions, which I needed
to learn and apply effectively to achieve the desired outcomes. Additionally, I found it difficult
to synthesize and integrate information from multiple sources into my writing in a cohesive and
effective manner. The course required me to conduct extensive research and analyze multiple
sources, and I found it challenging to identify the most relevant and valuable information and
present it in a clear and well-organized way. This English course was difficult due to the various
challenges I faced during the research and writing process. These challenges included managing
my time effectively, understanding and applying different genres and formats, and synthesizing
information from multiple sources.
In reflecting on the English course, I found that certain aspects made the course easier for
me. One key factor that contributed to my success in the course was seeking help and feedback
from instructors and peers. By actively engaging with the course material and seeking assistance
when needed, I was able to clarify any uncertainties and improve my understanding of the
content. Another factor that made the course easier was developing a structured approach to my
writing process. By creating outlines, setting clear goals, and breaking down assignments into
manageable tasks, I was able to approach the writing process in a more organized and systematic
way. This helped me stay focused and on track throughout the course. Through the challenges
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and successes of the English course, I also discovered several strengths in my writing skills. One
strength that I identified was my ability to conduct thorough research and gather relevant sources
to support my arguments. I found that I was able to critically evaluate sources and extract key
information to strengthen my writing. I discovered that I have a strong ability to analyze and
synthesize information into well-structured arguments. I was able to effectively connect ideas
from different sources and present them in a logical and organized manner, which helped me
communicate my ideas effectively in my writing. By seeking help and feedback, developing a
structured approach to writing, and leveraging my strengths in research and analysis, I was able
to navigate the English course more easily and discover valuable strengths in my writing skills.
Yes, I feel that the English course has significantly prepared me to become part of the
academic research community. Throughout the course, I developed essential skills in conducting
research, analyzing sources, and synthesizing information to construct well-supported arguments.
By engaging with different genres of academic writing, such as an annotated bibliography,
literature review, and researched position paper, I gained practical experience academic
conventions and standards. Furthermore, the challenges I faced and overcame during the course
have equipped me with a deeper understanding of the difficulty and critical thinking required in
academic research. I have also honed my ability to effectively communicate complex ideas to a
broader audience, which is vital for contributing meaningfully to academic discussion. Overall,
the skills and knowledge acquired during the English course have provided me with a strong
foundation to actively participate in the academic research community and pursue further
scholarly endeavors.
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Works Cited
Briones, Trisha. “Workshop Peer Review.” April 4, 2024. ENGL 1302, Texas A&M
International University, classroom activity.