Van Vugt 1 David Van Vugt December 17, 2013 English 1100-Professor Lago Final Reflective Essay In the

beginning of the year, I considered myself as a writer in the following way: As a writer, I try my best to convey what I mean in the least amount said. I try to choose words carefully and use enhanced vocabulary without going too far as to confuse the reader in a mess of big words (Writing Prompt 9-12-13). As I went through the year writing papers, I forgot to mention one thing in that statement; I am a very general writer. This was most clearly brought out in my first essay on happiness, where I used general and vague terms throughout the paper. In fact, the opening sentence to my first essay was as follows: In everybodys life, there are elements of sadness and happiness (9-16-13). When I look at that now, I am appalled at the generality I applied, thinking that I could make a paper great with such a ridiculous introduction. However, with Professor Lagos instruction, I learned quickly what makes a paper great specifics. My very next paper, titled The College Question, brought the reader to m y personal life in a way that I never conveyed in writing. The introduction to this paper was much more captivating-I started it with a personal anecdote that set the tune for the rest of the paper: When my father began to assume control of the greenhouse business that my grandfather started, he was able to use only experience from working there all his life and wisdom imparted from his father (10-22-13). However, my trip to Maine disrupted my attention for this paper, and I got marked down for forgetting certain requirements. My next paper, on rumors, received all of my attention and for that work I was received an A. I believe that phrases such as Everybody knows it and The CIA killed John F. Kennedy (10-31-13) immediately attracted the readers attention and brought the paper together in an unprecedented way. Although I consider my first

Van Vugt 2 essay my worst paper, my biggest bane was the fourth essay; the research paper. What really confused me initially was the research paper that is not a research paper notion. The concept of personalizing a research paper in order to make it apply to the writer and the reader was a complicated one. However, I eventually caught on and developed a thesis that applied to me and, as Professor Lago informed me, the reader. As I drive through my town, I am pleased to see little stores along the main roads that have existed as long as I remember (11-26-13). Once again, the introduction captured the reader and the content maintained attention. However, my apparent lack of research caused me to get a B+, a grade I was disappointed to see. For my final draft of essay four, I intend to provide more personal relation to the dilemma rather than researching farther, since I believe that I provided just enough research to prove my point without drowning the reader in useless information. In my further years of writing, I believe that I still need to fully complete requirements, reduce generality, and give an emotional touch in order to personalize the paper. Of course, it is difficult to say such things with absolution since all writing teachers grade in slightly different ways and require slightly different things from their students. However, I think that English 1100 prepared me for the coming years and challenged me enough to help me grow as a writer. I am still trying to convey as much possible in as few words (Essay 4 for instance), and I also like to increase my vocabulary while challenging the reader to follow me. However, I also believe that I am becoming more specific in my writing, which will help me write better papers in the future. After questioning mentors who have been in the work force for many years, I concluded that yes, for all it entails, college will help me gain my objective of being a better business man (10-22-13). This sentence reflects one of my best works, The College Question. The structure fits perfectly with my final essay of

Van Vugt 3 English 1100; after examining myself as a writer, I conclude that college helps me become a better writer.