Dadhichee Gujjar

Professor Presnell
UWRT 1103
November 30, 2014
Course Reflection
Dear Barbara,
My experience this semester has truly been amazing. Your
way of teaching and evoking thought process in us has showed us
how a students way of thinking can be transformed. Personally,
I believe that my professional writing skills have been greatly
developed since the beginning of the semester.
Over the span of the semester, I have learned more about
myself, my family and the world we live in. I found the inquiry
project to be the highlight of this course. The inquiry paper
was completely different in all aspects from the ones I have
written in the past. I have never in my life went into such
depth of research on one single topic. For answering one single
question. The use of first person in this research essay added a
person touch to it. It shows the reader that I as a writer am
personally engaged with the topic.

This course has taught me to conduct research in a totally

new way. Contrary to the high school way of doing it, where we
were assigned a topic to research and write our paper in third
person. Where we were forced to output the lame 5 paragraph
essay that had 1 paragraph of introduction, 3 paragraphs of body
and 1 paragraph of conclusion about the topic. As a writer, I
find the high school way of writing very restrictive of
imagination and alienate-ive of personal touch.
The approach of research for this topic was totally new to
me. The amount of time and emphasis we put on topic selection,
finding reliable sources, researching, writing paper and digital
presentation of the topic amazed me because I have never spent
this much time or emphasized it in this aspect. Also, being able
to consult a research expert for topic selection was very
insightful and helpful. Personally, I believe that I have
consulted you and Alison the most. My topic selection phase was
rough. I was going in all directions. Without yours and Alisons
input on researching and writing on the topic of Is US Policy
towards ISIS today justified by ISs ideology would have been
impossible.
In order to avoid bullshit, I made sure of the following:
(1) Choosing an interesting topic, (2) Making sure there is
enough information out there (reliable sources), (3)

Comprehendible topic and be able to answer that one single

question, that one freaking thing. From this project, I have
learned that when writing a paper, all parts of the paper should
be paid equal attention. No part is overly important than other.
Topic selection is equally important as research and actually
writing the paper is equally important as present the topic to
peers. My project has connected to a larger theme of my personal
and academic journey. This issue of terrorism is going to affect
the present and the future generations. It is important for all
of us to get in touch with the reality of life. In reality of
life, there exist no Cinderella land or sweet rainbows
everywhere.
I find my writing style has changed has changed since the
beginning of the semester. I have learned to write in a more
personal way with spice of personal touch to my writings. The
writing style developed for the inquiry project is all because
of the pre-requisite efforts that were put it to get to my final
paper. Without a clear topic selection process, it would have
been impossible to conceive an interesting topic. Without
finding reliable resources for writing the paper, it would have
been impossible to conceive a thoughtful paper. Without the
critiquing and revision process, conceiving a good paper would
have not been possible.

I hope to keep challenging myself in the future and become

able to write creative, thoughtful and interesting pieces. I
find myself to a creative writer, and am always looking for new
ways to get my ideas across to my peers. I have learned that
sometimes negativity in my writing hurts my writing and holds me
back from my creative side.
As this will be my last creative writing class, I hope to
keep the creative side alive within me by writing just for fun!
The road ahead is never easy but with courage and hard-work,
everything is achievable. Thank you for introducing me to
myself, my family and the world!

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Dadhichee Gujjar