Barranda 1

Jamila Barranda
Professor DerOhanessian
English 113B
27 April 2015
Reflection
Upon taking English 113B my second semester, I would classify myself not to be as
strong of a writer based off the lack on interest, motivation, resources, and having strong
arguments. My portfolio this semester depicts how I can gain interest once I have chosen a
specific topic to write about. For example, for project space, I was able to utilize my work
environment that I have been around for the past fifteen years and somewhat tie it into Orwells
1984. Before, I used to find difficulty in trying to get myself interested into writing a paper with
such vague topics. This semester, the consistent theme for the papers that were assigned were all
persuasive and or argumentative papers. I personally, based off past experiences, is not as strong
when it comes to having to write persuasive papers simply because I do sometimes get carried
away in the thought process that I drift away from the main topic and thesis. With the work I
have done this past semester, I can see the slow progression I have made to become a stronger
persuasive writer and have strong arguments to support my topic. I am still a bit weak when it
comes to writing the counter argument since I would have to completely turn my thought process
around and think about the other side of my arguments to fulfill the readers needs if they are
against my topic.
Since now I am able to write persuasive and argumentative papers without much
hesitation, I know I am able to write papers for my major, Public Health, since it does require an
exact topic and not stray away into something else. For example, when I need to talk about

Barranda 2
certain antibiotics to that can be given to certain causes, it will be much easier to brain storm and
categorize from measurements, to ingredients, to which patients would be allowed to take them.
Also, everything that I have learned just through persuasive writings, it will most definitely
benefit me for my speech class next semester. I have no issue with talking in front of an
audience, it just being able to talk and present one topic will be the issue. At least with the
exercises that Professor DerOhanessian has given, such as making sure my assignment
incorporates ethos, pathos, and logos, I will be able to create a strong presentation to capture my
audiences attention and draw them into whatever subject I talk about.
With future essays, I hope to be able to not stray away from my topic and answer my
thesis statements within the entire body of the paper, and also generate stronger counter
arguments that still go with whatever topic is chosen. I still somewhat have an issue with
condensing my topics and being able to formulate a very strong and to the point thesis
statement. It will take a lot of practice in order to perfect writing a thesis statements and a very
strong argumentative paper, but given patience and time, I know it will soon come to me with
ease.
English 113B with Professor DerOhanessian definitely taught me certain skills that I may
not have thought about in past writing classes. By benefitting from the new knowledge that was
gained, it brought me a step closer to becoming a stronger writer. By developing and attaining
such skills, I plan to further use them in the upcoming courses I plan to take. By taking this class,
I was also able to realize I do have some strengths, such as being able to pick an intriguing topic
and capturing the audience. Despite my weaknesses as I listed before, I am more than grateful to
be able to realize my strengths and bing able to balance both out, but still be able to strengthen
both.