SAFIA HASSAN

Address · Phone
Email · LinkedIn Profile · Twitter/Blog/Portfolio

DEAR MS. FIGUEROA,

Coming in to senior year I struggled with elaborating in my writing and correlating my

evidence with my purpose. I would also use weak words in my writing. Presently, I have
improved on aligning my evidence with my purpose and staying on track. I’ve learned
from my revisions, and reflections I always make the same mistakes, such as forgetting to
get rid of contractions and my punctuation. If I keep on this pass, I believe I’ll improve
tremendously.

The essay I’m proud of is my social issue essay, because I actually gave it my all and it
shows in the essay. The topic was something I actually cared about, and I was shocked I
got that score, I honestly thought I would get a 70-85% on it, because it sounded
repetitive. My writing has improved since freshman year, because I actually started to try
in my English class, even though I don’t like this subject. If it wasn’t for the social issue
paper I think I’d still think my writing hasn’t improved at all, and I would have gotten
lower scores on my other scores, the senior essay motivated me to try a little harder on
my writing assignments. I think this senior class helped me in my writing with other
subjects. Before I would just not try and ramble about nonsense but still try and stay on
track, but now I’m actually doing prewrites researching to find adequate evidence for to
support my claims.

I like the idea of the portfolio, seeing how my writing has changed over the years,
mistakes I used to make that I don’t anymore. I think my portfolio is going to be horrible,
because some of the things we were assigned to write about, I didn’t care for, but after
the feedback I tried to fix my mistakes and reflect on my assignment, the only
assignment I think will help me see if I improved is by using assignments I actually tried
to give my all in. The portfolio helps me see common mistakes I made in the past and
common mistakes I’m currently making. I think if this portfolio turns out well I will do it
again in the future to see if I’m actually improving or stuck with the same problems.

I never really thought about my writing goals, but I think I would like to not make the
mistakes I made in these assignments, I think I’ll make an outline so I don’t ramble and
am organized. I’ve noticed with longer essays, I sound like I don’t know what I’m trying to
say as I get deeper into the essay. My goal is to get my point across without sounding
repetitive. Also because I’m going to start attending college I want to get rid of that
habit, I would also like to expand my vocabulary. After high school I want to write
something I’m proud of.

Sincerely,
Safia Hassan