Reflection Paper Outline

Emily Sefcik

Jenifer Zukowski

English 121

Reflection Paper Outline

1.     What goals did you have at the beginning of the semester?

To practice my writing capabilities.

2.     Which goals did you accomplish, and which do you still need to work on?

Accomplished the ‘practice writing’ bit. I need to work on proper citation.

3.     What surprises did you discover while researching your topic? Have you discovered new information? Any facts you didn’t know? Any sources you never knew existed?

I didn’t know how high fructose corn syrup was processed, the fact that it is processed differently in your body, and how much sugared drinks increases obesity rates.

Learning about the school’s library database was incredibly helpful with it’s impressive amount of scholarly research.

4.     Write about what the best parts of your paper are. What elements of your writing are you most proud of?

The parts that describe a scene with sensational words and terminology.

5.     How do you feel about how you’ve honed your computer/web skills?

There has been a definite improvement. Before this class I rarely glimpsed at a blog, let alone write one. I also know now that word document provides a program that cites your sources in MLA format. Still have to know how to properly cite however. That program tends to need double checking and polishing.

6.     Write about the research process. What do you enjoy? What do you dislike? What is easy or difficult for you? Are you finding what you need? How much time per week have you been spending on research? Is this too much or not enough time? How do you think you can make some adjustments?

I enjoyed learning more about the subject I pursued. Dislike having to cite all my sources. It is relatively easy to write paragraphs about my topic. I spend about fifteen hours total on research, which I consider to be enough as far as writing a paper about it.  Adjustments would probably be focused around doing the paper in certain amounts of time throughout the week instead of doing it in one go.

7.     What are some useful/helpful research hints you’ve discovered about the research process that might be good for other ENG 122 students to know? What would you like help with to make research quicker or simpler?

Go to the library to find good resources and help.

Outline:

Intro/Thesis: Over a semester, I have been immersed in a world of blogs, citations and the wonderful delights of writing out one's thoughts and opinions on topics of my choice. While in this world I've learned how to cite in MLA format,  new places to find valuable research materials, and how to judge whether sources found on websites have good, strong, and reliable foundations or not. I can raise my head  ever so slightly a little bit higher knowing that I achieved my goals and contain advice for future students who might be in need for a little push in the direction like I did. 

I: Goals, accomplishments, and surprising discoveries

a)    Goal: Improve writing capabilities.

b)   Accomplishments: writing skills have improved along with proper MLA citation.

c)    Surprising discoveries: School databases

II: Writing elements I am proud of and computer skills

a)    I enjoy describing the scenario with sensational words and am proud of the parts that have such description

b)   I now know how to post blogs on a website

III: Research Process

a)    It was fun deciding the topic I was going to explore

b)   Disliked having to properly cite all the sources I used to form an opinion and obtain facts about it.

c)    Research process typically took about half a day total which I think is enough for the most part.

IV: Useful, helpful hints to future students

a)    Go to the library to get help or answers to questions as well as good reference materials and depend on the internet when the library isn’t an option.

Conclusion: Overall, it has been a successful semester with a significant improvement in formatting formal essays and being able to find reliable sources of information. It was not an easy breeze of a learning experience but it's left me very grateful to have made it through with the knowledge I now possess thanks to its constructive criticism.