D#6, HW#3- WP Reflection

Completing WP#1 was the hardest English assignment I’ve ever had to do. I do not like research and I don’t believe I will ever like research. However, the lessons contained in this class about learning how to ‘do’ research has made things much better to grasp. I now know how to locate things quicker and more efficiently using online tools I did not know existed. (Databases and search features) I know how to take notes better when I need to refer or cite sources. This will definitely be beneficial in the long run, because I’m sure I will need to write papers for other classes. It’s also quite possible I’ll need to do a project(s) at work that may require the same techniques as well.

My proudest moment with this project was submitting it to Turnitin.com and being confirmed I didn’t plagiarize someone else’s work. I tried to ensure that what I wrote were my own thoughts and only quoted people when I had to, which come to think of it, I don’t think I quoted anyone for my proposal.

If I had more time with this project I think I would have picked a different topic (checking databases to ensure I’d be able to find enough sources.) I had a lot of trouble locating good quality sources to cite and rely on for research. As the lessons progressed though, I was able to get a better understanding on what to do. When I submitted my draft to Turnitin.com it came back with a 2% match. Apparently, one of my sentences (during my personal experience) started the same way a sentence in someone else’s work ended. When I turned in my final to Turniton.com it came back with a 1% match for the same sentence issue. I chalked it up to actually being 0% both times.

The writing process I worked on the most was developing a rhetorical question from a topic I kept revising to fit my question. Finally, I decided on a topic and made my question fit my topic. I believe I’ve achieved the ability to write for a rhetorical context. I know I’m able to organize my writing to support a central idea using logic, correct grammar and diction. I feel I’m still struggling a bit with mechanics (commas and semicolons specifically) and coherence. I’m also still struggling with ‘finding’ good, quality resources and this will be an on-going battle with this project. I’m generally able to assess my writing skills accurately and honestly.