Portfolio: Final Exam

Writing can be a complicated task. There is so much to writing than just words combined, grammar and punctuation. A well written paper needs a life of its own. In order to give it life, revision must go hand in hand with the writing. Revision is a key part in an excellent paper. Revision is what helps the writer notice all the details, and flaws the paper might have. This way, the writer can make the needed changes to have an interesting and engaging piece of art. It is quite difficult to get it just right the first time. According to the writer Nora Ephron, she states in her article called Revision and Life: Take it From the Top—Again, “When I was in college, I revised nothing. I wrote out my papers in longhand, typed them up and turned them in. It would never have crossed my mind that what I had produced was only a first draft and that I had more work to do; the idea was to get to the end, and once you had got to the end you were finished” I can relate to what she says, I did the same.

I was never really interested in writing. I mean I did write here and there, for example, in school, journals, diaries and a few poems but nothing extraordinary. In school I remember I always got good grades for my writing. Revision was out of the question. I did not want to spend extra time looking through my paper which was not of my interest to begin with. I did check for spelling and punctuation that was all I needed. If it needed more ideas or information oh well I knew I was going to get a good grade anyways so why bother? With this in mind little did I know what I was in for when I took writing 101.

Writing 101 really shook my leg. I came in not knowing what to expect but certain I was going to get a good grade and nothing less. I was so wrong. I learned there was much more to writing than just combining words. An excellent paper must be argumentative because not every reader might agree with what we are trying to say. Keeping in mind that the “I say” is relevant but acknowledging the “they say” as well. I have to say this was pretty difficult for me to accomplish because in the past I never really cared what others thought all I wanted was to get my point across. I am glad I managed to incorporate both sides in my writing. Now I know I still need some more work added more of my voice in my writing but I take it day by day.

Acknowledging the flaws I had in writing was not easy but enforcing my strengths was an accomplishment. One of those strengths is my willingness to learn more about writing and making an effort to use that knowledge. Without the eagerness to learn anything that one needs improvement in will never change. I know I am not a good writer yet but practice makes perfect. Next time I write I will make an effort to revise and show interest in my paper not only for my sake but for the reader’s sake as well.