Depression
Reflection Essay
Selah Stoermer
Composition ll
Professor Hammett
May 8, 2026
Word Count: 627
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Reflective Essay
At the beginning of this semester, I thought my writing abilities were fairly solid. After completing Composition I, I felt comfortable with basic essay structure and grammar, so I expected this class to feel somewhat familiar. However, as the course progressed, I realized there was much more to writing than I had understood. This class pushed me to think more critically, organize my thoughts more effectively, and support my arguments with more in-depth research. Because of these challenges, I began to see writing as a process of learning rather than simply completing an assignment.
One of the most noticeable improvements in my writing is my ability to truly go in depth on ideas rather than just summarizing them. During this course, I learned how to break down evidence and explain its significance. This change is especially visible in my rhetorical analysis essay, where I had to connect philosophical ideas to a modern epidemic. At first, I struggled to move beyond simply describing the sources. However, after receiving feedback, I focused more on explaining how each example supported my main claim. Instead of relying only on quotes, I spent more time analyzing the evidence and showing why it mattered. As a result, learning to move beyond summary helped my essays become more thoughtful and detailed.
In addition to improving my analysis, another area where I have improved was organization and transitions. At the beginning of the semester, my essays would feel choppy, and my paragraphs did not always connect smoothly. Sometimes my ideas felt like separate pieces instead of one clear argument. Through revision, I learned how to make each paragraph serve a clear purpose and flow into the next. For example, in my research-based essay, I worked carefully on topic sentences and transitions so that each section connected logically to the next. I began paying more attention to topic sentences, transitions, and the overall structure of my essays. I began paying more attention to how ideas build on each other throughout the essay. As a result, my writing now feels easier to follow, and this improvement made a big difference in how clearly I could communicate my ideas.
Furthermore, this course also strengthened my research and citation skills. Before this semester, I had little experience using APA format, and incorporating sources into my writing felt challenging. I would often worry about citing incorrectly or not using sources effectively. Over time, I learned how to properly cite sources, introduce quotations, and explain their relevance. For example, during my research essay, I practiced finding reliable academic sources and integrating them smoothly into my paragraphs. I also became more confident in evaluating which sources were credible and useful. Because of this, understanding how to incorporate sources smoothly made my essays more credible.
The revision process became another important part of my growth. In the past, revising mostly meant correcting grammar and spelling mistakes. Now, I approach revision as a way to improve clarity, organization, and overall effectiveness.Peer reviews and instructor feedback helped me see my writing from a different perspective and identify areas that needed improvement. For instance, after receiving feedback on earlier drafts, I learned to reorganize paragraphs, clarify confusing sentences, and strengthen my explanations. This new approach to revising helped me create stronger final drafts.
Overall, this class helped me grow into a more confident and capable writer. I developed stronger analytical skills, improved my organization, and gained experience using research effectively. These skills will be useful not only in future writing assignments but in other courses as well. When I compare my writing from the beginning of the semester to my recent work, the progress is clear. This course challenged me, but it also gave me the tools I need to continue improving as a writer.