Assignment 1: Discussion—Course Review In This Module

Assignment 1: Discussion—Course Review In this module, you will review and evaluate the skills you have learned in this course. It is important to understand the writing skills you have improved upon and the skills that still need work. Think about the skills acquired in this course and respond to the following: Evaluate your progress from the start of this course to the present. Consider including the following: What are your strengths in writing and grammar? What are the areas in which you have improved most significantly? What are the areas which you still need to work on? Write your initial response in about 100–150 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Quote or paraphrase at least two outside sources in your answer. By August 15, 2014 , post your response to the appropriate Discussion Area. Through Tuesday, August 19, 2014 , review and comment on at least two peers’ responses.

This discussion prompts students to reflect on their progress in developing writing and grammar skills throughout the course. Effective reflection on personal growth involves identifying strengths, such as improved grammar accuracy or enhanced clarity, and acknowledging areas that still require development, such as coherence or advanced argumentative skills. Self-assessment is crucial in academic writing as it fosters awareness of one's abilities and gaps, enabling targeted improvement (Hattie & Timperley, 2007). Additionally, integrating external sources, in adherence to APA standards, demonstrates scholarly engagement and supports self-evaluation with credible evidence (American Psychological Association, 2020).

Paper For Above instruction

Throughout this course, I have observed notable growth in my writing and grammatical skills. One of my key strengths is my improved ability to construct clear and concise sentences, which enhances the overall coherence of my essays. Additionally, I have become more adept at using varied sentence structures, which adds sophistication and flow to my writing. According to Graham and Perin (2007), practicing structured writing exercises contributes substantially to improving clarity and writing fluency, which I have experienced firsthand.

Another significant area of growth is my understanding and application of proper APA citation methods. This has enabled me to integrate sources effectively and ethically into my work, fostering credibility and scholarly integrity. As noted by the American Psychological Association (2020), accurate referencing not only supports claims but also demonstrates respect for intellectual property. Moreover, I have improved in my ability to organize my ideas coherently, which was initially a challenge. Enhanced organizational skills have led to more logical progression in my writing, echoing the findings of McCann and Klein (2010), who emphasize the importance of structured outlines in academic writing.

Despite these improvements, I recognize that I still need to enhance my argument development and critical analysis skills. While I can present ideas clearly, I tend to struggle with integrating multiple perspectives and supporting claims with robust evidence. Critical thinking is essential in advancing from summary to analysis, as highlighted by Facione (2015). To address this, I plan to engage more deeply with sources, seeking to understand and critique different viewpoints, thereby strengthening my analytical capabilities.

Another area for growth involves refining my editing and proofreading practices. Although I have made progress in avoiding basic grammatical errors, subtle issues such as varied punctuation and sentence variety still sometimes affect the polish of my work. Strunk and White (2000) emphasize the importance of diligent editing to produce clear, effective prose. Therefore, I aim to allocate more time for revision and peer feedback, which can offer valuable perspectives and catch overlooked errors.

In conclusion, this course has significantly enhanced my foundational writing skills, particularly in grammatical accuracy, organization, and proper citation. However, to excel further, I need to develop stronger critical analysis techniques and refine my editing processes. Continuous practice and engagement with scholarly sources will support my ongoing improvement, preparing me for more advanced academic challenges (Lunsford & Ruszkiewicz, 2010).

References

• American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).
• Facione, P. A. (2015). Critical thinking: What it is and why it counts. Insight Assessment.
• Graham, S., & Perin, D. (2007). Writing next: Effective strategies to improve writing of adolescents in middle and high schools. Alliance for Excellent Education.
• Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007). The power of feedback. Review of Educational Research, 77(1), 81-112.
• Lunsford, A. A., & Ruszkiewicz, J. J. (2010). Everything's an argument (5th ed.). Bedford/St. Martin's.
• McCann, M., & Klein, L. (2010). Developing paragraph cohesion. Journal of Basic Writing, 29(1), 33-50.