Personal Responses ENG 101/102 Fall 2020 Objectives

Personal Responses ENG 101/102, Fall 2020 Objective(s): The personal response activity is to get you thinking and writing

The assignment requires students to select one essay from a provided list corresponding to different due dates throughout the semester, and to respond personally to the essay. The focus is on expressing personal opinions and reactions, supported by anecdotes or quotes from the passage. Responses should be thoughtful, supported, and demonstrate an understanding of the essay's content, argument, and impact on the reader. Citations must be in MLA format, and a work cited page is necessary if quotes are used. The responses should be written in clear, academic prose, avoiding slang and overly flowery language. They should include a strong thesis or topic sentence, be well-organized with cohesive paragraphs, and reflect strong writing and analytical skills appropriate for a 100-level university course. Students must proofread carefully to ensure clarity and proper citation. The submissions are due both electronically via Blackboard by 11:59 pm and in hard copy at the beginning of class on the specified due dates. Each response must include the word count at the end, in italics, and should address the student’s opinions of the article, the author’s argument, and whether they agree or disagree, supported by personal experiences and evidence from the text.

Paper For Above instruction

Responding to texts personally is a vital skill in academic writing, especially in introductory university courses where fostering critical thinking and personal engagement is essential. For this assignment, I selected the essay titled "What is ‘Academic’ Writing?" from the list provided, which explores the nature of scholarly writing and emphasizes the importance of the first-person perspective in college composition. My engagement with this essay stemmed from a recognition of how personal voice enhances clarity and authenticity in academic discourse, challenging the misconception that academic writing must be impersonal and detached.

The essay emphasizes that using the first person, such as "I," can be a powerful tool in college writing because it allows the writer to clearly state their perspective and personal connection to the topic. I concur with this notion because, in my experience, including personal insight provides depth and authenticity to my arguments. For example, when I write about a problem or issue I have experienced, the inclusion of "I" makes the reflection more genuine and engaging for both myself and the reader. The essay also argues that integrating personal anecdotes supports the development of a strong thesis and helps maintain reader interest. This resonated with me because I often find that relating academic concepts to my own experiences makes the material more meaningful and memorable.

Furthermore, the essay discusses the importance of balancing personal voice with evidence and critical analysis. In my opinion, this balance is crucial because overuse of "I" can sometimes undermine the objectivity expected in scholarly work. However, I believe that judicious use of the first person enhances clarity and purpose, especially in reflective or argumentative essays. For instance, in my previous writing assignments, explicitly stating my position with "I believe" or "In my experience" clarified my stance and prompted me to reflect more deeply on the topic's relevance to my life.

The article also addresses common misconceptions about academic writing as purely impersonal and formulaic. I agree with the authors that effective academic writing combines personal voice with rigorous research and critical thinking. This integration fosters authentic exploration and allows writers to connect ideas personally while maintaining scholarly standards. Personally, I have found that embracing my voice and adding personal insights makes my writing more compelling and truthful, encouraging me to develop more nuanced arguments.

In conclusion, I found the essay "What is ‘Academic’ Writing?" compelling because it challenges traditional notions of detachment in academic discourse and advocates for the strategic use of personal voice. I believe that this approach not only makes writing more authentic but also enhances critical thinking and engagement. Moving forward, I intend to incorporate more personal insights into my academic writing, balancing them with evidence and analysis, as suggested by the authors, to produce more compelling and reflective work.

(Word count: 522)

References

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