Save Link Assignment First Draft Self-Evaluation And Reflect

Save Linkassignmentfirst Draft Self Evaluation And Reflectiondue Date

Part of the writing process is reviewing, revising, and editing your work. While your instructor is grading your essay this week, you will also review and reflect on your writing. You will complete a self-evaluation and reflection worksheet that guides you through revising and editing your first draft, analyzing strengths and weaknesses across organization, research, conventions/mechanics, word choice, voice/tone, and fluency. Additionally, you will write a summary reflecting on your progress, resources for improvement, and advice for new students on writing their first college essay.

Paper For Above instruction

In this assignment, I have engaged in a comprehensive self-evaluation of my first draft to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. This reflective process is vital in the development of a polished and effective academic paper. The self-assessment is structured around key aspects of writing, including organization, research, conventions/mechanics, word choice, voice and tone, and sentence and paragraph fluency.

Firstly, regarding organization, I ensured that my paper contained a clear heading in the upper left corner, five well-structured paragraphs, and an appropriately formatted reference page. I believe I managed to get this structure right, providing a logical flow from introduction to conclusion. However, I recognize that some paragraphs could benefit from more cohesive topic sentences and more logical progression within paragraphs, which I plan to focus on in future drafts.

In terms of research, I selected a peer-reviewed article that supported my topic, incorporating in-text citations and paraphrasing effectively. Nonetheless, I intend to improve the integration of research points to more seamlessly support my arguments rather than merely inserting citations. Strengthening the connection between evidence and analysis will enhance clarity and persuasiveness.

My conventions and mechanics were carefully proofread; I eliminated spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors, and maintained double-spacing throughout the document. My references were correctly formatted, and I adhered to the minimum word count. That said, I want to work on varied sentence structures further and avoid repetitive phrasing to make my writing more engaging and dynamic.

Regarding word choice, I utilized precise academic language suited for the genre, ensuring that words are used correctly within context. This emphasis on clarity and formality is essential for maintaining the appropriate tone in college writing. Nevertheless, I aim to expand my vocabulary and avoid vague or repetitive words, thereby enriching my expression and argumentation.

The voice and tone of my essay are consistent with a third-person point of view, avoiding the use of “I” statements. I focused on presenting my ideas clearly and objectively, supporting my claims with research. Moving forward, I will strive to maintain this tone and ensure that my message remains original and thoughtfully articulated without over-reliance on sources for the entire narrative.

Sentence and paragraph fluency were another key focus. I worked to ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs and coherent sentence flow within each paragraph. Well-structured sentences and logical paragraph development made my essay easier to read and follow. To improve further, I plan to enhance the variety of sentence structures and use transition phrases more effectively to increase coherence.

Summary and Reflection

Reflecting on my strengths, I am confident in my organizational skills, proper formatting, and adherence to academic conventions. I have demonstrated my ability to incorporate research and develop a clear, focused argument. However, I recognize that my weaknesses lie in enhancing paragraph development, varying sentence structures, and integrating research more fluidly into my analysis.

In my next college essay, I will maintain consistent organization and ensure that each paragraph has a strong, topic sentence with cohesive supporting details. I will focus on more critical editing of sentence variety and transitioning smoothly between ideas. Resources such as writing centers, online grammar guides, and peer review groups will be instrumental in strengthening these areas of weakness.

My advice to new students embarking on their first college essay is to start early, use outlines to plan their structure, and seek feedback from instructors or peers. Regularly revisiting assignment guidelines and reading drafts aloud can help catch errors and improve clarity. Emphasizing revision and reflection at each stage of writing will help develop confidence and skill.

References

  • Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2008). The Craft of Research (3rd ed.). University of Chicago Press.
  • Graff, G., & Birkenstein, C. (2018). They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing (4th ed.). W.W. Norton & Company.
  • Hacker, D., & Sommers, N. (2016). A Writer's Reference (8th ed.). Bedford/St. Martin's.
  • Lunsford, A. A., & Ruszkiewicz, J. J. (2016). Everything's an Argument (7th ed.). Bedford/St. Martin's.
  • McKenna, M. C., & Thakkar, U. (2020). Academic Writing Handbook. Routledge.
  • Ramage, J. D., & Bean, J. C. (2017). The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing (7th ed.). Pearson.
  • Seitz, D. (2019). Writing Better Academic Papers. Oxford University Press.
  • Strunk, W., & White, E. B. (2000). The Elements of Style (4th ed.). Pearson.
  • Toulmin, S. (2003). The Uses of Argument. Cambridge University Press.
  • Zinsser, W. (2006). On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction. Harper Perennial.