Week 7: Discussion As We Head To The Final Weeks Of The Clas ✓ Solved

Week 7: Discussion As we head to the final weeks of the class, let us P

Review your first writings for the class—look back over Weeks 1-3. Reflect and answer the following three questions:

  1. What was your biggest learning moment(s) and why? (Answer using the MEAL Plan)
  2. What was your biggest challenge with MLA citation? (Answer using the MEAL Plan)
  3. What was your favorite assignment to write and why? (Answer using the MEAL Plan)

No need for a thesis this week, team—enjoy the discovery process.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Reflecting on my initial weeks in the course, I experienced significant growth in understanding the fundamentals of academic writing, particularly through my early assignments and reflections. My biggest learning moment occurred when I grasped how to effectively structure a paragraph using the MEAL Plan, which emphasizes main idea, evidence, analysis, and linking sentences. This realization was pivotal because it improved my ability to craft well-organized and persuasive arguments, essential for academic discourse. For example, in one of my early essays, I learned to clearly state my main idea at the beginning, support it with credible evidence, analyze how the evidence supports my point, and link it back to my thesis, thereby creating a cohesive paragraph. This structured approach clarified my writing and boosted my confidence because I saw tangible improvements in my clarity and coherence.

My biggest challenge with MLA citation was initially understanding how to correctly format in-text citations and Works Cited entries. I struggled with differentiating between various source types and their specific citation rules. For instance, I found it difficult to determine when to include page numbers versus just author names and how to properly format online articles. This challenge was frustrating because incorrect citations could undermine the credibility of my work and risk unintentional plagiarism. However, through dedicated practice, consulting the MLA Handbook, and using online citation generators carefully, I gradually mastered the proper format. This process improved my attention to detail and underscored the importance of accurate citation in academic writing.

My favorite assignment to write was the research paper in Week 4 because it allowed me to explore a topic of personal interest in depth. I chose to write about the impact of social media on adolescent mental health. This assignment was engaging because I conducted extensive research, evaluated multiple sources, and synthesized information to present a nuanced argument. I enjoyed the process of developing a thesis, constructing supporting paragraphs, and refining my paper through revision. It gave me a sense of accomplishment and demonstrated my ability to manage a comprehensive project from start to finish. Additionally, it helped me hone my research skills and understand how to critically analyze information, which will benefit me in future academic pursuits.

References

  • Gibaldi, J. (2009). MLA Handbook (8th ed.). Modern Language Association of America.
  • Johnson-Sheehan, R. (2020). Writing Today (4th ed.). Pearson.
  • The Purdue Online Writing Lab. (2023). MLA Formatting and Style Guide. Purdue University. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html
  • Graff, G., & Birkenstein, C. (2018). They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing (4th Edition). W.W. Norton & Company.
  • How to Cite It. (2023). EasyBib. https://www.easybib.com/guides/citation-guides/mla-format/
  • Bazerman, C., & Russell, D. R. (2003). Writing Selves/Writing Societies. Wadsworth Publishing.
  • Hacker, D., & Sommers, N. (2016). A Writer's Reference (8th ed.). Bedford/St. Martin's.
  • Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students (3rd ed.). University of Michigan Press.
  • Oregon State University. (2023). MLA Style. https://library.oregonstate.edu/find/MLA
  • Lunsford, A. A., & Ruszkiewicz, J. J. (2016). Everything's an Argument (7th ed.). Bedford/St. Martin's.

Related Assignments