Student-Athlete

I came into this class a pretty confident writer. I knew what I was capable of. Yet because of COVID, I hadn’t written essays in almost over a year. I was nervous. As expected, the first few papers felt like a punch in the gut. Check minus, check minus, check minus. I knew I had to ramp things up. I like to treat my classes like I’m a part of a sports team. I start out the year by showcasing my skills, and then I perfect my craft with the help of my coach (Professor). So, after my rocky start, I did exactly that. I went to office hours. I asked questions. I was proud of my close reading essay. I was curious why it needed such an overhaul. By meeting with you, I was able to understand what it meant to analyze the author’s decisions. Maybe the essay was good, but it wasn’t responding to the clear instructions I had been given. It’s like if my coach had called out a play, and I had ignored it, and then made a 3-pointer. Sure, I scored. But I didn’t listen to my coach. I didn’t do what was right for the team. From that point on, I decided I would religiously study each rubric.

My next point of growth was learning how to write concisely. It improved my writing immensely. Instead of writing all of these long-winded sentences that seem like they are sending you on a wild roller-coaster ride that never ever seems to end, I began to write efficiently. It works. My ideas became clearer. I began to sound more intelligent. My flow improved. Then, starting with the Meditation On Place essay, I learned how to describe the world around me using stories. I grasped the idea of putting my experiences into words. Using concrete and sensory details, I learned how to bring the reader right there with me.  

I wholeheartedly believe that I have massively improved my writing skills with your help. In my major essay, you will see how I used anecdotes and stories to show you my ideas, instead of just telling you. In my newly revised one-pager, you will find that my use of concrete and sensory details makes the paper feel more real. Throughout all of my writing, concision will be apparent. All of the tools that you have given me will shine through these pieces.

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take – Wayne Gretzky

Michael Scott