Portfolio - Reflective Letter

Dear Writing Committee,
This portfolio is compiled from essays done for my Writing 101 Course. This would be my third writing class and although in each one I have learned different things. One thing has been true in all of them: the more difficult something is, the more knowledge I obtain from it. Every time I write something I have my challenges but I come out being a somewhat better writer than I started. Now granted I’m no C.S. Lewis or Maya Angelou, I am very much green in my writing but I definitely feel I’m better then the first time I picked up a pen and wrote my very first essay.
I was very excited this quarter for my writing class especially when I found out that we would get to choose the topic we want to write about for the entire quarter. It is always good to write about something you are passionate about. The topic I chose was animal cruelty but this proved to not be as easy as I thought it was going to be.
When it comes to writing you should always have a process and mine is probably as standard as they come, but hey it works for me. First I would contemplate the topic for a little while, get some good ideas to write about and think about how I wanted to structure the essay. Next I would get on my computer and start typing away, getting all those ideas onto paper. But you can’t stop there. I would probably reread and retype it 2-3 times before I felt confident and comfortable with it. Peer review is next whether it be other classmates the instructor, or even, yes, my mom. Feedback is always good positive or negative. Then lastly I would take those criticisms edit my paper 1-2 more time and turn it in for a final product.
Now my process seems flawless right, but the truth is it is far from it. I believe that I am a pretty strong writer all around but I do have weakness and my biggest on is time. Now granted it’s not my only one, my grammar skills could use some work and finding sources for research paper is a big one too but time takes the crown. All college students will tell you they never have enough time but unfortunately it’s true. I are a full-time student, work full time, and still have to make time for myself so I don’t go crazy some time I do tend to procrastinate and if there is ever any weakness in my papers it is because of that.
I used to think writing was about getting an essay done for a class to get a grade, but the more I write I realize it is a great way to express yourself. Writing has become an outlet for me in so many ways and I am grateful to have had the instructors I’ve had. They have helped me to realize write is fun and I will continue to do it the rest of my life.