This year, I've learned to wright as myself. I've developed a voice that isn't imitating anyone else or trying to be some boring, factual robot. I've figured out that you can just basically put what you're thinking on a page, and that's fine.. sometimes the result is actually pretty good. I've also learned that I'm not quite as bad at writing as I thought. It's been so much fun to have people actually read my writing for the first time, and to watch their reactions.
I'm going to say pretty much the same thing I said in the last "Me as a Writer" piece. I really liked the journal projects, I think they helped me more than anything in just figuring out how to write. And though I didn't like the timed writings, they did really help me learn to write under pressure without freaking out. I think as time goes on I'll want to keep writing journals occasionally, just because they're fun. I'll also keep working on vocab, because just having a bigger vocabulary really helps in writing. For me, the most meaningful parts of the class were the lectures more then the assignments. In 5 years, I'll probably still remember Ms. Smith's talks about how grades don't define you, and how she helped me calm down about a lot of stuff. I also loves when we talked about books like Great Gatsby and Huck Finn, and things were pointed out that I hadn't even thought of.
For the most part, I really liked the class as it was. But since we're supposed to give constructive criticism here, I guess I would probably say towards the end of the year it might help to just give a quick refresher on all three essays, including argument, so the kids don't have a brain fart on the AP exam.
Thanks Ms. Smith, this year has been great. Rough at times.. but great all the same. Thanks for helping me learn to love writing.
