This year I started my first college class, English 100. So far, we've written three papers, and are beginning our next essay shortly. The paper that I have enjoyed writing the most so far is my descriptive essay. For this particular assignment, we were supposed to write a composition describing a place we've been and remember well. I chose to write about Rome.
The Eternal City:
"At last, taking another step into the buzzing plaza, a satisfying “clack” can be heard. Underfoot, no matter what shoes you are wearing, the melody of the small squares of stone cannot be stopped. In fact, the stones play their music all throughout the city, for as far as the eye can see the worn squares act as the road. They feel almost ancient, as many things in The Eternal City do."
The Eternal City:
"At last, taking another step into the buzzing plaza, a satisfying “clack” can be heard. Underfoot, no matter what shoes you are wearing, the melody of the small squares of stone cannot be stopped. In fact, the stones play their music all throughout the city, for as far as the eye can see the worn squares act as the road. They feel almost ancient, as many things in The Eternal City do."
Which 21st Century Skills do you feel this assignment addresses, and why?
I feel this assignment addresses interpersonal skills. I feel this way because interpersonal skills are all about being able to work cooperatively in a variety of teams. It may not seem like it, but a lot goes into writing a paper the author can be satisfied with. I went through two editing groups to get to the final draft of this paper. In these editing groups you get paired with two other students that will read and edit your paper. In return, you edit both of their papers. I feel this requires interpersonal skills, because you don't know who you're going to be placed with, or if your partners are going to give good feedback at all. That's why it's important to remember that these groups are more about giving feedback than receiving. If you feel you didn't receive helpful feedback, at least you were hopefully able to help out another student.
What are you most proud of from this assignment, and why?
I am proud that I was able to describe Rome the way I saw it, and have another person essentially read what I saw and experienced during my time in Rome.
How did you develop and/or improve upon your 21st Century Skills with this assignment?
I feel I improved my skills through the editing groups, because as previously stated, working with your peers can sometimes be difficult, but with interpersonal skills, every student is able to leave their group with helpful feedback.
What was most difficult about completing this task?
The most difficult thing about completing this task was figuring out how I should write my paper. I wasn't sure if I should write it like I was a friend describing what I saw, or is I should write it almost like a story. In the end I feel like it was almost a mix of both, but I'm very happy with how this paper turned out.
How could you improve this work? If you could start over, what would you do different?
If I could redo this work, I'd revise some of my paragraphs and use an active voice rather than a passive voice. (I get this comment a lot from my professor).
How does this relate to what you have learned in the past?
I don't feel that I'm done growing as a writer, and this essay really helped me figure out what is working for me, and some things that maybe aren't right for my style.
How can you apply this to future learning?
With this particular essay, it was really hard to stay in the same tense. I almost made a few careless mistakes. From this essay I've learned to read and reread, as well as have somebody else read my essay for me. Sometimes it's just simple mistakes like switching tenses that you may not notice, but other people will.
I feel this assignment addresses interpersonal skills. I feel this way because interpersonal skills are all about being able to work cooperatively in a variety of teams. It may not seem like it, but a lot goes into writing a paper the author can be satisfied with. I went through two editing groups to get to the final draft of this paper. In these editing groups you get paired with two other students that will read and edit your paper. In return, you edit both of their papers. I feel this requires interpersonal skills, because you don't know who you're going to be placed with, or if your partners are going to give good feedback at all. That's why it's important to remember that these groups are more about giving feedback than receiving. If you feel you didn't receive helpful feedback, at least you were hopefully able to help out another student.
What are you most proud of from this assignment, and why?
I am proud that I was able to describe Rome the way I saw it, and have another person essentially read what I saw and experienced during my time in Rome.
How did you develop and/or improve upon your 21st Century Skills with this assignment?
I feel I improved my skills through the editing groups, because as previously stated, working with your peers can sometimes be difficult, but with interpersonal skills, every student is able to leave their group with helpful feedback.
What was most difficult about completing this task?
The most difficult thing about completing this task was figuring out how I should write my paper. I wasn't sure if I should write it like I was a friend describing what I saw, or is I should write it almost like a story. In the end I feel like it was almost a mix of both, but I'm very happy with how this paper turned out.
How could you improve this work? If you could start over, what would you do different?
If I could redo this work, I'd revise some of my paragraphs and use an active voice rather than a passive voice. (I get this comment a lot from my professor).
How does this relate to what you have learned in the past?
I don't feel that I'm done growing as a writer, and this essay really helped me figure out what is working for me, and some things that maybe aren't right for my style.
How can you apply this to future learning?
With this particular essay, it was really hard to stay in the same tense. I almost made a few careless mistakes. From this essay I've learned to read and reread, as well as have somebody else read my essay for me. Sometimes it's just simple mistakes like switching tenses that you may not notice, but other people will.