Writing Prompt #7

What do you like and/or dislike about the portfolio style of class? How does it change the way you view your assignments? What may it require of you as a writer that the traditional way of turning in several final drafts throughout the semester does not?

I honestly like everything about my English class. I like how the teacher teaches everything; I have no problems with the teaching at all. I absolutely understand majority of the things she is teaching, and if not, of course I ask questions. I actually like getting into groups and having class seminars, it is very helpful toward me writing my essays. Surprisingly, it actually makes me understand how to write my essay. At first, I thought to myself, what does having seminars have to do with writing class? What did reviewing song lyrics have to do with writing? I did not quit understand until it actually happened. We got into groups and discussed about song lyrics and went about on them. We wrote essays on the kind of songs. For example, music appreciation and identity. Everything that we had a seminar about so far actual relates to our writing assignment. I like how this method is being taught to me. It is something new and very different, something I am not use to but defiantly like it and have no problem the way the teaching is being performed. Having this procedure, does not change my view entirely, I feel that I am learning to view my assignments better then before.

I feel that if the teacher does not make me turn in rough drafts of essays over and over again, I may become a failure. I believe that it is a good idea that we turn in multiple rough drafts, it helps me become a better writer. I know that I learn from my mistakes and will not make them so often. I know when the teacher reviews the essay and makes many markings on it…she/he is not doing this to hurt you; they are doing this to make you become a better writer. At first I thought it was a matter of “oh I’m a failure at writing and cannot write for anything”, but really there are many people that help me out. What helps out the most is that I have to turn in so many rough drafts and having them proofread by classmates and such. I know that I learn from my mistakes of writing and people help me become a better writer. If the professor did not require to turn in rough drafts, that means I would have to have other people proofread it before turning it in. I have to have other people’s opinions and suggestions on my paper before I submit it for a final grade. I find that when I don’t have anyone looking over my paper, I end up with a grade I am unhappy with. Whenever I have the success center or peers that are good in writing proofread it, I am guarantee having a satisfied grade.