Discuss
your thoughts on taking Test #1. Were you prepared for it? If so, what
strategies did you use as part of your preparation? If you were not prepared
for it, what will you do next time to ensure that you do well on the test? In
addition, discuss your thoughts of today's activities.
EN100 MW Group Photo
Fall 2014 - MW Teams
Expository Essay Rubric
Expository Essay Rubric
Writing Rubric
Click on the image above to get a clearer picture of the rubric.
Click on the image above to get a clearer picture of the rubric.
The test number one on descriptive essay writing was fun. I had a good time writing my essay and being really descriptive on my topic. For this test, I was really prepared. I started my essay weeks before it was actually due. With that much time I had the opportunity to make my essay better as the days go along. It made me realize that with essays you need it to jell for a few days and then you might want to add or change a few things. It was definitely a fun test and I look forward to the next test.
ReplyDeleteWe read our topic and thesis in today's class session. It was nice hearing other people's essays if they chose to read it to the class. I noticed how we are all good writers and we all have different views on different subjects. Today was a successful day as a class.
You inspired me to write my next essay beforehand! It must have been nice to effectively use your time.
DeleteIt's always best to do work in advanced, that way we wouldn't be cramming before the day our assignment is due.
DeleteI also agree it was a great experience overall and hearing every individual experiences and topics and what they learned was a great helper to everyone.
DeleteI agree! I always work in advanced and make sure I don't purposely stress myself out.
DeleteNext time I am going to write in advanced, just so I won't be all over the place.
DeleteI was somewhat prepared to write my descriptive essay. For senior year of high school, my class was required to create a portfolio containing all four major essays. Since I freshly wrote a descriptive essay, I was ready to write another for this class. As part of my preparation, I went over some exercises done in class and tried to think about what I learned in my senior composition class. I thought today's activity was great. It's nice to hear each student's completed thesis and what they learned overall.
ReplyDeleteHaha its a good thing high school was able to leave a great impression you for being able to recall your previous works to help with your current essay.
Deletewe had to do an assignment just like that during senior year as well :)
DeleteBack in my high school years, I have been slaving with 5-10 page term papers. Thus I have been molded to write with detail and higher scope. I never thought learning that way would bite me in the back when writing a measly 2 page paper.
DeleteThat's great high school made this project much easier on you. Now the next projects will be easier for you.
DeleteI was definitely prepared for test number 1 however I was always conflicted due to not being able to sufficiently expand upon my topic of choice. I used the best strategy I could and that was reviewing everything that left a incredible impact on me during Lelouch's life. The best option I believe i need to do is pick a topic in with i can contain myself within 2-3 pages and strongly express what I want to share within my essay. Today's class was definitely great because of all the great topics we reviewed and learning about those who shared about essay.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it was great to learn more about our classmates.
DeleteI know exactly what you mean! I felt the same exact way when I heard the maximum was 3 pages.
Delete4 pages maximum would have made my day on that fateful day. Alas, that would be for another class. If others agree, please share your thoughts.
DeleteTest number one is our first ever essay for this class. I actually did all the steps one by one before the due date, so that i wouldn't be pressured while writing my essay. It took me a while to really decide on what topic i wanted to write about, but i'm glad i found that one topic that I feel really comfortable writing about. Strategies that I used for this essay would be doing the steps little by little. You shouldn't try and do it all at one seating. It's better to just let your ideas flow, so that writing your essay will be easier for you.
ReplyDeleteWe all have different perspectives on different topics.
With today's activities, it's really nice to hear about all the different topics that every one else has.
It is definitely a great idea to not cram all your processes in 1 night causing stress and unneeded worry taking time is definitely a great factor to a good paper.
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ReplyDeleteYour expansive imagination is a good thing, you just have to balance it out.
DeleteI was not prepared heading into this descriptive essay test. I was going by the days saying to myself oh this is gonna be easy, but at the last minute i was having anxiety. Over the next few days i kept saying wow i think i'm just gonna do the take home test, but i didn't give up the topic i did was something I love and it was fun for me, so i pushed on and eventually finished it (earlier this morning). The preparation i went through was easy, having a fun topic at hand you already have the fundamental basis into what your gonna say, listing the main importance of the story really helped me out in giving the best story i could give out. in today's class was fun, letting them hear my thesis and topic they liked it, its always interesting to hear their constructive criticism.
ReplyDeleteI understand how you were feeling and the anxiety you went through during the process of your paper. Writing papers definitely take time. But the fact that you did not give up is all that matters. I'm sure you did better than you expected.
DeleteI think the hardest preparation was trying not to cross the border from descriptive to narrative essay which i wanted to do so badly with my topic at hand.
DeleteDo not stress out. YOU GOT THIS. If anything, working on the day they assigned you a paper, would give you so much time for brainstorming and whatnot.
DeleteIt was fun too, but I felt that I was also overthinking my topic, which makes things to complicated as it progressed.
DeleteWow, that's really last minute but all that matters is that you finished and somehow had fun in the process.
DeleteDoing things last minute always stresses me out, but I find doing things last minute produces good products for me. It's bad though.
DeleteEven though you did your writing at the last minute, I think you did great presenting it in class.
DeleteI hate anxiety. I always try to avoid them at all times. Next time start it earlier so you can be stress free.
DeleteTest #1: Descriptive Essay; was very enjoyable for me, personally. I enjoyed the struggle and process in creating my essay. I chose a topic that was actually a life changing event for me. Therefore, the process of structuring my descriptive essay was absolutely pleasurable. The topic I chose brought flashbacks into my head and my entire memory of that certain time in my life felt as if I was there at that moment once again. Many things that helped me throughout the process of writing my essay was being able to jot my topics and points down, creating an outline. Another way I was able to structure my essay was by throwing words out in bubbles, locating the differences and comparisons of the well known process of clustering. Those tools helped me throughout the process of preparing myself for my final essay. I felt that the classes prior to the engagement of finalizing my essay was sufficient and made me well prepared.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, today’s activities were very active. In other words, listening to everyone’s presentation gave me an insight on their essays and how common many of our experiences were.
My outline also helped me stay on track and focus on my topic.
DeleteSame, I was able to relive the experiences again while writing my essay.
DeleteI agree, doing the stages in writing really helped me with my final essay.
DeleteWorking with this assignment actually turn out to be a lot more fun that I thought. Because this happens to be my first writing assignment in college, I was actually afraid that the techniques or designs would be different to the way I was thought to write a paper in high school. Oh! And yes, i was prepared. Despite the fact that i managed to write the paper 5 days before the due date, I kept everything in one place and made sure it was always on the top of my tasks. I did not over think the assignment only because it would make it a lot more hectic. Working efficiently and keeping your head in the game (for myself) is key to getting through an assignment. If I was not prepared for an assignment like this, I would most likely ask the professor for assistance with organizing and having things done. Of course, they will not help you write you actual paper, but for sure they'll be there to help you reach your conclusion :)
ReplyDeleteI was also afraid that the techniques would be different, but i'm glad it's similar!
DeleteIt's great that you know exactly what to do even with the time you had.
DeleteI agree with you man! This assignment was a lot of fun!
DeleteTry going to the Writing Center for some help. They will help you with your essays.
DeleteWriting a descriptive essay for me was challenging. I don't think I was that much prepared for this test because I keep changing thesis, my introduction and even my conclusion. I was not satisfied with what I was writing. Next time, I will make sure to choose an easier topic. I will choose a topic that will be comfortable for me to write. I also need to just relax and not over think everything. It's also easier and better to write without any distractions and just focus on one topic.
ReplyDeleteI think today's activity was fun. It's interesting to hear other people's essays and also what they learned while writing it.
Hey don't worry. That is just how the recursive writing process goes. Changing a thesis simply means that you are refining you fundamental basis to write a better essay.
DeleteTest #1 was an interesting experience. I tend to overthink so I had a lot of anxiety about it. One of the problems I encountered was figuring out a thesis and finding the correct words to fit in my sentences. I really stressed about this test because I procrastinated, like always, and thought my essay wasn't enough. In the next test, I'll be sure to start early so I'll have more time to go back, edit, and improve my essay.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun hearing my classmates' topic and thesis. I found that each of us chose different topics and expanded on them uniquely. We also had different thoughts and experiences on this test. Some took advantage of the take home test and started early while others procrastinated, like me, and stressed about it when the due date was nearing. I'm sure we all learned from our experiences.
That's exactly what I felt writing a descriptive essay. I just have to relax not over think on the next writing assignment.
DeleteWriting a thesis is always the hardest part of an essay for me. It's the structure behind it. Your essay and thesis turned out good so you bounced back well.
DeleteFirst of all, I have terrible speech skills. I'm not shy in front of the class, but rather that I'm all over the place when I speak.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I am glad that I have a finished product to hand over. I have worked too hard than I should have. I was really glad to put that thick stack of paper on Mrs. Rivera's desk because I feel that I have really done well for a first essay for this class. I have learned that I need to have try to start with a more suitable scope for a 2-3 page essay. It would make things faster and easier.
One of the biggest setbacks is my expansive imagination. I am used to writing with a preset scope of a topic to work on. However, when given the freedom to write about anything, it makes me want to write about everything. Limiting myself to 2-3 pages has been the real problem for me. It has cost me to overlook revising other important things such as grammar and punctuation.
Doing all my work in the computer allows me to work and organize effectively. Documents are easier for me to revise and edit. Maintaining good communication with editors is also essential. It allows better opportunities to work outside of the classroom. Procrastination is not advised if you like your work paced and your sleep plentiful.
I agree, it's really difficult to limit ourselves when there's so much to write about.
DeleteToday's presentation was great, to hear what my classmates had to say about their topic was pretty interesting. To be honest, writing this essay was fun, I would prefer to take the at home tests over the in-class test. It was a challenge because I would change my topic every day and I had anxiety because I thought that I would not make it in time for the dead-line. I just had to think outside my comfort zone and actually keep an open mind when writing this essay, to not stress about anything and just allow the flow to come to you.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I also need to be confident with writing an essay.
DeleteI enjoyed hearing your essay during class, and you're right, we should just allow the flow to come to us.
Deleteyup i agree as well, by the way your essay was cool. Good Job Man
DeleteTaking test one was great. I was bot prepared and unprepared for it. I also noticed that I forgot to print out my last draft hahahaha!!! For preparation, I wrote down what I wanted to write about. Next time, I am going to do what Nick did. I am going to start early just to get it out of the way and so it will be easier for me to write. Today's activities were great, short and simple. I really enjoyed hearing the thesis of others and what they chose to write about. Robbie's essay was very interesting, his feats are amazing.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed doing this test because I did a descriptive essay with the topic happy moments. This topic made me reminisce about the memories I shared with my family. It was a little difficult for mat at first to do this essay because I could not express myself well but I improved. I enjoyed peer reviewing a partner's own essay because It made me get to know him better and his story is one that could touch everybody's hearts and it is truly inspiring. It made me see how we both shared something in common and that is being family oriented. It is strange how doing an assignment could result in putting me in such a deep state in thought and made me have a reality check. I look forward to how it will be like doing the next test.
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ReplyDeleteI am a true procrastinator for some odd reason, it is difficult for me to start on an assignment that is given a head of time. I guess I work well under pressure, it motivates me more to get things done, but of course I tend to get stressed out and stay up all night trying to get things done. So for the next exams to come, it is a challenge for me to work on it as soon as the assignment is given. Also, I will try to be more relaxed and not to over think my essay. If I am not mistaken, I have changed my topics more then three times. I had looked for examples to help give me a push, but it didn't help. If anything, it made it worse for me to write because I tried to make it as good as the example I read. It wasn't a great experience for me, but it is a lesson learn to just let the ideas flow into your head and to relax. Even if I was typing the whole time, I still managed to listen to others present their essay. I thought it was a good experience because it made me see other descriptions that my colleagues have described.
ReplyDeleteSame here, I always procrastinate. I say I am going to start things early, but I end up doing it on the day it's due or before the day it's due hahahahaha!!!
DeleteDo not worry I am the same, and somehow when I'm working under pressure, I tend to come up with more ideas for my assignments such as essays
DeleteI prepare a lot about my essay. I did free writing, brainstorming, outlining and peer reviewing. first I did an free writing, which helped me know what I would write about. Then I did brainstorming to gather some information. I also did outlining to organize my structure. After I wrote my first draft, I did peer review with DJ, which can help me improve my writing skills. Today I share my topic and thesis and what I learned from this essay. It is a challenge for me to write essay because English is not my first language. However, I will try my best on my writing and reading skills.I think EN 100 is a good course for me to improve my English. Dr. Rivera and all classmates helped me a lot.
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DeleteI like the free writing method because it brings out all the raw material that you work with within your mind. However, if there is too much information, it tends to be very messy and disorganized to work with. Thus I used the big six questions to search for the core topic to work with as a thesis. Different brainstorming methods do have their advantages and disadvantages depending on the essay.
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ReplyDeleteToday, We presented our essays but I was not prepared for the essay presentation I did the in class Test. I forgot to look at our class calender. But in the future i will start looking at my class calender so that I would be set and ready for the next assignment.
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