Nicholas Barnard
College Writing
Thomasenia Hutchins
Roller Coasters and Papers: Parallels in Improvement
At the beginning of the semester I tried two new things, college classes and building roller coasters in a computer game. I thought I was or would be excellent at both building a roller coaster and writing papers. But, they both had the same problems they were, too jam packed, the pieces were out of order, and stray themes were littered through them. I can cram four pages of essay into two pages, and compress two minutes of roller coaster thrills into one and a quarter. I realized this is not what my consumer wanted, and I have attempted to adapt my style. My writing style has changed, it has become more fludic and allowed for the reader to have time to breath.
In an earlier paper this year, I discussed the concept of transitioning between paragraphs. I always though of this as leading to one thought, and continuing it within the next paragraph. Transitioning is a function of how the paper fits together as a whole, it should be a used as a tool, not as a required part of the paper. In refining my transitioning skills I have learned how to pick up on several ideas within the paper and remind my reader of them as a refresher to my argument.
In making and argument I never considered how the style in which I presented it impacted directly on how effective my paper is. I now hone in on words that indicate uncertainty. I naturally state my opinion, it is the definitive fact for the moment my reader is considering it.
I have read a great deal of fiction this semester, but I have written none. I am unsure how the modifications to my style have affected my fictional writing. I would make the assumption that it has, as I firmly believe and stated in an earlier paper, that all of my writing suffers from common problems. It will be interesting to see for myself how my fictional writing has changed in the two projects I have on my plate. I will endeavor to meet my goals for those fictional pieces of work with my newfound skills in hand.
Before I set out in this semester to refine my writing I set goals for myself. In a paragraph I stated:
My goal as a writer is to become persuasive, unique, and able to satisfy the “essay” rules without cramping my individuality. The first step in this destination is this essay, that I will use as the beginning of my new identity as a writer, one who is able to describe and communicate my visions to the communities in which I live, learn, and thrive.
I do not know if I have achieved this goal, but I know that I am on the path to achieving it.