TOW #27: Reflection

   From my first TOWs written over the summer before the year started, my writing was all over the place. It was unorganized, lacking fluid, style, and deep analysis. My transitions were invisible, as well as argumentative topic sentences and the purpose of my writing. Basically, the components of a great writing piece was no where to be found. In the months around December, it is evident that my writing was being transformed. I started with more interesting introductions, connected my conclusion to my introduction, and started to write with purpose instead of just addressing what the TOW assignment told me I had to. My transitions and argumentative sentences were still a little rocky. By May, the gap between my writing in August and May was noticeably large. I am now writing with fluid, deep analysis, good topic sentences, and purpose, which were all of the things I lacked over the summer. There is always something to work on with my writing, but the improvement is evident.
   I think I mastered interesting introductions and connecting them to the conclusions. I also think I mastered integrating quotes or evidence to support my devices and deepen my analysis. Although my topic sentences are much better than August, I can definitely work on improving them so they are good representations of the point I am trying to prove. I could also work on the "so what?" in my conclusion. My transitions flow a lot better, but those could also use some more work. My writing is constantly evolving so there will always be things to tweak going forward.
  The only time I did not benefit from the TOW assignments when I would write them in a rush on Sunday night to either beat the time, or just because I wanted to go to sleep. When that happened, I did not concentrate on my writing and what I wanted to improve. When I did work on my TOWs, which was often, it was extremely beneficial. I got to practice a mini timed essay every week, and also keep myself up to date with latest news while I was searching for articles to use. It was cool to pick articles I was interested in and enjoy analyzing them. It is obvious from my writing in August to my writing in May that there is beneficial change in my writing.