Vivanco 1
Carlos Vivanco
Mr. Powers
ENGL 1301
15 Feb. 2023
Essay 1 Reflection
In my first essay for 1302, which was an experimental research paper, I applied several
skills and concepts that I learned in 1301. One of the most valuable things I learned in 1301 was
the importance of creating a strong thesis statement and organizing my ideas before I start writing.
This helped me to stay focused and present my arguments in a clear and coherent manner in my
experimental research paper. Additionally, I used the citation and formatting guidelines that I
learned in 1301 to properly cite my sources and format my paper according to the required style.
In terms of another class that helped me in my experimental research paper, I took a
statistics course that taught me how to analyze and present data in a clear and meaningful way.
This was particularly useful for my experimental research paper, as I had to present the results of
my experiment in a way that would make sense to my readers. I used tables and graphs to display
my data and explained the statistical significance of my findings.
In this first essay for 1302, I learned the importance of properly conducting research and
analyzing data to form a strong argument. The research process that I learned in 1301 was crucial
in helping me navigate the vast amount of information available and select the most relevant
sources to support my argument. In addition, I also learned the importance of properly citing my
sources to avoid plagiarism and to give credit to the original authors. These skills will be applicable
to other courses, especially those that require research and analysis. For example, in my history
and science classes, I will need to conduct research, analyze data, and present a well-supported
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argument. On the other hand, the specific experimental design used in this essay may not be
applicable to other classes, as different courses may require different research methods and
analysis techniques.
Undertaking an experiment with outside research has allowed me to broaden my limitations
in writing. The interactive nature of conducting the experiment has changed the way I gather
evidence for my writing. In 1301, I primarily relied on secondary sources to support my arguments,
but this experiment required me to conduct my own research and experiments, giving me a deeper
understanding of my topic. This experience has helped me approach writing tasks in the future, as
I now have a greater understanding of how to conduct research, organize data, and present findings
in a clear and concise manner. Additionally, this experiment has introduced me to the IMRAD
(Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) format, which can be applied to other scientific
writing tasks in the future. Overall, this experience has not only improved my writing skills but
has also equipped me with valuable research skills that I can apply in future writing tasks.
Based on the comments I received from my peers, I was able to identify some of my writing
strengths and weaknesses. One of my writing strengths is my ability to write good topic sentences,
which helps to clearly convey the main point of my paragraphs. However, a weakness that was
pointed out is that I can sometimes be a little too vague in my writing. This feedback was helpful
in highlighting areas where I can improve my writing and be clearer and more specific. Moreover,
my strengths and weaknesses seem to be the same as those in 1301, but less severe. By actively
working on being more specific in my writing throughout 1301, I was able to improve my writing
and make my weaknesses less severe.
The most challenging aspect of this essay was adjusting to a new format so quickly.
Initially, I was confused and struggled to understand the requirements of the assignment. I had to
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do extensive research and consult my professor to make sure I was on the right track. In particular,
the IMRAD format was new to me, and I had to familiarize myself with the various sections and
how to structure my paper accordingly. It took me some time to get comfortable with the format,
but eventually, I was able to grasp the requirements and produce a paper that met the guidelines.
On the other hand, the least challenging aspect of the essay was conducting the experiment and
collecting data. I enjoyed this part of the process and found it easy to carry out the required tasks.
Overall, the experience taught me hon to adapt to new writing formats quickly and efficiently.
