Foate Writerly Identity Reflection

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Bree Foate
Professor Gates Domeier
WRTG 121 - Researching the Public Experience
24 April 2024
WRTG 121 Final Reflection
Over this semester, I have learned countless pieces of information that will help further
my academic writing as a college student. This course has led me to self-analyze and critically
think when referring to my work. I can clearly see the growth, improvement, strengths, and
weaknesses that I have developed as a writer, and I will take this knowledge with me as I embark
on the rest of my college journey. Looking at my journey from the beginning of the semester
until the end, I can say that I have grown confident in my writing, learned about my writing
style, and learned efficient skills that will set me apart from my classmates in future courses.
Along with the soft skills I have refurbished, I’ve learned concrete information that I had no
prior knowledge of, such as rhetoric, structure methods, and the importance of peer review.
Ultimately, I am very happy with what I have learned from this course, and I will persevere
through college with a better understanding of myself as a writer.
Firstly, I’d like to go more in-depth on the strengths and weaknesses that I have as a
writer, and how I came to these conclusions. To begin, one major strength that I consider myself
proficient at is my ability to take constructive criticism. I am aware that I am not the best writer,
and I genuinely enjoy the advice and criticism I may receive from my peers. As long as the
guidance is respectful, I take it as an open door to learning. I consider myself a humble person,
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and so when the opportunity arises to better myself individually, I jump on it as soon as possible.
This specific skill came into play when we began peer reviews for each other with our projects.
These specific class periods were my favorite because they allowed me to learn more about
writing from another classmate’s perspective. It also taught me little lessons here and there that I
was unsure of when considering the structure and grammar of writing. Also, it allowed me to
share my knowledge and experiences with others, and help them on their projects and writing
assignments as well. I think that this specific method will be carried with me throughout college
because it gives me the means to get to know my peers while also expanding my knowledge
beyond what I would learn over a single semester.
One weakness that I am still struggling to overcome is my tendency to write in the
passive voice. I constantly have to be hyper-aware of how I am communicating, and sometimes I
find it difficult to get my thoughts out in an active format. However, I have improved since the
beginning of the class, and this is an issue I will continue to work on as I continue writing.
Although this is something I struggle with, I believe I have grown over the semester in this
regard. My peers have been a huge help in picking out my passive voice and highlighting it in
the comments when reviewing. I am now aware of this weakness of mine, which is something I
was ignorant of at first, and I am excited to move on from this class with the information I have
learned. Another weakness that has been highlighted to me in WRTG 121 is my struggles with
structuring my papers. Sometimes I feel as though I have far too much information, and sliming
down into an easily digestible paper is difficult for me. In the beginning, I thought this was an
issue that should have been resolved in the past, and I felt that I was behind in my writing
capabilities as opposed to my classmates. However, when we took the time as a class to discuss
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how we could structure our writing, my confidence grew and I became more comfortable with
my writing and my peers. Another notable growth area has been my ability to integrate research
seamlessly into my writing. Initially, I struggled with combining diverse sources and weaving
them into a cohesive narrative. However, through practice and exposure to various information
and stances, I've developed a somewhat keen eye for identifying relevant sources, critically
evaluating their credibility, and synthesizing their insights to enrich and support my arguments.
Going off of this, I've become increasingly aware of the nuances of voice and tone in my writing,
recognizing the importance of cultivating an authentic and authoritative voice that resonates with
readers and establishes my credibility. By embracing my unique perspective, experiences, and
insights, I've learned to convey my writing with authenticity and conviction, forging a deeper
connection with my audience based off of my topic.
Over time, I discovered the power of revision as a transformative tool, recognizing that
writing is a dynamic process characterized by refinement and errors. Each draft in our projects
served as a stepping stone toward my writing clarity and precision, as I meticulously revised and
polished my pieces to convey my ideas with maximum impact and professionalism. Additionally,
feedback from peers and instructors proved invaluable in identifying blind spots, challenging
assumptions, fostering a culture of improvement, and highlighting the gaps between my
understanding and their own.
To conclude this analysis, my writer identity is a dynamic and evolving construct shaped
by past experiences, present growth, and future aspirations as a college student, and even my
future career. Through self-analysis, experimentation, and dedication, I've embraced writing as a
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journey of discovery and self-expression, marked by perseverance, adaptability, and a pursuit of
excellence. I see it more as a fluctuating, independent path as opposed to a right and wrong. As I
continue to navigate and evolve my sense and style of writing, I am filled with motivation and
excitement for the possibilities that lie ahead of me. The lessons I have learned in this class will
provide me with great use in my future, and I am thankful for the opportunities and direction that
have been brought to my attention as this semester comes to a close.

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1

Professor Gates Domeier

WRTG 121 - Researching the Public Experience

WRTG 121 Final Reflection

through college with a better understanding of myself as a writer.

beyond what I would learn over a single semester.

One weakness that I am still struggling to overcome is my tendency to write in the

passive voice. I constantly have to be hyper-aware of how I am communicating, and sometimes I

readers and establishes my credibility. By embracing my unique perspective, experiences, and

connection with my audience based off of my topic.

assumptions, fostering a culture of improvement, and highlighting the gaps between my

understanding and their own.

journey of discovery and self-expression, marked by perseverance, adaptability, and a pursuit of

have been brought to my attention as this semester comes to a close.

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