Reflection and Self Evaluation

After reflecting on each individual assignment after I entered them into their own chapter, I have shared my opinion on my overall progress throughout my English 20-1 experience.    
   Self Evaluation 

My Process of Discovery

      Throughout this course I have watched Frodo, Pi, and Harold embark on a journey where they each persevered against tough circumstances, acquired helpful knowledge and traits, and grew immensely as an individual, while discovering abilities they never knew they possessed. As I reflect on my performance and progress over this past semester, I discovered I’m not any different than the main characters I studied. As I compared myself to my three favorite characters, I quickly noticed that we were similar in a variety of ways. Each of us discovered new strengths that we used to our advantage, and worked on improving our weaknesses. I feel like I have significantly improved my use of quotations. At the beginning of the year I understood it was important to use quotations for evidence, and to support my ideas and thoughts. Now at the end of this semester, I realize where and how you work the quotation into your writing is just as important. I have significantly decreased the amount of dropped quotations in my writing, and plan on continuing to work on it. I have also enhanced my ability to focus on the purpose of developing content by referring to information from research and prior knowledge and strategies learned in class. I carefully considered and address the important matters of choice, and stuck to my few main ideas instead of branching off to every thought. After reading Macbeth I began to see common themes in every piece of literature that we studied. Frodo, Pi, Harold, and Macbeth learned that they were the only people that could help themselves, and I am no different. In order to achieve future success, I understand I need to take the advice and given to me and actually make an effort to change it. One of the challenges I faced during the course, was to show my thoughts in my writing rather than just strictly telling them. After reading Life of Pi I noticed the effectiveness and artistry of the writing. While reading I had the option to express my preferences and consider new perspectives on how I wanted to view the story, all because of the way the book was written. The text carried an enormous variety of vocabulary, and colourful metaphors on every page, and it encouraged me to do the same with my writing.  My main goal during the course was to improve my written responses each time I wrote one, and with the catch of them worth more each time, I was very easily motivated to reach that goal. Next year to improve my growth I plan on expanding my variety and level of reading outside of class, to recognize different textual forms and techniques I could use. Careful planning, and recording and researching information, has made it immensely easier to manage my ideas. I was lucky enough to be placed in the class I was, so it was extremely easy to cooperate and respect the people I was working with. Much like Pi Harold and Frodo, I also learned life is a process of discovery, and I am excited to overcome the weaknesses and challenges I face, as well as new strengths to help me along the way as I continue in grow in my comprehension, reading and writing abilities.