Collage: My Mind's Eye Personal Artifact That

Collage: My Mind's Eye Personal artifact that represents my self-discovery: Journaling I chose this artifact because I know will continue to write journal entries long after this class has ended. More so than any other aspect of the writing process, the act of keeping a journal is the one which has allowed me to do the greatest amount of soul-searching. What I enjoy about journal entries is that there is no pressure to be 'perfect.' Journal entries can ramble like my mind.

I often come to unexpected conclusions at the end of my journaling. Unlike an essay, journals do not have to signpost to the reader a particular 'thesis.' Sometimes, when you don't know where you are heading, you make the most profound self-discoveries. Academic artifact that represents my self-discovery: Reflection papers Writing reflection papers have been very helpful to teach me to fuse my personal feelings into an organized academic format.

I chose this artifact because before I took this class it was very difficult for me to express my feelings when writing a reflective paper. Unlike a research paper, reflection papers are primarily the writer's opinion. A writer has to think clearly and analytically about the subject while still sharing some of him or herself with the reader. Over the course of the semester, I believe I have sharpened my critical thinking skills as evidenced in my reflection papers.

I understand now that reflection papers are not simply personal opinion nor do they entail just reporting the thoughts and feelings of others. Instead, they are my personal, immediate reaction to a written work. I must focus on the thoughts of someone else, while still providing my own opinions. This is how reflection papers are an academic work of self-discovery.

Personal artifact that represents my study skills: Journaling Once again, I must choose journaling as the most influential aspect of the writing process upon my personal life, this time for the study skills I have learned. Although journals are not 'academic' exercises, they require consistency on the part of the writer. Part of the pleasures of writing journal entries for me is that I get to see myself progress as a writer over time, from entry to entry.

One study skill I have struggled with in the past has been consistency. Every semester I would resolve to do a great job on my assignments, only to lose my motivation and become distracted by other interests. This would often happen during the 'gap' between early class assignments and mid-terms. Writing frequent journal entries forced me to keep consistently 'on top' of my classwork. I will try to continue with this consistent approach as I move on in school.

Academic artifact that represents my study skills: Research paper I still consider writing research papers.