As a student in Freshman Composition, my Phase 4 self-assessment essay will consist of what I learned throughout all 3 phases and how I could improve myself as a writer from the feedback I had gotten from peers and my teacher. With this, I can construct an essay that will reflect on what I learned. This will correlate with how the knowledge I gained has aided me presently or in the future. Throughout all the phases I gained vast knowledge and experiences that helped me as a reader and writer in Freshman Composition.

In the first phase of Freshman Composition, I acquired valuable skills in text analysis and understanding an author’s main ideas. This proficiency has improved my reading comprehension and has been applied in both Freshman Composition and history classes. I’ve successfully integrated annotation techniques into my reading practices, aiding in retaining key points and facilitating easy responses to questions. Moreover, each class introduced me to new writing strategies, contributing to the enhancement of my narrative construction abilities. I particularly focused on purpose and genre as writing strategies, utilizing them to infuse storytelling elements into my compositions. By centering my writing around a main idea akin to a life lesson, I’ve made my narratives relatable to fellow students. I consciously avoided unnecessary complexity in vocabulary, drawing inspiration from the first-person narrative style commonly encountered in high school.

One of the notable learning outcomes from the course is the ability to “explore and analyze, in writing and reading, a variety of genres and rhetorical situations.” This skill has proven beneficial in analyzing rhetorical stories such as “Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan, translating into improved performance in writing analysis papers for other courses. Recognizing my need for improvement in writing, I have embraced the practice of frequent reading and writing to enhance my analytical skills further. During the formation of my L&L narrative, peer review played a pivotal role. Collaborating with peers provided valuable insights, enabling me to refine my writing style and structure. In summary, the first phase of Freshman Composition has equipped me with essential skills in text analysis, diverse writing strategies, and the ability to cater to a specific audience, enhancing my academic and personal writing endeavors.

In Phase 2, despite my writing and comprehension skills being less than stellar, I have made strides in understanding texts adequately. This progress enables me to provide analyses beyond mere restatement, allowing me to unearth hidden meanings within the written content. Context and purpose are key concepts that have significantly influenced my learning and writing practices in Phase 2. I firmly believe these two elements are integral to infusing meaning into my writing, preventing it from becoming a collection of empty words. Context, in particular, plays a crucial role in my learning journey, determining the depth to which I can understand and apply the material. In writing, it serves to give the text substance and significance. Purpose, on the other hand, guides me in what I aim to learn and understand, providing clarity for both myself and the readers of my work. An important aspect of my growth in Phase 2 is acquiring new writing forms, specifically analysis and rhetorical analysis. These skills align with Course Learning Outcome 7, which involves composing texts that integrate a stance with appropriate sources, utilizing strategies such as summary, analysis, synthesis, and argumentation. Applying these strategies proved beneficial in the final assignment of Phase 2 and extended to my other course focused on the Holocaust. In this class, I tackle weekly assignments involving the analysis of personal narratives from Holocaust survivors. While initially struggling with restating texts, the concepts learned in Phase 2 have significantly improved my ability to analyze and articulate meaningful statements in my analyses.

In Phase 3 of my research essay, this writing phase has been enlightening, revealing my proficiency in correctly citing texts, creating websites, and researching topics using various sources and citations. This skill set ensures the accuracy of my research essays and guards against potential legal issues, as proper citations protect authors’ rights. I anticipate applying these insights to continually improve my future research papers. Key terms that significantly influenced my writing and learning practices are context, audience, and evidence. Understanding the context gives purpose to my writing, while considerations for the audience guide me in presenting information comprehensively without confusion. The incorporation of evidence in my research essays not only strengthens my arguments but also lends credibility to my work. In terms of achieving course learning outcomes, two notable accomplishments stand out. Group collaboration has facilitated engaging in the writing process’s collaborative and social aspects, providing valuable feedback and enhancing my research paper writing skills. The systematic application of citation conventions, encompassing MLA and other techniques, has been a fundamental aspect of my learning, ensuring the proper referencing of sources in my research essay. 

Phase 3 has had the most significant impact on me, primarily because of the research components it offered. This phase enabled me to delve into topics, particularly on stocks, providing me with a valuable understanding that will prove beneficial in the future. It has empowered me to not only comprehend the intricacies of investing but also equipped me with the skills to effectively communicate and teach others about profitable investment techniques. Furthermore, the phase taught me the art of crafting a research essay, honing my writing skills for future assignments that necessitate similar techniques.

In conclusion throughout the Fall Term at CCNY as a student in Freshman Composition I as a writer learned that I had many shortcomings when it came to my writing. This would include the use of my vocabulary and rhetorical skills that I would utilize to encourage a higher level of writing for my writing in future uses. Which would include future writing courses and even reports for work.