Camila's Blog

Over the course of this semester I have learned so many new things about both reading and writing, especially in an academic way. At the beginning of this course, I did feel confident in my writing skills but definitely did not fully grasp how analytical and detailed academic reading and writing needed to be. I often approached reading as something just that I needed to simply complete and get the overall general idea of the thing it is that I’m reading, rather than as a process that required close attention to detail and strategy. Similar to reading, while I was very comfortable expressing my ideas in writing I definitely lacked a strong understanding of formal academic strategies. However, throughout this semester through consistent practice, feedback, and reflection I developed stronger skills in important things like citing sources correctly, writing professionally, and analyzing texts at a deeper level.

 One of the most important skills I learned this semester was how to correctly cite sources, including websites, books, and academic articles. Before taking this class I understood that citations were necessary and important, but I did not know how to use them properly. At times, citing sources felt like an extra requirement and one I did not know how to correctly do, rather than a meaningful part of the writing process. But through practice during this course I began to understand that citation plays a crucial role in academic writing and it also allowed me to feel more confident when incorporating research into my work. It allows for us as writers to give credit to the original authors, avoid plagiarism, and strengthen our own arguments by supporting them with credible evidence. In addition to that, I also gained a stronger understanding of how to write formal and academic papers. This class clearly demonstrated the differences between academic writing and other forms of writing, such as blogs or personal reflections. As we completed several blog assignments, it helped me see how writing styles change depending on the audience and purpose. The blogs allowed for us to write in a more conversational and personal tone, while academic essays required more structure, clarity, and a more professional tone. Learning to shift between these styles helped me become a more flexible writer. The awareness I gained of what different types of writing pieces require has strengthened my ability to write effectively in different contexts and has made me more confident when approaching formal assignments. 

My reading skills have also developed significantly throughout the semester. Before, I often read texts quickly, focusing mainly on understanding the main idea or completing the assignment. However, this class taught me how to read more actively and critically. I learned to slow down and pay closer attention to how writers construct their arguments, use language, and organize their ideas. Instead of simply asking what a text is saying, I now ask how it is saying it and why the author made certain choices. This shift has helped me recognize that writing strategies such as tone, structure, repetition, and word choice can have a powerful impact on a reader. Becoming more aware of these strategies allowed me to analyze texts more deeply and thoughtfully. Another important lesson I learned about reading was the value of paying attention to small details. I have learned that even the minor elements of a text, such as a single word choice or a sentence’s placement, can carry significant meaning. By learning to analyze and notice these details, I became more skilled at interpreting texts and explaining their effectiveness. I also learned to move away from vague analysis and toward more specific and detailed observations. Instead of making general statements about a text, I now focus on providing clear examples and explanations. This change improved both my reading comprehension and my writing, as deeper analysis led to stronger and more convincing essays. 

I learned these skills through many assignments we completed throughout the semester. The structure of the course allowed me to gradually build my abilities over time rather than being overwhelmed by large assignments all at once. The blog assignments were especially helpful because they encouraged consistent writing and reflection. These blogs also helped me gather information about my discourse community, which later contributed to the final paper. By working through smaller assignments, I was able to develop ideas step by step and gain a better understanding of the research and writing process. In addition to the blogs, the smaller reading assignments completed in class played an important role in my development as reader and writer. These assignments required close reading and thoughtful discussion, which helped me practice analyzing texts in a focused and meaningful way. 

One assignment that stood out to me the most was “How to Read Like a Writer.” This assignment had a significant impact on how I approach both reading and writing. Its main purpose was to show its readers to read texts not just for understanding, but also for technique. Instead of focusing solely on what the author was saying, I learned to pay attention to how the author was saying it. I analyzed elements such as sentence structure, organization, tone, and word choice, and I considered whether these were strategies I could apply to my own writing. This approach completely changed the way I read. Reading became more interactive and purposeful, as I was constantly evaluating the author’s choices and learning from them. By analyzing other writers’ strategies, I gained insight into how effective writing is created. This assignment showed me that reading is not just an activity but a process that can directly improve writing skills, it also encouraged me to be more intentional in my own writing. 

Through this class I also learned more about myself as a reader and writer. Writing has always been one of my strengths and this course helped reinforce that confidence. Over time, I have felt more comfortable organizing my thoughts, expressing my ideas clearly, and developing arguments through writing. However, this class also helped me recognize areas where I can improve. For example, as a reader I sometimes focus too much on surface level ideas and do not always analyze texts as deeply. Becoming aware of this was important in improving my skills and encouraged me to challenge myself to dig deeper and engage more critically with texts. My greatest strengths after completing this class is my ability to write in a professional, academic, and formal manner. These skills will be extremely helpful in other classes, especially as I continue taking RWS courses. Being able to read critically allows me to engage with literature, media, and information in a more thoughtful way which will help me benefit beyond my academics. Strong writing skills will also be valuable in professional and personal settings. Whether I am writing emails, reports, or other forms of communication, I will be able to express myself more clearly and effectively.  

Looking toward the future, I hope to continue improving in both areas as a reader and writer. As a reader I want to work on consistently analyzing texts at a deeper level and paying attention to subtle details. I plan to do this by practicing by taking notes, asking questions about the texts. As a writer I want to continue strengthening my academic tone while also maintaining the ability to be flexible with styles. 

This semester has been a valuable learning experience that helped me grow significantly as a reader and writer. I gained so many important skills that will support me throughout my academic journey and will remain useful in my personal and professional life.