The end is here!!

This course is coming to a close and overall it has been a wonderful experinece. I have learned how to organize my thoughts in a way that will hold my reader's attention more successfully. I feel that starting with an informal outline and building my paper around it will help me stay on topic and not ramble as much. I would tell someone starting out in this course to not get overwhelmed. If you take this paper step by step the way that it was broken down each week it will come together before you know it. I would also encourage everyone to take advantage of the Kaplan Writing Center. This course was the first time I have used it and found it so helpful. I have truly enjoyed this class and good luck to everyone in their future.

Almost Done!

I feel like a huge weight is off my shoulderswith this writing process coming to an end. I am nervous about what my final grade will be but I know that I have my best. I feel like this class has helped me become a better writer. I have learned how to organize my ideas in a way that is more appealing and interesting to readers, which is what my goal was when I started this course. I have also learned some excellent techniques for revising my work. I plan on carrying what I have learned into future endeavours. I initially was thinking of writing my paper on how illegal immigrants affect the U.S. healthcare system. I am still interested in this topic.

Coming to a close

I can't believe that my English Comp. II class is almost over. I am really enjoying the writing process so far. The hardest part for me was to get started. The inital draft took me twelve straight hours to get my ideas and argument across and to find all of the supporting sources that I needed. I think that I have a wonderful base for the paper but after applying the paramedic method to just one paragraph I am seeing how much work there is still left to do. I have gotten really good feedback from my peers and the Kaplan Writing Center. I have received some excellent ideas on things I could add to my paper and am only half way through applying the comments from the Kaplan Writing Center to my draft. I do plan to continue to with my blog when this course ends. The topics will vary some but I have enjoyed being able to voice my feelings.

My Peer Reviews

My peer reviews have been helpful so far. One review pointed out that I hadn't double spaced my paper which is an extremely careless mistake but once I corrected the problem it made my paper twice as long as it had been. I knew that I had spent so much time gathering my sources and information and couldn't figure out how I was going to write three more pages when I couldn't think of anything else that would still be on topic. Having to complete the first draft was extremely stressful but now that it is complete I have a really good outline and idea on how to build a really good paper. I appreciate everyone's feedback and good luck to all on your papers.

My Struggle This Past Six Weeks

I have had a real problem trying to decide on a topic for my final paper. I initially was going to write it on, the effects of illegal immigrants on the U.S. healthcare system. After doing some research, I found that I was having a problem finding enough sources to support my opinion on the subject. I then changed my  topic to, childhood obesity relating to single parent homes. I'm interested in this subject but after some thought I decided to write my paper on, childhood obesity relating to single parent homes and poverty. The small addition of "poverty" to my paper opened up a wealth of new information. I feel like I have finally found the topic that I am going to stick with. I hate that I have wasted the first three weeks on researching material that I won't use but at least we started early enough to be able to change our minds.

Pre-writing techniques

When I have a paper or project due I normally start out by writing an informal outline. After you decide what information you want to include in your paper and in what order you want to present your ideas then the hardest part is behind you. This strategy helps me get started and usually leads to a well presented and thought out paper.
Up to this point I would say that school has influenced my life in a positive way. It has made me have to manage my time with my children around my studies but the effect it has had on my self esteem is worth it. It is nice to know that I am working toward a goal that will improve my families life.

Plagiarism

You should cite your sources because it gives credit to the people whose ideas you are using. It takes time and effort to compose literary works and it isn't fair to steal someone's ideas. If someone used my work without giving me credit I would be very upset. When things like this happen in the professional world I believe that legal actions should take place, whether it is imprisonment or fines. I feel that the internet has definitely made plagiarism a more widespread problem. With every resource a click a way it definitely makes it harder to control this problem.