Personal Narrative: My Growth As A Writer

Writing has always been a method of communication throughout human history. Whether or not someone is considered a 'good' writer or not is often a matter of opinion, as the rules change for what makes a good story every day. Even those who may not write well have the power of communication in their hands. While most authors want to create a story that enraptures an audience, this power is developed over time and shows that everyone has the ability to write. Over the course of this term, both I and my classmates have developed our skills in order to prepare for the future and become better writers overall. Three things to consider about this semester is how I personally grew as a writer, what I have learned as a writer, and how I hope to develop
my writing in the future.

Before this term, I was very self-conscious author.
I enjoyed writing for myself but feared that others would think of my discussion mindless and heavy-handed, especially when it came to sentence flow. Though I was confident in the material, I had a much harder time putting my thoughts into words, and preferred elaborating on the back story instead of focusing on the issues. During the semester, the class had an opportunity to review excerpts by many writers from different backgrounds, which provided opportunity to analyze and adapt their works into a style that's more intrinsically focused for the reader. In my very first essay of the class, "Literacy: The Actual Building Block of Life", which focused on how literacy is affected by culture and background, I mentioned that "by reading each of the author's explorations into the issue of literacy, one is able to understand that language extends much further than just being words on paper". But having to studying summarize these insights into radically different upbringing, I was able to see how my own style changed due to the way I grew up. Although I had studied the rules of writing and tools for literature previously, it's easy to forget which punctuation goes where and for what reason. What mattered in this class and what was not hard to forget was the message behind the stories. Which allows me to look back and see as I grow, that I will also always be learning no matter my age or
schooling.

Throughout the course of many years spent in the education system, I have gone over the basic rules of writing at least three times over. Every level has a summary on what is expected for people to be considered proficient after completing so many courses. While this is mildly unfair to those that could be held back by internal stress, it is generally understood that to move on one must complete the level they are at. The thing I can honestly say I have learned over the course of this term is to be open to many styles and messages behind the methods of writing. It isn't difficult to be judgmental over someone else's life or opinions. In this semester I begin to focus on the meaning behind words instead of how they fit into a mold. As stated in my second essay, "There's a simple idea of 'putting yourself in someone else's shoes' and trying to alter one's perspective my imagining that they we're in the same situation. ". Even if one does not necessarily agree with the opinion of others, it is important to understand their stances on the issues in order to develop one's own argument. Another thing I have learned is that writing feels much more open and free, and most importantly fun when structure is a second thought to creativity. What one person may write down is a snapshot into their head. Even if the essay is not based on opinion, the way someone writes, how they phrase their words, and the flow that they use can describe a person perfectly. Which leads to how developing skills in writing can help one to understand themselves.

Naturally, I plan to continue writing in the future. Writing has always been an outlet for me to organize the rampant fantastical thoughts that plague my head. Even while trying to sleep, I will occasionally map out a story to relax my mind. I know for a fact that I will take what I have learned this term and apply it to the writing of my future. As I spend more time developing my skill, I hope that someday I will be able to have my name on a bookshelf. Writing comes naturally for some, but for others it is the most difficult task in the world. Here, in this class, I have learned that all writers are the same. Despite having different skill levels or enthusiasm towards the subject, everyone who writes wants their words to be understood. I have become more inquisitive of the world around me, looking for the meaning behind function. The writers of this term are how young adults have been constructed to be; on the brink of adulthood with the innocence of a child. Simply put, we have absolutely no clue where to go from this point, but the matter is that we're trying. Where I go as a writer in the future is entirely dependent on what kind of person I've become. That being said, I believe that no matter what, if one is able to keep up their communication skills, then they have the key to a successful future.

In conclusion of this essay and this term, I must say informally but even though almost every subject requires an evaluation of personal growth, this one may be the most honest I have written.
Reflections on the self are difficult to create, since most individuals don't spend time enveloped in intrinsic contemplation. Assessment of personal skills is a difficult task usually, however, when reviewing past work it is much more obvious to see just how much one has changed and grown over such a short period of time. Despite only having a couple weeks with this material, I know that what I have learned here will stay with me and allow me to continue to better myself and to keep working on my
writing.