Timed Writing #1 - Dreams Essay
My Dreams essay is the first one that I ever wrote, it was my first timed writing as well. I wrote it August, 28th of 2013. So this was written 3 days after school started. From what I have read in this essay, my format is terrible. I had no thesis, no background information, and no quotes with parenthetical citations. The essays I'm writing now are much more formatted and I try to follow the correct instructions. I've learned how to properly embed quotes ad how to write proper introduction and conclusion paragraphs. I think that I am most proud of my improvement with my essay format.
Here is an excerpt from my first body paragraph:
I believe that the author wanted to inspire his readers to chase their dreams. I don't know why he made the poem so sad but I have a theory. When Langston Hughes wrote the poem, Dreams, I believe that he wanted his readers to feel and experience what not chasing your dreams feels like. The sadness made me think that I didn't want to feel this way. That maybe I should go after my dreams even if they seem impossible. Maybe the author wanted the readers who didn't have dreams to feel what is was like to have one.
Here is an excerpt from my first body paragraph:
I believe that the author wanted to inspire his readers to chase their dreams. I don't know why he made the poem so sad but I have a theory. When Langston Hughes wrote the poem, Dreams, I believe that he wanted his readers to feel and experience what not chasing your dreams feels like. The sadness made me think that I didn't want to feel this way. That maybe I should go after my dreams even if they seem impossible. Maybe the author wanted the readers who didn't have dreams to feel what is was like to have one.
Most Improved Essay - Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
This essay started out as a timed writing but became a process essay after revisions were made. My essay was about the survival and development of the main character, Brian Robeson. If you redirect to my Literature page you will find a full summary on the book. My thesis explains how Brian learns to overcome his struggles in the wild without giving any extra information away.
Thesis:
Surviving in the wild can be difficult, especially unprepared. In the novel, Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen, Brian Robeson must work to survive in the wild with limited materials. Through the book Brian learns to use positive thinking and patience in order to survive.
This essay is my most recent one for this year. At first I received a 2+ on it because it was a timed writing and there were some mistakes that I needed to fix. After my first revision I received a 4- out of 5 which is a great score. I tried to correct all of my paragraphs but there were still a lot of corrections that I needed to make. A mistake that I usually make during my timed writings is adding an extra sentence of commentary before my concrete details, so I get marked off for that often. Though I have gotten very good with my parenthetical citations and choosing good quotes. Next time I need to work on not trying to finish too quickly during my timed writings so that I won't be unfocused.
Thesis:
Surviving in the wild can be difficult, especially unprepared. In the novel, Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen, Brian Robeson must work to survive in the wild with limited materials. Through the book Brian learns to use positive thinking and patience in order to survive.
This essay is my most recent one for this year. At first I received a 2+ on it because it was a timed writing and there were some mistakes that I needed to fix. After my first revision I received a 4- out of 5 which is a great score. I tried to correct all of my paragraphs but there were still a lot of corrections that I needed to make. A mistake that I usually make during my timed writings is adding an extra sentence of commentary before my concrete details, so I get marked off for that often. Though I have gotten very good with my parenthetical citations and choosing good quotes. Next time I need to work on not trying to finish too quickly during my timed writings so that I won't be unfocused.