ENGL 110 – Introduction Essay

Name: Christine Castillo

Major: Studio Art & Psychology

Pronouns: She/Her

Initially I felt anxious coming into a writing intensive class knowing I would be navigating distance learning while also possibly maneuvering unfamiliar technologies. However after reading the English Composition introduction and syllabus, along with the assigned essay “Composition as a Write of Passage” by Nathalie Singh-Corcoran, I feel optimistic and well informed.  I look forward to the breadth of information that will be provided over the course of the semester. Exploring a variety of essays and the technical processes behind achieving work that is both informative and interesting will be exciting.

There are so many forms of writing that it seems difficult to define what would be considered “good” outside of the generalizations of flow, context, and grammatical accuracy. Whether a piece is entertaining or dull is a matter of audience opinion. Does a captivating conversational author outweigh one who is concise and formal? In my limited experience with writing I am thorough and detailed, so while I enjoy communicating thoughts and ideas, I must be cautious to avoid becoming repetitive.  I am interested to learn what constitutes writing well and the methods that support it.

I am continuing my education to become an Art Therapist for diversely-abled individuals and am aware there are many expectations for writing within the field.  Therapists are expected to keep documentation and maintain records, write in depth assessments and treatment plans, and professionally correspond with colleagues as well as members of a client’s support team. Being an effective writer can only positively affect my future career and I hope to build the foundation needed to achieve this both academically and professionally.

Alice Liu

Intended Major: Computer Science

Pronouns: She/Her

As a freshman in college, I was already nervous about one thing. Whether or not I would be able to survive a college-level English course. And it certainly did not help that we were doing online classes because distractions are everywhere. However, upon looking through the syllabus, my concerns lessened when I discover that we would be able to discuss societal norms and values and how it would challenge social justice. Living during a time where we can fight for social justice and promote change, has always been an interest in mine. Being able to discuss these topics allows me to assure myself that I would be engaged in class and that I would hopefully do well.

Although initially, engagement was a worry of mine, another concern was that writing has always been a weakness for me. The hardest part is being able to write in a good flow. As a result, oftentimes, my writing may sound “childish” and not “mature”. It does not sound that good when you read it. However, I do intend to overcome this weakness of mine and learn new things through the critique of my peers and instructor. A strength in mine when it comes to writing would be the ability to conduct research. I am able to find several detailed information that I would incorporate in my writing, to inform my audience.

Several qualities would make a writing piece be considered ‘good’. An example of the qualities would be, good flow to the writing, no grammar mistakes, and that you can engage the reader or audience without bombarding them with information. Instead, you utilize unique techniques to engage them. Of course, none of these would be possible if you weren’t focused. One has to be focused because it allows you to be in this state of mind where you think about how you should structure your writing, and it just allows you to have this flow of information and ideas flow out of your brain onto a piece of paper. Being able to write well is so significant because you are effectively able to get your ideas/message across to your audience whether it is to inform or persuade them. You can ignite change or inspiration through your writing.

With the intention of going into the field of computer science, I would need to write really well because it is crucial in career opportunities. When finding a job, it’s hard. A factor that sets you apart from other applicants is if your able to get your ideas across important people, whether it is your boss, an investor, or your team. If people are unable to understand what your code means through your writing, why would they work with you or hire you?

Name: Elena Yu Xu

Intended Major: Economics

Gender Pronouns: She/ Her

After reviewing the syllabus, I noticed the purpose of this class about reading and writing, and how it would benefit me in the future since I could improve my writing level as a college student, and I believe it would help me a lot with my major and future career. However, there is always something that I get nervous about, but also anxious concerning the syllabus which is the time management, and I would like to get some pieces of advice on how we can handle it. Also, I wonder if we would have any quizzes and exams in this course since it doesn’t show in the syllabus.
Concerning the qualities of good writers, I believe the ability to be able to connect the information to their own experiences and thoughts is a good one because they can get their audiences the point of what they are trying to speak. Next, being able to write well helps you and your readers to understand better when sharing stories with them, but also can catch their feelings and emotions connected to your writing. It is important to write well because I think it would help you a lot in the future when you try to share some of your ideas and thoughts with others.
Different parts of writing always have different bars on it, depending on each individual. For example, the easiest part of writing for me is to explain the meaning and the significance of certain references to give further detail to the viewers when I try to write in some essays. However, other people might think differently. On the other hand, the hardest part of writing is to provide information on something when I have little knowledge of it, and I worry about my mistakes since everyone can think differently according to their beliefs and point of view.
Relating to genres that I will be expected to write with my intended major/ future career, I guess it would be something similar to essays, reports in order to give concepts and details to people, so they could have a better conclusion of what I try to say, such as facts and concerns linked to economic problems. Next, being an effective writer affects my career opportunities because it could help me to share my opinions clearly and to provide details to others, which can let them have a better determination associated with finances.

English 110: Freshman Composition: Class Introduction Essay

Name: Edward Quezada

Intended Major: Electrical Engineering

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him

After having read the syllabus for Freshman Composition as well as “Composition as a Write of Passage” by Nathalie Singh-Corcoran, I can conclude that literature plays an essential role in the way we can express ourselves to the world. As of now, I don’t believe I have any uncertainties towards this course just yet. If I am looking forward to anything this semester, it would have to be being able to further my communication skills and methods of expressing my perspectives on certain topics or issues that I may be interested in sharing with others. 

Pertaining to the qualities writers posses, I believe a “good” writer would be someone who expresses their arguments and point of view in a respectful manner towards their readers. Although the purpose of many writings is to persuade or inform the reader on a subject, it is essential that the writer properly appeals to this audience as well. After providing the audience with a thorough understanding of the topic, the writer can then provide his/her perspective and ideas. Having the audience relate to the subject in any way, would help draw their attention. Furthermore, the writer will have to effectively explain why they believe their argument counteracts an opposing side, if there is one. In this case, it is essential that the opposing side is briefly included. A writer who solely focuses on their side alone would probably fail to convince their audience because there could be a curiosity concerning the opposing side’s points.

The easiest part of writing for me would be providing my own thoughts and ideas on a topic I feel comfortable with. However, as stated before, being able to efficiently express myself and provide the reader with sufficient information can be a challenge, especially because we don’t know the background knowledge and personal beliefs that some of the readers may have on that specific subject.

Being able to express our thoughts and arguments properly will help open doors for opportunity in every career field there is. As far as how we use literature in Engineering, it can greatly benefit those who pursue this field. An engineer will have to prepare technical documents to provide their research and findings to others. The technical document must appeal to a broad-spectrum of readers who have different experiences and knowledge with certain subjects. There may be an expert in the audience as well as someone who is not familiar with the topic at all. The document must allow the readers to understand the topic without leaving them with more questions. As an engineer, I must be able to create a well-written report that provides sufficient background knowledge and research for the audience. Doing so, provides the possibility to appeal to an audience that could potentially open many doors of opportunity for me.

English 110: Freshman Composition 5BC2 [24980]

Instructor: Shamecca Harris

Andrey Musin 

Introductory Essay

Intended Major: Physics 

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him

Noticing the structure and depth of the syllabus and briefly comparing it with my other classes has given me something to look forward to and has emboldened my belief that English courses are highly rewarding. I believe it is important for me to relate that because of the current times the need of a haven where the ability to discuss difficult current issues and even more so a place to listen to those directly dealing with said issues is a fundamental instrument to our growth. That is what I gathered from a brief glance at the syllabus and what I believe this class will attempt to achieve. Nothing as far as uncertainty or anxiety has reached me however. 

As for the qualities of good writing, I frankly could not tell you. Indeed I wouldn’t be taking this course if that weren’t the case. However it seems to me that one who puts immense effort into something will without fail achieve some form of success and I think this case certainly applies to writing. A good hand on the pen makes for a fabulous translator of understanding. 

The most difficult aspect of writing to me has to be by far writing about something you have no passion or interest in. I remember a constant bartering system that I implemented with my teachers in every writing course I’ve ever taken to be able to weasel my way out of uninteresting topics. I do well however when I am invested in my work, when it matters to not just me but others, and when I know a sense of tangible growth will be resulted from the process. 

The human vehicle is a multi-fluctuating malleable system. I do not believe in limiting oneself just to please society or stay within its confines. Before setting on my path of becoming a theoretical physicist, I was enamored with the idea of writing something breathtaking. However dream’s never die but the people who dream them do due the uncontrollable flux that is time. So while my current goal is a PhD in Physics and I will trudge steadfast towards that, I will not throw away my dream of writing a body of work on meditation/philosophy/consciousness. In fact I will have my cake and eat it too for refusing to give myself more than one path to walk on because the words of another (being, society, institution) have jaded me is worse than having walked no path at all.