Dear Reader,

I will sincerely miss my Writing 102 class.  I feel that the writing that I have done for this class has improved my skill as both a writer and an introspective thinker.  I have learned to experiment with different titles, using creative entitlement as an element to draw the reader in, which is not something that I had ever considered before taking this class.  “’The Fat Girl’ – A Story About Love?” the title of my first essay, is one that I chose in an effort to make the reader consider the idea that each story has the potential to mean more than one thing to different people.  “Maybe It’s Not Such a Bad Idea to go Backpacking Through Europe,” the title of my second essay, is one that I chose in an attempt to make the reader think about the possibilities that would result from working towards a college education at a later point in life.  “The Boy That Chased Me, and the One That Ran Away,” the name that I gave to my third and final essay of the term, is one that I chose in reflection of my own experiences, following suit with the theme of the essay, which was to be a personal narrative. 

Peer editing also helped me to grow as a writer, as I was finally able to read the work of those around me who put their pens to paper silently.  Reading the work of my classmates made it so that I was able to both receive advice and give it, and to learn that the recommendations of others are not always superior to one’s own, but that it is also important to keep an open mind and to consider the idea that one’s opinions are not necessarily superior to those of the next.

I have also gained confidence as a writer, as I was lucky enough to receive positive feedback from both my peers and my instructor.  At the same time, however, I was also given constructive criticism, which made it so that I did not forget that I am not perfect and that my writing can always be better, no matter how much I have practiced.

                                                                                   Sincerely,

                                                                             Arielle Rose Dollinger