What to Expect from Writing 105

     Throughout this crazy COVID year, I have learned much more than what you would expect from a writing course. Not only did I learn many different writing skills throughout my time with Ms. Schilly, I learned how important relationships and being face to face with someone can be. Being someone who stayed remote throughout most of this 2020-21 school year, it was hard seeing my friends get to laugh and be involved with their teachers and classmates. Being a senior during a global pandemic was difficult, but I learned that you just have to take every day with a grain of salt. You never know what is going to happen next and you just have to savor every moment. 

    Secondly, I learned a lot about different the world around me throughout this class. I loved getting to read about toxic masculinity and watching the film "Tough Guise". Going into this class, I thought it would be a typical English class with old readings and outdated ideas. But once we got to start reading articles, I fell in love with learning all over again. Getting to read and watch clips that were relevant to today, like the New York Times Op-docs, it helped me gain insight into what is going on around me. 

    Another thing I loved from this class that really taught me a lot was that we don't have to write from a strict format. WHAT?! Crazy, I know. After years and years of school and every teacher telling you to follow this specific format, you finally get to your last year of school and no more format! Reading the article, "My Five Paragraph Theme-Theme", I learned that the structure of having an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion, leaves no room for creativity and and is simply boring to read. A teacher doesn't want to read the same essay over and over again.

    Thirdly, I learned the magic of an evolving thesis. Throughout the year we learned about how to write a good and strong evolving thesis. Instead of being so focused on coming up with a thesis for the beginning of your piece, start somewhere else. Incorporate your thesis throughout your piece instead of just two sentences in the first paragraph. It gives the reader excitement and urges them to read on. 

    Lastly, and most importantly, I learned that you should never take things for granted. This year has been difficult for everyone. COVID was unexpected and took away everything we had planned. School was never the same, graduation will not be the same, prom never happened. I never thought that one day I would be doing school everyday at home for a year. After saying I hated going to school for years, looking back, I regret every word. After being away from teachers and friends, I never missed school more. I will never again take what I have for granted because you truly never know when it will be taken away.