Friday, October 8, 2010
#4 - Essays! Ugh!
As you finish up your essay on the short stories we have read in class, please comment on your writing process. What did you have the most trouble with? What aspects of writing essays are you most comfortable with after all these years? Remember--if you don't feel a little stressed, you're probably not doing it the right way :-)
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68 comments:
I have the most trouble with getting started and developing my thoughts. I was most comfortable with the story details. Being able to email the essay to Mr. Gunsel and have it reviewed was a major help. Having the rubric in front of me also helped greatly.
I had a lot of trouble with the whole entire thing. The thesis was the main thing that I had the most trouble with and also the introduction paragraph. I feel the most comfortable with the body paragraphs because those are a little easier.
for me writing an essay is some what easy. but then comes the grammer. i cannot do granner for my life. i had Mr. nolan last year, and i thought that he drilled it into my head pretty good. i apperently lost it all during the summer, and that word summer, ever since i met my friend sommer i spell summer S.O.M.M.E.R its becomeing a problem. i am fine with content but grammer... not good
I had most trouble with getting me thoughts out on paper. Going to AIS(even though I didn't need to) really helped with the process of writing the paper. I feel most comfertable with is proof reading. I think it is easiest to proof read when i help other people to proof read, than myself.
When I was writing my essay on the short stories I found it pretty easy to write my essay, but I did have a little bit of trouble with writing and identifying my thesis statement. One thing that I did feel comfortable with was writing out my body paragraghs. I have always been good with writing out details.
When writing an essay…I have the most trouble with developing my ideas and turning them into sentences. Although, once I get started on my writing, it’s pretty easy from there. One thing that I had to think about with writing this specific essay was the text to world connections. I found it difficult to connect to something that I didn’t fully know about. I did a little bit of research and that helped. Something that I feel comfortable about is usually the body paragraphs and conclusions. Body paragraphs for me are easy because you’re just collecting all of your information and putting it together. And conclusions are also easy because you are summarizing what you have just written.
I have the most trouble with the whole thing. Adding details to make it longer is hard to me. I can write a decent essay when its a topic of my choice, but even then its hard. Once i get going on a essay it gets easier.
Nick G
I normally have trouble completing the intro and the conclusion of an essay. So once again it was sort of a rough process starting and ending my ideas. I went to extra help with Mr. Gunsel. :] I also rechecked the essay many times searching for wording problems that I tend to under look. I asked for help when i need too.
I really was never good at writing essays, and this one was no different from any other. I couldn't really get a thesis together, i had difficulty finding how all three stories connected together. Once i came up with a thesis, it became a little easier, but adding details to the essay and expanding on the sentances and facts/opinions was a little difficult as well. So writing this essay wasn't easy.
I had the most trouble writing the essay as a whole. It was a bit troubling to try to connect the short stories to aspects of life. The most comfortable aspect of writing essays for me is making connections to toher works of literature.
1) The part of my essay that I had the most trouble with was the conclusiion this was because I did not want to repeate myself but still have a conclusion that was relevant to what I wrote in the body of my essay.
2)The part of my essay that I was the most comfortable with was my introduction because you can do what ever you want with it and your starting the essay and have no previous things that you have ton follow.
i had the most trouble with the part of acually getting my thoughts down on paper and being able to connect my ideas with the point of the essay
i really not comfortable writting essay at all
The part of my essay that I had the most trouble was the conclusion because I hust tend to restate my introducton so it always comes out identical to the introduction. I have trouble re-phrasing by using other vocabulary and I noticed that I repeat some thigs over and over again.
The part of my essay that I found to be the easiest was the body paragraphs becuase to me it's simple adding on more detail to just one though.
By:Alina B
I had the most trouble with getting started with the essay.I never know how to start an essay. And i was probably most comftorable with using outside information.I was able to use the internet to back up my info.
While writing my essay i had the most trouble with grammar. I'm most comfortable with writing and making text to self conections because i enjoy to write.
I really hate writing essays.
They are really stressful and annoying. I had trouble with the introduction and the thesis. Once I got everything thought out it was a lot easier.
I didn't really have trouble writing the essay, but I wasn't really comfortable with writing it either. For me, writing an essay is easy, but writing a good essay is challenging. Although I did include everything mentioned on the rubric in my essay and proofread my essay, I still think I made a lot of mistakes I didn't catch and I am unsure if I got a good grade on my essay. It seems like the essay needed to be perfect to get an A, and I think my essay was okay, but not perfect.
I had the most trouble organizing my thoughts into what I wanted to say for this essay. I am most comfortable with the aspect of writing introductions while writing essays. The body paragraphs and conclusion always give me a little trouble.
For me, I had the most trouble with the introduction and the conclusion of my essay. Reason being is when I started to write my teachers told me that conclusion is just like the introduction just restate it, that to me is strange because I believe each paragraphs has its unique structure. I feel most comfortable with the body paragraphs because it is easy for me to just write what's on my mind.
-George B
The hardest part of the essay for me was the conclusion. Teachers always tell us that it should be a vague repeat of the intro. I find it difficult to rewrite the intro without repeating it word for word.
Writing essays is usually easy for me when it comes to developing my ideas and finding a way to make everything flow. Most of the time I have trouble with my conclusion, because I’m always confused on whether or not I’m suppose to restate my thesis. Conclusions just always gave me trouble and all of my teachers have never truly focused on ways to make a good conclusion. Besides from the conclusion I also have trouble with the grammar. I relearn it every year, but I still always have trouble determining grammar in my essay.
After all these years I am really comfortable with my body paragraphs. I’ve been doing them for so long that it just flows and is easy for me to plan out how I want everything to lay out. It helped a lot that Mr. Gunsel read my essay before hand and gave me pointers on what I could do to improve before finalizing it. Also having a rubric to work around made it so much easier to plan out my essay.
What I didn’t have any trouble with on my essay, was the thesis. I have written tons of thesis’ in just the short months we have been in school, thesis’ for ap world, ap euro, and ap bio, let alone a whole year of practice in ap world and english last year. With all this practice, I have gotten pretty good at writing them.
What I struggled with was grammar. I was constantly unsure of comma placement and word usage. I think that I was able to answer the task fairly well, but I don’t think I was quite so proficient in grammar.
While writing this essay, I had the most trouble with getting my thoughts on paper. I am able to answer the essay question “in my head”, but it is tougher for me to write out the details and facts in paragraphs. I also find it hard to write a strong lead for my introduction, I think it takes me the most time on writing that part of my essay. Once I have an idea for my lead, it is so much easier to write and I feel more confident about my essay. I found it really helpful to email Mr.Gunsel my questions about my essay and talk to my classmates about the essay. I am finding grammar in my essays a little bit easier because my English teacher last year went over it a lot.
The part of the essay I had the most trouble with was the conclusion. I had a difficult time trying to get my thoughts altogether and write one that satisfied me.
However, the aspects I am most comfortable with as I've practiced over the years are the introduction and the body paragraphs. The introduction comes easily to me often, as do the body paragraphs, but not all the time.
Dan A.
Period 8 English
While writing my essay, I had the most trouble with the conclusion and grammar. Over the years I have done many essays, but my teachers never fully explained how to write a proper conclusion. I always have trouble with grammar in my essays because even though I proofread it I usually end up skipping some mistakes by accident. I am most comfortable with the layout of the body paragraphs because I have been doing them for so long.
Writing essays is never an easy task for me. It takes me forever to think of what I'm going to write. I had the most trouble with writing the introduction and stating a thesis is so confusing to me. I feel like I never know how to make an appropriate, yet simple thesis. I am most comfortable with writing the paragraph's because once I have the information and details to go along with it, it's very easy for me to just put it into sentences.
-Stephanie T.
What I had the most trouble with in writing my essay, was remembering the three stories. Since we had to answer the essay question with evidence from the story, I found it hard trying to memorize some details. The aspects of writing essays I'm most comfortable with, is the structure of an essay. Learning how to write a thesis, intro, body paragraphs, and conclusion over the years,helped me become better at writing essays.
When writing an essay I usually have trouble writing the conclusion. I am never sure if I should re-state my thesis. I feel if I restate my thesis in my conclusion, it sounds too similar to my introduction and begins to sound repetitive. My teachers never focused specifically on how to write conclusions. Normally, I am most comfortable with writing the body paragraphs of my essay. Once I have all my topic sentences and transitions, my essay will flow together as I write it. On the essay I just wrote on the short stories, I do not think my body paragraphs were as strong as they could have been. My strong point when writing an essay is my introduction.
Danielle W
To be honest, even after all these years of writing conclusions I'm still not comfortable with conclusions! I have no idea why but whenever I get to the conclusion, I just blank out and I don't know what to say! I am proud to admit though, that I enjoy writing introductions. In this particular essay, it was a bit hard to write my first sentence for the body paragraphs. However, I normally don't have this problem. I believe that because I have done so many essays my ability in grammar has improved. I should still work on my conclusions though and even transitioning my sentences! (:
I had a lot of trouble when it came to the introduction and conclusion. I feel that when it comes to writing the actual body of an essay I have confidence in my abilities, but I don't feel comfortable with writing a thesis and making the essay all come together in the end. I am most comfortable with taking details from the story, interpreting them, and making connections.
My writting process consisted of, first writting my topic sentences then typing it out and editing it on the computer. Then so on and so forth with my three body paragraphs and conclusion sentences. Then I read through my essay twice, correcting any errors. I am most comfortable with writting my bodies. They are pretty simple, you just add all your outside and specific knowledge on the subject or subjects. Essays are hard to start and harder to finish. But I have confidence that I will improve my Intro and conclusion skills by the end of the year.
For me, the hardest part of the essay was the introduction. It is hard to actually get started and figure out the right things to say. Over the years something that has come easy to me in essay writing is body paragraphs. Once everything is started and I have an idea of what I would like to write about everything starts flowing a lot more easily.
On my essay I used the essay question sheet to write each paragraph. I had the most trouble with writing the conclusion because I didnt know what to write. I also had a problem with procrastination. I am most most comfortable with writing the conclusion.
While I was writing my essay I had the most trouble with grammar and trying to incorporate the vocabulary words. I also had trouble with writing the first sentence of the essay and expressing my thoughts in my writing. I am most comfortable with getting details from the story and putting them into my own words into my essay.
When I write essays, I usually don't struggle with the writing. I feel my process is very organized. I create a general idea for a layout or I use the layout a teacher assigns and then I just go by that to write the essay. My one struggle though is staying on task. I am very easily distracted. By the time I hit submit for this comment, I would have most likely been sitting here typing this for 15 minutes. I find that essay writing is not my forte, seeing as though I would rather be out with friends or listening to music than writing a paper. But once I get myself on task, I notice that I have the ability to type a fully-developed and well written essay in a few hours.
I had the most trouble with starting my essay and writing my thesis statement. This always seems to be the hardest for me in any essay that I write, but once I get started with my thesis and introduction I find it easier to elaborate and add details. I feel like after I have the introduction finished, everything else just flows. I am most comfortable with the body paragraphs because throughout these past few years I've had to write so many of them that I think I've gotten used to the format and details that I must include in writing a good body paragraph. I was stressed out at the beginning of this essay, but once I got started I was more relaxed and found it much easier.
- Lauren T.
I found the most trouble with the conclusion because i never know what to write for it and i always use "I" even tho i know i am not suppose to. I feel the easiest part of the essay are the body paragraphs because it is the easiest part of the essay to write about becasue you have the most amount of information on it.
The most ive had trouble with in an essay is grammer and spelling. I feel comfortable writing my intro and body because i get to say everything thats in my brain.
As the years have gone by, I have found it a little easier to write essays. I had the most trouble with getting my thoughts down on paper and making sense. After all these years I am most comfortable putting voice into my writing. I am also very comfortable writing my intro and body paragraphs. Even though I could get a little stressed during the process, it pays off handing in my best work.
[sorry this is so late :)]
The most trouble I have with writin an essay is getting my thoughts together on the introduction and thesis. Also with conclusions because i feel like I have nothing to write about then because I used it in my intro or one of body paragraphs. The easiest for me is the body paragraphs because I feel that remembering the details and writing them down are easiest for me.
when I write an essay I have the most trouble with spelling and grammar. I am not a very good speller and I dont always know were to put a comma in a sentence. But the best part of my essay is the body paragraphs. If i have all the information or I know what I am talking about then the body paragraphs are the easiest thing for me.
Jessica S.
What I found that I had the most trouble with was the last body paragraph. I always start my essays off strongly and then end them weak.
What I felt the most comfortable with was the introduction. I know how to explain what I will put in my essay, but I don't know how to actually get it all down.
I never really liked essays. I used to be good at them until 8th grade when my english teacher switched around the whole style of writing and pretty much took all voice out of our assignments. When I got to high school and Mr. Nolan had us begin writing with voice again I had a hard time with it. I need like good motivation and drive to write an essay and if I don't have that I honestly can not write an essay. If I'm not motivated and interested in writing an essay I have a very hard time focusing on the assignment. Last year I was pretty good with comma placement but my grammar was a bit difficult.My spelling was always pretty good but what good is spelling if you don't have the motivation or interest in sitting down and writing an essay you honestly have no drive to write? I always stress myself out on essays too because I can never think of a good way to start writing it.
I thought that the short story that gave me the most trouble was by the waters of babylon. I think this because I feel that the I didn't know as much on that story as I did on the others. I think that I am more comfortable writting essays in a class room because it is quiet in there and at my house someone is always talking.
Mike B
I was never the best at writing essays. The most trouble i have is doign the introduction and thesis. Also just beign able to put my thoughts down and get an idea of what exactly im going to write. The easier part for me in writing an essay is do the body paragraphs and puting in detail. Although essays arent my strongest point, i give in the best effort i could or would on anything else.
Danielle A
Period 7
I don't really enjoy writing essays, and I find that I have most difficulty with starting it. Once I have my thesis statement then I can grasp the task and continue. I am most comfortable with the body paragraphs when I am sure of what I am going to write.
I always have trouble making a thesis statement and on many of my essays in the past my teachers have wrote that it was not a thesis statement. So that was hard for me. It was also difficult making all the sentences flow together.
When writing my essay I had a lot of trouble coming up with a good conclusion. I never know what to write for my conclusion. I always feel when writing my conclusion I copy the introduction to much. One thing that I did feel comfortable with when writing is adding details.
i thought that the short story that gave me the most trouble was searching for summer. i think that because i didnt really understand the story as much as i did with the other stories. im most confertable with writing essays in a class room then anywherer else because i get easily destracted at home.
when i write an essay i find it hard for me to start the intro paragraph and thesis. I also struggle with coming up with a goiod conclusion. Besides all of that i think my essay writing is not to bad.
i had the most trouble with getting started with the essay. i also troble with writting about waters of babylon, i thought this was the hardest book to understand.
another factor that didnt help me with my essay was being very disttracted being at home.
The problem I had the most trouble with was staying on topic. Usually when I write essays I wonder off of different thoughts and it degrades my potential to get a good grade. I am most comfortable with spelling and organization of my writing because organization of paragraphs and topic sentences are easy to place and spelling is easy because I use words only in my vocabulary that I know the defination of.
I really have no problem with writing essays. It's one aspect of Writing i think i excel in. However i can never plan ahead. I seldomly if NEVER use the planning sheets, I like to write what comes into my mind and fix it afterwards.
The part that I had trouble with the most is getting my essay planned out and actually writing the assignment. The most comfortable thing that I did was the Intro into my essay. My content was good for the most part.
The hardest part was getting my essay put together the right way and figuing out exactly what you ant it. Like how you prefer essays to be written. I didn't undersand the stories that much, well enough to write a thorough enough essay which I think threw me off.
In my essay writing the problem I have most is probably grammar and spelling mostly because I haven't revised my essays enough. The aspects of writing essay's that I've found easy is writing down my information down. For the most part I'm able to stay on topic with the essay without giving plot or anything that isn't needed in the essay.
I think I've always been a decent essay writer, My worst problem is writing a thesis statement, always had problems with it, because every teacher i ask always has a different answer to what a thesis is. However i feel comfortable writing every paragraph besides the introduction
My writing process isn't all that complicated. I just say what I need to so that the essay is good. The only thing is, is that I can't think of the right things to say, but I know everything in my head. I can't really start off paragraphs or write a thesis statement that well either. I'm more comfortable when I know everything that I have to write though and then everything works out.
Although I have grown up I still enjoying books, but only if they catch my attention. I usually read books that are based around people my age or around there, like The Pretty Little Liars series. I also like to read mysteries or any book with action in it. My favorite book ever has to be Of Mice and Men or To Kill A Mockingbird because they caught my attention and I couldn't put them down until I finished them. My favorite author though would have to be J.K. Rowling because her Harry Potter series kept my interested till the final book.
I am pretty bad at writing essays overall. I have the most problem with starting the essay and conclusion. The aspect of the essay that I fell comfortable with is the body paragraphs.
The hardest part of the essay was trying to find quotes from the text to support my essay. I also found the conclusion difficult because I'm not very good at concluding essays. Overall, this essay was fairly easy. Each story was easy to write about. I try to analyze as much information as possible rather than summarizing the stories.
I feel when i write essays i have trouble starting them. I need to have a plan or at least ideas in my head because once i hvae my intor done i can fly right through my essay & body paragrahs by writing whatever comes to my mind thats relevant. It is mainly the beggining and having to put my thoughts inot categories instead of just having basic generalizations of where each idea will be place. Kyle O.
The problems with my essay's are the simple mistakes I make, like spelling and grammar, I just can't any better with that. Something I do well with my essays is I seem to always get a good grasp of the concept of the essay I always know what to write
I had trouble with the grammar. also with trying to explain why their age was important. Using other information was also very hard.
~ashley f
When i was finishing up with my essay i got stuck on the conclusion like always. This always gets me stuck because i never really know what to right in it. Also gretting started usally gives me hard time but since you gave us the introduction it didnt make me stair at the paper for an hour like i usally do. My strength is the boy because i always know what i have to write about and know the main idea which is what the body is basically all about.
-Frankie B.
The part of the essay that I had the most trouble with was the conclusion because for some reason I have no idea how to finish it. I really feel comfortable with finding a thesis statement that works because I am just that amazing. Dan M
I always have a little trouble figuring out how to start the essay, and spend a lot of time thinking about how to address the essay question. However once i get started i am on a roll and don't have much trouble from there.
-Mike S.
The only problem for me writing an essay is comeing up with new ideas for each paragraph. Besides that I really still find a way to get my essay done with the grade that I deserve.
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