Hi! My name is Sarah Walker. I am currently a junior at Bridgewater State University, studying English, with a writing concentration. I used to only enjoy certain genres of literature and only practice fictional writing. However, recently I have taking a great interest in non-fiction literature as well as writing. Last semester I was fortunate enough to enroll in a creative Non-Fiction writing class and have been compelled with this type of reading and writing ever since. The Journalistic Essay course seemed to be the next best thing to broaden my horizons and help me learn more about the art of non-fiction.
For my portfolio I chose the most interesting blogs that I felt I had posted.The first Blog I chose to post was from the article we had to read for class. I enjoyed the piece a lot-- it was about a journalist who went undercover to see what life was like as a waitress. The reason I enjoyed the piece so much was because I could relate, as I am sure many others could. The author really delve into the work, making her point come across clearly: the cycle of their lives continues.
The second blog I posted was about the book The Forever War . I posted this because it was the end of the book and my relfections as well as my book club's can be seen. I did not think I would like this book as much as I did. It opened my eyes to our country's issues as well as the government. The War on Terror was never a subject I knew ANYTHING about. While reading, and towards the end, I feel I have a grasp of the issues and The United States interaction in the Middle East. Most of all, through my blog posts about the book, I feel it can help readers understand of influence them to pick up the book and read it themselves!
The first paper I had to revise the second semester was a newspaper feature titled: The Ones They Didn't Ask. I had a bit to revise on this piece. Although this was my favorite piece to write and have written, I did notice the flaws right away. I depended too much on interview. I felt the students I interviewed spoke for the paper-- yet my voice was little to no where. After getting comments back from peers and the professor I realized my thought needed to speak more. Therefore, I spent a lot of time reorganizing the article, going back through and making sure I introduce the students but also give more background and references as well. At the end, when I finished everything, I felt a lot more confident in the piece. I can only hope others feel the same way. I hope it gets my point across, most most of all, really gets people thinking.
My second paper for the second semester was a magazine feature. The original artilce need a lot fo work. I tried colaboring a movie review and interprating how individeuals depend on revies all into one writing. It did not work. Everyone, including the professor seemed confused with the pieice. We decided it would be best to break the aritcle up-- write a movie review and then write a peice about reviews. After reworking everything, I feel I created two strong features. Hopefully it is more clear to readers.
I feel my writing has improved this semester.Overall, the course has made me aware of revising—again, just because I fell something makes sense or is strong, does not mean everyone else will. I have focus on what style we are being asked to use and studies this craft more carefully. For example, feature pieces in either a magazine or newspaper. Thankfully I have realized this in the beginnings of the course and have worked on it constantly. I also feel I was introduced to a lot of different, fun writings. Like the profile. I have heard of it before but was not entirely sure what is was or how to go about writing one. I always wanted to be some sort of writer, and this course has really helped me discover all the different types. I enjoyed the newspaper aspect a lot more than I thought I would have. I found myself loving to interview people, but most of all fitting all the pieces together to fabricated a nice, interesting piece of writing. I really cannot wait to continue writing and use all that I have learned this semester.
What I want to say about myself as a reader and a writer is I really wish to improve and learn more about non-fiction writing and reading. Like I mentioned before, I use to be very one sided. Each course I take with non-fiction seems to be offering more information and different ways to practice the art. I look forward to becoming more advanced with the subject. I feel the possibilities are endless and can be a life changing, and influence aspect to my life. Again, I keep learning more about non-fiction and have yet to be discouraged or disappointed, or even bored with the subject. I feel I have finally found a possible career choice.
For my portfolio I chose the most interesting blogs that I felt I had posted.The first Blog I chose to post was from the article we had to read for class. I enjoyed the piece a lot-- it was about a journalist who went undercover to see what life was like as a waitress. The reason I enjoyed the piece so much was because I could relate, as I am sure many others could. The author really delve into the work, making her point come across clearly: the cycle of their lives continues.
The second blog I posted was about the book The Forever War . I posted this because it was the end of the book and my relfections as well as my book club's can be seen. I did not think I would like this book as much as I did. It opened my eyes to our country's issues as well as the government. The War on Terror was never a subject I knew ANYTHING about. While reading, and towards the end, I feel I have a grasp of the issues and The United States interaction in the Middle East. Most of all, through my blog posts about the book, I feel it can help readers understand of influence them to pick up the book and read it themselves!
The first paper I had to revise the second semester was a newspaper feature titled: The Ones They Didn't Ask. I had a bit to revise on this piece. Although this was my favorite piece to write and have written, I did notice the flaws right away. I depended too much on interview. I felt the students I interviewed spoke for the paper-- yet my voice was little to no where. After getting comments back from peers and the professor I realized my thought needed to speak more. Therefore, I spent a lot of time reorganizing the article, going back through and making sure I introduce the students but also give more background and references as well. At the end, when I finished everything, I felt a lot more confident in the piece. I can only hope others feel the same way. I hope it gets my point across, most most of all, really gets people thinking.
My second paper for the second semester was a magazine feature. The original artilce need a lot fo work. I tried colaboring a movie review and interprating how individeuals depend on revies all into one writing. It did not work. Everyone, including the professor seemed confused with the pieice. We decided it would be best to break the aritcle up-- write a movie review and then write a peice about reviews. After reworking everything, I feel I created two strong features. Hopefully it is more clear to readers.
I feel my writing has improved this semester.Overall, the course has made me aware of revising—again, just because I fell something makes sense or is strong, does not mean everyone else will. I have focus on what style we are being asked to use and studies this craft more carefully. For example, feature pieces in either a magazine or newspaper. Thankfully I have realized this in the beginnings of the course and have worked on it constantly. I also feel I was introduced to a lot of different, fun writings. Like the profile. I have heard of it before but was not entirely sure what is was or how to go about writing one. I always wanted to be some sort of writer, and this course has really helped me discover all the different types. I enjoyed the newspaper aspect a lot more than I thought I would have. I found myself loving to interview people, but most of all fitting all the pieces together to fabricated a nice, interesting piece of writing. I really cannot wait to continue writing and use all that I have learned this semester.
What I want to say about myself as a reader and a writer is I really wish to improve and learn more about non-fiction writing and reading. Like I mentioned before, I use to be very one sided. Each course I take with non-fiction seems to be offering more information and different ways to practice the art. I look forward to becoming more advanced with the subject. I feel the possibilities are endless and can be a life changing, and influence aspect to my life. Again, I keep learning more about non-fiction and have yet to be discouraged or disappointed, or even bored with the subject. I feel I have finally found a possible career choice.