Final Portfolio for English 101
Hi, my name is Alexis. This website showcases my growth as a writer during my ENG101 course. Throughout the semester, I explored different writing concepts, practiced revision, and learned how to express my thoughts more clearly and confidently.
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Coming into ENG101, I honestly did not know what to expect. It had been years since I was last in school, and I was not confident in my writing skills. At first, I struggled with organizing my thoughts and ensuring my writing had a clear purpose. However, as the semester went on, I started to see how the 10 writing concepts played a role in helping me shape my writing.
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One of the most eye-opening moments this semester came when we read the article "Memory Overload" From Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari. That piece made me pause and think about how far we've come as humans and how much writing and storytelling have shaped our ability to share ideas and knowledge. It helped me appreciate writing not just as an assignment but as an art form, something that connects people, preserves history and captures emotion. That shift in mindset made me care more about my writing and how I was saying it. Looking back now, I can say that I've grown as a writer. I have learned to be more thoughtful, revise purposefully, and to trust my voice. ENG101 has helped me realize that writing is a skill I can keep improving and that it can also be a powerful way to express who I am.
A Shift In Perspective
My father is a force of nature, carefree, bursting with energy, and capable of switching between twenty different topics in the span of five minutes. He is the kind of person who never seems to run out of things to say, while I, on the other hand, have always been accustomed to the peace and solitude of my own space. At 45 years old, he still carries the energy of a 10-year-old, often becoming an overwhelming presence. It was hard for me to understand how someone could be so full of life yet appear disconnected from reality. Growing up in a house where silence was rare, I often wished for peace. But when I finally found it, I realized something was missing. My relationship with my father has been a journey of misunderstanding, resentment, and, ultimately, acceptance.
As a child, my father was never the responsible adult I envisioned. He and my mother had us at a very young age: my eldest sibling at 16, me at 18, and my little brother at 21. When I turned 18 and moved out, my parents had already divorced. In my early 20s, I lost respect for my father. He lived recklessly, paycheck to paycheck, with little thought for the future. I aspired to build a stable, successful life but felt utterly alone in my pursuit. I couldn't turn to my parents for guidance. I resented my father, not only for his financial instability but also for his emotional distance. He existed in his world, rarely checking in on me, leaving me even more isolated. I built my life independently and never asked for anything, but deep down, I longed for his advice, mentorship, and reassurance.
For years, I held onto that resentment, convinced that he had failed me as a father. But as I grew older, something inside me began to change. At 25, whether due to maturity, life experiences, or perhaps a book I read, I started to see things differently. I realized that none of us truly know how to navigate life. We are all experiencing this journey for the first time, doing our best with what we know. My parents were just kids when they had us; they were forced to grow up before they could understand themselves. When I moved out, my siblings were old enough to care for themselves, and for the first time, my parents had the freedom to experience the youth they had missed. In all his chaos, my father was living the life he had been denied. I began to see him not as reckless but as someone who had sacrificed so much at a young age and was finally allowing himself to breathe.
With this new perspective, I gained wisdom, clarity, and, most importantly, the ability to forgive. In my early 20s, my stubbornness and unwillingness to understand others had cost me a relationship with my father, leaving my heart heavy with resentment and sadness. But this shift in perspective gave me something far more valuable: a deeper appreciation for humanity. I learned that people are not perfect, that everyone struggles to find their way, and that sometimes, we must release our expectations to see someone for who they are. My father may not have been the mentor I wished for, but he was a fantastic dad in his way. He loves us unconditionally, even if he expressed it differently than I wanted him to. Life has taught me that kindness, authenticity, and the ability to forgive are some of our most powerful tools. My father's energy, once overwhelming, is now something I admire. His carefree nature, which I once saw as recklessness, is now a reminder to live joyfully. What I lost in resentment, I gained wisdom, and that is a trade worth making.
Authors Note:
This essay was one of the most personal pieces I've written all semester. When I first saw the prompt, I immediately thought about my dad and how my perspective of him changed as I got older. At first, I wasn't sure if I wanted to share something that emotional, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized how powerful it could be—not just as a story but as a way to connect with others. It allowed me to use writing to process my feelings and show my growth in both thinking and writing.
The idea started with a few memories, especially one where I realized how much pressure my dad was under to provide, even when he didn't show it. That memory stayed with me, and I knew it would be the essay's core. I used the writing concepts like voice and purpose to shape the piece's tone. I didn't want it to sound like I was telling a sad story—I tried to show understanding and respect for everything my dad had gone through. I worked hard to choose the right words and details to create emotion without overdoing it.
Writing this essay also taught me the importance of reflection in storytelling. It wasn't just about the events but what I learned from them. Through revision, I focused on making the essay more focused and meaningful. I cut out parts that felt off-topic and added lines that tied back to the main message. Ultimately, this essay helped me grow as a writer and a daughter. It reminded me how writing can deepen our understanding of ourselves and the people in our lives.
The Power Of Revision
I still remember the sinking feeling in my stomach when my first high school writing assignment was returned to me. It was a short personal essay, something I assumed was easy. I never thought much about my writing skills, and since I was in honor roll classes, I figured I was a decent writer, or at least not terrible. When I saw the paper covered in red ink, my confidence went down the drain. "Unknown thesis." "Disorganized ideas." "Grammar errors." The comments felt like little jabs, and the worst part was that I didn't even know what half of them meant. A week earlier, I had sat in my room, staring at my blank paper, trying to start the essay. The assignment was simple, "write about a personal experience that shaped you." I decided to write about when I got fired from my first job, a moment that crushed me but also taught me an important lesson about responsibility. I thought I had done a decent job, but my teacher's corrections told me otherwise. My ideas were scattered, my sentences clunky, and my message was unclear. After class, my teacher called me over and said, "You have something to say; you just need to figure out how to say it better." At first, I didn't understand, but I saw what he meant later that night. My ideas had poor structure and awkward wording. I needed to learn how to revise.
In his essay "The Maker's Eye: Revising Your Own Manuscripts," Donald Murray highlights the crucial role of revision in the writing process. He explains that professional writers understand that their first drafts are only the beginning. He states: "Good writing is essentially rewriting," (612) emphasizing that strong writing is not fully formed in the first draft. Instead, it requires multiple revisions to refine ideas, improve clarity, and convey the message effectively. He also notes that experienced writers look at their work with a critical eye, focusing on both the big picture and tiny details. By taking this approach, they gradually transform a rough draft into a polished piece. Murray states that revision is fixing errors and reshaping and strengthening ideas. He points out that professional writers often rewrite extensively, demonstrating that writing is an evolving craft.
One of the most important things I have learned about revision is that it should not be seen as a punishment but as an opportunity for growth. Many novice writers resist revision because they believe it means their first draft was a failure. However, as Murray explains, professional writers rewrite constantly, which shows that revision is a natural and necessary step in the writing process. My writing transformed when I stopped viewing revision as something negative and started seeing it to improve my work. Instead of rushing through a paper and submitting my first draft, I took the time to review my ideas, reorganize paragraphs, and clarify my arguments. Revision allows writers to identify their strengths and weaknesses, making their writing more transparent and engaging.
Another valuable lesson I have learned is that revision is like practicing a sport; it takes time, repetition, and patience. I have played softball since I was five, and when I first started, I had to learn the basic rules, how to swing a bat, and how to catch a ball. It took years of practice and making mistakes to improve my skills. Even now, after years of practice, I still make errors, but each mistake is an opportunity to learn and adjust. Writing is no different. Just as an athlete practices repeatedly to improve performance, a writer must revise multiple times to achieve clarity. Murray's statement, "Good writing is essentially rewriting," also applies here. Just as I practice my swings repeatedly to perfect them, a writer must go through their drafts repeatedly to refine their words and ideas. Revision is not about getting it right first but improving the writing with each attempt.
For any novice writer, the key takeaway is that revision is not your enemy but your best tool for improvement. Instead of fearing it, embrace it as an essential part of the writing process. The best writers do not create perfect first drafts; they refine and reshape their work until it effectively communicates their ideas. Start by rereading your work with fresh eyes, looking for areas where your ideas need clarity or better organization. Don't be afraid to move paragraphs or rewrite entire sections if necessary. Writing is a process, and revision is a part of that. Committing to revising your work with patience and an open mind will make real progress in your writing skills. So, the next time you write, remember that revision is where real magic happens.
Authors Note:
When I started thinking about this essay, I knew I wanted to write something that reflected how much I had learned about writing and revising this semester. At the beginning of the course, I didn’t fully understand how vital revision was. I used to think writing was about getting it done in one shot. However, after working on different assignments and getting feedback, I realized that revision is where most real growth happens. So, when this essay came up, I wanted to show how my mindset had shifted.
I started by brainstorming the key lessons I had learned in class, especially about writing concepts like purpose, audience, and revision. I also looked back at earlier drafts of my essays to remind myself how far each one had come. I connected with the topic as I wrote this piece because I had experienced it firsthand. The hardest part was figuring out how to explain my journey without just listing what I had done. I wanted it to feel personal and honest.
I kept revising and rewording sections throughout the writing process until the essay reflected how I felt. I paid close attention to transitions and flow because I wanted it to feel smooth and precise. This piece means a lot to me because it shows how much I’ve grown—not just in my writing skills but in how I approach writing. I used to dread editing, but now I see it as valuable. This essay gave me the chance to reflect on that shift and to be proud of the progress I’ve made.
Tutoring Reflection
Tutoring played a significant role in my experience with English 101. Since it had been years since I was last in school, I knew I would need extra help getting back into the flow of academic writing. During my tutoring sessions, I didn’t just fix grammar or sentence structure—I learned how to approach writing more thoughtfully and organized. The tutors helped me understand the 10 writing concepts better by showing me how to apply them to my actual drafts, especially regarding audience, purpose, and revision.
One of my most helpful sessions was when I brought in a draft I wasn’t confident about. The tutor walked me through how to reword sentences, so they flowed better and explained where I needed stronger transitions. They also helped me understand when to use commas or semicolons and how to clean up run-on sentences. That feedback stuck with me, and I started to notice those patterns on my own as I worked through later drafts. Another thing the tutor encouraged me to do was come up with a strong title by picking out words or phrases that stood out in my essay. That small advice made a big difference—it taught me to see my writing as something worth highlighting. Overall, tutoring gave me the tools to revise with purpose and feel more confident in my writing. It wasn’t just about fixing mistakes—it was about learning how to think like a writer. That support helped me grow this semester and made me feel more ready for ENG102.