Module 1 Writing Activity

Pick one of the four topics listed in the Week 5 writing assignment and choose the topic that most appeals to you for your final, peer reviewed paragraph. Once you’ve made your choice, start with the first step of the writing process, inventing, and try a few of the methods to develop your ideas.  If you find that the topic does not seem to be working, try developing another topic. Once you’ve developed some good ideas for your paragraph, move to the second step, organizing, and construct an outline that you can use for drafting your paragraph.  

Topic #1 
Discuss at least four (4) short term and/or long term effects that finishing Crafting an Effective Writer: Tools of the Trade will have upon you personally, academically, and/or professionally.

Freewriting

This course is largely beneficial to me. Firstly, the quick pace and close structure of the course made me think deeply about how to organise my time. Keeping track of deadlines was tough, since I do not live in the same timezone as the course deadlines was written in. I was forced to write the dates on a calendar to keep track of them, and this will be an important time management skill I hope to keep with me at least for the immediate future. Secondly, I also learnt to think more deeply about what I write. By adding different kinds of phrases and clauses to my writing, I can make it less repetitive and more interesting. As a non-native speaker of English, this will improve the quality of my writing. I can apply this to my academic papers if I begin further studies, as well as in the proposals I write as part of my job scope. Thirdly, I have also learnt how important editing my work is. People inevitably make mistakes, no matter how careful they are. By editing and proofreading my own work, I can weed out these mistakes. Lastly and most importantly, I have rekindled the joy of learning in myself. It is truly a privilege to be able to study. Of course, signing up for a course means making a commitment, which is no mean feat. However, once I was willing to take that leap of faith, I found how much I missed learning. This thirst for knowledge and self-improvement is something I hope to take with me to my grave. In conclusion, I have learnt much from this course, both about life skills and about writing itself. 

Week 4 Journal 2

Module 2 Writing Activity

In your journal, continue your sentence practice with noun and verb phrases. Write at least one of each of the noun phrases discussed in the unit (prepositional phrase, absolute phrase, and appositive phrase) and at least two of each of the verb phrases (infinitive phrase and participial phrase). You will, therefore, write at least seven sentences for this journal activity. As in the first assignment, underline the phrase in each sentence and consider its function in both as a modifier and an aspect of your writing style.

I sat silently in the study lounge, looking at Matt, whose brow was furrowed. His eyes glued to the screen, he cursed under his breath when the program failed for the umteenth time. I could not help but smile to see Matt struggle. Matt, a genius with the computer, was still a mere mortal after all. Sighing heavily, Matt pushed his laptop towards me, who seized it eagerly. To be entrusted to help the great Matt, I felt honoured. However, when I looked at the screen, all I could do was shake my head sadly. Feeling helpless, I admitted, "I don't know what to do," while I returned the laptop to my best friend.

Week 4 Journal 1

Module 1 Writing Activity

In your writing journal, begin to practice building sentences with adjective and adverbial clauses. As in Unit 3, you may find it helpful to be observing a scene in nature while you compose sentences. Using the lists associated with each of these types of clauses, write at least three (3) sentences including adjective clauses and three (3) sentences including adverbial clauses. Underline the adjective and adverbial clauses. Consider their function in both as a modifier and an aspect of your writing style.

I sat silently, looking at Matt, whose brow was furrowed. He cursed under his breath when the program failed for the umteenth time. I could not help but smile. Matt, who was a genius with the computer, was still a mere mortal after all. With a sigh, Matt pushed his laptop towards me, who seized it eagerly. However, when I looked at the screen, all I could do was shake my head sadly. "I don't know what to do," I admitted, while I returned the laptop to my best friend.