Saturday, June 14, 2014
Reflection - Test #1 - June 30
Discuss your thoughts on taking Test #1. Were you prepared for it? If so, what strategies did you use as part of your preparation? If you were not prepared for it, what will you do next time to ensure that you do well on the test? In addition, discuss your thoughts of today's activities.
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I was both prepared and unprepared to take Test #1. I was prepared, because I had a slight understanding of what I needed to do for the test. The strategies I used were reading the textbook and the resource on the four essays, and using the Writing Process Worksheet. Meanwhile, I was unprepared, because I did not fully understand what I was supposed to do, and I was uncertain if I was allowed to mix the modes of writing. Next time, I will research more on the mode of writing, and ask others for clarification on the essay I am going to write.
ReplyDeleteIn today's class, we read from the textbook out loud and discussed the questions about the essays. After I turned in my Test #1, I left. I hope you do well on the test, everyone!
The Writing Process Worksheet was very resourceful for me with writing my essay because it kept my essay organized. I was unprepared when I first started writing my essay because I wasn't descriptive enough in my writing.
DeleteLesson learned. I was unprepared as well.
DeleteI was both prepared and unprepared as well. That is what I get for not writing something down when it was said in the beginning of the class regarding the take home test.
DeleteDefinitely the next test will do better than this time.
DeleteGood Job Christina! I am glad one of us was prepared. I need to be more like you when it comes to class.
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ReplyDeleteI prepared to take Test #1, only because I chose the option to write my descriptive essay at home. It took me a while before I settled with a topic. By the start of class I had all three stages of the writing process. I performed the strategies that was introduced to me from our textbook. I could not help but use both description and narration when writing this essay. I realized after brainstorming certain topics that it is much easier for me to write from experience. By the next text, I will not over think when writing my essay.
ReplyDeleteIn today's class, we discussed two descriptive essays in our textbook. After today's lesson I presented my topic, thesis and what I learned when writing my descriptive essay.
It took me awhile to choose my essay topic as well. I had a hard time being descriptive in my essay. The next test I will be sure to start earlier.
DeleteGood for you Casi. Unfortunately for me, I was not prepared for the test. Limited time and doing the three stages of the writing process was the factor.
DeleteI can understand how you can often over-think when writing. I struggle with the very same thing. It usually starts out with a small idea and next thing I know, I've expanded on that idea to the point of boredom. I think this is why I often do thing on impulse. Because if I were to sit and think my choices/decisions through, I'd probably never reach any final decision, or make a decisive choice. So often enough, I do things as often and as quickly and they come to mind. They haven't always been the most sound decisions, but at least I committed to one. Crazy though, I've lived much of my life this way.
DeleteOh and mad props on completing your test at home. I admire how you take initiative to get things done! Great job!
DeleteThank you Alex!
DeleteI had my essay but thought we had to submit online like the last one. Hopefully, my quick essay writing in class was enough.
DeleteI did not know how to use description without narration either. So, my Test #1 turned into a hybrid with Test #2. Luckily, I was assured that using narration with description was alright.
Deletemaking outline and brainstorming help a lot before you write essays
Deleteusing the Writing Process Worksheet did help write the essay within the time limit.
DeleteI was both prepared and unprepared for Test#1. I was prepared because I worked on my Test#1 over the weekend and by the start of class I had all three stages of the writing process completed and my Final Draft was ready for grading. I was unprepared for Test#1 because I found it hard to be descriptive in my writing and I should have started my essay earlier. Next time I should start a week before the next test is due. I used listing, the big six questions, and clustering for Stage One. For Stage two I did my outline and thesis, and for stage three I had my rough draft peer reviewed.
ReplyDeleteIn today's class we read two essays. Both of the essays were really descriptive.
Affirmative. I think it's better to do the essays at home because you will have more time and therefore have a quality work.
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DeleteJonah, mad props on taking the initiative to complete your test at home! Here are a few pointers that helped me with being descriptive in my essay. Hope it helps you as well.
Delete- Draw five columns on a piece of paper with each column labeled one of the five senses. These include taste, touch, sight, sound, and smell. This list will help you keep your thoughts straight when describing your essay. Using your five senses, write down sensations and feelings you associate with your topic.
- Review your list and choose the most dominant details to write about. These details should be the items that best support your thesis and are the most interesting. These details will be made into your body paragraphs.
- Create an outline that lists what each paragraph of your essay is going to discuss. Structure your essay in a way that makes sense for your topic. If you are writing about an event, give your paragraphs a chronological order. If you are writing about a place or thing, try ordering your paragraphs so that they go from general to specific.
- Body paragraphs are where you get to prove that your thesis is true. Always keep in my mind that everything you write in your body paragraph should relate to your topic sentence and your thesis.
- Each topic sentence should relate back to the thesis statement.
- Your conclusion should summarize everything you have written in your essay. It should also restate your thesis. It is important to have a well-written conclusion because it is the last thing the reader will read, and will stay in his or her mind the longest.
Summarized from: http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Descriptive-Essay
Thank you Alex, I will be sure to look at this for reference for future essays.
DeleteAlex's comment helped me a lot.
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ReplyDeleteI was not "fully" prepared for Test #1. I was rusty and had to rush a bit due to the limited time we had to complete the essay. In preparation for the next test, I will be focusing and studying more on the writing process worksheet.
ReplyDeleteToday's class we reviewed and discuss critical thinking on students paragraphs, essay and report.
I think most of us were a bit rusty. Props to Casiana and Jonah for taking the initiative to complete their test over the weekend. Well done!
DeleteI was rusty at well when I was doing the essay at home. It took me awhile to complete everything. I was not rushed but I still had a difficult time doing the test.
DeleteI agree on the limited amount of time to write an essay. That to me is just not enough time. Next time all my essays will be done before class.
DeleteMany people in our class was rusty for this test. Even I was and I have been writing a lot lately too.
DeleteUnfortunately for me, I had lost track of time and the class calendar, which is a direct result of my own negligence. I will not, however, say that I was utterly unprepared for the test. I enjoy the class and have gained renewed confidence as a direct result of this class. Thus I feel that I come to class each day prepared, for whatever it may be that we are tackling. It would have been exceptionally befitting to me if I had opt to do my test at the comfort of my own home. I would have been able to write better, with a more defined writing structure and better penmanship. My handwriting tends to be choppy with darting lines when I am writing with limited time. So I guess in short I’d have to say that mentally, I was not prepared for the test. But I was prepared for the challenge indeed. After I got an idea of what was going on, I picked up and it was rather smooth sailing for then on. Or at least I hope it was. I’m still a bit confused as to what we were actually turning in. So I just followed what was written on the board.
ReplyDelete- Type of essay selected out of the four major essays.
- Topic selected
- Thesis (Writing Process Worksheet, stages 1 and 2)
- What have I learned (per writing my first essay)?
In addition, I feel that with the next couple tests, I’m simply going to opt for doing them at home. Thus I will need to keep track of daily activities on the class calendar, coordinate with Dr. Rivera along with my fellow peers to find out as much as possible, regarding what to look for on the tests, and most definitely have my test typed and well formatted.
Other than the test today, we briefly discussed 2 descriptive essays, “Yearning for Love” and “The Drag.” Both used descriptive and narrative analogies at a varying, but balanced rate, and rather effectively if I may add. When I think of descriptive essays’, the first thing that comes to mind is poetry. I think poetry can be both descriptive and narrative. I have a feeling I am going to enjoy writing descriptive essays.
No hard feelings my friend. I pretty much gave it my all in today's test. I was unprepared too.
DeleteEven though I did my test at home I still found it hard for me to write my essay. It really does help when you don't have a specific time limit because it took me awhile to get all three stages of the writing process done.
DeleteThanks Dan.. Hope we'll be better prepared with the next couple tests.
DeleteJonah, I replied to your blog with a few pointers that helped me with my descriptive writing. Hope it helps you as well.
I'm sure you did great Alex! Most of us tend to hesitate under pressure. It also took me a while to write this essay at home.
DeleteTake it easy Alex. We know you had a lot to say, but damn you had too much to say.
DeleteZiggy.. Hahahaha.. I get carried away when it comes to writing. Now if only could channel that into my essay writing I'd be set..
DeleteCasiana.. Thank you for the confidence booster. You are awesome!
more than 80% of us did not prepare well.
DeleteI wasn't prepared for the test. I used the same strategies that everybody used. I used the writing process worksheet. I feel good about the test. I'm very good at calming my nerves down under pressure. I believe I did good. I could have done better if I had taken the test home. I will do that with the next test. SO WHAT AM I WAITING FOR?. I better get started for test # 2.
ReplyDeleteGood thinking Ziggy, start "NOW" and save your worries for other tantalizing things in life.. I know I'm starting on a whole lot of things after this blog.. Most especially my Reading Lab. That should be fun..
DeleteThe challenging part about the test was finding the appropriate word choice and details for my essay. I could never work under pressure. That is why I took advantage of the take home test.
DeleteJust do it, don't wait for the last minute right? I started work on my second exam too. Good luck to both of us.
DeleteI think the take home test is easier for everyone, because it allots more time to write the essay. Also, I like your enthusiasm! I am sure that you will do well on the next test as well.
DeleteWell begun is half done, Ziggy!
DeleteEven though I knew in advance that we had a test today, I was at a slight disadvantage due to the inconvenience of mother nature. I think what confused me was the topic I wrote about. I wasn't as narrative as I should've been and the essay sounded unbalanced. I'm also not very good writing things under pressure, and I completely forgot that we had the option of doing a take-home test since the last test we had was on the first day. I feel like the experiences with the all-about me essay and this test are learning experiences that I will definitely use to better my skills in the coming classes. I also think that because it's summer, writing essays and remembering to blog gets harder to do.
ReplyDeleteI feel like after this, most of our class is going to do the take home test.
I agree Nicole. This is all just a learning experience. We can always make it up with the next tests. I also was not feeling like myself today.
DeleteI am not good at writing things under pressure, as well. I always get too nervous to present my message in a clear manner. In addition, I prefer the take home test, because I can refer to resources, such as the thesaurus.
DeleteI totally agree. It is a little harder to remember. - Larrisha
DeleteWe had an test #1 today. Honestly, I did not prepare it well. I just read a book once. That was all I did. I choose a topic which was the famous historical people. I had the information for some of them, and I knew how I should write. That was my strategy. We read two descriptive essays in today's activity.
ReplyDeleteThe reason we are in this class is to improve. Don't you worry we will improve together. And for the strategy you use to prepare test number one, next time you should try to use the strategy we learned from the text book , like clustering, outlining, brainstorming, etc. whatever work for you then it is a good strategy. Actually for me all those strategy works.
DeleteI thought that if we decided to do the take home test we were going to come to class tell our topic and thesis statement and then leave. Then the next class day we will turn in the assignment. Even though I thought wrong I was prepared. The main reason why I think I was prepared for this test was because my 12th Grade Litature teacher would have us take so exams by writing a 3 page essay typed in one hour. So I am kind of used to writing under pressure and having ideas just poor out of my head, but I wish my hands could write as fast as I can think. For my descriptive essay my topic was rainy days. When I wrote about rainy days I talked about what it was like to be outside in the rain and inside sitting my the window and watching the rain fall. To write my essay I use all of my sense.
ReplyDeleteThat would have been an interesting topic to read. I am glad you were prepared Lauren. It is good to think ahead.
DeleteActually I thought the same way you do for take home exam. I was think are we really take home exam, and that's why I did prepare a little bit. It was a good lesson for the next three coming text. Since we know how take home exam is goes, next time we can both take advantage of take home exam.
DeleteWorking under pressure is a great skill. I'm good at working under pressure but not great.
DeleteTest #1 was fine. I was not prepared for it at all. I basically started writing a story and fit it into the stages. Next time, I will double check noodle and definitely do the take home.
ReplyDeleteI will take that advantage too.
DeleteI'm sorry to to correct but I'm pretty sure you meant moodle. I was laughed by the sentence. Thank You
DeleteYes Iggy, I realized that too. It's too funny. I'm sorry.
DeleteI too will make the next test a take home test
DeleteTest #1
ReplyDeleteThe strategy I used on test number one was, outlining and clustering. However, due to not fully understanding the advantage of taking home exam, I think I did bad job on the first essay. I did prepare, but not fully prepared. And I did know the advantage of taking home exam, but not fully understand the rule behind it. The lesson I learned from test number one is always make sure fully understand about what is going on and what is the rule.
This is what I have learned today as well. Make sure I understand and ask questions if I do not.
DeleteI agree that today was a learning lesson. I did not fully understand what was happening either, so I did my work early just in case. After today's class, I now fully understand what I am supposed to do.
DeleteI too found that the first stage helped me out.
DeleteFor test number one, I was definitely not prepared. I did not do the test at home and I had to do it in class. I felt like I did not do my best and will do way better next time. I am a little lost with the take home stuff, but I definitely won't make the same mistakes. I chose to do a narrative essay because I felt that it was the easiest to do in the short period of time.
ReplyDeleteJess,
DeleteI know how you feel about feeling like you did not do your best. I really go through that all the time. I tell myself that I am going to do my work or that it's not a big deal, I can do it. Eventually, I fail to stay on track.
I was slightly prepared for test 1. I had my entire essay written with all stages but thought i had to submit online. This is my failure to write down the process that was explained to us. Lesson learned. I just used what I could remember from my essay. Hopefully it was enough. I know it was not as nice and organized as my final essay I finished at home.
ReplyDeleteI was unaware of today's in class test. I thought we would get a topic today from Mrs Rivera and take it home to work on it. I was just caught off guard and had a hard time choosing a topic.
ReplyDeleteHalf of our class was caught off-guard. No worries. We got four more tests.
DeleteMost of us thought the same way you did. Hopefully next time we do the take home the right way.
DeleteI know Dr. Rivera explained multiple different times on how this test would go, but the entire thing slipped my mind. I was so unprepared. I jumped from topic to topic. I ended up writing about falling in love, but that essay was levels below my writing abilities. I know I could do so much better. I'm so disappointed that I wasn't prepared. My essay was so messy too! I'm not even sure if it was a descriptive essay because I felt like I was writing either an informative essay or a narrative one.
ReplyDeleteI was unprepared for the test, i wish i got to do better but i plan on putting my A effort for the next test. I loved the way i wrote the test but i wish i got to revise it more. I was unable to due to the fact i was in a rush.
ReplyDelete