Portfolio

Leslie Cabrera 

Professor Furlong 

ENGL 11000 

12 December 2023 

Theory of Writing 

When it comes to writing my theory is for one to be deeply influenced to write needs to have the courage to do it. This can be an emotional and personal aspect when someone is in a writing process when doing an assignment. An example can be when I was writing the Rhetorical Analysis of my chosen article, I didn’t realize that I kept getting off topic on some parts and it felt more like a free write rather than what I was supposed to do and follow the rubric, so I guess you can say I got carried away. But I only got carried away because I was expressing my thoughts and feelings in the article. I only came to realize when the professor replied to my rhetorical analysis, I could see what he was saying was true, I lack on 
“evidence or detail and grammar.” What I was able to learn from it was writing much more, especially with the free writes every day I seem to always keep writing nonstop the only problem was there was a lot to say, and I could not find the right words to word it out. I do not know much about writing but what I can say is when someone finds an interest in what they are writing they are most likely to write more than they are supposed to write. My current writing is somewhat not bad, there have been many ups and downs. I can say when I am starting up and drafting essays for class, there will be times I would not even do them because I do not feel as motivated as I should be. Even so, when I do, I am doing it where it is noticeably quiet, for example doing it at midnight, the NAC (North Academic Center) building on the 4th floor. To be honest the NAC library was one of the best spots where I was able to do my assignments and not get distracted much. Either way, my writing is the same the way I tend to write sloppy by that I mean it does not make sense when someone would read it out loud of a part of my writing but If I were to read it, it would make sense because there is a tone I use in my writing. Weird, I know BUT you will understand when I do, an example can be one of those movies that are talking in a narrative voice, for example “The Cat in the Hat”. I like the way he narrates the story; it is very silly. Anyways, what I believe in writing when coming into class is there must be an act of expressing thoughts, feelings, or ideas when someone is writing up an essay. But with each assignment passing by, my theory is still the same because there would be times where I would be super lazy, or I would lack motivation and I would not do it till it surpasses the deadline. Then, all of a sudden, I feel the urge to complete all my assignments at the end I usually do. I did not think this class would change the way I write my essays; I learn about the structure of writing a rhetorical analysis. I was stuck at first and confused on what I was supposed to do but as I saw many more examples of it, I was able to catch up. I can also add on with the Free writes, in my senior year of high school we don’t do any start-up of “free writes” the assignment were given to us and were expected to complete by the deadline, so I guess you can say I was struggling on how to start an paragraph it’ll take me a while but when I get the hook if it, it would mainly be an off-topic conversation by someone because they have given me an idea on what to add on. I still do this (LOL) but I do not think it is stealing, think of it as borrowing. I cannot think of anyone who is influencing me to write but what I can say is one of my ELA teachers in middle and high school, I do not recall my middle school teacher name, but she was one of the best teachers, she was extremely strict and very forward. Although, with me she can be nice and mean at the same time she believes I had potential in writing, but I always doubted myself, I think she was saying that just to make me feel better. But she wasn’t the only one who has said that my English teacher in high school Ms. Fearron has said the same thing, I can’t forget in my freshman year when I had her everyone was telling me that she was the worse teacher, but all those accusations change when I had her for 3 years, she really is a sweet person and even when she is strict it’s because she wanted everyone to succeed and people did not see that. I love the way she pushes me to do better and always checks up on me even when I don’t ask her for any assistance, but I feel like she knows me so well she can tell that I was struggling and getting behind on the assignments. I would not have become the person I am now, if it weren’t for her teachings. And I cannot forget about my current professor in college Joseph Furlong. To be fair he reminds me of her, it felt like Deja vu when he said I had potential in my writing, and I could have gotten a better grade if only I had reached out to him. It is one of the things I struggle the most is asking my professors or contacting them. But now I feel much more confident on contacting my professors for next semester.