Looking back on this semester, I can see how each assignment shaped me as a writer and changed the way I think about writing. When I started, I wasn’t very confident about presenting my ideas, especially when it came to taking a strong stance. This is obvious in my Letter of Introduction. In that piece, I talked about my disinterest in social media but didn’t make a clear point, just rambled about my experiences. I didn’t have a thesis or much focus, and it showed. But as the semester went on, I improved. By the time I wrote the Critical Analysis Essay, I could craft a stronger argument, analyzing Joel Achenbach’s use of nonlinear narrative techniques. In the Research Essay, I argued about the media’s role in shaping public opinion during the Vietnam War, and I finally felt confident in my writing.

Learning to work with sources was a big milestone for me. At first, I didn’t know how to incorporate them well. In the Critical Analysis Essay, I used some references, but it felt forced. Over time, I improved. For the Research Essay, I pulled from academic articles, books, and historical accounts to build my argument. I learned how to paraphrase, quote, and analyze sources naturally. For example, I cited Michael C. Mitchell and Andrew J. Huebner to explain how television influenced public opinion during the Tet Offensive. I also became much more comfortable with MLA citations, which used to feel like a chore but now come naturally.

Revising my work was another area where I grew a lot. At the start of the semester, I barely revised my writing. The Letter of Introduction was a one-and-done draft. But with later assignments, especially the Research Essay, I embraced the revision process. Feedback from my peers and professor made a huge difference. For instance, someone suggested reorganizing my Research Essay, which helped my argument flow much better. I also got better at spotting weaknesses in my own writing, like when my explanations were too long, and fixing them.

Another thing I learned was how to adjust my writing for different purposes and audiences. The Letter of Introduction was personal, while the Critical Analysis Essay was formal and analytical. The Research Essay was even more challenging, requiring me to synthesize complex ideas for an academic audience. These differences taught me how to adapt my tone and structure, a skill I’ll keep using. Peer reviews also played a big role in my growth. Reading my classmates’ essays showed me what worked well and what didn’t, and their feedback helped me improve my own work.

Although most assignments were traditional essays, we also explored visual and multimedia elements. That opened my eyes to how writing can go beyond words on a page. While I didn’t include multimodal components in my portfolio, those lessons helped me interpret media differently, which came in handy when analyzing representations of the Vietnam War in my Research Essay. Reflecting on my multilingual background also helped me see language as a strength, something I could use to bring a unique perspective to my writing.

When I started, I thought writing was just about organizing ideas and presenting them clearly. Now, I see it as so much more. Writing is a process of discovery, a way to persuade and connect with others, and a chance to share something meaningful. The Research Essay really brought this home because it wasn’t just about summarizing facts—it was about crafting an argument that mattered. I also came to appreciate how important collaboration and revision are. Writing isn’t something you do alone; it improves with feedback and fresh ideas. That realization has made me more open to experimenting and trying new things.

This semester has been a turning point for me as a writer. From my hesitant start with the Letter of Introduction to the polished Research Essay, I’ve grown in confidence and skill. I’ve learned to write with purpose, use sources effectively, and adapt to different audiences and genres. Most importantly, I now see writing as an ongoing journey—one I’m excited to keep exploring. This portfolio reflects how far I’ve come and reminds me of how much more I can achieve.