This is a collection of all the reflections I’ve worked on this semester for each essay. In each reflection, I look at the feedback I got from my teacher and think about how it helped me improve my writing. The feedback wasn’t just about things like grammar or punctuation—it made me think about my ideas, how I explained them, and how I could make my writing better overall. The teacher asked me some important questions that made me think more deeply about my work and realize the places where I could improve.
As I answered these questions, I thought about what I could have done differently and how much better I could have made my essays. Sometimes the feedback made me realize that I hadn’t explained my ideas clearly enough or that my arguments were missing something important. The teacher’s questions helped me see these issues, and they made me want to do better. I started to understand that feedback isn’t just about fixing mistakes—it’s a chance to make my writing stronger by thinking more carefully about what I’m trying to say.
Looking back at these reflections, I can see how I’ve grown as a writer. I can see where I first struggled, and how my revisions improved the essays over time. The teacher’s feedback played a big role in this improvement, but it was also the time I spent thinking about the questions and really considering how I could do better that helped me the most. Each essay I wrote this semester has taught me something new, and these reflections show how much I’ve learned. They’ve helped me get a better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses as a writer, and they’ll definitely help me keep improving in the future.
Proposal Reflection
Working on the Maglev train proposal and presentation was actually a big learning experience for me. At first, I didn’t really know much about how trains work, let alone maglev technology. But after diving into the research, I realized how cool and futuristic this kind of transportation is. I also saw how behind the U.S. is when it comes to fast and clean public transportation, compared to places like Japan and China. Doing this project really opened my eyes to how science, technology, and writing all connect when trying to solve real-world problems.
For my part of the project, I helped a lot with writing the introduction and conclusion. I very much contributed to the slides being done, as well as my slides and the theme and creativity done in the slides. I wanted the slides to be eye-catching but still easy to understand. I also helped review and organize some of the sections, so the proposal made sense from start to end. I worked on making sure we sounded professional but also clear enough for people who may not know much about maglev.
One of the biggest things I learned was how to do research the right way. I used a mix of websites, government sources, and articles from places like the CCNY libraries. I also made sure the sources were real and not just random blogs or opinion pieces. I practiced quoting things correctly and giving credit, which is something we talked about in class. That’s part of the course outcome where we learned to use academic research and cite sources the right way. I didn’t always do that well before, but I’ve gotten better at it now.
Another thing I learned was how to work in a team. Everyone in our group had their own tasks, and I had to trust that they’d get it done, just like they trusted me. We would check in with each other and give feedback. I think that matches with the course outcome about collaborating and communicating clearly in group projects. Even though we had different styles of working, we made it work by staying on the same page and helping when someone needed it. There were some parts we had to redo, but I learned that’s part of the process.
Overall, I think I improved a lot in writing technically but still clearly, using real research, and working together as a team. If I had more time, I would’ve added more about the U.S. transportation system and maybe how we could realistically start building maglev systems. But I’m still proud of what we did. This project showed me how English class isn’t just about essays but also about using writing to talk about real- world issues and solutions. I think this project helped me grow in confidence and also showed me how much writing matters even outside of school.
Self-Reflection for Informational Report
In completing this report, I have expanded my understanding of how nature-based solutions can play a significant role in addressing climate change. I used course knowledge such as how to create an effective thesis statement as well as doing effective research. I have learned that integrating natural processes into our climate strategy not only helps the environment but also supports communities and economies. Finalizing my report I had acknowledged that humans have done substantial damage to the earth in the past as well as the present. Acknowledging this I had realized that treating the planet that we call home as horrible as we do now is unbelievable. We should all strive for an effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly life.
Using course material such as the video to do effective research on how the Bronx River Alliance protecting the Bronx River is effective not only supporting the Bronx River in general but also supporting the ecosystem around the Bronx River. We can use our prior knowledge to know that the Bronx River is an effective source of water and possibly food for many animals nearby. The video had shown me that the Bronx River is in this case a nature based solution to Climate Change.
