English 101/Dr. Smith
Journal Assignment #8: Self-reflection
Answer all the following questions in a full journal entry. Be honest with yourself when you reflect upon the kind of work you did in this class this quarter. This self-reflection exercise will count as one journal entry. You will not be graded on this assignment for grammar and mechanics; however, you must answer all of the following questions to receive full credit on this assignment.
1. Think back to the beginning of the quarter. Did you have a plan that would help you succeed
in this class? How many hours did you set aside each week to work on homework, writing
assignments, and so on? Did you follow your plan?
2. Do you think that you spent enough time preparing for class, writing your papers? If not, why
not?
3. Do you think that you worked diligently in this class? Did you always/frequently/hardly ever
work up to your potential? Did you participate fully in work done in class (group exercises,
revision workshops, editing workshops)? Did you always/frequently/hardly ever do the
homework required for the next day?
4. How many times did you discuss your papers-in-progress with me in my office? If you never
came to my office for help, why not?
5. How many times did you discuss your papers with people outside of class? Did this help?
6. Did you contribute to the class community by being in class? being on time? asking questions in
class? answering questions in class? supporting others in their group work on grammar and
paper writing?
7. Are you using the writing hints from class in your writing now? the revision hints? the grammar
points in your editing? If not, why not? If so, are they helping you?
- Are you using the evaluation sheets that are handed back to you with your graded essays? If so, how
are you using them? Did they help you prepare the next essay for grading? If not, why not?
Explain.
9. Again, reflect on the entire course: do you think your writing has improved? Do you feel prepared
for English 102 work? If not, describe what you think your weaknesses are.
10. Based on all the work you’ve done so far, what do you think would be a fair letter grade for you
in this class? Make sure you consider the syllabus requirement, papers, class work, homework,
participation, and so on. Give yourself the grade and be descriptive about why you deserve it.
Begging and pleading for a higher grade won’t work! I want you to honestly evaluate the work
you did in this class.
***Turn this journal entry in with all your other journal entries in a folder on Tuesday, November 9th.***