Before taking this course, I lacked a strong grasp of how to properly format an academic paper or even how to begin structuring one. I often jumped straight into writing without a clear plan or direction, which led to disorganized arguments and shallow analysis. Through this course, however, I’ve come to understand that strong writing begins with preparation and intention. One of the most important lessons I learned is that writing doesn't start with typing—it starts with thinking. Brainstorming became one of the most valuable tools in my writing process. Taking time to sit with different ideas and evaluate which ones best fit the assignment allowed me to connect my interests with academic goals. This early stage shaped the direction of my writing and made everything that followed much smoother and more focused.
One key turning point in my growth as a writer came through the essay I wrote on Christianity and the modern mental health crisis. In that piece, I explored how biblical teachings and community-based support systems help individuals live with emotional instability in a materialistic world. This wasn’t just about summarizing religious values, but it pushed me to analyze how moral frameworks shape behavior, identity, and the healing that comes with it. Writing that essay helped me grow in several ways. First, it taught me how to combine different types of evidence. Combining scripture, psychological data, and cultural commentary to form a cohesive argument. I had to approach research with a more thoughtful mindset, carefully selecting credible sources and integrating them in a way that supported my thesis. That essay also helped me improve the emotional clarity of my writing. I realized that strong arguments don’t always have to be cold and rigid—they can be meaningful, personal, and even spiritual while still being academically sound.
In contrast, my essay on Albert Camus and his views on social media pushed me into a completely different mind space. Analyzing absurdist philosophy and connecting it to the digital age taught me how to handle more abstract ideas and apply them to real issues. I had to really think deeply, diving into concepts like personal responsibility, passive living, and the illusion of freedom. Camus’s belief that “life is the sum of all your choices” challenged me to reflect on how even small decisions, like mindless scrolling, can shape a person’s life. Writing this essay helped me grow as a critical thinker. I wasn’t just repeating someone else’s ideas—I was engaging with them, questioning their relevance, and applying them to contemporary struggles. It helped me develop a stronger, more confident academic voice—one that can take on complex topics and still remain clear and purposeful.
Both essays also sharpened my organizational skills. Through outlining and revision, I learned how to structure arguments logically and ensure each paragraph builds on the next. I became more conscious of transitions, evidence placement, and the overall rhythm of a paper. Before this course, I often drifted off-topic or repeated ideas. Now, I’ve learned to stick to a central argument, support it with layered evidence, and return to it with stronger conclusions.
Another major area of improvement has been formatting—especially in MLA style. It felt like just another tedious checklist has now become second nature. I now understand how to correctly cite sources in-text, create a polished Works Cited page, and even use blocked quotes to present longer evidence with clarity. This attention to detail adds professionalism to my work and reflects respect for the sources I use. Proper formatting also helped me avoid plagiarism and gave my papers a cleaner, more academic structure.
Overall, this course has transformed me into a more confident, thoughtful, and capable academic writer. From brainstorming and outlining to researching, analyzing, and applying proper formatting, every step of the writing process has become more intentional. The essay on Christianity taught me how to write with empathy and moral depth, while the essay on Camus challenged me to think critically and philosophically about society. These experiences didn’t just improve my writing—they helped me grow as a thinker. I now see writing not as a chore or a grade, but as a powerful way to make sense of the world and contribute to meaningful conversations.