Calamuci 1

Robert Calamuci
Anna Deadrick
English 102
7 May 2016

Reflection Paper
English 102 the follow up course to the basic 101, my expectations for what I was
going to learn was not very high as this class is not much more advanced than 101. I
wanted to learn more on grammar and how to better formulate arguments using rhetorical
strategies and research. In all honesty I did not. Instead I got quick grammar lessons that
droned on and on for about two classes. When any assignment was given none of the
material that needed to be covered such as argumentative strategies where effectively
covered, they were reviewed as if we already knew them and just needed a refresher. The
assignments them selves were often poorly made as directions and criteria were not made
completely clear, with some of the criteria being based off of the professors opinions.
This could be seen in our midterm when we were asked to rate three propaganda posters
on weather or not they were very aggressive or not, and the professor said that her
opinion was the right one and any one who disagreed with her was wrong. As far as my
overall performance I felt I could have done better to reach my personal goals for the
class, however I also feel as though the course its self was in adiquit in educating me on
what was necessary for me to succeed.
My work through out the semester was by no means spectacular but I felt was
good enough for the course requirements. I struggled with grammar, most notably run on

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sentences and informal writing. The essays written in English 102 are expected to show a
high level of grammatical understanding, as it is a collage level course. I did feel that my
argumentative skills were effective as can be seen in my research essay. I was able to
amass a plethora of sources to effectively back my claim that Martial Arts training are
highly beneficial to the development of children. I found several sources that also refuted
my claim such as those accounting for the injuries sustained while practicing or
competing, and then was able to make counter arguments against those refutations with
even more researched backing.
As stated previously however I still struggle a great deal with grammar. All of my
essays showed numerous grammatical errors with little to show for growth. Also my
ability to utilize formal language in writing is flawed. While I am willing to take
responsibility with my faults, in that I know I could go to tutors or ask for help, I felt that
this course and those prior did not educate me in these subjects as they said they would. I
do however believe that my most recent work, my research paper shows growth as I
utilized grammarly, proof reading from fellow students, and a tutor to help fix my writing
and improve it technically.
In the end I do not feel that I met all the requirements for English 102. This is
because I should have been more proactive in my learning. I should have sought out more
help for what I struggled with and spent time learning it. Yet I believe the assignments
them selves needed to me more clearly and more efficiently constructed so the grading of
my work could have been fairer.

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Bibliography
Robert Thomas Calamuci Martial Arts and there Benefits on Child Development 6
May 2016