Wainwright

Angela Wainwright
English Comp 101
October 15, 2016
Narrative Draft

The problem is that the pressure to disprove a stereotype changes

what you are about in a situation. It gives you an additional task. In addition
to learning new skills, knowledge, and ways of thinking in a schooling
situation, or in addition to trying to perform well in a workplace like the
women in the high-tech firms, you are also trying to slay a ghost in the room,
the negative stereotype and its allegation about you and your group. You are
multitasking, and because the stakes involved are high--survival and success
versus failure in an area that is important to you--this multitasking is
stressful and distracting.- Claude M. Steele
The thoughts of failing has prolonged my decision to continue my
education. When, I think of writing as well as speaking correct English,
honestly I had no idea what was correct. Growing up in a household with
parents who themselves lacked education in general I was doomed from the
start. Since the emancipation, blacks were not allowed to be educated.
Parents are children first teachers. If minority parents have been subjected to
an unequal education system or none at all. This effects the psyche of feeling

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worthy or the motivation for learning. Yet, many struggled to educate

themselves for the purpose of wanting to fit in a society that is ethnically
blended.
I loved to read and write stories. I wrote them the way I spoke
without ever knowing there are writing mechanics such as grammar,
sentence structure, spelling, and communicating ideas clearly and concisely.
Etc. There are so many students entering this realm of higher education that
lack the skills to write a basic sentence properly. One must ask why or how is
this possible. According to the Common Core Education Standards there
wasnt any emphasis or demand to write analytically. With this in mind,
there are going to be students struggling to unlearn and relearn what is
considered an excellent execution in writing an essay or paper alike on a
college level. In my on-going effort to increase my writing skills taking time
to write about many topics on my own accord has strengthen my skills, and
motivation to overcome this deficiency.
Now, that I have entered community college my prior knowledge has
been put to test. Sadly, I have no prior knowledge of what good writing skills
are. Although, I started with the lowest academic foundation English course
writing essays are still a challenge with grammar, sentence structure, and
staying on topic to name a few. I am challenging myself to improve in writing
because it is important to speak and write well for entering the workplace.

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Having strong writing abilities tells employers you have the potential, you
are hirable, and sets one apart from others.