Reflective Essay
A key piece of writing in each student’s portfolio will be a personal essay (approximately 750 words) in which each senior reflects upon her journey as a writer. In fact, this piece is so integral to the whole writing portfolio process that this reflective piece will be placed first in the portfolio.
As has been stated elsewhere, when teachers in the English Department use the word “process” in regard to writing, they have two things in mind: (1) the process a writer goes through in working on an individual piece of writing and (2) the process a writer goes through over time as she strives to become an increasingly proficient writer. Students should discuss both aspects of this process in their essay as they reflect upon the struggles, progress, and rewards that they have experienced with writing over the course of their high school years, as well as make specific reference to the pieces chosen for inclusion in the portfolio
Possible things to consider:
- Discuss moments as a writer that were especially rewarding or gratifying
- Discuss writing tasks you found especially challenging and difficult
- Examine the relationship between writing and reading
- Discuss your experience with creative writing projects
- Discuss the writing that you have done outside of English class and beyond the walls of Marymount
- Discuss your thoughts about your future as a writer as you prepare to enter college.