Reflection on Composition Class
In this class I learned a lot through research, essay writing, and various assignments. I explored academic essay structures, critical thinking, and the integration of tools like peer feedback and AI assistance. Below, I divided my reflection into 4 aspects, including my research (further divided into 4), the role of Chat GPT, the value of peer review, and journal writing.
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I. My Research
1. Abortion:
I assumed in the beginning that the survey results would differ from my stance (I am pro-life). However, I maintained a neutral approach and avoided sharing the questionnaire within specific groups, such as Christian communities I’m part of, to prevent biased results. Initially, I thought an argumentative essay was to state my position outright. However, later I realized doing so might discourage opposing readers. Plus, since this was a quantitative research project, I couldn’t overtly express my stance. Therefore, I subtly conveyed my pro-life perspective through evidence (in the Discussion paragraph) and conclusions. But from this experience writing something that has such a different point of view from the majority, I learned that even when peers and survey participants hold opposing views, I can stand firm in my beliefs and present my arguments confidently without changing my perspective to align with or to please others.
2. Structure & Format:
I learned the IMRD format: Abstract, Introduction, Method, Findings, Discussion, and Conclusion. Initially, I was unsure where to place the content, but through discussions and revisions, I gradually gained clarity on structuring my work. And structure has always been the thing I need to work on, since I jump from thought to another very quickly.
3. The Importance of Designing Questionnaires:
When writing a questionnaire-based essay (quantitative research), the survey itself is critical. My mistake was not designing the questionnaire with a clear connection to my thesis. Instead, I focused on asking questions I was personally curious about, which later limited how well I could use the results to support my thesis.
4. The Long Journey of Revisions:
Through multiple rounds of revisions, I realized that the sooner I make revisions, the better. The best approach for me is to address feedback immediately upon receiving it. Delaying revisions leads to forgetfulness, procrastination, and diminished results. For example, I often postponed peer or teacher feedback, thinking I’d revise the next day. However, unexpected events delayed the process further, and by the time I started revising, I had forgotten key points or lost my original inspiration.
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II. The Role of Chat GPT
To my surprise, I received the highest score on my report (presentation) of my thesis, which was assisted by ChatGPT like 80% (apologies to my professor if you're reading this!). But usually I will do it more on my own, the “accident” happened just because I was too busy that week. While I felt guilty and shocked about this, it also made me realize the growing importance of AI tools like ChatGPT, especially for future generations.
Initially, I viewed ChatGPT as a shortcut for lazy students and was reluctant to use it. However, as I encountered more opportunities to use AI in college, I began to appreciate its ability to save time. Nowadays students are quite busy (yeah), and using AI effectively can help us allocate more time to tasks we truly care about. Tasks like data organization or repetitive work don’t always require manual effort. Leveraging AI for these can free up time for more creative or meaningful endeavors.
Now, I believe that using ChatGPT wisely is something a smart student will do. It’s clear that AI will widen the gap in efficiency between those who use it skillfully and those who stick to traditional methods. I recommend taking advantage of AI, at the same time, we still need to be mindful of the role it plays in our work and not to be replaced by it. It’s still important for us to enhance our abilities in all aspects, especially knowledge wise.
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III. The Value of Peer Review
The three key assistants to my writing process: professors, peers, and ChatGPT. At first, I underestimated the value of peer review, as I often hesitated to offer suggestions to others, fearing my feedback might not be helpful or worrying about how it would be received. However, I’ve come to realize that peer review and discussions are incredibly beneficial. They help clarify the structure and ideas in my writing. When discussing with peers, I often identified logical flaws or unconsidered aspects; when explaining my essay to them, I improved my understanding of my argument and strengthened my point of view.
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IV. Journal Writing
I was so glad that this class gave me the opportunity to start journaling again—it had been a long time since I last kept a journal. Journaling is very much enjoyable and has definitely improved my English. I seldom have chances to think about my daily life or express it in English, so while I was writing, I found my limited vocabulary. I often had to look up words or note down in Chinese first. Additionally, I found it hard to use accurate and appropriate ways to express certain sentences. Through journaling, I enhanced my vocabulary, improved my English expression, also reflected on my life. It’s truly a good de-stress exercise!
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Conclusion
To sum up, I gained a great deal from this class. Academic writing skills are essential for structuring and organizing ideas, and they will be crucial if I pursue graduate studies. Developing this skill is a priority for me in college. I’m deeply grateful to my professor, classmates, teaching assistants, and my good friend ChatGPT—without you all, I wouldn’t have completed this research project successfully!