Personal Reflection
When I first started this course, I didn't realize how much I would grow as a writer and communicator. One of the biggest challenges for me was annotated reading because I was so used to reading just to finish an assignment. Slowing down to identify an author's purpose, tone and writing techniques felt overwhelming at first, but as the semester went on, I found myself understanding the material on a much deeper level. It taught me that reading critically is just as important as writing well.
Writing blogs was another challenge because it wasn't enough to simply share information. I had to learn how to connect with readers, sound conversational and still communicate a clear message. Finding that balance took time, but I became more confident with each assignment.
I also noticed my vocabulary change throughout the course. I became more familiar with the language journalists and strategic communicators use, and I started thinking more intentionally about word choice, audience and AP style. Looking back, I'm proud of how much I've improved. This course pushed me outside of my comfort zone, but it also helped me become a stronger writer and gave me skills that I'll continue to use in my career.