Writing an expository essay forced me to step out of my comfort zone. Since in the puppetry course I take with Professor Adams we established what topics we could speak about, I already had an idea on what my expository essay was going to be about. I was determined to use a different topics in the classes due to the fact that, using the same topic would make it very easy to self-plagiarize. The standards for the expository essay were quite strict and specific. For instance, for  FIQWS with Professor Ewan, all sources had to be correctly introduced and conclusive language/phrases were prohibited, which is why it made step out of my comfort zone. Having to use citations correctly was a struggle being that if they were not used correctly, my writing can easily be considered plagiarized.

There were many things I learned that go beyond what was covered in Professor Adams’ class. In class with Professor Ewan we went over how to properly cite sources, how to use in-text citations, how/when to use signal phrase, etc. Initially I was not successful in finding sources that provide evidence for my report. The topic I researched on the CCNY database was too braud, which called for a change in my thesis question. I had also realized that during the library visit, we spoke about specific variables to include when trying to find a specific topic in the database. In other words, changing original thesis question from “ How has puppetry impacted therapy?” to “ What are the effects of puppetry in child therapy?” was very beneficial.

During the process of writing the expository essay, I was not able to rely on past approaches, being that, in high school the standards and guidelines are almost completely different. In high school, I was not taught to properly cite the sources I would use, and was also not taught, when and how to use signal phrase, which was a disadvantage when writing the expository essay. In addition throughout my previous essays in High School, I used to summaries ideas rather than analyzing them, but in this essay, it was different. I learned to interpret every word in the given text and to consider why these words fit together. I began to think and reflect on my own rather than relying on others to explain to me.However, in Professor Adams’ claas, we were given an example of what a proper source citation looks like, as well as in FIQWS class, we reviewed how to do so. Now that I have reviewed and learned how to properly cite sources, I believe I can describe my current understanding of and/ or my process for developing skills for writing within the MLA “code.” For example to cite a source  the sequence is; Authors Last name, first name. “ Title of Article.” Name of periodical, Volume, Issue, Date, Pages. Name of Database, DOI or URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

When I first began to write my expository essay, the information was disorganized and unclear, which left me with no choice but to continue writing, so that later on I can properly assemble my writing. While trying to answer my sub questions, I realized that the sources I chose, were not going to be able to help me answer my sub-questions, nor my thesis question. I then had to search for different sources that would be more convenient for me to answer the questions I created. This expository essay not only required me to choose an idea and then prove it with evidence like I thought at first. In order to be successful, I had to investigate an idea, prove it with evidence, and think critically and deeply about it too. I learned that need to read the material that I was trying to explain more than once. Some of the sub questions I created were close ended, so, I had to rephrase those questions or take them out. The number of sub-questions I initially had ended up having to be reduced. Eventually, I was able to successfully create all of my evidence towards answering my thesis question in each paragraph. I also incorporated the necessary evidence I needed in order to back up the answers to my questions. Introducing/ identifying the sources  was not as much of complex task as it was when writing the my narrative (previous assignment.) This is because since I had already learned and experienced having to introduce sources, I was able to introduce my sources much quicker.

Doing peer review was very beneficial and was an advantage. Collaborating with each other in class helped in giving me more suggestion on how to write this expository essay. There were many mistakes that I was not able to see when I would read my paper aloud. On my first draft, I fixed many misspelled words and phrases that had to be cited. Something I do to proofread is, I read my writing aloud to identify any syntax problems or if there are any missing punctuation.  When proofreading I proofread different elements at different elements at different times. Depending on what section of my essay I am working on, on re-read that section and I proofread it. When I finish assembling my essay, I re-read my essay aloud just like I would for every section of my essay (my paragraphs.) I search for thesis strength, sentence clarity, spelling, and punctuation. I revised my paper by correcting it step by step and focusing on each paragraph. I also focused on word choice, techniques, and that the paragraphs supported my thesis.