Hello, my name is Shamel Jaquez Mateo, and I am pleased to introduce myself to you through this self-assessment for my Composition For U.S Jewish Experience course. As a student who is dedicated to academic development, I believe that reflective thinking and self-evaluation are crucial tools for reaching my objectives. I’ve gained a better awareness of my own skills and weaknesses as a result of this approach, and I’ve recognized areas where I can continue to grow. In this self-evaluation, I will present a summary of my earlier work I completed in the semester as well as the current/ending of the semester and objectives throughout, as well as a candid appraisal of my productivity.

Prior to having to write the second essay during class I was worried that I was not going to have ample time to properly address and meet the requirements of the rubric. However, using the strategies that we developed in class such as properly “synthesizing”, without having the quotes from the book directly in front of me but still knowing exactly what point of the story I was referencing. This helped me build my argument and in the end achieve the argument  and reach what my thesis stated my point was. Having the expectation of the essay be lowered allowed me to have the “freeway” of leaving some thoughts open to change. As we didn’t need to include quotes since we weren’t allowed to have any open book, it made the process much easier and faster. I found myself in the process of using rhetorical devices without intending to like a hypophora, which I used in the second paragraph “Why care? That’s the question that many think when reading those lines. Like the husband says she doesn’t owe her an explanation. If the wife were to only think of Mrs. Cooper as merely an employee and someone who takes care of her daughter then surely she wouldn’t care. Except that here it is evident that not only does the wife care enough to explain why there isn’t a Christmas tree in her house, but that she shares private intimate details of her life, and Mrs. Cooper reciprocates by telling her about her situation with her husband.” I asked a question then proceeded to answer it while carrying on to my next point.  

Through what feels like the endless close readings and analysis I was able to narrow my focus on what I am attempting to argue, prove, or showcase in my essays instead of steering off. They helped me analyze texts further, and in the process view the text in a deeper and more profound manner. It allowed me to connect points from one story to the next as well as go from a deep specific point to a more general point inorder to connect and allow the reader to see the overall picture/connection. Once professors drop the high expectation of evidence in essays and give more leeway, students (like myself) are able to expand their points without being afraid of sounding repetitive or like they are simply paraphrasing what the quote is already explaining. Having certain requirements on me forces me to struggle and add things that aren’t necessary to their essays, in return having a whole section in the essay that doesn’t fit or doesn’t make sense. I felt that this allowed me to write to show off what I know, instead of writing to satisfy the requirement. Transitioning into paper number 2 final draft which was written after writing it in-class I noticed that The final draft allowed me to take into consideration the clarity that I had when I was laser focused on my paper. I admired how well I was able to lay out my points with no physical form of primary sources, instead with the information that was able to stick to my head. I learned that even though as a writer you would think you are expanding on your point enough you’re never really expanding enough, and there is always room for more clarity. I wish I would have dove deeper in some points that I made however overall the premises of the paper was well done.  Another point that I will work on in the future would be being less repetitive with certain words.  In my opinion, I was able to synthesize and properly explain the quotes while not sounding like I am just reciting what the quotes are stating.

I was able to execute just that on paper #3 the goal for the final critical analysis paper was to be able to provide an argument that is present in two stories of my choice to in the end be able to find my outside source. The source’s aim was to prove, support or disprove whatever I am attempting to argue. I was able to find one quote that proves how the lack of protection of the American government from the unspoken rules and social guidelines placed on jewish people is shown across both stories. I was able to correctly support my argument. I was able to grow as a writer and only need to expand on two points I made on the entirety of my paper. I was able to elaborate well and thoroughly in regards to what the requirements for this paper were. My thesis was well formulated and concise. Which was particularly achieved through the sharing of my thesis in class and classmates as well as professor N, allowing me to tweak my thesis in a way that was direct and straight to the point. It was able to give an introduction as to what the paper was going to be arguing, in a short and simple manner. There were little to no grammatical, and spelling issues which is something that I struggled with in prior assignments. Overall, the goals which I had in mind were reached, I just need to work on the expansion of one/two points made. 

The point of my portfolio was to achieve just that and showcase it through the organization of my posts. My site is designed to be aesthetically pleasing however easy to navigate and direct. I designed it to where it is in chronological order and some even have the date correction attached if it was written before the date it was posted.  My main goal is to showcase my three main essays as well as close readings that demonstrate how I obtained my goal of being a better, more concise writer. My site proves this thoroughly and illustrates clearly the type of work that I have completed throughout the semester.