Morgan+C.

Morgan Crouch Dr. Matthew Hartman Eng 103 10 December 2010
 * Cover Letter**

Throughout high school, English was always my favorite subject. I really enjoyed reading poetry, Shakespeare, and writing essays. I took honors English as well as AP. Being a sophomore in college, I felt like my papers should be much stronger. I haven’t made the grades on my papers that I would have liked. With all the other classes, I always waited until the last minute to write my papers; therefore the results aren’t what I want. With this English 103 class, I feel I have progressed with my writing. The four papers we had to write were all completely different and gave me a wider perspective with ways to write an essay. The first was a memoir, the second a letter to the public, the third a persuasive essay, and lastly a multi-genre. The feedback I got from my classmates really helped me out. I used to be nervous to let others read my work because I didn’t know if they would understand what I was feeling and writing. But with this class, all the other students were kind and gave me great ideas and points to add to my papers. Also, the group discussions in class were a great way for everyone to talk and ask questions. By the end of the semester, I felt that everyone was comfortable enough to talk in front of everyone and ask questions. A paper can go from a B to an A just by getting feedback and viewpoints from others. Although I feel my writing improved, I could have done better with finding my sources. I didn’t expand my research away from the Internet, and I think it’s always a good idea to find something from a book or article. For example, my third paper was my weakest because I didn’t find enough research on the topic. I didn’t particularly enjoy the topic, so I didn’t put a lot of effort into finding facts and statistics.

This last cover letter explains my thoughts about my writing, ways to improve it, and what I liked best about the class. This creates an idea for my readers to know where I am coming from, and know what my viewpoints are about my writing.

[|How I found out the difference between a house and a home….docx] This first essay was my strongest. I used descriptive detail and really focused on bringing my readers back to that time of my life. I described my home, what it looked like, my thoughts and feelings. While writing this paper, it brought back memories and feelings that I hadn't thought about in a long time. It was said to think my childhood was going to be ruined just by moving. I still live in the home we moved to, and I loved everything about it. I feel that this is important to include in my portfolio because it was my strongest writing for this class.

[|bully.docx] This topic had meaning to me, so it was easy for me to explain the facts and statistics of it because I knew what they were. I was motivated to write this letter because a few students in the class really encouraged me to write about bullying. They gave me strong ideas and also gave me the idea to talk about how bullying is becoming more popular with the media. Without the feedback from them, I don't think this paper would have turned out like it did. By my mistake, I turned this paper in late, therefore receiving a C instead of a B. This essay shows how I can write a letter just as well as writing a memoir, and showed that I knew my topic well.

[|racial profiling.docx] I cannot recall a time during this semester where I was so happy about being done with a paper. This was my weakest essay. I didn't like the topic, because to be honest, I didn't quite understand it. I was writing about something I didn't have a passion for, and I think that when anyone writes about something they don't understand, it's not going to turn out the best. I finished the paper not really caring about it. I wasn't happy with my grade on it, but I don't think I deserved a better grade than what I received. Dr. Hartman tried to help me figure out what I was trying to persuading my readers, but it just didn't turn out the best. I want this paper to be included in my portfolio because it shows that maybe this kind of writing isn't my strongest. If you read my memoir first and then this, you will find that my writing in the memoir has passion and meaning, and this one lacks that.

[|lastpaper.docx] Morgan Crouch ENG 103 DR. Matt Hartman They skip across the yellow brick road Arm in arm together they go With obstacles and witches clearly ahead They ignore the warnings about what the others said Her ruby slippers give her some protection With them on, they won’t face rejection All they need is to travel to the wizard of oz In hopes that he can fix their flaws But Dorothy didn't want those fixed Her hope is to go home, that’s her only wish

**of the year!** ** December 1st-16th **
 * Enjoy the best musical**
 * The Wizard of Oz **
 * Showing at the Civic Theater**
 * Tickets only $15.00 each!**

Journal Entry: 9-20-2010 My mom asks me; don’t you think you’re getting a little too old to have all this wizard of oz stuff in your room? My reply is “no”. I don’t know why I am so in love with this story. Could it be because of the upbeat songs, or the ruby slippers? Or the fact that Dorothy gets to leave her world for just a short while and go somewhere new, somewhere that no one else has ever been to. I’m not sure that I will ever stop collecting items from the Wizard of Oz. It is apart of who I am. Until next time, Morgan

__ Scarecrow __ __Tin Man__ Straw Tin No brain No heart Green clothes Oil Can Kind soul Caring Leader Brave

__ Lion __ __Dorothy__ Furry Kansas Coward Plaid dress No courage Determined Scared Meek Loyal Ruby slippers

I woke up to a place called Munchkin Land I was confused and tired; this wasn’t what I’d planned This place wasn’t Kansas, That I was sure of It was a place I’d come to like But one I’d never love I was told to follow the yellow brick road to Emerald City Here I would meet an Oz who felt no pity To get back home I had to kill the witch of the west Why was this so complicated? I just wanted to go home **to** Kansas and rest


 * Interview with Dorothy Gale**
 * Interviewer ** : Dorothy, how did you come to be in our land?
 * Dorothy ** : Well sir, I was in my home and all of a sudden a rush of wind twirled it up in the air and I landed here. Oh please sir, I just want to go home!
 * Interviewer ** : There, there. We just need to get some answers. Why did you kill the Witch of the East?
 * Dorothy ** : Oh I didn’t mean to kill anybody! The house accidently landed on her, and the good witch of the north gave me her slippers to help me on the journey to Emerald City.
 * Interviewer ** : I see, I see. How do you plan on getting home, to this so-called place named Kansas?
 * Dorothy ** : Sir, I plan to ask for the Wizard of Oz’s help! I’ve been told he is the best wizard from miles around. Can you take me there? Please!
 * Interviewer ** : Dorothy Gale, I give you permission to travel to Emerald City, but you must get there yourself. Follow Glinda’s directions, and follow the yellow brick road.

- **Farm** - **Tornado** - **Munchkin Land** - **Glinda the Good Witch** - **The Wicked Witch of the West** - **Ruby Slippers** - **A Scarecrow** - **A Tin Man** - **A cowardly Lion** - **A field of Poppy’s** - **A horse of a different color** - **Emerald City** - **The Wizard of Oz** - **Flying monkeys** - **The Wicked Witch’s Castle** - **Fire/Water** - **Broomstick** - **Hot air balloon** - **Home surrounded by family**
 * What I Have Seen on my Journey through Oz:**

**and cowardly lion. It makes me happier than ever to know that the Wicked Witch of the West can no longer find me. We destroyed her at the end of our journey. My opinion of home has changed so much. I took for granted how important it was to me.** Well, I - I think that it - it wasn't enough to just want to see Uncle Henry and Auntie Em - and it's that - if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with!
 * Dear Diary,**
 * I am home safe in my room with my loving dog Toto. Although my wish came true to be home again, I miss the beautiful Land of Oz. It sounds strange, but the farm boys were there with me. They were not their normal selves. They each played a character; the scarecrow, tin man, and**

With love, Dorothy Gale

The multi-genre essay was unique. In all my years of English, I have never written something in this style. It was fun and easy. Mine was about The Wizard of Oz, and I was able to show my creativity throughout the paper. Once again, I included this in my portfolio because you can compare my styles of writing and see what my strongest writing is and what my weakest is.

On Fridays, we were to write a blogpost. I did enjoy writing these at first because I was basically earning points for writing what my thoughts and feelings were for that week. But over time, I would forget all about it, and then get frustrated because I would lose points. It was a good assignment overall, because the other students could possibly relate to what I was going through.

@http://morgandc17.blogspot.com/