What are you learning to help you proofread and edit effectively? Which principles are helping you most? As you apply what you are learning, what results are you seeing in your writing?
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Meet Dona,
Dona J. Young is a teacher, facilitator, and writing coach who believes that writing is a powerful learning tool that shapes our lives and careers. In addition to teaching professional writing online, she designs and facilitates corporate training programs on effective writing and communication.
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I am learning how to use proper comma placement as well as catching run-on sentences. Sometimes when an individual begins to type a letter or other form of communication they get caught up in the informaiton that they are portraying and not the mistakes they are making. I learned a long time ago to read your letter or paper from the bottom up and you will be able to catch most of your mistakes. When you do this, you are reading each sentence individually, and you can EASILY catch partial sentences that are missing a noun or verb. Since beginning this writing class, I have found myself paying alot more attention to the placement of semi-colon’s, as well as, comma’s. My style of writing has improved tremendously.
I am learning about proper punctuation use. It is best when editing one’s punctuation to follow the rules. In the past, I either guessed or assumed where a break would go in a sentence; however, now I follow the rules and guessing is no longer an option.
Using active voice and maintaining verb tense throughout my writing has always been difficult. Now I apply the simple steps of identifying the main verb and then answer the question, What is the real subject? Then I construct my sentence so the real subject is followed by the main verb.
My writing has improved considerable; now it is no longer a guessing game but a simply matter of following the rules.
I am learning how to properly punctuate, word usage, and formatting. I used to place comma and semicolons where I though there was an actual speaking pause. I learned that this is not actually always the case. I used to catch myself using the incorrect word when writing but now, however I can see a significant improvement in my writing. The principle on semicolons and commas helped me the most, because these were the two principles that gave me the most grief. I also, learned where to place a main idea in a paragraph. I am applying what I am learning everyday. I can see a significant improvement not just in my writing but also in my speaking. My writing seems more organized and is more professional where it needs to me.
I have been learning many things such as, comma rules, semicolon rules, conciseness, formatting correctly, word usage, correct usage of colon, the dash, and the ellipse. I have also learned about the proper usage of capitalization and number usage. I have improved my writing by using the correct format and punctuation. I use to be so confused as to how to format a letter. I now know the proper way to format. I also wasn’t very good on correct punctuation, however I believe that I have improved by a land slide. I am applying what I am learning everyday, In my writing and way I talk. I believe that this class has helped me very much so.
One of the most helpful tips I learned was to not edit as I write. I was a bit guilty of this. Now I am able to write out my thoughts without stopping to analyse what could have been said better. This is a much easier process since I am able to organize my sentences after I write.
One of my weakest points was constructing the parallel structure in every aspect (nouns, adjectives, phrases, etc), but this class made me more confident in this area. I try to make sure my tenses are consistent; I frequently used to use present and past tense verbs in the same sentence!
In general I am now stronger in the other writing rules since I learned and confirmed rules I didn’t know or was unsure about. I’m also more aware of using active and passive voices, and I aim to be more active since I, too, prefer reading material that is direct. Plus I value lists a lot more than before!
I feel as though my writing became much more clear and concise!
I am learning about how to format correctly, use proper punctuation, and write concisely. I have a tendency to be redundant and have run-on sentences in my writing. Because of this, one of the most important principles for me to remember is less is more. I don’t need to give background information or include things that are unnecessary for the reader.
Before taking this class, I was not aware of how much I edited myself while I was writing. Now I know that I need to edit after I’m finished writing or else it could interfere with the creative process of writing. While I have not mastered this area yet, I am actively working on it.
I learned a lot about the etiquette of writing professionally, as well as punctuation and grammar rules that I had forgotten. One of my major concerns at the beginning was my disorganization while writing. I have tools now that will be help me organize my thoughts before writing. I am more confident in my writing now as a result of the things I am learning.
I am learning about how to format correctly (letter, memos, e-mails). I’m, also, learning the proper way to use commas. I used to put commas everywhere, especially where they weren’t needed. Another important thing I’m learning it’s word usage. Sometimes, it’s difficult to know the correct spelling of a word, due to the fact that they sound very similar.
I’m applying what I’m learning by proofreading papers that I have to complete for other classes. I read them out loud to myself and there is where I catch my mistakes. I am applying not to use the “extra baggage” because I tend to do that a lot. In my papers, now, I tend to get straight to the point and remind myself that the reader would be much happier if I don’t add the unnecessary.
I have seen a significant improvement in my writing. I detested writing because I didn’t know the correct punctuation, the comma and semicolon rules, and the difficulty I would have to get straight to the point. This class has given me a better understanding in how to become a better writer. Well, at least a better one that I was before. (:
I am learning things that I thought I already knew but I really did not. I now try and take my time when I go back and edit my piece. I want to make sure I do not miss anything. I have noticed more of the little things I do wrong like a proper email message, spacing and using abbreviations. I never knew that abbreviations should not be used in proper writing until a recent chapter.
I am constantly working on my comma usage, which seems to be a tough one for me. I do remember the saying when it doubt, leave the comma out!
I feel that my writing is clearer to the reader. I may forget some of the principles but every week a little more information sticks in my mind and to me that makes this class completely worth it.
I am learning how to use commas correctly and making everything simple, clear, and concise. This is helping my proof reading and editing skills by looking to see if I have run on sentences, are all my sentences clear, and to make sure it’s not too wordy. I’ve been seeing good results on my papers that I have been turning in lately. All the paper that I’ve been getting high and low C’s on have been turning to low and mid B’s.
I am learning the proper way to write, by using what I have learned in class. When I proof read and edit I have learned how to use punctuaution correctly. This was one of my main downfalls. I always just assumed were to put a comma or semi colon until I read the comma rule. One thing that stuck in my head is that when in doubt leave them out. I have also learned that using the mind map helps me out, its a good tool for me to use because by writing down my main points it helps me when writing my papers. I also try to be concise by eliminating unnecessary words and phrases and remember that less is more when it comes to writing. I also realize that it helps when you are more organized which is something that I never was.
Since I have been in this class, I could say that I am a more cautious writer. I no longer hesitate to write,because I am using what I have learned. I would have to say that I see a improvement in my writing and I no longer hate to write.
I’ve learned so much from this class. I found that it is important to write in an active voice and not a passive voice. However, using a passive voice is necessary in some situations. I’ve learned how to format things like emails, memos,and business letters which are all relevant things in the workplace. I still struggle with using semicolons occasionally however, I feel that I’m more comfortable then I was and in turn, more inclined to use them. I have noticed that I don’t edit anymore until I’m finished writing, because I do lose my train of thought. I believe that my writing has improved in result of this class. I have always wrote from my heart and said what I think, however, now it is more refined and professional. I do believe that where you are from plays a role in your writing style. But that’s how “culture can determine communication”.
Editing and proofreading, I believe, is a work in progress for me. I once thought I fully understood and was capable of doing both quite effortlessly but reading the previous chapters has allowed me to focus on not only sentence structure, punctuation but conciseness and making sure my point gets across with little or no “ear pollution” by keeping things in the “less is more” concept.
Eliminating jargon and lingo that’s confusing and focusing on being direct in an active voice is also something that also assists me in editing and proofreading effectively.
As I am applying these principles more and more, I am seeing a deeper sense of understanding the writing concepts. I have seen my writing change to be more point blank without a lot of rubbish in between. I am also keeping in mind more of who my audience is. Where are they culturely in understanding me and where am I in understanding them. How do I present that? These are also just some of the things I now think about before “wrapping” up a document.
I have learned so much from this class thus far. It amazes me how many things I did not know when it came to writing and being formal. One thing that has helped me is learning to punctuate properly. I find myself sometimes just typing away and not realizing when to add commas or semi colons. By learning this I have learned not to have run on sentences and to allow my writing to take a break. The most important thing I have learned and has helped me is by knowing less is more.
So far in this class I feel my writing has grown so much and I am already feeling more confidence as I write. I am not as afraid of what I should write.
I have learned a lot from this course all ready. It’s hard to believe there was so much I was doing wrong prior to this course. There is still a lot that I need to learn, but I can see a drastic improvement from a few months ago.
Proper punctuation is one of the main principles I have taken away from this course. Commas and semicolons alway gave me trouble so I would only use them when I was absolutely sure I needed one, in a date or series. Now I am adding them in more frequently, sometimes without even thinking about it.
Another prinicble that has really helped me in my professional life is formatting. I never knew there was a difference in writing a letter, email, or memo. I assumed they were all basically the same concept just different in how they were delivered. Now I know there are distinctly different ways in which you write each of these forms of communication.
These are just 2 of the many new principles I have learned from this class and have integrated into my communication at work. I look forward to fine tuning these new skills and expanding my knowledge of writing in general.
Before this class I was unaware of the many rules to concepts I believed I mastered. Thus far I haven’t had to write anything outside of school work; therefore, knowing how to format different types of professional writing is vital.
I still am a work in progress when it comes to proper punctuation. I have gotten better over the course of the semester but I have far from mastered this concept. As time goes on and with more practice I’m becoming more confident. Proof reading has allowed me to catch silly mistakes that I wouldn’t normally have noticed. The concept less is more insures my writing is concise and the reader isn’t lost with my background thoughts. Run-on sentences are also an ongoing challenge. I have to remind myself that I don’t have to get my entire message out in one sentence.
With each exercise I become more confident in my writing abilities, and I truly look forward to learning more on how to become a more efficient writer.
I learned a lot regarding how to write a business letter properly. It took a little getting used to, but it was worth the effort. The parts of writing a basic letter are as follows:
1) Sender’s Address- This is usually included in your own custom letterhead. Also be sure to include street address, city, state, and zip code and use full name.
2) Date- This is to indicate when the letter you wrote was written
3) Inside Address- This is the recipient’s address (not yours). Also it is important to include a personal title. For example: Mr., Mrs., Ms. One tip I would like to mention if your not sure of a woman marital status, use Ms.
4) Salutation- If this is someone you know, call them by their first name. For example: Dear Johnny:
5) Body- This part is crucial. You want to make sure when you write your letter, make sure that it is clear and concise. A warm and friendly opening is good to start out with when writing your first paragraph. Next paragraph should introduce your main point you want to discuss. The following paragraph should give some details. Finally, your closing paragraph should restate the reason and purpose of your letter. At this point you might want to request some type of action to be taken as well.
6) Closing- Examples: Sincerely, Thank you, Best regards. One tip I would like to mention is that when you use a colon for the salutation, make sure you use a comma for your closing. In some cases you would also write a signature between the closing and the sender’s name.
Making sure you use a professional tone that will give your letter sincere and a confident feeling to it. You want to make sure that you develop a positive relationship with your reader as soon as possible. Try to understand your readers as best you can in order to know how they will react when they read your letter too. I have also learned that not all fonts can be used. It is important for the letter to be readable. The most used font for these types of letters are Times New Roman and Arial with a font size of 12.You need to pay attention to the format as well. The common and most used format is called the block format. This means that the letter is to the left and single spaced. There are only double spaced when you are in between paragraphs. I always made the mistake of using a comma after a salutation only to realize that you must use a colon. It’s important to recap what we’ve learned because repetition keeps these rules in mind. Lastly, I would like to mention to proofread your letter. No machine in this world can cover up your mistakes. This will only leave a really bad impression to your readers. That’s it for now. I hope everyone has a great weekend.
So far I have gained much knowledge about writing. Although I still struggle with proper comma placement, I am improving. I have noticed that my writings are more clear and concise. I have steared away from trying to use bigger vocabulary unless I am sure it will sound better. The feedback given from Ms. Young has been very helpful. My confidence level has raised from a 5 to a 8. The books and excercises have also been a big help and I will be able to use them as a reference in the future. I have enjoyed doing our writing assignments which further enhance our writing skills. Have an awesome weekend.
So far I have learned and gained a lot from the chapters we have been reading. Proofreading has definitely helped me a lot in this course. What I have enjoyed learning is the placement of the spacing in letters. I find that that was very helpful and more appealing to the eye. Also, when I am writing, sometimes i get confused as to where the commas are placed. This book has helped me become a better proofreader.
I am having better results from my writing. All these chapters have helped me immensely. The less is more is great and helps me not to ramble. Have a nice day.
I am learning how to properly use commas, semicolons, and other forms of punctuation. I am also learning how to format business letters, use clear and concise writing, and how culture can determine communicaton.
I have learned a lot on proofreading and editing. I used to edit my writing as I would go and I now know I should not do that. I feel more confident when using semicolons and commas. I also know to keep sentences short and to the point.
The principles that have helped me the most would be the comma rules. I now feel confident as to where a comma is needed or not needed. The same goes for using semicolons. I also feel like knowing the difference between active and passive voice has helped my writing.
I feel like I have seen tremendous improvement in my writing and sentence structure. I have even helped my friends edit their work since I now know how to help them. I feel like I have a lot more confidence in my writing which is also a good feeling.
I’ve always thought of myself as an adequate writer. Not great, not bad, just good enough to get the job done properly. One habit that this class is helping with is my abuse of commas. While I certainly have quite a ways to go, when writing I now actively realize that I have that problem. After all, Accepting you have a problem is the first step to recovery! This class has also helped quite a bit with formatting. I simply had no idea how to format a sentence properly before, but the book has a nice step by step guide to proper formatting. I can say that those are the two things that I feel that this book has helped me with most.
So far this semester, I have learned a lot about making my writing better. I’m learning to catch my mistakes before they are made. When I make mistakes with grammar, they tend to stick out more to me than they used to. I think the principle that has helped me the most is being clear and concise. I have always loved writing but I struggled with getting directly to the point. I always felt the need to add fillers and ramble on but now I know that I do not have to. Learning that using big words does not always make you look intelligent was a concept that stood out to me. I always thought my writing seemed too immature and that I needed to make it sound more “grown up.” With these concepts, my writing has really changed. I feel like my writing is less choppy, makes more sense, and has matured.
So far this semester I have learned so much that I feel has really helped me in how my writing has matured. My punctuation has improved tremendously. Commas were something that I would just stick in a sentence because I felt it was necessary. I now know the proper way to use commas. Semicolons were a punctuation mark that I wouldn’t dare use. I avoided semicolons at all costs because I had no idea how to use them. I always thought semicolons were similar to commas. It was very interesting to find out that they are in fact similar to periods. I have also learned the proper way to proofread and edit my writing so my writing flows well. This class has made such an impact on my writing and my knowledge of different rules, principles, and writing formats. I feel the activities we do weekly and the discussions we have with our teammates are a great thing because it makes all of us more conscious of how our writing is developing for the better.
Dear Class,
There were many rules to remember in order to write effectively. Before writing, it should be remembered that editing is not necessary at first. The textbook states that ideas should be composed and edited later, because editing while composing is often a distraction. However, when it is time to edit, it is important to have the clearest writing possible, and avoiding the tendency of sounding “formal” is very important.
I have found that using an active voice simplifies the process of getting ideas onto paper. When I attempted writing before this class, I would get bogged down with trying to sound formal. For example, it is important to keep verbs in their proper form and not use them to make nominalizations, such as, “I realize that you are busy”, instead of, “I came to the realization that you are busy.” The practice of using active voice has improved my writing greatly, because while applying this strategy, readers can understand the idea I am trying to state, which is the purpose of communication.
Another concept that has improved my writing is checking for conciseness. Redundant statements can be edited out, including outdated phrases, and unnecessary parings. Eliminating redundant words and phrases may cut a paper’s length, but it is done for the purpose of being clear and concise.
Another important rule in my editing is watching for parallel structure. I was surprised that this simple rule could affect a document’s professional appearance. If the tenses do not match, you can sound unprofessional, such as, “I walked to the store and looking for a bargain, then I remembered that my oil needed to be changed.” Instead, it is proper to say, “I walked to the store and I looked for a bargain, then, I remembered that my oil needed to be changed.” It is fairly easy to remember this rule while editing my writing.
There are many rules to be applied to editing, and these are the most common ones that I have been applying. However, all the aspects which I learned have made my writing more effective and more enjoyable.
All the best,
David Soltysik
I am learning many things that are helping me proofread and edit effectively. Proper comma placement was always a problem for me as well as run on sentences. I’ve also learned the proper places to place semicolons. I’ve also learned that less is more. I used to drag on sentences all the time. The main principle I’ve taken from this class is proper punctuation. I’ve noticed improvement in my writing. I proofread much more now. My punctuation has gotten much better also.
I am learning more about the proper way to place comma’s throughout my papers. I have never paid much attention to comma’s until I took this class. I have also learned a lot more about writing business letters, memos, thank you letters, and much more from the class. I have been able to format the letters the proper way, which makes them look more professional looking to others. I have notice that since learning these principles, I have been improving my grades that involve writing. I have also notice that when I write to people in a professional world, that I get more of a response out of them when I actually write the correct way.
Hi everyone,
I have been learning alot of new and helpful ways to proofread and edit. The most important thing I have learned is to stop trying to proofread and edit while I am writing. It is better to do all of that after you have gotten all of your thoughts down. I think it is important to know the difference between proofreading and editing. Proofreading is used to correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Editing is used when you want to fix the quality of your work. Some techniques I have been learning about include: putting proofreading as a final part of my writing, setting a deadline so I have time to correct my work, read sentence by sentence, print out a hard copy, use proofreading marks, and keep a record of constant errors. The techniques that have helped me most are, putting proofreading at the end of my writing process and setting a deadline. I have had a tendency in the past to edit as I go. This makes my writing take twice as long. Setting a deadline keeps me from procrastinating. As I am applying what I am learning, I am seeing a major improvement in the readability of my work. My writing sounds more professional and clear now that I knwo how to write and how to edit.
Thanks,
Alexa Nadeau
I am learning more about proper grammar and punctuation. I never realized how much of a refresher course I needed on those essential writing tools. The incorrect usage of grammar and/or punctuation lessens the quality of your writing and makes it sound unintelligent. Another very important thing that I have learned from this course is to not over-think and/or proofread while I am writing a paper. This was the main source of my roadblocks while trying to write a paper. By utilizing this principle, my writing has improved and my stress over writing has decreased greatly. Before taking this class, I used to rely heavily on spell-check and the thesaurus to write my papers. I used to use the thesaurus a lot because I thought the bigger the words were in my paper, the smarter my paper would sound. I now understand that this is not the case, and using simpler language would actually enhance the quality of my writing more.
I am learning how to format properly business letters, memos and my writing. I find myself practicing how to use commas and semicolons correctly. I never new how to insert a comma correctly. I would usually just place it in a place where I would pause in the sentence. I have noticed that now I usually write first and then go back and edit and revise. This is helping me gain all my thoughts down so I do not skip or forget any. I have seen that my writing seems more professional and not just okay work. The forums have helped me incorporate what I have learned and I am able to learn from others.
Some of the examples or tips in the book I find helpful. Such as the “less is more.” I try and keep most of my writing simple rather than complex or have redundancies. Also I found myself writing a lot of “I point of view” statements. The “you point of view” is better and the reader can relate or understand more better. It also sounds more professional if it is the “you point of view or the third person view.”
Overall I have seen great improvements in my writing with my grades that show my improvements in the assignments and exercises.
As we’ve being reading the chapters and completing assignments, I find I’m much more aware of why I write the way I do. For instance, I’ve always been good at knowing where to put a comma, but now I actually know why I’m putting it there. I’ll look back and ask myself, “Wait, why did I put a comma there?” It helps me understand the actual mechanics behind using one, rather than just throwing a comma in without a second thought.
I’ve also learned how to effectively utilize space when writing formally. Previously, I didn’t realize that using a block format makes the document much more visually appealing and easier to skim.
I still have a tendency to edit as I write, but I’m not sure that’s a habit I’ll ever break. I’m much more comfortable editing as I go since I tend to skip over mistakes after working for hours on end. I catch little things from the beginning instead of going through at the very end where I might miss something.
Overall, I feel like I’m learning why I’m using punctuation and writing techniques that I’ve known about for a long time but never really understood 100%. Though I’ve used a lot of this information in the past, I now feel like I actually understand it why it’s there in the first place. It helps me see why it’s important to know and execute in business writing.
Most of the skills I am building through these readings and examples completely eradicate what I thought I knew. Between malformed habits and guesswork I never used commas or semicolons correctly. I find I am advancing, every day, in my grammatical skills because I am understanding rather than memorizing rules. However, the next hurdle for me is to not second guess my placement of commas or semi colons.
Also, I have found that the tip to reading my sentences out loud helps immensely in my word order. Sometimes I would find myself becoming verbose and, as an end result, confusing for readers. The notion of not proofreading while writing is not new to me, on the other hand, I find I miss more mistakes if I attempt to read it all at once. Most likely because at the end of writing most collegiate pieces I am completely sapped and easily miss little comma errors.
In the end I know I am making an concentrated effort to be a better editor and therefore more effective writer.
In my proofreading and editing, I am learning to wait until I have finished my writing. I have learned to check back to the writers handbook when unsure of a rule. I believe my editing and proofreading has improved greatly this year. I really enjoyed learning about the commas, and how to use them. I feel that my writing has become more professional, and I am looking forward to learning much more this year. I also really enjoyed learning how to format a letter. I just applied it at my work the other day when I sent a letter to another company asking them for information about their products. I really feel that my writing has improved a lot this year. I refer back to all of the chapters we have learned so far, and try to correct any mistakes I made. I feel that my writing has come a long way, and I am looking forward to the rest of the year.
I viewed the writer’s took kit website and thought I would see what link I went to when reviewing all of the components that we have reviewed in class. The first link that I went to was the “you viewpoint exercise.” This exercise has helped me focus even further on changing the “I” to “you.” This is one of the consistent problems I am working on to fix. I think that word usage exercises have helped me become more comfortable with professional writing. So far this semester, I have become a better writer. I am hoping to devote more of my time to the reading assignments in this class.
Through the weeks, I’ve learned more and more about writing, but the lesson that really helped me the most in proofreading and editing is being concise. I find it easier when I explain exactly how I feel, exactly how I would say. Business/professional writing itself is very different from academic writing, because in academic writing, I usually try to show off my vast vocabulary, whereas, in business writing, being wordy is not needed. Also, another concept that helped me is commas and colons, because knowing where to put punctuations in the correct spot really has helped my writing flow well. Through the positive feedback from my fellow Professor Dona, my writing flows well, I am more consistent, and I’m not wordy so these chapters has helped a lot in progessing my writing.
I have learned a lot from all of these concepts, but the concept that has stuck with me is not overwriting and writing how I speak. I try to write in a way that doesn’t lose the attention of my reader, and to be persistent throughout my writing. I’ve also learned how greetings and salutation are very important in emails and business letters. By inserting greetings and salutations, it makes my writing sound more professional and sends the message of respect to my reader. As a result of what I’ve learned, I find it easier to write what I’m thinking as well as keeping the attention of my reader and making sure the reader understands what my writing.
I learned that is very important to look over your work. You should know what you are talking about in the subject you are writing so it’s fluid and understandable. I learned that you should not just put in random information that should not be there called empty space. I know I’ve done that a lot with papers I have written in the past and I hope that I can keep myself away from that. And what type of writing voice you have has a lot to do with it too. I’m not sure if my writing has improved that much since starting this class. I’ve written messages but no formal papers so I can’t seem to tell the difference.
I have been learning a lot of useful information. I have learned how to use comma placement and semi-colon placement better. Many different sections have had helpful tips for editing, but the chapters that have helped me the most are chapter four and five. I do not think there is one principle that has helped me, they all have been helpful. I am applying what I have learned in all of my classes. I try to refer about to my grammar for writing book when I have questions. I am seeing an improvement in my writing through my classes.I am getting better grades on my papers, with less grammar errors. 😀
Since starting this class I have become a more confident writer. Before this class I would proofread after writing each paragraph. Now I wait until I am done writing my entire paper before proofreading. I have learned that waiting to proofread is like reading with a fresh set of eyes. Using this method I can spot mistakes better than before.
I have also learned how to write a proper e-mail. I never used to spend too much time proofreading e-mails, but now I realize how important it is to make sure my message is clear and concise.
My biggest challenge in this class is punctuation placement, especially commas and colons. I often refer to the book to check my punctuation placement.
One of the most helpful tips I’ve learned is not to edit while writing. Since being in this class, I’ve become able to continue my train of thought and worry about perfecting it later. This helps me get through my writing much more quickly, as well as allowing my thoughts to flow more freely.
Additionally, I’ve discovered helpful tools specific to business writing, with which I’ve had little experience prior to this class. I’ve learned to edit for conciseness, and to make sure I stay in the active voice.
Finally, I’ve improved at maintaining parallel structure throughout my writing. When editing, I now make sure my verb tenses and sentence structures remain consistent .
These skills have allowed me to complete writing assignments more quickly and easily. More importantly, they have improved the quality of my writing.
The biggest thing I have learned is to not edit as I write. I used to be extremely critical on my work even when I was still in the brain-storming process. This class has helped me prioritize my editing and has helped me become more confident with my work. The class has also helped me get a clear picture for grammar rules. I can now confidently know whether a comma is needed, a semicolon is appropriate, or if I simply need to edit my wording. I’ve also become aware of how much “fluff” I used to put in my work. Since fixing this, I’ve been getting higher scores on papers. My professors put in the comment box that my writing is to the point and covers extensive amounts of information. I think this is also because I’ve learned how to find who my audience is with papers and she they are looking for. In short, this class has without question made me a better, more confident writer.