Advancing in Composition, Personal Statement Example

After considering what I have learned in the Composition II Online course, I would have to say that I am both improved and challenged in new ways. I understand that learning in any field usually means also discovering how much more there is to learn, and I believe this applies very directly to my composition skills.

Upon entering this course, I felt that I had basic skills under my command, or at least reasonably so.  Part of the challenge now facing me, however, lies in having been reminded through this course of how complex composition in writing is, especially in terms of academic work. It is easy to forget how structured language and grammar is, even at the basic levels.  I believed I knew how to express myself at least adequately in writing, yet furthering my education in composition reinforces that “adequate” is never good enough. Language is thought, as I have come to see it, and the more clearly the language is applied, the more exactly thoughts can be expressed. As I hope to move forward academically, I have seen how essential it is for me to better develop my skills in these areas.  This is something I have indirectly taken away from Composition II Online.

I have also seen that I must focus more on format. APA style is an academic standard, reaching from elementary to doctorate levels, and I have found it particularly challenging to master. The course has helped me in this, in that I do have a solid understanding of why APA must be followed exactly when it is the mandated format; consistency in style both goes to precision in the composition, and trains the student in a valuable discipline. That said, I confess that APA is still not easy for me. The parameters are exact, yet they also evolve as new editions are created. I do believe, however, that Composition II Online has greatly assisted me in my progress with this, and I do not perceive APA, or any other format, as a difficulty I cannot meet.

In terms of actual skills, this course has helped me to learn just how to apply language to serve my purposes. I have come to understand that complexity in my writing is by no means necessarily a good thing, if meaning and clarity suffer. I do want my composition to reflect intelligent reasoning, no matter the subject, but I also have come to learn that simplicity accomplishes this goal. The most ornate writing in the world, with the most perfect grammar,  is pointless if the writer’s meaning is not well presented.

Regarding other skills, I acknowledge that I still have work ahead of me. I believe that everyone has certain weaknesses when it comes to grammar; even a simple point of it may be difficult for someone very skilled in composition. I have my own weak points, certainly. In this course, I have confronted the fact that I have problems with paragraph structure, and I do not always contain a certain idea within one. My thoughts need to be better organized for my writing to be effective. This is a matter of discipline I need to apply, as the course has shown me how a degree of focus is essential for successful composition. I am, however, confident that this, and other difficulties, can be overcome. In a sense, that is the greatest value I have taken away from Composition II Online. It has made me understand that excellent composition is something I can achieve, if I devote myself to it.