During this semester, our class read four powerful and influential pieces by James Baldwin, Gloria Anzaldua, Haunani-Kay Trask, and Nick Bear. The first piece we ever saw was “If Black English is not a language, then tell me, what is?” This was our first writing assignment, focusing on using generative writing to put our ideas down on paper from our heads, and then develop them later. However, we still needed to focus on the PAR criteria, to get an idea of ​​how we would need to develop our writing and songs to pass the course. One of the first mistakes I made as a writer was the following: “I really liked this last quote, on page 263. The importance of this quote, at least for me, is that in every language there is a common language. You know, English, French, Spanish, Italian, that kind of thing." (Barley, Ass. 3) Although it was early in the semester and we hadn't developed our writing skills to meet college requirements, you can still see a lot of high school style in writing. By using “that kind of thing,” I made this piece seem informal, almost like I was talking to a friend. The purpose of this assignment was to generate ideas, however, by using high school informality, I created more work for myself, and this alone was a defining point of Nick Bear's piece, “The Word,” speaks in an “informal” style, but in a way that is almost as if he were holding a speech. speech. His piece was made to be spoken. Just by reading you still don't understand the full meaning behind his work. However, my work was not designed in this way where you can talk or read my work. Later in the year, our professor had a one-on-one discussion… halfway through the paper… ally doesn't make sense, and so I'm adding more and more to this already tenuous connection. (Barley, ass. 17). This passage describes exactly how I feel about my work at this point. However, compared to when we started, I have matured a lot more. When we started writing, it was like I was straight out of high school, and I almost was. In my first semester, I hadn't needed any writing beyond summaries, which is what makes up the vast majority of high school writing. So when we had to start developing ideas in our essays, my work faltered. Through discussions, editing, revisions, I begin to develop as a college writer. However, I am still developing and I personally believe the rest of my class is. This is not an insult to their work. I read their work and was impressed throughout the entire semester. But we can all always improve.