Octavio Casusol
Professor Jacobson
Writing for Engineering
19 May 2025
Self-Assessment Essay
Over the course of this semester, my growth as a writer has been shaped profoundly by the work I’ve committed to, with both major assignments and classwork. Each part of the class served as an integral role in aiding me towards a stronger understanding not only of the course learning objectives, but also with the deepening and evolvement of my personal writing skill.
To start off the semester, when we were assigned to discuss the different perspectives towards the MTA Subway System, it was rather interesting to note how each individual student would adapt their views according to an assigned group. In my instance, I was assigned to a group to discuss about how the MTA staff themselves would attempt to inform and persuade about the necessity of the transit system to New York City. Naturally, it was important for the group and I to focus on addressing major issues pertaining to the transit system currently – primarily instances of crime = as a means of showing a sense of responsible authority for New York City residents. Furthermore, the usage of the digital textbook, aided us in learning how to become better writers, noting how the usage of simple skills, such as text organization and images – can aid readers tremendously in understanding and recollecting important information and general claims. Naturally, these first steps would become a key component in my progression with the major assignments.
Starting with the Lab Report, I learned how to analyze and present technical information – from a report of my choosing – clearly and accurately. Though it was challenging at first, considering how the information was already presented by a research group, I pushed myself to explore and understand the rhetorical situations present in scientific data and complex result synthesis. For example, for two paragraphs, I solely focused on the explanation and reasoning behind the methodical procedures that the research authors chose, considering the necessity for clear yet cohesive and emotionally neutral wording and phrasing, which a clear sign of ethical writing, especially for dense papers.
However, for the Technical Description, my writing development took much longer to refine. In the first draft of the Technical Description, I attempted to balance technical detail with readability, though immensely struggled with a lack of organization. However, the first draft was crucial in developing personal revising strategies. Upon receiving feedback from my peers, I learned more about the necessity of recognizing audience awareness and tone, which I planned on applying for the final draft. The revision process also strengthened my skills in collaboration and editing more as often as possible.
In the final draft of the Technical Description, I applied rhetorical strategies more effectively. I used clearer topic sentences, smoother paragraph transitions, and formatted the document in a way to include visual photos of my chosen technological item – a guitar model I was excited to choose. This assignment also aided me in practicing citation conventions according to the APA format, allowing me to reference reliable sources about the creator of the Les Paul Guitar, Lester William Polfus. In addition, I was able to cite and create a technical manual on how to use a standard Les Paul guitar for readers who may be interested in learning the instrument.
Finally, the Engineering Proposal challenged me the most. Not only would I work with other classmates in creating a two-part project, but I also had to learn how to synthesize research and argumentation skills. My group and I would present a persuasive stance on how a bamboo cane with an integrated AI-system would substantially improve the standards of current cane models, thereby capable of competing with other modern models. In addition, I would learn how to locate and evaluate credible sources about the construction and manufacturing of the cane’s key components. To tie in with the essay, my group and I would create a Google Slides presentation, which would further my understanding of how writing functions not only to inform but to convince and influence an audience.
Throughout these assignments, my perception of writing has shifted from seeing it as a mere academic requirement to recognizing it as a powerful tool for communication and problem-solving. I now understand that writing is a dynamic process involving careful consideration of audience, purpose, and context. It also requires continuous revision and engagement with sources to build a strong, credible argument. This semester, I’ve realized that writing can empower both the writer and the reader by making complex ideas accessible and actionable. Throughout the semester, my perception of writing has gradually grown from seeing it as a mere academic requirement to recognizing it as a powerful tool for communication and problem-solving. I now understand that writing is a dynamic process involving personal considerations towards the audience, a common purpose, and context. It also requires continuous revision and engagement with sources to build a strong, credible argument. This semester, I’ve realized that writing can both empower a writer and a reader by making ideas more accessible and actionable.
In conclusion, this semester has been a transformative for my development as a writer. I have made significant progress in understanding rhetorical situations, considering revision strategies, integrating research effectively, and mastering citation practices. More importantly, I have come to see writing as a versatile skill that extends beyond a classroom setting to the real-world. My portfolio is a reflection of my journey, showcasing how each assignment contributed to my growth. While I continued to work on refining my skills, I am confident that through this course, I have built a solid foundation to build upon for future endeavors.
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