In this class we had to write five different papers on five different topics. The papers started out simple, not needing outside sources. The papers then slowly evolved into papers that required lots of outside facts and information. Coming into this class I never liked doing papers like the latter ones. I've always preferred doing fiction and opinion-based papers. From this class however, I learned how much of a necessity the outside sources in fact are. I have learned how outside sources add to what you write, and back it up as well. It gives papers I feel a different quality; and that turns out to be just the quality you are looking for, when doing papers like we did.
Aside from making papers sound in the information, I also learned the technical parts to a paper as well. I have learned the importance of a clear and well-defined thesis. Because your thesis sets the reader up for what is to come in the paper. And for the reader to truly understand the thesis, good topic sentences and solid information is needed. I have learned that a good topic sentence relates to the thesis and draws the reader in. Aside from good topic sencences, I learned that a paper must have a flow to it and catch the reader's attention, leaving a lasting impression. For that to happen, I learned that the writer must have good transitions and a strong introduction and conclusion. The purpose of every paper is to inform your reader and leave a lasting impression, and what I've learned has made that all possible.
For me however the stuff that touched me the most and will for sure stay with me, would be all the topics we talked about. Especially the Tim Wise video "Blinded by the White", and in that video he talked about white privilege and its existence. I am and have always been fascinated by the way people treat others differently by such superficial things like their race, sexuality, and even gender. In this class we really dug into the topics of self-identities, gender/sexual identity, racial identity, class identity, and future identities. I felt that these were very good topics to write on for two reasons. First, these papers were about the stuff that affects people every day. The papers and topics were on all the different perspectives and qualities of people in this world. They also dealt with some of the subjects that affect us all. Second I feel that this is the best way to stop the prejudiced views of LBGT's, African Americans, and the genders. For change to happen in this world people need to be educated. And I know at least I was educated some, and I'm sure others in this class were too.
This was a very fun and interesting class, I definitely learned a lot. I learned that papers must have excitement in them, but they also must be backed up. I have taken the skills we were taught to write a good paper and used them to make my papers better. I learned that there are a lot of different people in this world, with different views and ways of life. I've learned that all these differences is what makes us special, because if you look at it there is really not that much of a difference in us all. This is what I've taken from this class. After taking this class, I know the important thing is my views have changed for the rest of my life.