For this final entry of the semester, I’m going to look back at all the work I’ve done before for my blogs, and try to answer each question with an in-depth paragraph.
When looking back at this semester, and all the blogs I had written before, I decided that my favorite was my second entry, where I rank my favorite songs to listen to when I’m driving. Music is such a huge part of my life, and I think that I was the most excited to write that first blog because it was a topic I felt super passionate about and I felt like I could have written another thousand words for that topic alone. I still think that Some Nights is one of if not my favorite song of all time, not just for driving. Something about the cadence makes me happy and the instruments are incredible. If I had to choose a runner up, it would probably be my third post, where I ranked off-campus lunch places, but I feel like the music post was more polished and I think I enjoyed writing it more.
Over the whole semester, I feel as if I’ve evolved as a writer in my ability to write in many different forms. As a person, and oftentimes in my writing, I take a humorous approach, not necessarily trying to be a comic, but trying to incorporate jokes here and there, whether it be a hyperbole, an expression, or something I feel like I have gotten much better at this semester, directly calling out the audience. I remember a time not long before AP Lang started junior year where my writing was cookie-cutter: it only served to get a grade, always following the same formula. After AP Lang, I branched out and tried to incorporate more of my personality into my writing; I wanted to write something that is uniquely me. There were times where I took a humorous approach, like in my third and fifth blogs, but I tried to expand my horizons with my fourth blog, where I tried to tackle a real life issue that is serious, while also trying to include my own humor into it. I think that throughout this semester, I’ve definitely expanded my writing, and my style as whole, being able to write something that not only shares both the content and the tonality I search for, but also in a way that people can easily respond to. While I’m definitely not a perfect author, and I don’t think I ever will be, I can definitely say that blogs this semester have helped me break out of my comfort zone and try new things.
While I learned a lot about writing from reading my own writings, I also learned by reading my classmates’ work. For example, I learned from Matthew not to take myself too seriously. In my first blog post, my earliest reading memory, I tried to make the blog feel too real, and instead of making it feel authentic as I was aiming to, my writing felt stale, rehashed, and to be totally blunt, boring. But, I read Matthew’s blog, specifically his Pickleball Wishlist, and I learned that in writing, authenticity comes from being true to one’s own voice, not trying to write in someone else’s style. When I read Matthew’s blog, I noticed immediately that it made no logical sense, because his list was over a quarter of million dollars in pickleball equipment, but that’s okay. He understood that his writing didn’t need to be taken so seriously, and that people (such as myself) could enjoy his humor, while he still shared about an activity that genuinely interested him. While this was just one example, I’ve learned so much from my other classmates as well.
If I were to take away any writing lessons from this semester, I’d want to remember to always be authentic. Even if you think other people’s writing styles are more refined, it is always better to write something in your own style than to try and replicate someone else’s words, because writing is a very personal activity, and requires utmost attention and respect from the writer.
I also thought about posting a blog about ranking music, but it seemed to have been a popular topic. Listening to music in the car is one of the most enjoyable aspects of life for me. Personally, I enjoyed your essay on mental health. I think that it was a pretty good eye-opener to the issue and the fact that no one had addressed it before made it more special. I believe that I also improved substantially during AP Lang, where I familiarized myself with stylistic choices. I find it funny how you’ve learned not to take yourself too seriously from Matthew. I also have learned the importance of authenticity in writing as well. Great blog to close out the semester.
I like how you learned to not take yourself so seriously while writing your blogs and I think that is one thing I can take away from it too. Sometimes it is good to write an easier blog that is more lighthearted in order to relax and try to come up with some good jokes to make other people happier. Additionally, I place a lot of value in authenticity. Writing is an extension of your personality, and although it is good to take lessons from other people’s writing, it needs to be your own at the end of the day. I would also say I have expanded my writing style too. I feel we often get too wrapped up in the formal, informative style of writing that we are used to because of school. Both the blogs and my college applications have helped me work on how to tell a story, rather than merely inform.
Hey Gabe, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blogs throughout the semester. I’m glad you enjoyed mine too and that they helped you be true to yourself in writing. I can sit here and act like I did that purposefully and that I always meant to be true to myself in my blogs, but the truth is that I’ve been developing in that area too. Like you, I started this blogging thing with academics being my only writing background and honestly, my natural creativity is pretty scarce. But, I did get better at it and think blogging has really helped me find my voice in writing. Though, I must say that my Pickleball blog was intended to be taken seriously. You interpreting that as humor may be a dig on my dedication to the sport, but if it helped you throughout your writing journey I guess I can let that slide. But otherwise, I’m glad you enjoyed my blogs this semester and I’m excited to read more from you next semester!