As time passed in the semester, I worked to use learning outcomes 5 and 6 to the full potential. My ability to use MLA format and make local revisions has developed over the course of the semester. I was able to make citations that were correct, especially in my last paper, which is also my chosen work sample. I created the header for the paper which includes my name, the course, the professor, and the due date. Your work should also include a title! Previously, I did not know that it was the due date until my second paper, and was able to make those changes. Then in the top right hand corner there are page numbers, which includes your last name in front of the number. At the very end of your essay, there should be a page labeled “Works Cited” and all the sources you used should be listed in alphabetical order. Lastly, it is important to include in text citations. They follow the quotation or paraphrasing you took from the source and you usually include the author’s last name and the page number if possible in parenthesis. It is important for you to give credit where it is due so that you are not plagiarizing. This has given me the opportunity to understand that paraphrasing also can be used, if you cite where you’re taking it from. In regards to local revisions, one tip that was the most beneficial to me is to read your paper aloud. You will find many more errors and notice if there is any choppiness. This was passed along at the beginning of the semester by a classmate, and was useful in improving my paper. Also when meeting with our writing fellow, Vic, she had me read my paper out loud where I was able use this tool as well. Another thing I do is find a friend willing to look over my paper after I believe it is to its full potential. In this case, Courtney, read over my paper and left me comments for things such as grammar and sentence flow because in the class peer review that wasn’t pointed out as much. Another pair of eyes is extremely helpful, she noticed things I wouldn’t have. A good paper has sentence variety, in terms of length, unique word choice, sentence flow, and doesn’t repeat over and over. Overall, by making improvements to my local revisions and MLA guidelines I used learning outcomes 5 and 6 to the best of my ability.
