I write because it allows me to express my thoughts freely, without fear of judgement or interruption. In the past, especially during difficult times at home and school, it wasn’t always easy to speak openly. When I tried to share my opinions or emotions, I was often dismissed or criticized, which made it hard to feel heard. Writing became a private space where I could process my thoughts and communicate honestly. It gave me a sense of control and clarity. Reading also provided a form of escape, allowing me to imagine different worlds and perspectives. Together, reading and writing helped me feel understood—even if I was only speaking to the page.

Over the course of this semester, my understanding of writing has expanded. I’ve learned that writing is not only a form of self expression, but also a tool for research, analysis, and social awareness. The assignments in this class pushed me to think critically, organize my thoughts with evidence, and consider the experiences of people from different backgrounds. Writing has become more than just personal—it’s now something I can use to understand and communicate complex social issues, especially those affecting marginalized communities.

Each major assignment in this course contributed to the development of my writing and critical thinking skills in unique ways. The peer interview assignment helped me develop an important skill of active listening. Interviewing someone about their experiences with marginalization challenged me to ask thoughtful, open-ended questions and remain objective during the conversation. It also made me more aware of how easy it is to bring personal assumptions into an interaction. Writing out the interview taught me how to translate someone’s lived experience into academic writing while honoring their voice.

The community observation essay improved my ability to observe, document, and analyze everyday spaces with a focus on social patterns. I learned how to notice patterns of inclusion and exclusion in public spaces. Writing this essay strengthened my outlining, paragraph organization, and descriptive clarity. It also taught me to connect what I learned in class to real-life situations, which gave me a better understanding of the significance of community for marginalized groups.

The literature review was the most demanding assignment, but also the one that brought all my knowledge together. It pushed me to evaluate sources, understand others perspectives, and build an evidence-based argument around a social issue. I struggled at first with managing and organizing a variety of academic texts, but I learned how to organize my literature review in a formal academic tone by main ideas. This assignment strengthened my research abilities. Ultimately, showing me the value of revision, time management, and careful source selection.

Through these assignments, I have achieved many of the learning objectives of the course. I have improved my ability to write with an open mind and critically. I have learned how to conduct research and incorporate it in my writing. Whether through firsthand interviews or academic articles. Most importantly, I now understand the necessity of backing up every claim with credible support. The research I conducted showed me that personal beliefs alone are not enough; writing in the social sciences must be built on facts. I also learned how to investigate social topics without bias by being aware of my own positionality.

I now embody the work of a social scientist: someone who approaches topics with curiosity, respect, and a commitment to uncovering deeper truths. I learned challenges that marginalized communities face, all happening underneath our noses. This class showed me how essential it is to document these realities and bring awareness.

While I am proud of how far I’ve come, there are still areas I want to continue working on. I am still wanting to improve my use of transitions in my writing. I am interested in expanding my understanding of different marginalized groups—like when I didn’t know Kalief’s story though it happened where I lived. My goal is to keep practicing critical thinking in any way. What I appreciated most about this course was its ability to blend academic writing skills with real-world experience. It is, without a doubt, the first class I could genuinely imagine taking again. This course reminded me that writing isn’t just about completing assignments—it can also be enjoyable and meaningful, even during stressful or exhausting days. Despite being held at the end of the day, when everyone, including Professor Kay, was understandably tired, the class still managed to feel lively and welcoming. There was always a sense of community, laughter, and mutual support. I leave this course not only as a more confident and capable writer, but also grateful to have been part of such a memorable and impactful learning experience.