Walking into ENC 1102 I believed I knew how to write a research paper, but I quickly learned that i was wrong. I had been taught in high school how to look up information and just repeat the evidence others had come up with before me, but never did it involve a deep level of critical thinking. Through this course I learned how to effectively research others work, connect pieces of work together, use data to help create and support my own work. In addition to this I learned that it is actually important to actively redraft your work and I was amazed to see the progression as my paper developed. Through Professor Longhany's process my work was gradually developed over a series of steps that required many revisions and at the end of it I got a product I was very happy with. Also I developed my skills in how to approach people while conducting research. I was made aware that I need to create a demographic specific to my survey, in addition I learned how different types of research are the better when collecting data and on top of that I learned how to approach people when asking them to participate in my research. Lastly I gained a better understanding of what is important to me. Originally I walked in looking to research how generations seem to affect and influence the ones that come after them. But as I continued I learned that I had a big interest invested in the concept of equal rights and how it is important to me to see that everyone is given all the same chances as anyone else. I am glad that I have become more versed in the field of research and hope to continue investigation into the equal rights.
