In this semester, I have enrolled in this FIQWS course which helped me explore various of writing method, how research should be done through online library and the most importantly write the right paper for a different genre.  Although I was still stressed with all of the new experience I did enjoy being in this class. I was hoping to develop a sense of accomplishment since English is not my primary language. Through the three main assessment, literacy narrative, exploratory, and the critical analysis I learned the term superfluous man and talks about Russian literature in the 19th century. The things that I get out from the course the most was I know how secondary source works and to differentiate the exploratory and critical analysis writing techniques in the same topic.

Through my first assignment of the literacy narrative, I’d been shown a few examples of writing in this genre on how people struggle and get along with it. The support my professor provide was very helpful. I was about to share some significant events that impact my reading and writing. I want to inform my audience how I adapt to my new life with my imperfect English. The impact of awareness and speaking more English and how others comment alters the way I learned and grow. I improved on reviewing my peer’s essay. During my first peer review, due to my nervousness and fear of any and all grammar mistakes, I went to the writing center to correct my grammar. It might sound strange that my first intent was actually for my peers. The process was very compelling where I have noticed many issues with my grammar and the unclear topic statement. After the help from the writing center, I realized my mistake on disorganized sentences and the lack of reinforcement to my thesis statement.

When explaining how love affairs affect Russian in the 19th century on my exploratory essay and critical analysis, initially both tasks looks the same for me and I misunderstood the mean of secondary sources. This is the first time I was been asked to explore a topic. I wrote a short summary for each text showing how the protagonist reflects on the characteristic of superfluous man but it seems I didn’t explain my point enough. I don’t believe the databases are helping me to understand my topic. After peer review, my peers advised me to be more specific on the traits of superfluous man and I added a few examples to enhance my position. Before I found out the meaning of secondary sources, I had read a few different stories that are unnecessary. In my exploration of 19th century Russian men, I realized how nobleman can be useless and lazy, their only “job” was to dress gorgeously and attend the ball. Although the nobleman has the dream life that everyone wishes of, staying home and the money came to you without any hard work, they don’t feel any excitement for their life anymore. Since they only focus on how they look, their ego and self-consciousness highly effect on how others perceived them. Women who ignore them strike the superfluous man hard because they can’t accept women focus on others than themselves. If their “target” doesn’t notice him, he will try to seduce them but for revenge and never for love. Besides the extreme eagerness from the attention of others, they prefer to challenge the women that are hard to get and they could be the part of masochism.

From the Critical Analysis assignment, I compare the different characteristic of superfluous men between dominant and submissive. I found studies that superfluous men could have different viewpoints. Pechorin in A Hero of Our Time and Sanin from The Torrent Of Spring showed a huge contrast of how I perceived superfluous men. Pechorin owned the powerful position, thinking himself as a hero and control his love relationship effortlessly. In the meantime, I was surprised that submissive character associate to superfluous too. After my oral presentation about the character types of The Torrent Of Spring, I discovered the act of obedience is actually a form to maintain self-image by not decline other’s request. I found that the more reading the better I get. The consistency of peer review, group, and panel discussion expand a lot of my knowledge in this topic which not only help me to success in my paper and it relates to my present thought too. Both short stories have expanded my knowledge of the superfluous man in various perspective.

Through this class I have found some of my strengths and weaknesses. There are more weaknesses than strengths. One strength that I may have are comparing two things and discovering differences. Some of the weaknesses are having run on sentences, not explaining enough and this is the biggest of them all my grammar issue. Sometimes unintentionally I will keep typing and typing without a break which requires me to revise my work numerous amounts of time. Having sources is a crucial part of supporting your claim, but backing up the claim is just as important. I was told many times I have to explain my work and how does this relate to the claim. Finally, my grammar issue is my biggest weakness. As English is not my first language many sleepless nights have I spent googling and translating words to get my point across. Although I was tired from working and studying, I feel energized in class and love how the professor clarifies the details of each story. I don’t like to talk in class that often but my professor always ask about our opinion and the activeness of my peers conspired my initiative to express my ideas too.

I put in a tremendous amount of time and effort to each assignment. Many time I feel disappointed at my work I would go to the writing center for additional support. I still believe if more time was given to me I would be able to improve my grade. From the past assignments, I feel enlightened from all the information I have gained. Since this topic impacts and occurs in current date relationship. I am satisfied with my overall grade but with time I assume I will get better at my grammar skills and will require less aid from others and try to perfect each individual assignment. I hope this paper is intriguing as I am one example of imperfection but with a great deal of endurance.