Post #1: Self Assessment

I love that I am an English major, but I have never considered myself a good writer. When I write a paper I feel that I write it too casually, as if I am speaking directly to my audience. Even as I'm writing this, I'm nervous that my punctuation is off or my choice in words isn't as strong as it should be. If I had to choose specific aspects of my writing that I need to work on, I would say my vocabulary, tone and knowledge of grammatical terms.
When I play scrabble with my friends, I am not only the English major but the repetitive loser. I’ve never even had an “ah-ha” moment where I had an impressive word with bonus points. As a college student my vocabulary should be broader. When I work with high school students whether it’s through tutoring or another practicum I’m checking off the list, I’m scared their vocabulary is going to be stronger than mine. I carry a dictionary with me and have no problem looking up a word I don’t understand, but I’m scared it might get to the point where my students are constantly challenging me to look up words because I don’t know them.
When I say “tone” is another aspect of my writing I would like to work on, I’m talking about that casual audience I’m directing my paper to. Sometimes it’s as if I’m directly writing what I would say to someone in a conversation. It’s too casual. I’m not as bad to include words such as “like” and “um” but pretty close.
As for my knowledge of grammatical terms, I didn’t think I needed to work on it until this class. When terms such as adverbs, pronouns and junctions come up I feel like I need to go back to, well, grammar school. (  that sentence right there needs work). I can’t remember working specifically on grammar in high school. I can’t remember working on grammar in middle school. I honestly think the last time I had work with grammar was in elementary school and that’s just wrong.
I’m looking forward to this semester and especially this class because I know I have a lot to learn and I’m actually excited to learn about it. I think it’s fun flipping through the grammar text book and the scrapbooks we are going to make look like tons of fun. I can’t wait!