Reflection and Style Academy #1 - OpEd

Reflection

GASCAP

            In my third paragraph I tried to incorporate the GASCAP principle as much as possible.  I feel that I was able to use generalization, authority, and principle.  Overall, I feel that incorporating this principle helped.  It did not come without its struggles however and I was not able to incorporate the whole principle.  I feel that I may not have been able to include the whole principle because of the paragraph I chose to edit, my topic in general or the fact that I was running out of time to be honest.  Putting this principle to use definitely had its benefits as well.  Although time was against me in this case, this exercise helped me think about my writing.  It helped me see the strengths and weaknesses of my current style and how I could improve.  I'll definitely be trying to improve in the future by implementing this principle while drafting before revising.

Combining Sentences - Style Academy Exercise

            I combined sentences to create the sixth paragraph of my opinion editorial while revising.  While it was hard to cut out some phrases that I had considered to be great when I first wrote the draft, I feel I was still able to present the information I need and wanted to present.  I didn't want this new paragraph to just simply be another way of stating the information in the paragraph before.  I didn't want to cut it out entirely though because I felt that it was a good aspect for my audience.  By combining sentences, and therefore, cutting certain parts out, I feel like I was able to achieve my goal.  This exercise encouraged me to really think about my writing as well.  It helped me understand my writing better and hopefully will lead to my audience doing the same.  Practicing this, I feel, will definitely help me in the future.