After almost a full semester of this English class, while many notions have become clearer, one that stands out to me is the power of group work. I remember when we were assigned our first essay, and we sat together and were told to discuss what ideas we had for the essay. I, *sigh*, did not do my homework and had no idea what to write about. Luckily, my ability to think on my toes helped me pull an idea out that lacked a cohesive, thought out, plan. After I brought the idea up with a group, I could see my group member’s eyes light up as each had something to contribute. Nearing the end of that meeting, I was solidified with an essay idea and felt confident to go ahead and write. Being able to discuss my ragged thoughts, and have others give me input, which led to further discoveries in my own mind, got me from point A to point B in a much more interesting way than if I had stared at a blank computer screen for hours by myself.
Another characteristic I love about group work is when my peers challenge my ideas. In this class, when we discuss our ideas, other contributing is always helpful, but what’s even more helpful is when someone in my circle asks why I think what I think, or rejects my idea and it turns into me figuring out how to convince them why my ideas are correct. These debates end up giving me way more information to put into my writing, that I hadn’t even thought about before meeting in a group.
I have always been someone who liked to do my homework alone and preferred not to share my ideas with anyone. This was rooted in many different fears– someone copying my idea, other disapproving my ideas and therefor me losing the confidence to pursue writing about them, so on and so forth. However, this class has proved that I need to throw my fears out the window and embrace the fact that working with others helps turn my own creative wheels.