This essay will be a close in-depth reflection of my three essays. The peer profile of Peter Semaan, my personal narrative, and a research essay on pacemakers. They each explore different writing styles, with one being an interview style piece, another being a story of my life, and the other is an in-depth ethical review on pacemakers

The first essay was formatted in an interview focused text with Peter Semaan, a budding writer whose experiences with language, writing, and personal growth served as the focal point. In this piece, I explored Peter’s journey through language strugglers and his eventual development as a writer, using an interview format. This essay demonstrated my ability to engage in critical thinking by delving into the intersection of Peter’s multilingual background and his growth as a writer.

In the interview, Peter shared, “Writing felt like a way of getting my thoughts out and became very therapeutic.” This personal insight showed critical reflection on the broader implications of writing as a tool for self-expressions and emotional regulation. By analyzing his struggles with multiple languages, I explored how language shapes identity and writing skills. Additionally, the anecdote about Peter’s relationship with his teacher, Mr.G, highlighted the transformative role of mentorship in overcoming self doubt, further emphasizing the interplay between personal development and writing skills.

While this piece was effective in its narrative, I see opportunities to expand my critical analysis. I could have explored in more depth how Peter’s multilingual background impacted not just his writing but his perception of language as a whole. This would have enhanced the essay’s complexity and added another deeper analytical layer.

The second essay, focused on my personal struggle with anxiety in Mr. Ryan’s English class showed my growth in rhetorical knowledge. This essay allowed me to use something very personal that could connect with my readers on an emotional level. I was able to experiment with different rhetorical strategies, such as anecdotes and comparisons. I structured the narrative to first show my initial anxiety, followed by the progress I made both socially and emotionally.

A key moment in the essay was when I reflected on my feelings of insecurity and connected them to Piggy’s character in Lord of the Flies: “Piggy’s struggle to find his voice resonated with me, but unlike him, I found the courage to push past the fear.” This literary comparison deepened the emotional connection between my personal experience and universal themes of self-discovery and overcoming fear. The use of pathos was very clear, especially when I was describing the struggles I faced and the eventual relief I felt after gaining confidence in front of my classmates.

While my essay’s narrative effectively conveyed the emotional aspects of overcoming anxiety, I could have refined my rhetorical strategies by expanding on the impact of my teacher’s role more explicitly. Maybe more moments highlighting the immense impact he had on me, which would enhance the pathos of the essay.

The third essay, which analyzed the ethics and technical aspects of pacemaker technology, showed my ability to follow a structured writing process. This essay required a lot of thorough research and careful analysis of articles. I had never done something as in-depth as this so it was definitely a personal challenge. I have some personal understanding of pacemakers, but I still wanted a more in-depth technical understanding of pacemaker functions. Then I did more research into the outcomes of pacemaker surgery and the ethical implications of their use.

For example, I explained, “The pacemaker essentially sends an electrical current replicating the one a normal heart is supposed to have. It acts like a safety net, stepping in whenever the heart’s rhythm falters.” This detail showed my ability to take complex medical concepts and be able to put them into an easier to understand language, providing more clarity for the average reader. While this essay showed my research skills, I felt that the introduction could have been more engaging and that maybe if I had refined the hook more it would have made the essay more appealing.

As I continue to develop as a writer, I hope to deepen my exploration of more complex topics, connecting personal experiences with broader societal issues. Each essay has reinforced the importance of revising, reflecting and tailoring my writing for different purposes and audiences. Moving forward, I hope to strengthen my ability to merge my personal voice with analytical depth, so that my writing can be more meaningful and supported by scientific evidence as I go on my journey to become a physician.

These essays represent significant milestones in my journey as a writer. They have shown my growth in critical thinking, rhetorical knowledge, and writing processes. Every piece I have learned to approach it with more confidence and purpose, which are lessons I will continue on to my future work. Here’s to my continued growth as a writer and future physician.