20. Evaluative Conclusion

This Semester has been amazing. I can't believe how much I have grown, changed, and learned in just a few short months. I'm grateful for this blog, which I think really shows my progress. I've always loved writing in my journal, but I haven't always had time. Blogging has been a good outlet for my thoughts, feelings, and dreams. 

I've really loved the theme for this semester. Talking about family stories and trying to figure out my own story seemed cheesy when we first started, but it has really made a difference in my life. Learning to write rhetorically, researching my family story, and telling my personal narrative have all built up to this point. The blog posts weave in and out of these papers, showing more casual, day-to-day life and random thoughts. It's all part of telling my family story. A story can be told by anyone, but it takes thought and time to tell it well. To tell it the way it deserves to be told. 

I've never seen the connection between family history and writing until now. But after this class, I am excited about my ancestors. I want to tell their stories. Family history is maybe one of the most important outlets for writing. So often we see it as finding records, or finding names. We need to remember that we are finding people. Someday we will just be names in the system, and if we want to be remembered as anything more we need to find a way to make lasting connections. I'm grateful for my ancestors and for the sacrifices they made. I can't wait to learn more about them and to possibly write about their stories. 

I'm still not quite sure what my personal narrative is, but I definitely learned more about it. I learned that I changed the most in between Junior High and high school. I learned that the pivotal moments in my life center around reading, and music, and my family. I try to be confident, kind, compassionate, and centered in the gospel. Things in my life have happened that specifically gave me those qualities. One of the best ways to learn about myself is to write and trace back my life story. That will help me figure out who I am, and help me teach my future children about me. 

In conclusion, I think in high school I learned how to write, and in this class, I have learned why I need to write. I have the skills, I just need to fine tune them. By practicing and becoming a more mindful writer, I can take writing in a new direction. It can really go in any direction I choose! By practicing telling Personal narratives and family stories, it's been proven that you really can write about anything. 

One common theme I noticed throughout my blog posts this semester is gratitude. I'll often end a post by saying how grateful I am for something. At first I thought this was repetitive and dull, but now I think it shows another part of my character. I'm grateful for people, experiences, and things learned. So in this evaluative conclusion, I would just like to end by saying I'm grateful for this class. I'm grateful for the ability to write. I'm grateful for my family and ancestors. And I hope to take what I've learned and run with it. I know I'll take these skills with me after finals week. 

Thanks, Sister Steadman