Yunlin Li
Life is an endless adventure, full of unpredictable twists and turns. Two essential qualities guide us in this vast landscape: courage and optimism. Through the lens of creative nonfiction, this site showcases and explores life, courage, and optimism, revealing their power.
Creative nonfiction breathes life into the complexities of existence, interweaving threads of life, courage, and optimism. Through this medium, we discover the transformative power of storytelling, enabling us to navigate life's uncertainties with courage and embrace the future with unwavering optimism. As we begin our journey, let us find solace in creative nonfiction writing as it illuminates the path to a more compassionate, courageous, and optimistic existence.
Introductory Essay
During this semester's workshops and microessays project for ENG 272, my writing underwent a transformative process of revision and refinement. In this essay, I will detail the specific changes, structural modifications, additions and subtractions, and valuable feedback from my peers and faculty that influenced my revision choices. In addition, I will delve into the influences, inspirations, and reference points that have shaped my work this semester, including personal experiences, creative practices, readings, and other courses.
I carefully reviewed each sentence in my workshops and mini-papers, seeking opportunities to improve clarity, coherence, and conciseness. I incorporated valuable feedback from my peers; for example, my discussion group members who listened to my The Worst Thing I Love essay suggested that I add and optimize the content of my language and action descriptions at the time, which helped make this section more interesting to read.
In terms of structure, I made significant changes to the organization of my microessays. Initially, my essay Conducting Workshops And Group Discussions lacked a coherent system, which made it difficult for readers to follow my arguments. Inspired by the analysis and discussion I conducted in my ENG 272 class, I took a more logical sequential approach. I restructured the narrative of my essay and added new arguments to allow for a logical flow of ideas. This restructuring improved my essay's readability and strengthened my arguments' overall coherence.
Regarding my microessays and in-class exercises, I added important content based on the feedback I received from my classmates and teachers. Inspired by the class craft article on the power of sensory language during workshops, I thought about and carefully selected words and phrases to create a more immersive experience for the reader. In terms of additions, I added vivid descriptions and sensory details to enrich the descriptions of scenes and characters in my workshop and microessays pieces.
The feedback I received from Anahi and my classmates played a crucial role in my revision choices. I strengthened my argument's consistency and persuasiveness by addressing this feedback. Anahi and my classmates' comments on my work during the workshop evaluation session highlighted the parts of my opinion that lacked clarity. Her feedback made me aware of the need for more explanation and context, prompting me to rework that paragraph to give the reader a fuller understanding.
Outside of class, I engaged in some creative practices that informed my writing. Throughout the semester, I kept a notebook to jot down my ideas, observations, and thoughts as they came to me. This process helped me to develop my ideas and make connections between different topics. I attended this year's Northern Arizona Book Festival and heard writing ideas and perspectives from a variety of exciting writers. I also read a wide range of books both inside and outside of my field of study to broaden my horizons and explore new ideas.
My experience in this semester's ENG 272 course has profoundly impacted my writing. It often inspires my writing, allowing me to explore themes of life, creativity, and personal writing in my seminar essays. From my own journey, I infused my writing with authenticity and emotional depth, aiming to connect with readers on a deeper level. My notebook is also my writing's right-hand man. It is a repository for ideas, fragments of inspiration, and fleeting thoughts. I often turn to my notebook when seeking a new perspective or searching for the perfect phrase to express my intention. It became my companion, guiding me through the writing process and inspiring new approaches to my work.ENG 272 This and other course readings have had a significant impact on my writing. Guided and inspired by Anahi, creative nonfiction writing resonated deeply with me and shaped my understanding of the revision process. Creative nonfiction writing emphasizes the importance of engaging with feedback, exploring alternative structures, and honing language to create a more robust and more resonant piece.