I knew from the beginning of the research phase that I needed to develop a solid belief about the topic of discussion. Luckily, the essay topic was about nutrition. I am very interested in nutrition and am always eager to learn new information. Although it was difficult for me to fully agree with some of the information we reviewed, I knew I couldn't let it impact what I needed to write. I believe that because I have an interest in the topic, I am more open to accepting new ideas. I also found that going in with an open mind from the beginning made it easier to find solid, detailed content to write for my essay. Additionally, I found that it took very little effort to write an effective essay. When I completed the essay in class, I felt very good about what I had written. Even though the summer semester is short, I learned a lot about how to write an essay effectively. I have learned that writing from personal experiences and with an open mind is the key to writing an effective essay. Finally, I was reminded that essays are much easier to write when the topic is something that interests me. When I start English 101, I will continue to work on being more open-minded and accepting of new things.