How do I think my writing has improved?...

Throughout my first year on the Popular Music Journalism course I have definitely gained a greater knowledge and understanding into how to write appropriately. Looking back and indulging a little into my features portfolio, I can tell I was verging on grasping which aspect to write from; a news background piece, something more formal, perhaps a little more relaxed, and I feel much more comfortable to know which angle to begin with. My biggest downfall, and in this profession not a good one, is my constant doubt in my writing. I still shy away from others looking and reading through my work! But I'm sure my confidence will grow with a little more practice and hopefully throughout the summer and into the second year I will begin to review EP's, gigs, singles, you name it, in my own time! Also, when looking back through my work I often pick up where I have worded things awkwardly, I think I'm just an awkward writer and word things a bit, well, awkwardly?! I also feel I need to develop more depth in my understanding of music as a whole; looking at artists and bands, genres and different styles of music. This will give my pieces a more rounded feel to them, and show that I have intelligence and awareness of what I am writing about.