19 October 2011
Dear Ms. Cline,
So far during this semester I have met with several challenges and had some successes. My biggest challenge so far has been the process of using primary and secondary texts along with my own analysis. I have often had to use multiple sources in research papers but the element of analysis as opposed to factual reporting makes the process quite different and challenging for me. Also, doing close reading and looking deeper into themes and meanings has been something new for me. I love to read but have rarely been charged with having to find something deeper to it than what was presented at face value. So far I would say my biggest successes have been in meeting these challenges and forcing myself to grow as a student and a writer. I now find myself looking at everything I read with a different perspective and a questioning mind.
The readings in this class have been very interesting to me. The theme of monsters has given me a new outlook on what monsters really represent. It has become apparent to me that monsters are usually not representative of some external random force put upon by the world, but they are, more often than not, a reflection of our internal workings given shape and form in the external world.
As far as goals are concerned, my first goal for the second half of this semester is to strengthen my skills with analysis, primarily through the continued use of questioning and close reading of the works I am reading. My second goal is to become more comfortable with secondary sources and learning how to more easily integrate them into my work. I hope to continue to improve my writing process along the way. I have found, especially as this class has progressed, that the less organized methods that I have always used are not as effective for me as they used to be. I have found that freewriting, outlining and more extensive notetaking are becoming very important for me to organize my thoughts and try to form them into something usable.
All in all, I have experienced a lot of challenge and growth in this class and expect that it will continue. I believe that the skills that we are learning will be useful throughout the rest of my schooling and in life as well, and in spite of the stress of having to work outside of what is comfortable, I am glad that I took this class.
Sincerely,
April Chaplin
Hi,
ReplyDeletegreat letter! I have found that when using primary and secondary texts to support an idea, the easiest way to do it is to pick a real generalized topic to write on. This makes it easier to find sources to back you up. I find it is much harder to get data for backing when trying to take a tricky angle on something. Keep up the good work, we're over half way!
Dear April,
ReplyDeleteWell done! I really liked your letter to the teacher and am glad to hear about your struggles and success within this class. Talking about the use of secondary and primary sources seems to be popular, and it's understandable because it seems new. Some classes as for your opinion and some ask for anything but so it does get confusing. I like your impression of monsters and what they now mean, how they can be a "reflection of our own internal working", they may be ugly but how are they ugly. You also brought up note taking and that is a wonderful thing to do for many things in life. By taking notes when you read or listen it can help finish a thought or idea faster than going back into the book/video and looking for the passage you remembered but can't really remember. Great job!
Good letter April. Like you I also find myself looking deeper into what I read trying to find any hidden meanings. I think from this point forward I will always do so. Your goal to become more comfortable with secondary sources will certainly be challenging, but something every reader should be better at.
ReplyDeleteI can whole-heartedly agree with you about changing your methods for writing! I have always had a really hard time writing, but many of the things I found to help me you seem to have found as well. Freewriting and notetaking both have been invaluble to me in this class, and I have found that it is usually best to go with your honest impressions and develop that then to try and come up with something brand new and plan that all out. I am really looking forward to reading your final paper (assuming of course that it will be posted here). Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your letter. I too love to read and this class has challenged the way that I look at literature. I read to escape and now as I read I am going to be looking for the underlying meaning, and why the author might have written the book. I appreciated your comments on the monster theme and your reflection on that theme. I think that strengthening our analysis skills is an over all theme in these letters, but it is an eye opening experience when you have never written this style of paper. Good Luck with the rest of your semester!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I thought your letter was well written and expressed some of the same issues that I have. I have struggled with analysis of the readings assigned and felt that maybe I was the only one! It is helpful to see that others are dealing with the same struggles and are overcoming them. I feel that this has been a great class and am excited what the second half of the semester will bring!
ReplyDeleteI have to say some of these skills I acquire in this class have been great. Lot of things you mention like freewriting and outline has definitely improved my writing. I know the class load has add stress on all of us, but without it we would never push past our boundaries and to strengthen our skills. Keep up the good work, your doing great.
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