Critical Analysis Skills Developed Through Writing a Reflection Paper

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INTRODUCTION

When given the task to write a reflection paper on my experience in this course, I was not sure what to write. I struggled with the idea that I had to write my feelings down about what I had learned in a class that I had to read literature and then interpret those readings into journal entries addressed to my fellow students. This left me a little intimidated. So to start the ideas flowing, I went back to the beginning. I looked up the “Week One Letter” to the student and re-read the description and goal of the course. Dr. Doe stated in the letter that, “we will be reading a variety of literature for a better understanding of the ideals, values, and attitudes of world civilizations” (Week One Letter to Student). Little did I know this involved many stories regarding themes such as “Tradition and Innovation”, “Gender and Identity”, “War and Violence”, “Race and Culture”, and finally “Individualism and Community”. Also in the “Week Letter One”, Dr. Doe states these topics are “as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.” This still seems pretty intimidating to me, but I agree with Dr. Doe. All of these topics guide us while helping us to reach the goal stated in “Week Letter One”, “to identify and examine the interconnections among literature, history, and culture.” And why does “Week Letter One” say this is important, “To improve our awareness and appreciation of the relationship between literature and the human condition.”

Discussion In the beginning of the semester, I stated that I am not much of a reader but would like to be. I believe that reading is a valua...

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...vity and freed me to view ideas in a different manner. It provided me the opportunity to read literature with a mind open. When I look back at my years of limited reading, I realize that I did not actively read the book. I just went through the motions and read only what was necessary. This course has helped me to develop my ability to read a piece and comprehend the hidden messages. It has helped me to lose my simplicity and routine practice of taking everything I read literally. Now my mind has been greatly opened up. I feel like I have learned so much and that I have largely expanded my literary analysis and writing skills.

Challenge Question

Toni Morrison states, “We have to acknowledge that the thing we call ‘literature’ is pluralistic now just as society ought to be” (580). Do you think that literature is a vehicle for social change? Why?

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