As the semester comes to an end this assignment provides an excellent opportunity to look back on my experiences in this class. My experience in English with Professor Fucaloro has helped me grow a substantial amount as a writer. I have gotten more and more comfortable as a writer as the semester went on. As a person, it is important to stand for something and have views on controversial issues, which is exactly what Professor Fucaloro encouraged me to do. One of my main papers, the Literacy Narrative, really allowed me to open and become vulnerable to expressing myself. Before this class, I tended to avoid social and political conflicts. I tried to remain as neutral as possible on all subjects in an effort to not anger anyone I was interacting with. However, after a few discussions in this class, I quickly formed views on things and opinions that I felt rather strongly about. In addition, the Free Writes also gave me an opportunity to let my thoughts flow free. Professor Fucaloro encouraged her students to let loose and express our thoughts without any fears. Another one of my favorite class activity’s were our free writes. Our free writes gave me the opportunity to express whatever feelings I had in the moment. My favorite free write was one where Professor Fucaloro instructed us to not stop writing. At first, I was worried I would run out of things to say, but I quickly realized that I had alot more to say then I thought.

Overall, this English class really opened my eyes to what I can accomplish in writing an effective essay/assignment. Writing effectively takes a lot of practice and we got to practice by revising our essays and our classmate’s essays through peer editing. I am open to people commenting on my assignments and papers, whether it is positive or negative. I have also learned to correct other classmate’s essays, and what things to look for within an essay. In addition, I have acquired the skills to make my writing more detailed and interesting by using rhetoric. Rhetoric played a big role in the writing process of this semester. The goal of using rhetoric in your writing is to use language effectively and persuasively. My writing after I incorporated rhetoric was a lot more effective and helped me persuade my readers to consider topics from different perspectives through including logic, emotional appeal, and credibility. To conclude this reflective response, I have learned a lot from this class and what to expect from other professors on their papers/essays. This semester has been a very eye-opening experience for me and I plan to take everything I have learned in the past fifteen weeks and apply it to my future writing. 

CAAS

Leaders: Clarissa, Anne, Atiana, and Satvi 

*Backstory: Anne, Atiana, Clarissa, and Satvi are the senators of the land of CAAS. Unlike Earth, the leaders of this country vowed to rule with compassion and out of pure devotion to their country. 

Education 

All citizens of our society would be entitled to free education from kindergarten to high school. We will not allow any type of private education as we will be extremely devoted to the success of our schooling system and do not want children to have unfair advantages due to money. This school system will be funded through our utopia’s budget, a significant portion will go towards education. After high school we have adopted a trade school system instead of college, this allows students to be better prepared for their career path. For example, students who want to go into business will attend the business university or those who are interested in the sciences will attend the science university, etc. These specific trade schools will also be paid for through the utopian budget as we believe every young adult deserves an opportunity to be successful. This being said we will have strict requirements for all students such as maintaining high grades and if they chose to fall behind or break university rules their education will cease to be funded. 

Religion 

Citizens have the right to practice the religion of their choice, there will be no universal faith we bestow upon them. Our utopia will have spaces devoted to each religion in order for those who practice it to have a place of worship. We will not restrict any type of religious practice, although we will not condone using religion as a way to promote any violence or wrongdoing. It can not be used as an excuse to break the set laws of our society. Religion will not be a part of making any type of governing rules or governmental decisions. We believe the choice of religion is a freedom for every citizen.

Law and Order 

In CAAS, we have a strict but fair judicial and law enforcement system. We will hold both citizens and leaders accountable to our rules and regulations. The price of living in this perfect society is that the punishments can be harsh. This can include banishing them to Earth, depending on the type of violation. But we promise our people to treat them all equally, never holding preconceived notions based on their religion, gender, sexual orientation and beliefs. We strongly believe that the current society has failed to keep us all safe, and the prison systems leave much to be desired. In CAAS, we stand against any humanitarian crimes and only convict after conducting a thorough investigation which is tried in front of a court. We also have strict regulations in place for law enforcement officers, who will be under surveillance to ensure that there is no misuse of power. 

Economics, Work, and Leisure 

The currency system is relatively the same to our modern system except everything is a lot cheaper, similar to the 1950s. Wealth is somewhat similarly distributed to our modern system today but the spectrum is definitely a lot less wide. There will not be an extremity in richness in wealth and the poor. People in the land of  CAAS strive to be hard-working and motivated, but they will never be asked to do anything outside of their job description. They will strive to do the best that they can and usually go above and beyond to do their tasks. Our economy and currency will be independent from the rest of the world. 

Declaration of Independence 

Although we know that we can never achieve a perfect society as imperfect humans, we formed our utopian society to explore what a possible world with a little less wrong could look like. We feel we can reflect on a better world through our beliefs and rules. We modeled our world based on the basic framework of our existing society but modified it to better suit our vision for our utopia. We still have a democracy, where people can elect their leaders. We have a judicial system that will hold its citizens and people accountable. We also have religious and educational institutions in place, like our current society. But we’ve built upon these ideas to create a better place, since they have been poorly implemented in our present society. For instance, we still haven’t been able to provide free and quality education to those who desire it. Private schools have taken over, leaving students everywhere with crippling debt. In CAAS, we believe people of all ages should be able to further their education, free of cost. Our current society has broken our trust with idealistic concepts and poor execution. We are unsatisfied with promises that are half or never fulfilled. In CAAS, we keep our promises to our people and have a system in place to ensure the enforcement of the norm. We find it important to form a perfect society because it is attainable; we believe that it is the only way to achieve true and complete happiness. 

List of Rules 

1. If you are not happy with the land of CAAS, you may return to Earth to live there permanently. Yet once you leave CAAS, you may not return. There will be no punishment for leaving. 
2. You have the right to speak freely, as long as you speak kindly. Hate speech is not tolerated in our land. The harmful or destructive speech will be looked over for consequences. 
3. All religions will be accepted. Every citizen has the right to follow any religion they choose. Our land is focused on love, not hate. 
4. Everyone will be treated equally regardless of their race, religion, or sexual orientation. By eliminating racism, and prejudice we can ensure that everyone in our land will be treated equally and fairly.  
5. There shall be no crime of violence in society. If one finds himself in a predicament, they must ask for help. People should respect each other; if people disrespect each other they will be enforced by the law. All citizens of our society live without fear of internal, such as crime, or external threats, such as war. 
6. The land of CAAS will operate as a democracy. Citizens have the right to vote for the leader of their liking. There is no limit to how long a leader can serve, yet every year the land of CAAS will hold elections to see if the present leader is no longer suitable for the job. The government will propose laws and the society will vote for the laws/rules. This is enforced to ensure that people have the power to make a difference as well. 
7. Everyone, children, and adults looking to further their education will have access to free education. The pursuit of knowledge, information, and innovation is encouraged and supported by our society. 
8. All members of our government have economic security. This allows all citizens to pursue the work and life they wish to pursue. In the case that someone is unfit to work, they will be assisted by the government to ensure they are not left behind. 
9. Punishments will be given accordingly. Our society will operate with a judicial system. If a leader abuses power they will be tried accordingly. Similarly for the citizens, if they break any laws or are deemed to be un-citizen like, they will be tried accordingly. Some of our policies include but are not limited to: no killing, no stealing, no lying/cheating, no abuse of any kind. 
10. Health care is one of our main priorities in CAAS. Each citizen receives a check-up with their doctor twice a year. Prescription drugs are only permitted with a doctor’s note. Each citizen has the right to health care access, despite their financials. 

Governing Body 

Our land will operate as a democracy. All acts and laws passed will be for the health, happiness, and peace for the citizens of our land. In addition, we will hold elections every year. There is no limit on the number of years someone may hold office yet by holding elections every year we can ensure that the citizens still believe our leaders are suitable for the position. The reason we have this rule is to warrant that the government passes laws that benefit our society. Female and male representatives are represented equally. Citizens who are eighteen and older are allowed to vote. Disputes will be settled by the leaders of the Law and Police Force. Governance will be in the control of the people, who vote on the issues that the people believe are the most pressing. 

What could go wrong? 

A society where everyone co-operates and is happy with one another is an impossible dream. Although it is a dream that most of us strive for, in reality, it is difficult to achieve. Our fear of our society is that the natural differences in ability, interests, preferences within any group of people often leads to inequalities as a result that utopias committed to equality cannot tolerate. The belief that humans are perfect, and that they live in a “perfect society” often leads to an imperfect world. People are naturally hardwired to have their own beliefs and customs. When imperfect humans try to create a perfect world, they fail. Our land is built on the idea of unity, and love for the people. Yet as we know, people act on their beliefs. A potential problem that could arise with regards to our education system is that we have high standards that our people have to uphold to have access to free education. This could be a lot of pressure on our students, but we also have a great health care system and promote good work-life balance. 

What makes each of us different? Is it the color of our skin? Our height? The number of people in our family? Our religion? These questions may seem inconsequential, but as the world around us becomes more diverse the ways we choose to segregate ourselves from others and who we include and exclude from groups become important relevant issues. People do, in fact, choose to be with those who are like them, it’s always been that way. People feel more comfortable with those who are “similar” and tend to shy away from others who are “different”. Personally, I have felt this in school because I am Jewish, yet you may have felt it for another reason. 

 As an active, young, Jewish girl the recent increase in antisemitism is baffling. Until recent years, many Jews in America believed that the worst of antisemitism was in Europe. Both of my parents were born in The Netherlands were antisemitism is a typical part of life, because of this fact, my parents decided to move to America in 1999 in order to allow us to live a more open, free, Jewish life. American Jews today are accepted in all universities, neighborhoods, and are even allowed to hold elite business positions that once ostracized their ancestors. Jews have reclaimed their right for equality and in the year 2000, the first Jew even ran for vice president on a major party ticket. I have personally witnessed antisemitism in, online insults, threatening social media posts, and the occasional remark I receive when I try to explain why I cannot go out on Friday nights. I am just one of the teenagers around the world giving voice to the challenges that Jews, and Jewish children specifically, all over the world are facing daily. It is important that we use the threats against us to make us stronger and that we don’t back down out of fear of being different. 

On October 27, 2018, eleven people were brutally murdered in the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by a man who told the police that he “wanted all Jews to die.” These are horrible, ugly words, but are not unfamiliar to any Jewish person who has grown up defending themselves from antisemitic slurs. However, this incident did not appear unexpectedly, Swastikas and other antisemitic graffiti have been increasing to surface on synagogues, cemeteries and Jewish homes around the country in the last decade. The Anti-Defamation League logged a 57 percent increase in antisemitic incidents in the United States from 2016 to 2017. 

Another incident that severely affected me occurred late on March 2nd as I was completing my daily scroll through Instagram when I first saw it. At first, even I thought it was a joke. I continued scrolling but then I scrolled back up as quickly as my scrawny fingers could. Numerous teenagers, from my hometown, were surrounding one of the most prominent images of hate. Their faces read faces of ignorance and stupidity. A group of highschoolers surrounded numerous red solo cups deliberately and systematically put into the shape of a swastika. A swastica for Jews represents Adolf Hitler’s goals of the Holocaust. In Hitler’s book Mein Kampf, he writes, “In red we see the social idea of the movement, in white the nationalistic idea, in the swastika the mission of the struggle for the victory of the Aryan man.” Following the posting of these images, the school which most of these students attended held a meeting, and a student, as well as one of my friends, said, “The blame is on all of us really. This environment allowed them all to feel comfortable enough to do that…”.

In this day and age many people say things and do things without thinking, and scorn the effect it may have on others. We live in a world with many diverse cultures and it forces you to be open-minded and considerate of other people and their beliefs. When comparing characteristics between different groups of people, people tend to believe that their beliefs and customs are superior to others. From when I was a toddler my parents have raised me to be proud of who I am, what I look like, and most importantly of my religion. My great grandmother, Meta Benninga, was twenty years old when World War Two started. The wrinkles, and scars around her body show how strong and powerful she is. Without knowing that she would even survive the war, she fought for her life. She was sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau at the age of twenty and was forced to endure the hardships and cruelty of the Nazis. My great grandmother, Oma Oma as we like to call her, survived although the odds of survival were minimal. 

Social media is a platform where people feel as if they can say or post anything without any repercussions. Recently this ideology has officially been tested. Today the impact of posting something out of hate can result in being publicly disgraced, losing a job, and even in some cases, facing criminal charges. In the end, Nazi Salutes and Swastikas are never a joke. The Anti-Defamation League and the Council on American-Islamic Relations commented that “ When such actions are considered jokes, hate and bigotry become normalized”. 

Taking a stand is not easy. We sometimes worry about what others may think, or even worry about our own safety. I am a current university student, and I have thought to myself, “will I stand with Israel and show my support when campuses across the globe have become so outwardly anti-Israel and anti-Semitic?” It would be much easier to simply remain quiet and not take a stand. We live in a country with an abundance of freedom, but that freedom can be questionable and elusive. In the age of rising antisemitism and anti-Zionism, we are constantly faced with the option of being a bystander or an upstander. Do we watch from the sidelines and continue to let our people be belittled, or do we stand up and speak out? As I said earlier I have always been a firm believer in standing up for what I believe in. I am lucky to be surrounded by friends who support my beliefs and don’t make me feel embarrassed about who I am, but others aren’t so lucky and often find themselves suppressing their true identity out of fear of being judged. 

Anyone can be prejudiced, but that does not mean that everyone is. I believe that in every society there are ‘shades’ or levels of prejudice. Bullying is often caused by prejudice against people who are different. For example, the ‘cool kids’ who are wearing a certain brand of clothing felt as if they are superior, so they pick on the one kid who is wearing a dress that was handed down to her by her older sister. Just because she’s different doesn’t mean she should have a target on her back. Adolf Hitler came into contact with antisemitic ideas at an early age, which fueled his prejudice against Jewish people. During his rise to power, he became obsessed with the idea of ethnic purity in Germany and ultimately in the entire world. Hitler’s position allowed him to spread and act on his prejudices against “inferior peoples,” leading to the death of millions in the Holocaust. 

It is vital that we understand the power that our words and actions hold, and stand up for ourselves when we feel belittled. I ask all you who are scared of standing up for your beliefs to challenge yourself and stand up and speak out because together we can not only fight antisemitism, but all types of racism, prejudice, and discrimination. 

Logical Fallacies: Standardized Testing 

Imagine, if standardized testing would no longer be enforced? Standardized tests are reliable and objective measures of student achievement. If standardized testing would no longer be enforced then policymakers would have to rely on tests scored by individual schools and teachers who have a vested interest in producing favorable results. Multiple-choice tests, in particular, are graded by machines and therefore are not subject to human subjectivity or bias. Some may argue that standardized tests are narrowing the curriculum, by cutting out social studies and art, and replacing it with math and English. No, rather than narrowing the curriculum, they are focusing it on important basic skills that all students need to master. The US Department of Education states, “Although testing may be stressful for some students, testing is a normal and expected way of assessing what students have learned.” It is unlogical to say that standardized testing is unfair. We can either continue to utilize Standardized tests or the issues concerning unfair testing will arise. 

People who believe standardized testing to be discriminatory are prejudice towards other ethnicities. Standardized testing was designed to give each student an equal opportunity to showcase their academic potential. Each person’s creativity, critical thinking, or motivation is also not tested and that supports the overall standardized theory of the test. The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) bill passed in 2002, and it was mainly designed to help black, Hispanic, and poor children. Before we had standardized tests, some might have been able to intuitively sense which students were falling behind, but they didn’t have much in the way of hard evidence to back it up. Without evidence, it’s hard to justify the sometimes uncomfortable changes needed to help students. Mark Dynarski, Ph.D., and President of Pemberton Research wrote a piece titled “When Done Right, Standardized Tests Really Do Reflect What a Student Knowns,”, and if a highly educated professional believes it, then so should we. In addition, George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States stated, “You don’t know unless you measure….. If you don’t have a test, you have a system that just shuffles the kids through, and that’s unacceptable.” Again, one of the most prominent leaders we as a nation ever had urges the need for standardized testing, so we should too! 

Despite the substantial amount of development effort required, a well-designed standardized test offers a relatively affordable and efficient way of measuring the achievement of a large number of students. High-stakes tests, such as the ACT or SAT, must be used to make decisions that affect the future of a single student or an entire school district. Today, almost every student that wishes to attend a higher education institution, must take either the SAT or ACT.  Standardized tests, which are proven to be reliable, valid, and fair offer the best option for measuring levels of student achievement. The debate over college admissions rises when the ethicality of standardized testing is presented. Should someone not be admitted to college because of their low test score? If a student received a low SAT score, then she shouldn’t be admitted into a prestigious college. The test is designed to filter and help higher education institutions decided which students will fit best at their university. Standardized tests are necessary to gain a clearer understanding of a student’s academic mastery and capability. In a utopian world, one could wish away standardized tests. All schools would be great, and every student would be meeting their potential. But we live in reality. Some students excel and others need more assistance. Standardized tests are vital to ensure that all students are assessed in an objective, accountable, and comparable manner.

Letter From Birmingham Jail

At the peak of the Civil War Movement in the United States of America on April 12th, 1963, eight Alabama clergymen made a public declaration that Martin Luther King’s protests must end due to the hatred and violence they promoted. During the 1960s Dr. King served as the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, also known as the SCLC, which advocated to abolish segregation. The SCLC’s intention was to desist segregation in a nonviolent, peaceful direct action program. Dr. King frequently referred to Birmingham, Alabama as “America’s worst city for racism”. Despite Dr. King’s peaceful efforts, he was sent to Birmingham jail while protesting the ruthless treatment of black people in Birmingham, Alabama after the court had ruled that Dr. King could not protest in Birmingham anymore. The racial divide left the black people no other choice but to take action against the injustices imposed against them. Throughout his letter, Dr. King appeals emotionally to the reader, states facts, and displays his authentic self in an effort to magnify the significant need for the Civil Rights Movement. 

 In the Letter From Birmingham Jail, by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are exposed to the harsh reality of the times in the 1960s. Dr. King uses ethos, pathos, and logos throughout his letter to persuade the readers, which during this time were mostly privileged White Americans, that there is no difference between the White and Black citizens of America. Dr. King begins his letter with “My Dear Fellow Clergymen”. The choice of diction in this letter is nothing short of precise. Dr. King uses these words to establish that the clergymen are not above him and he is no less than them. Dr. King continues his letter by stating that, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’” along with “‘Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.’” Both these statements use pathos to make the reader think and look back on any injustices they may have seen or taken part in. The letter defends and bolsters the nonviolent strategy to combat racism.  Later in the letter, King also states that “We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was ‘legal’ and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was ‘illegal.’ It was ‘illegal’ to aid and comfort a Jew in Hitler’s Germany. Even so, I am sure that, had I lived in Germany at the time, I would have aided and comforted my Jewish brothers”. Numerous other examples of allusions are listed of other unjust acts of the past and force the reader, and more specifically the clergymen, to think about what they would have done if placed in a Nazi soldier’s position. Would they have helped, or have been a bystander too afraid to speak up? The clergymen label themselves to be ‘good Christians’ yet their actions speak otherwise. The correlation between the acts preformed against the Jews during World War II and the black citizens of America both exemplify unjust laws that evoke nothing but violence and death.  

The letter continues and Dr. King even asks how Black parents are supposed to explain to their children why they are insignificant compared to the White children. This question sparks sadness and hopelessness. Throughout this time period, Black children had no aspirations or goals in life because of the racist and prejudice laws that were set against them. In addition, to pathos, Dr. King also states numerous facts throughout his letter to present the reader with information to prove the injustices that the African American community has been facing during this time in Birmingham, Alabama. Some of his examples of the racial injustices were the violence and police brutality that his community had been facing and the unfair ruling in a court setting. Dr. King seizes the reader’s attention and allows them to sympathize with the violence and hatred that the black people of America have suffered. The sense of urgency for change is also brought to the reader’s attention through Dr. King’s tone. He begins numerous sentences with the term “if…”. The effective method of using the word “if” instills the idea of a consequence. Dr. King defends the nonviolent protestors and pleas for action to stop segregation. 

The reason we look up to Dr. King today and others during this time looked up to him as well is because of his ability to make the weak feel so strong. Dr. King effectively showed the American people the injustices and demanded what needed to be changed in order to bring justice and peace to America. Despite the opposition and the people who constantly wanted to oppress the Black people, Dr. King uses his leadership role to give people the strength and courage they need to stand up for themselves. The letter ends with Dr. King apologizing, he apologizes to anyone he might have offended and for the fact that his letter was so long yet due to the fact that he was in jail at the time, he had all the time in the world to voice his opinions. Without his effective use of rhetorical devices and his persistent, yet compassionate tone, the letter would not have been as prosperous and monumental. The letter inspires urgency and a call-to-action which King, hopes in time, will bring positive change for the black people of America. Dr. King was ultimately one of the most influential and visible spokespersons during the civil rights movements, and we will continue to honor his bravery and courage to fight for what is right.

WAR IS PEACE

FREEDOM IS SLAVERY

IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH

At the beginning of the novel, 1984, author Georg Orwell states the 3 slogans of the Party: War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength. These mottoes seem to be ambiguous and conflicting to a person innocent to the novel 1984, but in the world dominated by Big Brother, they are essential. In the world of 1984, war is peace. The illusion of peace created by Big Brother is nothing but a battle to seclude the capacity of a free world. The Party intended to engage in war to keep the country at peace. This is a perfect example of an oxymoron because Orwell uses two words that are essentially contradictory to each other. War is a sign of conflict and peace resembles reconciliation. I believe that war abroad can bring peace at home because it can cause the citizens to unite under the same cause. Many people have different opinions yet when everyone is being attacked for the same purpose, in this case where you are from, you tend to come together and unite. Big Brother has created this war to further control its people. 

In addition to peace, Big Brother has convinced its citizens that there ‘freedom’ is not true freedom, it is rather an artificial image created by Big Brother. The technological possibilities of surveillance and data collection and storage surely surpass what Orwell imagined. Today, we are constantly influenced by politics and religion. The Party has ingrained in its people’s minds that anyone who chooses to become independent of Big Brother’s control is bound to be unsuccessful. Big Brother believes that a society that is based on free will will ultimately result in turmoil. In order to look past the unspeakable acts of Big Brother, the citizens of Oceania must accept that freedom in Oceania means adhering to the Party’s rules without any slight deviation. 

Lastly, Ignorance is Strength is used to destroy the past and manifest a future that is built on the ignorance of its citizens. If the people of Oceania continue to comply with Big Brother they will remain ignorant of the actions being performed around them. The citizens of Oceania are forbidden from questioning the legal institutions, authorities, books, media, history, or any other form of information given by Big Brother. Any deviation from the rules and precepts enforced by Big Brother result in imprisonment. The irony of these phrases establishes the tone for the rest of the novel. The introduction of these phrases at the beginning of the novel forces the reader to pay attention to the widespread use of propaganda and fear of independence. Although having knowledge is fundamental to independent thought, having too much knowledge can have adverse effects. Knowing too much can cause one to over-analyze and never be content with reality. In today’s age, we often find the need to over-analyze situations which ultimately cause more nervousness and confusion. An example of this is seen with the continuous spread of the coronavirus. The amount of information being thrown at people is often overwhelming and confusing. Different and contradictory facts cause people to become nervous and scared. At times is is important to settle with the simple, hard facts and take each day at a time.

*I have also emailed a copy to your email in case the document does not open 🙂

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B. B. B. The first letter of my last name. I knew almost always when my name was going to be called. My name according to American pronunciation is pronounced, “A-N-N”, yet in Dutch they pronounce it, “O-N-A”. I used to be embarrassed by the constant mispronunciation of my name until my 6th grade English teacher informed me of a wildly valuable realization. My name is a representation of who I am, what I stand for, and what I hope to achieve. My name also represents my ancestors and the responsibility they felt to fight for what they believe in. Mrs. Johns, my sixth-grade teacher, immediately noticed the despair that fell over my face when she mispronounced my name on the first day of school. To her defense, she had no way of knowing how to pronounce my name. After reciting my name incorrectly, and correcting her, Mrs. Johns began questioning me on the origin of my name. At first, I was embarrassed by the attention being focused on me, but looking back it is a moment that I will cherish forever. The confidence she instilled in me that day will be treasured endlessly. 

From when I started to read, my name has always been puzzling to me. When my teachers or substitute teachers first read my name on the first day of school I always dreaded it. Students usually start learning how to write in primary school yet the comprehension of the material you are reading does not begin until later in the schooling process. Writing is all around you, on your favorite doll, on your favorite restaurant menu, and so much more. Writing is a template in which we can express our feelings, ideas, beliefs, and opinions in a composed fashion. Reading and writing have never been one of my strong suits. To me, filling my thoughts on a piece of paper was so insufficient. In the past writing had been more of a task to me than a place to store your thoughts. Yet over time, I have developed a new outlook on the writing process. Writing should be viewed as an outlet for thoughts and feelings rather than just the assignments that your English teacher assigned. 

My favorite writing activity, even today, is the ability to write your thoughts, regardless of the topic. Free writes or journal keeping is something that I have grown to love. I start each entry with my name at the top, to remind myself that I am proud of who I am. Anne, my name, represents what I will focus on for today, for tomorrow, and for the future. My journal is the outlet of my thoughts- the happy ones, the sad ones, the angry ones, all of them. Writing has become a world for me. A world of lines that have an endless audience all here to hear what I have to say. 

Before Mrs. Johns’ 6th grade class, I had been ashamed and embarrassed by my name and the constant need to correct people had become rather infuriating over the years. Yet Mrs. Johns instilled the power and identity that my name gives me, and showed me the power of words, and writing in general. The fear and embarrassment of the mispronunciation of my name are still evident in me today yet ultimately it has instilled in me my love to write.

*All the information below was done for a college English assignment. None of the work below is based on an actual situation or decision.

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Hey mom and dad, 

I have made a big decision this week to drop out of school. My dreams to be an entrepreneur can ultimately not be achieved. I am tired of sleepless nights, stress-filled days, and ultimately, pure unhappiness. Although this has been a dream of mine for years I cannot fathom the idea of building debt of thousands of dollars that would take me years to pay off. I have dreams aside from being a businesswoman, I want to have a family, passions, and friends. I honestly don’t believe I would be able to achieve my goals. I don’t believe I am smart enough either. I understand that you both have high expectations and high hopes for me, yet I don’t think this is my path. I really hope that you will still support and love me. 

Love, 

Anne 

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