Reflective essay (My experience as literally student and a writer)
As a student and especially English major, I have had to learn how to be appreciative of some of the most peaceful exhilarating moments when my mind has to engage with the thoughts of an author. As Toni Morrison notes in The Dancing Mind, the art of reading is an experience of one’s mind dancing with others minds. During my first days as a college student, I always probed to find out the “true" meaning of an author’s literally work, however in this quest, I have come to a realization that literature is not made great by understanding the author intention but by the different interpretations and insights that readers get from reading an author’s piece.
I have always considered myself as a thinker, and throughout my studies, I immensely worked on sharpening my skills in critical analysis. I have taught myself the greatest question to ask when reading a literally piece is the question why and instead of focusing on the on author’s biographic and proposed intentions, I have asked the question “why” more and more. This has helped me sharpen my critical analysis skills set. Reading multiple books written by the same author has also helped me in identifying the different writing styles and to make connections that thread the texts together. Reading has enabled myself to develop a clearer understanding of an author’s perspective in issues addressed. I have learnt to read and write, looking back I have realized that in the past I may not have been the best at reading and analyzing texts now when I read I text I have to note my insights about the thoughts presented in the text.
Writing has always been one of my stronger suits but I guess I have always wondered how my writing would be perceived, but after reading I have been able to overcome that challenge. I now write interesting pieces that also amaze me. In have learnt how to make great arguments and engage my audiences in captivating vivid descriptions and immersions.
Being able to understand the world of literature has helped shape my writing and reading culture. This has in turn helped me connected in unprecedented ways to the real world. The world of literally works has enabled me develop a deeper connection with societal needs and aspirations. Truly literature has opened the world, communities and understanding of people in a whole new approach for me.
Alexia was considered a fool at school, she was referred as mentally challenged. She was faced all manner of rejection and disapproval by fellow students. Apparently, because she seemed disinterested in school activities and she did not care about her grades, she a creative approach when it came to ding assignments and homework.
Over time, she had started to accept her “stupidity”. She had accepted that she really was a special needs student. But there was one activity that made her glow and change every aspect of her being, chess it was.
Alexia had started playing the mindboggling game of chess with her father after school just to see if she could beat him. Alexia adored her father, she considered him as a smart man, quite knowledgeable if you asked her. Playing chess, she believed she would overcome her “inability.”
After every game the zeal to beat her father grew more and more. She started reading books about the game, started practicing playing against the computer. One evening she was able to checkmate her father; this was the beginning of her freedom from the bondages of “stupidity.”
After many more games and learning, she eventually become a pro in the game of wit and logic. She was ready to show who she had become: an intelligent person.
She remembers that one game she had to represent her school against the rich valedictorian. She was playing the black pieces. The opponent was also good she acknowledged. The opponent kept attacking and she defended, she sought hidden resources to keep the king safe. The opponent spent a lot of time trying to find her weak spot but before the opponent could make the final move, time was over. Alexia was so ecstatic she had won the game, but no she had won victory for the school and victory against her perceived stupidity, she was the star of the moment. As she held her trophy high she come to the realization that underneath each and every person there is a genius that needs to be worked on to emerge.
Multimodal Collage (Dancing)
History is rich with stories written in books, songs, movies, poems and even dances. The methods of telling stories change, attract and invite new audiences every time but the context of the stories remain significantly similar. Dance for instance has been used for many years to narrate the stories of life experiences, to narrate a story of a person’s culture, traditions and many other stories. For me dance has be part of how I identify with world, how I connect with my culture and how I express my experiences emotions and practices. Every step, every move, every twist has a meaning and for me life without this form of expression would not please. Take Tango dance for instance this dance helps me express the passion, display affection, hurt or obsession of love. Every step is a calculated has deeper meaning more than just steps and twirls. It is a reflection of support and bonds that are stronger than expressions of words. Another great example of dance is the river dance this particular kind of dance helps me communicate the story of my culture, my community, to narrate a message to deep to express in any words. The combination of the costumes, music and the steps helps narrate a story that can never be written. It displays the attachment to my culture, to the way of life of my community, the very essence of community and unity. Dance is a way of life for me, it is symbolic to my very existence.
