Capstone Reflection Draft Jarrin Sullivan

What idea about reading, writing, and literacy did you begin class with? Has your previous conception changed over the semester? What has changed? How? How have these changes impacted your reading, writing, and thinking? To begin the class, my idea on literacy was simple and to the point. I believed literacy only encompassed the ability to read and write. Nothing more, just a simple and basic definition that had not much depth nor meaning behind it. However my understanding of the concept of literacy dramatically changed since the third class period when the definition and meaning of literacy was challenged by making me think of the term on a broader level. We were given readings, such as: Sponsors of Literacy and Trading Stories where I had the opportunity to analyze someone elses perspective on how they respond to events and situations in their own lives. The readings were all related in the way that the author was presented with an option and they had the choice of what and how to respond. The challenge the class was presented with was what term satisfied their ability to respond. Literacy. My view of the word completely shifted from a simple meaning to a word whose significance plays a crucial role in how we make choices in our everyday lives. Past experiences also played a significant role in responses in all the readings as well, adding deeper meaning of how literacy is defined. My overall, newly shaped understanding of what literacy means, includes past experiences, such as events or situations that we encounter, and provide us with a basis of how we should respond to related situations. These formed perceptions and responses are defined as our literacies from which we make our daily choices.

My new view on literacy has impacted my reading and thinking in that I dont analyze others pieces as critical. I now obtain the knowledge that everyones writing and responses are based off of their own past experiences and individuals have their own reasons and thought processes which form their literacies. My writing has also been impacted in the way that I understand why I think along certain lines and write the things that I do. This plays a significant role in how I am able to take my own perspective of a topic or prompt and write in a way that those who read my work can understand my literacies and have the ability to relate with their own literacies. Do you see any changes in your attitude toward reading and writing? What has changed? How? How have these attitudinal changes your reading and writing in or beyond class? My whole attitude and demeanor towards reading and writing shifted as my understanding of literacies became stronger and clearer. For example, my enthusiasm intensely increased for both reading and writing. I enjoyed reading about someone elses literacies, while learning and understanding an individual through their writing. Then, I have the opportunity to think and reflect on the feelings and thoughts I obtained through these readings. Also, my ability and willingness to share my work and contribute to class discussion became easier subject to participate because I was able to understand and form my own opinions on the matters at hand. I am more outward and outspoken of my thoughts and opinions because it interests me to know why an individual thinks or feels about a certain situation and understanding, discussing, and analyzing the background/makeup for these processes. My changed attitude inspires my reading and writing to be more open and analytical to the point that I want to express my own literacies and in return have the ability to educe and comprehend others.

Do you see any change in your reading or writing processes? What has changed? How? How have these changes your reading and writing in class or in other settings? My writing process has also been challenged to dig harder and deeper to put forth the best work that I can produce. From the article, Shitty First Drafts, I deduced that a good writer cannot get it right the first time. It takes draft, after draft, after draft, to produce the final product that withholds all the information and discussion that you want. The process it takes to produce a solid piece of written work takes time, dedication, understanding, and most importantly passion. I have become more passionate about my literary pieces and am able to see the difference in how my writing has changed from the beginning of the semester to present day. My writings have become more intricate and meaningful. Whats the reason for writing if the author has no direction or purpose? Having a goal for writing has allowed me to reach a new level of understanding as well as a more thought out response. Because of these changes that I have made in this English class, I am able to take my learnings and apply them to my other writings for other classes. Meaning for example, that a formal Chemistry lab report cannot be accomplished on try one. It has to be written and revised, written and revised, etc., to where one is satisfied with the final product and it encompasses all the desires and goals that you and your instructor want to achieve. In other settings of writing my literature will be more expressive and meaningful. For example in Western Civilization class, when we are given a prompt to respond to, I always intend my responses to accomplish the purpose of writing the essay and to provide significant details and examples that back up what I am trying to portray.

What have you learned this semester? How? What are your takeaways? What habits, knowledge, and practices do you think you will leave the class with? Why? From this semester I have obtained concepts that I would not think about without being continually challenged in and out of English class. The most significant concept that I have come to understand is the meaning of literacy. I was able to transform my writing processes and responses all from a simple understanding of the meaning of a new term. From this class I am taking the knowledge of respecting and understanding others perspectives and responses and analyzing why the author chose to respond the way they did. I am also going to take my improved writing process and apply my own opinions to.