Plan to Acquire my Virtues

I haven't exactly made an official "plan" for my virtues. I have mainly just been reading them each day and throughout the day I try to imagine where it fits in. I actually like the virtues because it keeps me focused and thinking about doing good in my daily life. I haven't experienced any downfalls thus far.

Learing Reflection~ Week 11

As I was looking through the blogs of the class, I noticed how not many people have finished their assignments. However, Woubet, Alexa, Austin, and David caught my attention with the completeness and content of their blog. Their "13 Virtues" were inspiring and motivational. I liked to organization of each of their blogs. They were very thorough in their writing and they gave great stories or examples to go along with the topic of the blog.
To better my writing I will try to tell more stories in my blog posts. Jenica also made me want to do some extra credit by looking at her nature pictures. I will do my best to be more detailed and openminded the second part of the semester.

13 Virtues

1. Acceptance. Know that some things/people are the way they are.
2. Peacefulness. Understanding that life happens, be okay with it, move on.
3. Courage. Do something you've never done. Be brave. Stand up.
4. Strength. Continue to fight, even when you feel your worst. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
5. Faithfulness. Stay true to what you do and believe.
6. Hopefulness. Know that bad things get better, and that there is always one person who thinks the world of you.
7. Balance. Don't have too much of one thing in your life. Spread yourself out.
8. Encouragement. Support others whenever they're in need, and not just when they ask for it.
9. Perserverance. Never giving up, even when you think there is nothing left.
10. Independence. Don't depend on someone else to do everything for you, be your own person.
11. Love. Show you care. Not just with words but with your actions.
12. Thankfulness. Appreciate every single person/thing you have.
13. Service. Put others before yourself. There are bigger things than you.

Porfolio Cover Essay (Rough Draft)

            During the semester, in this 200 level literature course, we have been developing many skills in critical literacy such as, reading, thinking, writing, and communicating with evidence. We have been given the opportunity to work with others in developing these skills. These will developed skills will allow us to further our education as we dig deeper into more literature and course work.

            We are often given ways to demonstrate our ability to read, write, and think critically. As we read our assigned literature, we’re typically asked to write something similar to it. This allows us to really focus on the piece as we read it. I usually am able to imagine, or picture, the story in my mind as I read along. If I am able to picture something, it helps me stay “entertained” or interested in what is going on. I often find myself thinking about what will happen next. I typically like to think I know what is coming but it usually doesn’t happen in that way. As I read the literature I have noticed that I am also able to compare it to ‘real life’ situations. For example, in de Crevecoeur’s “What is An American?” , I am able to read his piece and think that this really is how an American today is, or this is how they should be. An American should fit in with any race, because in America we have many different races living amongst one another. As I mention being able to compare the writing to life, it brings me to the next skill of understanding the text.

            As we develop the ability to analyze the text, it allows us to be able to truly grasp the meaning, or point, of the piece. In Thoreau’s “Where I Lived, and What I Lived For”, we know that he does not necessarily mean for us to go live in the secluded woods and enjoy nature. He simply attempts to share with us how little it takes to live life to the fullest. He is expressing that we don’t need the material things to make us happy; we just need to be at peace with ourselves. Walt Whitman’s, “I Hear America Singing”, allows the reader to get a sense of how individuals in America all feel things differently. We each have a story that can only be told by us. All of us have something that makes us the person we are. It may be a past event in our lives, a special person, a goal, a relationship, a job, etc. Every one of us is different and there are no two people who are the same. This poem by Whitman shows this by describing the different kinds of people: the mechanics, the boatman, the woodcutter, the mother, or the young wife. Then he states, “Each singing what belongs to him or her and to no one else”. We each have a “song we sing” that defines who we are as an American.

            As we read different texts we move into different literary movements which continue to help enhance our skills. Romantic and Gothic literature are some of the main movements we’ve covered. Romanticism is all about being in touch with nature and life. It helps others feel deeply. As mentioned earlier, Thoreau does a great job at showing his readers how to do this. Romantic literature almost teaches its readers to get to know your best self, how to be fully awake in life, and to truly be able to realize the beauty that is all around us. It gets us in touch with the sublime, which are our true emotions. Romanticism gives the reader an opportunity to feel things deeper than others. Gothic literature is also tied in with the Romantics. Gothic literature can consist of ghost stories, thrillers, and horrors, to name a few. Poe’s work is an excellent example of Gothic literature. In Poe’s “Tell-Tale Heart”, he uses death and madness to express his over-whelming emotions. As he writes of gruesomely killing a man because he looked at him with his one eye, he also tells how he eventually cracks from an over powering feeling, which leads him to confess the murder. Poe’s writings allow us to feel deeply in a way that some don’t usually tend to feel. Luckily, literature allows the reader to embrace different kinds of emotions that help them grow as a student, and as an individual.

            Throughout the course, as we read different texts, we learn how it relates to history or a culture. The relationship between literature and history is crucial to understanding the text. As we read literature about slavery, we noticed how different authors seemed to have a different view on this issue. Jacobs, from the Romantic period, wrote more with emotions and heart. He had been a slave, so he knew exactly how it was and the pain and struggles they went through. His writing allowed us to be able to ‘feel’ just what he was thinking. De Creveceour on the other hand was from the Enlightenment period. His focus was trying to get us to reason about slavery, especially considering he was a farmer. His writings allow the reader to think about the issues. How should we deal with it? What can we do to fix this issue? What could they have done then to stop it?

            We often study literature to learn more about history. Who did what? And where or why did they do it? The “Battle Hymn of the Republic” has so much history behind it. The words are by Julia Ward Howe. We learned that she and some of her acquaintances were on the way home from a review of the troops. They sang a song to pass time. The soldiers heard them and loved it. Someone suggested to her that she write a poem to the tune of the song they were singing. She fell asleep that night and woke up with lines of a poem going through her mind; she had to write them down immediately. She fell back asleep thinking it was great. This poem has turned into a nationally popular song to glorify our nation. It is performed at many events. Veteran’s Day and Fourth of July are two popular dates where one can hear this tune. In our culture it resembles pride and Christ in our nation. As one can see history is a major factor in understanding literature.

            Another skill we have been given the opportunity to develop is the use of electronic technologies for drafts, editing, or reviewing texts. We have been able to listen to mp3s of different texts, as well as view e-texts of the literature. Each person in our class has created a blog in which we submit our work and read our peers material. This has been a creative way in which we share our thoughts and ideas with the class. I have enjoyed reading everyone’s different opinions and views on the texts we have read. We are able to comment to one another’s blog or post to ours regarding someone else’s blog. This is beneficial because it allows us to know how we can improve on our writing. It also is reassuring if you know someone agrees with your ideas or at least enjoys reading what you have to say.

            American Literature 241 was benefitted me well this semester. I have gained skills that will help me in my later education. I have also gained more information to help me with my already known skills. I look forward to what else there is to learn this semester.