Semester Reflection

Writing Reflection

• Explain one or more specific aspects of your writing that have improved this year. In this explanation, you must directly refer to at least two specific pieces of writing that you produced for this class. You may use any assignment, project, writing sample, draft, blog entry, etc. You should discuss the writing tips & strategies we studied, the processes & methods we used, the critiques & drafts we employed and the products we created (feel free to use these specific key terms to keep your reflection focused).

• Describe one specific goal for your future writing. Your explanation of your goal(s) must include some or all of the following: writing samples from this year, writing strategies you have used in the past, writing strategies or techniques you would like to develop, examples from authors you respect, etc.

One aspect of my writing that has improved has been my use of connecting my writing to my audience. I improved in setting the scene, using statistics, and using character. In my Ampersand piece I used a statistic that doctors weren't allowed to wear ties because the neckties were carrying germs. I think its important that I've developed this skill because I personally like to read articles that I can relate to and be able to connect what the writer is trying to convey. And like in my Media Saves the Beach writing I was able to connect a big issue in the south bay to others.

A goal for my future writing would be implementing the loop in my writing more. Not just by putting it in the paragraphs but being creative and applying it to sentences too. This year we were introduced to the loop and next year I want to develop it.

Literary Reflection

Jay Gatsby as my best friend, and college event planner. During college I would need some release and to party, to have the full college experience that I've seen at movies and television. Jay would be my roommate, and when he's done with his classes he goes to the official board of parties to plan the various events the will occur in college.

Jay would supply all the alcohol to our parties. Not only will be my best friend he will also be my wing-man. Since Jay is excellent in stretching the truth, he'll help me lure girls to my heart. Jay is also well connected in the business world, I want to study to become a Doctor in college. Surely Jay Gatsby will invite people of high power in the business world, and me being his best friend, he hook me up with a person that'll help me set up my own medical office.

If I ever become unmotivated to go to my classes or decide to give up in my hopes and dreams, Jay's self motivation is definitely inspiring and his goals are clear and he sprints right toward him.

Historical Reflection

A historian that I would like to interact with in college would be Jose Rizal. I think Jose Rizal would be an excellent leader in my university because of his intelligence, and he was a man of peace. He was loyal to his native people and he had masses of people following him. Many admired his all around knowledge and ability. Being curious and inquisitive, he developed a rare facility of mastering varied subjects and occupations. Jose Rizal is known as the national hero of the Philippines. He was very popular with others, and was open mind.

Not only was he a great leader he was also a proclaimed author, who wrote two well known novels: Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. In college I'm interested in minoring in creative writing and it'll be convenient to ask him for advice and help on my writing.

Considering the condition of the Philippines during Jose's time (1861-1896) Jose was a very peaceful man but he was tired of the injustice that Spain had over the Philippines. Instead of grabbing a gun and letting hell loose, he opted to use the power of the pen to empower the people of the Philippines to overthrow the dictatorship of Spain. In the history of the Philippines, the country has experienced a tumultuous amount of experience of democracy and political corruption, popular "people movements" of overthrowing dictatorships governments. so Jose Rizal's arrival was timely.He expressed the growing national consciousness of many Filipinos who opposed Spanish colonial tyranny and aspired to attain democratic rights. Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt, Jose Rizal's best friend, who said "Rizal was the greatest product of the Philippines and his coming to the world was like the appearance of a rare comet, whose rare brilliance appears only every other century." Meeting and become friends with Jose Rizal is rare and him being talented in all areas of education is a rare gem.

College life will surely be draining and I would need some release and a good time. Jose Rizal was a citizen of the world, His extensive travels and multitude of friends in Europe, Middle East and Asia made him one. He not only traveled he learned and spoke over 20 foreign languages.

"Treat our aged parents as you would wish to be treated...Love them greatly in memory of me...30 December 1896." He loved his family. Presumingly I will spend most of my time at school and studying and away from my family. Hopefully the partying and friends won't stray me away from staying in contact with my family. His various acts of kindness leads me to believe that he was devoted to help people.

He once said that "That the youth is the hope of our future." Jose truly believed in the younger generation and wanted them to succeed in life. Because of all this Jose Rizal was a model student leader, Rizal opened up the conscience of every indio, labeled today as the Filipino. The nationalism that Rizal empowered has made them, the individuals, care about loving this nation. He formed movements to help the Filipinos fight for their liberaton. This includes La Liga Filipina. His novels brought awareness to the everyone about the situation in the Philippines. He died for the Philippines.

Sources:

http://www.univie.ac.at/voelkerkunde/apsis/aufi/harry1.htm

http://joserizal.info/- access to Jose Rizal's Poems and writings.

http://kasaysayan-kkk.info/docs.memb.kartilya.htm

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/20855- spanish constitution

http://tinyurl.com/2y26dd constitution