Tag Archives: Final Takeaway

Final Takeaways

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Not only do I feel like so much of this class taught me about the way these issues that are supposedly isolated to politics are anything but that, I feel like I’ve learned so much more about myself and how to interact with a society focused on so little.

Literature when it comes to the environment, because it expands to both the social-emotional and literal definition people recognize, is such a zoomed out view of what goes on. We’re such a small part of such an incredibly large world, with so many actions that people can do to improve and upkeep that.

I love learning that humanity needs to focus less on themselves; it’s such a basic thing to consider, to remember to be selfless as people who exist in a world full of creatures we don’t know or understand, but it’s so forgotten. Remembering that there’s entire beings that have their own lives, their own issues and surroundings and a million other things we’d never think of is something so vital to becoming more well-rounded people. On top of it, it reminds us how many things go on socially, how many interpretations of simple things come about because of the way we all recognize the world, and I loved developing a better empathetic understanding.

The environment and its vitality to us is so incredible to learn; it feels like finally putting such a collective look at everything around us and everything I’ve ever known. I am so grateful that I took the class, and grateful to learn so much from Professor Pressman and everyone that shared their own ideas about our readings. It was genuinely an incredible class and experience, that I took away really valuable skills with analysis and understanding of so much more than just literature from. 🙂

Final Takeaway and a Thank you

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To be fairly honest about the class, its very similar to other literature classes I’ve taken. So my understanding of literature has not changed much. However, this was the first one (outside of fiction writing classes) that inspired and motivated me. The discussion on how many writers, like Hans Christian Andersen, took inspiration and built off what came before was interesting. I personally wasn’t aware the little mermaid was influenced by the story of Undine. Tidbits of information like this alongside the teachings that humanity’s old myths and legends, such as mermaids, survive to the modern day through transformation and changing perceptions. Creating new meanings able to resonate with new people and then they might go on to create something themselves based on what they’ve learned. I’m sure as heck going to do so. While the class wasn’t about ‘how to write fiction’ like the short fiction class I’ve been taking alongside this one. It has helped me with a mental block I’ve always had whenever I tried to sit down and write my novel as someone who wants to be a published author. Originality. The saying of ‘nothing is original anymore’ is a often seen advice for authors, and while true, there is still a demand for it. This class made me stop trying so hard to meet this demand, rather, just take an idea you like and build off it. Do it slightly different even. I enjoyed this class more than I thought. Talked more in class more than I originally wanted to. Made me appreciate the stories about mermaids as well and are now a source of inspiration for my novel’s idea. Sure, there are some areas I wish I did better but overall? I’m happy I decided to enroll and stick around.

Thank you everyone and Professor Pressman.

ECL 305 Final Takeaway

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Throughout our class there have been several things that have stuck out to me through the readings and in class discussions. However, what stood out to me most and what I learned how to become better at as a result of this class ,was close reading and how to critically analyze the most important information from what I was reading. Close reading allows for me to find the deeper meaning behind what the author is trying to say, it allows for good class discussions, and it will help me in my future as someone who wants to work in public relations (PR).

First, close reading allows for me to find the deeper meaning behind what the author is trying to say. Often times when I read a text, I do not fully understand everything I read initially. By re reading and also close reading, this allows for me to break down and dissect what the author is trying to say. Close reading also helps improve my critical thinking skills, because it forces me to pay additional attention to details in order to figure out what is being conveyed by the author.

Second, close reading allows for strong and thought-provoking in-class discussions. By close reading as a class, I was able to not only share my own perspectives on what I understood from the text, but I was also able to listen and hear from other students and what their own perspectives were on the reading. I strongly believe in-class discussions were beneficial to my success in this class because they challenged me to converse with others and understand different viewpoints that were all interconnected in someway.

Last, I believe that through continuing to practice close reading, this will help me in my future as someone who wants to work in public relations. This is true, because working in public relations requires only keeping the most relevant information apart of press releases, while still being concise and accurate with the information that is being presented to the public. Close reading will ultimately improve my writing skills, and creativity, which will help me be successful in my near future.