SRTE Post

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Self-Evalution

I can’t believe that this first semester is finally over. This English 15S course has been an amazing experience. I have learned so much in such a short time. I loved how everything we’ve learned in this course has been connected in some way. We started with the use of ethos, logos and pathos in our ad analysis paper. This opened my eyes to the techniques used in gaining the attention of audiences in all forms of advertisements. Then we moved on to writing a memoir which I’ve never done before this class. It was a great experience because for me it was in a way therapeutic. I was able to reflect on an experience in my life that has shaped me as a person. This was my favorite written assignment. With the acquired knowledge of ethos, logos, pathos and reflecting in detail a personal account; I could already see a change in myself. Next we were assigned to write a paper about what we personally define as art at Penn State or redefine Penn State as an artistic community. I chose to redefine Penn State as an artistic community after listening to a podcast about Penn State being the number one party school in the country back in 2009. I had to put Penn State in a new light so that people know that we are more than just drunk obsessed students looking for the next party. Though it was difficult I was able to do so and I took away with me a new viewpoint of my school. Our last assignment was to do a research paper on an issue of the arts. This paper was my most challenging, but it really shows how everything is connected to art. I also was able to express a concern I had with an art form that I personally enjoyed.

Now looking back at what I did in this I can truly say that I appreciate everything that was taught. This is something I never could see myself saying back when I was in high school. I also learned that if your teacher isn’t just someone gives you information to retain, but can become a mentor that inspire you to become a more rounded person. I will never forget my first English professor because you can never forget someone who shines that bright. Thank you so much Sheila, I hope that happiness and what you define as success will follow you for the rest of your life.

Second Required Reading

My second reading is a reflection of five different poems from five different authors. They all come from a website that allows people to read and listen to the poem being read by the author of the poem. The first poem that caught my attention was called “You Are Here to Receive This Prophet,” and was written by Hannah Stephenson. I am someone who takes their faith in God very seriously, and I appreciated the theme in this poem. Stephenson was saying that if you make the effort to keep faith or open yourself to the word of God, you will receive the message from him that will make your life seem much clearer than before. She also wants you to keep in mind that you have to have patience because the message will be told when your mind, body, and spirit are all instinct with each other. The second poem I listened to was called “Truth About Margaret,” and was written by Carolyne Whelan. It was about a Carolyne meeting an elderly woman named Margaret at her nana Kate’s 90th birthday party at a nursing home. Margaret saw Carolyne as a Hollywood movie star, most likely reminiscing about her past. Carolyne thought to herself that Margaret was thinking about the fun things she did back when she was a young woman. I connected with the poem because when I was a little kid I remember going to see my Nana in a nursing home. In my case I was crying because she couldn’t speak. I enjoyed the poem because it gave light to old people who still have a bit of life left in them. The third poem I listened to is called “My Father’s Grief,” and was written by Susan Facknitz. It was about her father’s anguish and him not making a big deal about it. His responsibility and guilt have been such a burden for him. With all of that help and support is the best solution. I personally can say the same about my father. He has been in the war and takes his service to this country very seriously. My father also is a hard worker who tries to make my life and everyone else he truly cares about life better. The fourth poem I listened to was called “If You Want Me,” by Ruth Foley. It was about her always being on the road. Possibly she is on the road due to work or running away from herself. Her car is marked with fast food wrappings and other trash. It seems as if she is tired of being on the road. I think Foley would love to be home wherever that is with family and friends. I know personally that this is a life that I don’t want to find myself in. I will always try to prioritize my life to balance it out with work, family, and friends. The fifth poem I listened to was called “The Peace Movement,” written by M.G. Stephens. It’s about being a better human being. It’s important to speak to people when you walk down the street. Listen to what people are saying to you. You just might learn something that could change your life. Now that I know about this website, I plan on telling my friends and family about it. I will also continue to be a visitor of this site and express my opinions of poems I read.

First Required Reading

I have gone to several poetry readings in the past two years and my English instructor, Sheila Squillante has to be one of my favorites. Before I got to class, I felt that the guest speaker was going to read to us and it happened to be Sheila. I was excited because I love poetry readings and I was very interested in what my instructor had to say about anything. My favorite of her stories were the trip to Six Flags as a child, Action Park, and Hawaii. In the story with six flags I connected with Sheila as a child who was slightly overweight. I’ve always have been skinny and I know what it’s like to be looked at different because of your appearances. My next favorite story was the action park amusement place. It probably would have been cool to grow up in the 80s.I’m very intrigued by the fact that this amusement park stayed open as long as it did. I also would like to know why parents would take their children to a place where death was so prevalent. The crazy rides, beer garden, and fried teens would have been a sight to see. Lastly, Sheila’s trip to Hawaii was really cool. When she talked about her parents going into the ocean, it was the first time heard them being intimate with each other. Overall, I enjoyed the poems though emotional, but emotion is good. I would recommend my friends and family to read her poems because it could change their view of poetry.