Reflection | comewhatmay

December 7, 2016

Department of English

North Dakota State University

NDSU, Dept. 2320

P.O. Box 6050

Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Introduction to English Studies

Dear Mr. Brooks,

One of my favorite units was surprisingly analyzing poetry, while using the influence of William Stafford’s work. This was the beginning of the semester but I still remember the apprehension I felt when writing any genre of poetry. Even though I’ve always secretly had an interest for poetry, it was the English subject I touched the least in the past. The reason this part was interesting was because of having to understand Stafford’s philosophy; that anyone can write poetry and should. Having such a generation, where everything seems lack luster because their work looks insignificant to others, I feel this unit had more material that can be relatable to the audience with apprehension of poetry. Reading the, “Ask Me: 100 Essential Poems of William Stafford,” poems collected by his son Kim Stafford, is good road map to showing readers on finding their own themes. With Stafford’s work focusing on nature, the well being of this Earth, consequences of violence, moral decisions and art, students are introduced more simple yet an essential ritual; poetry.

With this acknowledgement of poetry, I would also tie this into my capstone. If I were an English major and pursuing my capstone project, I would be interested in the poetry and program practices done to help with PTSD victims. This can range with the three versions of the CAPS-5 corresponding to different time periods: past week, past month, and lifetime. The severity rating would be from mild to severe, if they are willing to participate anonymously. No age limit, however the sample would include whatever length work they send in, gender, and age. This is a subject I know is difficult to relate to, so I would like to bring in the idea as less taboo. I would invest into the effectiveness on surveys, polls on Facebook or Twitter (to boost awareness of surveys), and offering a variety of entry subjects with a couple of lines explaining their subject with me. I would like to be able to tie this into my major with Art and Web Design. I like the idea of finding a long-lasting project that would continue after the capstone. With so many others like this idea, I would change with having a PTSD Journal made only of poetry. This would be web based since I feel the majority of PTSD victims fall to a younger crowd, who has a strong understanding of technology use. Since I’m not an expert on treating people, this site would be heavily be the interactions between each other.

I watched the capstones presented by English students enrolled in 467, and I found some promising presentations. However, I wouldn’t be able to say there was any captivating presentations. Even though some of this reasoning could be accountable to; nervousness, strain to keep inside a certain time, or the simplicity of slides. I found myself wanting to learn more on the endeavor they were interested in accomplishing and ways this could progress. I feel the one presentation that had substantial work into her future career, was already beginning this path. If I had to rate the presentations for the criteria they were given, would be sufficient, yet I would like to know how this is relevant in their goals of possible careers.

A couple of strengths that I find myself in creating these projects, was relating to the ranging viewers. I found myself concentrating what are the facts, why does this matter to the viewer, and what they can take away from the idea. I also provide different sources, with written text to explain my ideas. If the viewer is having a hard time visualizing, I have filled that step by providing the “visual idea”. In none of my work is completely bias, which I hope to find it more impactful for each reader. My analyses show how English subject ranges, also principles of designing information to appeal with different readers. Having to continuously think of the audience, I feel it kept the content relevant and insightful.

What I feel the need to continue is revising my work. There is always room to argue and add research, however I also need to narrow my thesis’s. I can work on this in future pursuits by starting by working with one base thought, and what the goal is in the end. I find myself rewriting my pieces in pursuit of an intuitive creative touch while also being informational. The most important thing I have learned this semester is being able to adapt my papers to my audience. I learned ways to write my papers so that I can apply them to everyone or one specific person. This helps me in my academic career because I have learned to set up my paper so that it applies directly to a teacher or instructor. I have also learned to apply a paper in a non-academic setting. Even though this class was offered to strengthen writing skills, I also believe it will strengthen my art pieces. The voice we want to convey through art, changes once a person interprets the work. With the process of using analyses and different genre mediums, I can feel more confident on continuing my work as well as finishing them.

I’ve made revisions on William Stafford Analysis and strengthened my reasoning’s. I found this challenging, yet rewarding on being able to connect with the research more and portray it in my own analyses. I struggled with able to encompass the complete image of the work with working with different tones. The portfolio demonstrates my ability to communicate effectively in a variety of genres for different audiences and purposes with creating new forms of portraying content with each project.

Sincerely,

Lynnae Caneen