As an Economics and Neuroscience double major, studying disciplines rooted in science and math, I often do not get the opportunity to practice my creative writing skills. Taking Honors Intermediate Composition in Fall 2020 forced me to hone my rusty writing techniques through essays and narratives exploring the topic of literacy. 

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Our first assignment involved writing a personal literacy narrative discussing an event or experience that defined our understanding of literacy in the world. I centered my essay around growing up with my father as a Latin teacher. Through the study of the classics from a young age, I gained a deeper understanding of the historical significance behind literature and language. Through this reflection, I reflected on the importance of context and experience in understanding writings and how prior knowledge impacts each person’s analysis of writing in different ways.

My favorite assignment of the semester involved comparing works exploring a topic through different genres. I explored how genre impacted the messaging of a Bible story, comparing the original text of the “David and Goliath” story to a VeggieTales retelling of the story aimed at children. By analyzing how the VeggieTales creators adapted the original story to a visual media starring singing vegetables, I analyzed the intent and audience of both sources, coming to the conclusion that different genres are received differently by different audiences. However, I also reflected on the fact that the VeggieTales retelling preserved the original messaging of the Bible story, simply converting the writing into an easily digestible format for younger viewers.

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Through assignments such as these, I gained a broader understanding of literacy in the 21st century and got the chance to flex my creative writing muscles. As an avid reader, I enjoyed the opportunity to discuss these topics with my fellow honors classmates in a hybrid setting. I grew as a writer and scholar throughout the semester by practicing concise writing and formulating arguments, skills which will undoubtedly serve me well in future academic and professional settings.

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Below is an example of a writing piece I did during the semester, click to view my work!