P--- C----, Period 1
This class was very useful to me; I have no regrets in taking this course for it has given me great knowledge that will stick with me for the rest of my life. I discovered a part of me that I never knew existed - I discovered the ability to think critically. Before I took your class, on all my essays I never really thought about what I was saying, I was just concentrating on getting the work over with. But now I realize that I have the potential to do so much more, and I thank you for helping me unlock this.
First of all I would like to say that the assignment I found that was most helpful to me was the mini-essay. The mini-essay was when I realized that I could go so much further than what I had previously written. I figured that I knew more than what I had written, so why not put it down on paper? I especially enjoyed your teachings on the subject of beer companies and their inferred messages. That is what provoked me to do my mini-essay on beer advertisements. When I was finally done with my essay I sat and read it and was amazed at the finished product. I had actually put everything into it that I knew and it made sense. From now on whenever I see any commercial I will forever think of your course and think twice about what I am seeing. Am I seeing the obvious message or was there a hidden message that they wanted me to see?
This brings me to another subject, the articles that you had us read. I got so much out of those readings, the one I enjoyed in particular was the Reedy article, "Reflections on the First Amendment." That article made me think for a long time about our constitutional rights and how sometimes we as a people take them for granted. I will forever remember that article, for it has opened my eyes to new views and subjects. The "Beauty and the Beast of Advertising" article was interesting also. I always knew that women were being used as objects, but that article has shed new light on the topic that I was unaware of. It makes me mad how people abuse women like that.
I will always remember this class becuase it was the most varied class I've ever had, as in learning types, where we learned visually, orally, and by hearing. I discovered that if you put your mind to something, no matter how impossible it may seem, you will succeed. I remember that when Mr. Rice first introduced this (portfolio) assignment to the class I thought to myself, "I'm never going to finish this." But I guess things turned out alright after all.