Writing Reflection

            Throughout the semester, I have written many essays based upon various types of writing styles. The accumulation of skills built upon these types of writing allows me to adapt to many different formats. Bringing these learned writing qualities into the real world application will be easier because of the practice I have had in adapting to each of the writing structures. The most common types of writings that I have learned the most from and will carry with me are writing an argument, a personal statement, and a proposal.

            It is important to know how to write an argument. This can be applied to future debates in what someone believes in. That in itself can be translated into other writing formats, like proposals and personal statements. One argues a point or a belief by creating an argumentative analysis, which consists of a claim and an explanation to how or why what you believe it is important. To support the claim, using information that clearly exemplifies the claim is crucial. Use statistics, testimonials, and expert opinions to clearly support the argument. Lastly, end with a restatement of your position, with your strongest argument for last, leaving an impression on the reader.

            The second writing tool that is most commonly used is a personal statement. High school seniors writing for college applications mostly first encounter this. That is when the writer, similar to an argument, shows a single belief, philosophy, decision, or conclusion. This is stated either at the beginning or the end of the essay. The examples used to support the writer’s beliefs reveal part of the writer’s background, establishing insight into the writer’s accomplishments, beliefs, or conclusions. Then to end the essay memorably, it is best to show enlightenment. Then the reader can see a full spectrum from a scene in the writer’s life.

            Lastly, writing proposals are key to know in future careers. Proposals are used when someone wants to fix a problem by presenting an idea or concept. The proposal consists of a concept, backed up on how the concept will fix said problem and the benefits from it. It is essential to focus mostly on the benefits of the solution rather than just the solution itself because the reader is listening to know how it will help them. Conclude with how important it is to fix supposed problem with the solution proposed.

            With all of the writing topics learned over the semester, it is these three that I believe encompass all the others and will be the most significant to know moving on in the future with possible careers and job interviews.

Standardized Testing Should be Altered

Everyone in the public school system has taken multiple standardized tests. From MCAS, or the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, to the SATs, or standardized testing that evaluates student’s admission into college, both are discriminating and unfair.

What is most unfair about MCAS is its inability to fit everyone’s testing needs. Scott Lang, Mayor of New Bedford in 2008, wrote an article in the Common Wealth magazine, “Ed Reform Must Move Beyond MCAS”. In this article, he describes how students, excluding the high school dropouts, that are well rounded and have a steady foundation are denied a high school diploma because they couldn’t pass the MCAS test. Lang goes on to explain that theoretically, the MCAS testing is in place to make sure students are reaching “the appropriate level of achievement” in education to graduate high school, but universities and colleges don’t consider MCAS scores when considering student admission.

            In an online U.S. News report written in 2013 by Thomas Robinson, a former GRE testing executive director, similar to the SATs, and now currently the president of Ithaca College, Robinson agrees that SATs don’t generate accurate results. He states that, “some potential students are deterred from applying to colleges that require a test score, because they are not comfortable with standardized tests.” He supports that eliminating SATs as a requirement would allow and encourage many more students to apply to college.

            It would be beneficial if the education system rethought the SATs. There should include various types of testing for people with learning disabilities or those who do better academically than on tests. Kelsey Page wrote an article on December 2^nd of 2014, “I Am More Than a Number: The Case Against SAT Scores in College Admissions” in “The Stanford Daily”. Her writing included this alternate SAT testing theory. She advised that eliminating the test completely would be detrimental, but altering it would generate better results as a whole.

            If altered standardized testing were to happen, more high school students would take the test, and scores would become more accurate. The best way to execute this is by petitioning and getting the attention of the SAT bored members.

            Sam Kauffmenn had already started to do so by her documented video “ACT Out Against SAT”. She had a petition signing that did not reach the expected goal, but started a movement. If it was better filmed and commercialized, the petition could have altered standardized testing for good.

The Art Education System

 Every student deserves a well-rounded education. Yet select schools are either cutting the arts program, which includes an art class and or music because, to the school board, it is seen as unnecessary. Schools should realize the importance of arts programs, and have them be as important as any other course.  

                     Art programs are crucial to the learning process. It exercises the generic skills needed for students to grow. In Richard J. Deasy’s writing of "Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Development." He states that there are learning qualities attributed to art such as teamwork, concentration, and sometimes even improve confidence. To students who take these classes seriously, it improves motivation also.

            Then in the article “Prediction: Identifying Potential Dropouts.”, written by the Center for Public Education, it declares that students, who don’t take art, or art related classes, seriously are this way mostly because of their teachers may not be qualified enough, therefore the subject isn’t as enforced as it should be. There are under-qualified teachers because the school system doesn’t want to invest as much money into art education. As a result, students are less interested in the subject, and giving administration and the school board less of a reason to fund and support the art program.

            Schools realize that art is important, but cuts are being made because of tight budgets. There are statistics and countless evidence that art is necessary for developmental growth, and schools are aware of it, but not enough to keep the program. This is supported by the National Art Education Association in an article published as, “Two Opportunities for Input on the Role of Arts in Early Childhood.”

                       Most schools, especially from the grades kindergarten through eighth grade, see art as nonessential, until a student wants to peruse art as a career. Then it becomes more focused on in high school, but not always.In Fran Smith’s article “Why Arts Education is Crucial and Who’s Doing it Best”, it states that privileged children are more exposed to art within their family, compared to underprivileged who lack that experience within their home because of financial challenges. 

                       As children first experience the education system either in preschool or kindergarten and build their way up to high school, then in most cases college, art education is poorly distributed equally and thoroughly along that journey. It is essential to call attention to the position of art in the education system. School systems need to notice this, but nothing will happen unless there are petitions, or one directly calls out to a school board administrator. As sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz has once said “Art does not solve problems, but makes us aware of their existence.”

Emma Watson; He For She

         Think about these words, airmen, stewardess, nurse and hairdresser. Did you automatically put one gender to these words? This is considered feminist. Feminism can be a very controversial word, although recently, the famously known Emma Watson is redefining it. She, being the United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador, on the 20^th of September gave an extremely convincing argument on how feminism is seen. She has been promoting men to support women’s equality. Yet most importantly, Emma stands for the acceptance of feminism in her rediscovered meaning of the word in her statement, “The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes.”
         There has been much controversy on the movement Emma started, and it is how companies or organizations go about promoting such a purely genuine movement without polluting the true meaning that creates such a controversy.
Corporations either loathe it or love it. Time magazine promoted an article written by Cathy Young, a Reason magazine editor, stated, “Until feminism recognizes discrimination against men, the movement for gender equality will be incomplete.” She believes Emma, “Says nothing about problems affecting men and boys.” When Emma explicitly states in her speech, “When at 18 my male friends were unable to express their feelings.” The statement was proved null and void within Emma’s speech and when Elle magazine decided to manufacture t-shirts that say, “This is what a feminist looks like.”     
          A writer of an online news source, Tansy Hoskins, wrote an article about Elle’s t-shirts based on Emma’s movement, called, “The Feminist T-shirt scandal exposes an entire system of exploitation.” The article expands on how Elle is, “Using feminism for consumerism”, and how they should be worried about women working in a sweatshop making these shirts for 62 pence an hour in Mauritius, a small island near Madagascar.
          Writer for People magazine, Tim Nudd, is in favor of Emma’s speech. He names a list of famous men on twitter who promote Emma’s movement #HeForShe. One of the men listed is Joseph Gordon Levitt, famously known for many acting roles, such as a Gotham cop named Blake in “The Dark Knight Rises”. He tweets “Join the conversation RE: #Feminism for our TV show. I consider myself a Feminist - what about you? WATCH: http://bit.ly/1si2FWB” and attaches a link for a show he created called HitRecord, which is a series of videos submitted by viewers answering a question, idea, or topic presented by Joseph. In this tweet, he asks his viewers to talk about their idea of feminism, good or bad. He explains that he is a feminist, because his mother, who was involved in the second feminist movement, suffrage being the first, explained that feminism is when one believes that men and women should be treated equally, and that being the opposite sex shouldn’t limit ones experiences, opportunities, or pay salary. This example of Emma’s He for She support is in favor of her campaign because it is a genuine message of encouragement and opinion.
          Essentially, this is a controversial issue that has been widely discussed, but gone about broadcasting its ideals in the wrong way. The campaign has had an impact in society,  and although most company’s execution to publicize this idea has defeated the purpose of the campaign, there can be genuine speakers who are earnestly showing support for a greater cause.

Shutter Island

             Martin Scorsese directs a psychological thriller, and in the suspenseful motion picture, Leonardo DiCaprio plays the main character, Teddy Daniels or Marshall. Upon arrival to the famous Ashecliffe, a renowned high security prison for the criminally insane. Daniels is introduced to his new partner, Chuck Aule, cleverly played by Mark Ruffalo. They embark on a quest to uncover the mystery of a missing patient, Rachel Solando. As the two detectives work with Dr.Cawly, played by Ben Kingsley, who is the owner of Ashecliffe to find clues, Daniels finds himself questioning authority. He also becomes increasingly leery of his surroundings. As flashbacks become more frequent, he struggles to hold onto what is true when lines between the sane and insane are blurred. The film brilliantly portrays scenes in sophisticated ways with many underlying meanings.

What hooks the audience initially are the minute abnormalities that are first presented. Such as the strikingly uncoordinated tie that Teddy Daniels wears within the first scene. It provokes the question, “What would make a man wear such an ugly tie?” It automatically persuades the audience to pay close attention to other similar cues, seen and unseen, that are out of place. As these clues build upon themselves, it slowly reveals the essential theme of the story.

The musical score adds suspense, sophistication and a hint of lunacy. All of these elements add to the description of Daniels character and the moment of the scene. It is excitingly contradicting when opera music plays during one of Daniels military flashbacks. A soothing opera score becomes a chill of goose bumps. It perfectly personifies the scene to take the audience out of their comfort zone and experience Daniels split sanity between reality and imaginary.

All throughout the film, the theme of betrayal becomes closer involved with isolation. Characters around Daniel who initially could never have been seen as trustworthy become Daniel’s source of truth, and visa versa. Unexpected turns in these changing relationships lead the audience into multiple unforeseen plot twists.

Overall, this film is a memorable psychological thriller of its time. It never leaves the viewer in a dull moment. Every second contains details so curtail, it is almost necessary to watch twice to catch them. And the end, left to the audience to determine which end of the spectrum reveals its true meaning, Daniels tells his partner, “Would you rather live the rest of your life a monster, or die a good man?”