Closing Comments

I found the writers craft course incredibly beneficial to my writing, and always enjoyable. I learned a lot of valuable writing techniques and I learned how to get through my writer's block. These were the two goals that I set for myself at the start of the semester, and I think I completed them well. My writing has grown and I've become more aware of different kinds of writing.  I got to explore various topics, themes, characters and styles. This opportunity expanded my thinking and helped me develop as a writer, and as a critical thinker. I'm grateful to have experienced such a rich and fulfilling course! 

I enjoyed most of the assignments throughout the semester, even though I found more challenging than others. I wasn't very confident with my pieces during the journalism unit, but I believe that it was a necessary unit and that it was a style of writing I had to learn and had to struggle through. Although I didn't enjoy this unit as much as the others, I think it was necessary to learn and beneficial to my writing style.




I thought the instructor gave us challenging, as well as enjoyable projects and writing opportunities. The instructor was incredibly helpful with editing and generous with suggestions, which inspired me to push my boundaries and try harder. I do suggest that the anthology project only be carried out by one student, the collaboration I was involved in posed many challenges and work-diving issues. Other than that, I really enjoyed how organized and fair this course was, and it definitely enriched my semester, as well improved my writing. Writers craft was without a doubt one of my favourite courses throughout my high school experience.
Writing is very important to me. The ability to express ideas and thoughts creatively is imperative to living a healthy and fulfilling life. Writing is my outlet and always has been. This semester i've learned how to improve this important outlet, as well as refine my ideas and brainstorm more effectively. I'm truly grateful to have learned more about writing, as well as the peace and power it brings me.
Thank you for such an educational, and inspiring class :)

Christmas Spirit

As a child Christmas was the best time of year, it was pure magic. My parents always put their best efforts into convincing me there was a Santa Clause. I spent my Christmas eves surrounded by family, singing songs, sharing stories. I spent every Christmas day at my grandmothers, sitting around a huge food spread, ripping open presents with my cousins. I really did have the Christmas spirit. 

Things started to change as I grew, and when my parents split up. Moving to Canada unfortunately cut off many connections to family,  so when Christmas came around it was just my mom and I. Christmas became quite average, and quite disappointing. It wasn't magical or special and it took me a while to be okay with that. I remember being jealous of the "perfect Christmas," missing my old Christmas experiences. I thought every family besides mine got to have the classic Christmas, and that I'd been snatched away from it. I wanted so badly to sit around a decadent table with huge platters of food, Christmas jingles in the background, and surrounded by family - but this wasn't the case. Instead it was a table for two. For a while that lonely and unsatisfied feeling haunted me each year, but as I grew and matured I realized that there are very few people who actually experience a "perfect Christmas." I learned to love our small Christmas. We started new traditions. Instead of soft holiday jingles, we chose a punk rock Christmas playlist. Instead of nestling up by the fire and watching The Polar Express, we prepared for a Stanley Kubrick marathon, or some years a Godfather marathon. We even bought a blue Christmas tree once. Ultimately, we take on Christmas differently. We try our best to rebel against the norms, and find our own path to create our own kind of Christmas happiness. I find this way of celebrating a lot more comfortable. I no longer ache for those classic "big family" Christmas'. I'd much rather write a letter of appreciation, or make meaningful gifts than spend hours stressing, shopping and spending. 

The most important thing I've learned about Christmas is that it's never perfect, even if it looks like it is. Every family has their own issues, many people are left lonely, some are working and some aren't welcome home during the holidays. After learning more and more that the Christmas spirit doesn't have to be whats presented in books and movies. It's whatever you want it to be, it's whatever makes you happy. Your Christmas spirit is your own to foster. 

Journalistic Ethics

I believe that journalism should be a credible and a respectable source of information in the media. Over the years there have been journalists who have abused their credibility and the fundamentals of journalism ethics. Stephen Glass is a prime example of a journalist who breached the code of ethics. He fabricated many of his stories and added false information to true stories. After his lies were discovered, people were fascinated as well as  outraged. He was featured in interviews, wrote a book entitled, "The Fabulist" and had his story told through a film entitled "Shattered Glass." As a result, Glass has accumulated a considerable amount of wealth and emerged from the shame of his untrue stories as a financially successful individual. This situation of course begs the question; when a journalist lies, should there be a consequence? I think that there should definitely be a consequence. Even though we know we are not supposed to believe everything we read or hear in the news, we should at least be comforted with the fact that the stories we are exposed to aren't complete fabrications. When a journalist violates that trust there should be a reasonable fine or even jail time if the stories reached a high level of popularity. They should no longer be allowed to be involved in any form of media. Someone should not be paid to tell lies, nor should they make a profit once discovered for their lies. I don't believe that an apology is enough, especially if the journalist is profiting off the apology. There is no excuse for lying in journalism, and the fact that there is literally no punishment other than public shame is not only unprofessional, but disgraceful for the profession of journalism as a whole.

Poetry Analysis

Because I Could Not Stop For Death - Title

Emily Dickinson - Author

Emily Dickinson was a poet who lived in Massachusetts, USA. She was born in 1830 and died in 1886. Most of her poems relate to themes of death and hardship. Her poems weren't published much until after her death, this particular poem was published in 1890. In this poem she personifies death. She identifies him as a polite gentleman who is bringing her to her grave. ¨Because I Could Not Stop For Death¨ revolves around a theme of being too busy for death, and that death ¨kindly¨ slows her down:

Because I could not stop for Death,

He kindly stopped for me

She then goes on to explain how Death (note the capital ¨D¨ on death to suggest personification) and her rode in a carriage and experienced aspects of life together: 

The carriage held but just ourselves

And immortality

We slowly drove, he knew no haste

And I had put away

My labor, and my leisure too, 

For his civility

This portion of the poem describes how before the speaker met ¨Death¨ they were living fast and did not slow down. Death ¨knew no haste¨ and that is apparent when the speaker explains how Death put away the speaker's leisure. Death does this so that the speaker can experience Death's ¨civility." This further proves the poet's calm acceptance and trust towards death which appears in many of her poems. As the speaker and Death ride along the path at an unhurried pace the speaker begins to experience flashbacks in her life:

We passed the school

Where children played

At the wrestling ring;

We passed the fields of grazing grain,

We passed the setting sun.

These flashback verses describe the beauty and simplicity of life. The fact that the speaker is watching or "flashing back" to these things, shows that they are now separated from these simplicity's. The speaker is separated because she now welcomes  the mercy of Death, her gentleman caller. Death continues to lead the speaker to their new home:

\We paused before a house that seemed 

A swelling of the ground;

The roof was scarcely visible,

The cornice but a mound. 

The description of the "new home" that Death is leading the speaker to compares to that of a regular home. This is apparent due to word choice such as; cornice and roof. The cornice of the home is described as a mound, this along with the line "swelling of a ground" describes quite clearly that the end of the speaker and Death's journey is in fact a resting place."Because I Could Not Stop For Death" explores themes of not only the physical act of dying, but feelings of acceptance and trust for the act. 

The Right to Vote - Lowering The Age to Sixteen

I have always been someone who payed attention to the politics of Canada and the goings on within the country. This election was particularly exciting for me and my family considering we are very supportive of the Liberal party. Although I was excited throughout the whole election process, I didn't exactly feel involved due to my age. I firmly believe that voting is not only a right, but a responsibility. As a Canadian citizen I find it almost insulting when someone chooses not to vote. This is part of the reason why I'm absolutely itching for the day when I can cast a valid and well thought out vote. I definitely think that the voting age should be lowered to sixteen. If we can be trusted on the road, why can't our votes and opinions on the political governance of our country be  trusted? I understand that many teenagers are viewed as irresponsible and ignorant, but there are many of us who really care about Canada and our government and are passionate about our political beliefs - I am one of them. Those sixteen and seventeen year old's who are well informed on Canadian politics and government issues can replace those who are of age and who are uninterested in voting. Our government determines how our country is run, and anyone who pays interest in this, should be allowed the right to vote. I think that sixteen is an extremely reasonable age, and those who don't care and do not want to vote this young, simply do not have to. Those of us who care and who want to, should undoubtedly have the freedom and liberty to do so. 

The Adaptable Mind: My Personal Growth

In the video "The Adaptable Mind" a concept is introduced that makes us think about ourselves and where we our in our personal journeys. The main focus of the video are these five words/ideas: curiosity, creativity, initiative, multidisciplinary thinking, and empathy. The video describes how perfecting these traits is fundamental in improving our lives as people, and our world in general. Personally, I believe that I have developed my empathy and creativity with success. I find it quite easy to step into someones shoes and really listen to how they are feeling, and what they are going through. I enjoy speaking with others and learning from what they have to say. I've always enjoyed expressing myself through music, writing or other creative outlets. I think being able to work with your creative side is a huge accomplishment and can help anyone on their path to self-discovery. I am fortunate to have grown up in an environment that encouraged my creativity and individualism. I can express myself easily and find refuge in my passions. I need to work on my initiative and curiosity. Although these areas are semi-developed, they aren't what they should be. I find myself putting in a moderate amount of effort into most things and not being disciplined about tasks. I also find myself writing down ideas or plans and not always following through. I definitely think that working on completing my ideas and taking action will refine my initiative skills. I have always had lots of questions and wondered about many things, but as I've grown older I find that childhood curiosity slipping away more and more. I hope to improve my curiosity and continue to question everything. 

Education Is The Key?

In the spoken-word video Why I Hate School But Love Education by Suli Breaks (Darryll Amoako) an anti-school theme is presented. Breaks expresses his views on the education system and how damaging it can be to a young mind. His poem encompasses examples from his own experience in post-secondary education. He uses 'zombie' imagery to describe how draining and challenging university is, and then he poses the question that the majority of us wonder; what's the point of it all? We see so many people after university struggling to find work. It's such a competitive world and we all are starting to feel the pressure of graduation and our futures. I believe that education and our school system is something that we have to do in order to be considered valid in our society. Suli Breaks mentions people like Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey to strengthen his point: an individual can succeed in this world without a degree. The problem with this is that these people are merely exceptions, we can't all become the next Bill Gates. Most of us have to follow the system, get the degree, and make a name for ourselves because, unfortunately that is how our world operates. If you want to live a comfortable life, you're going to have to make an impression - getting a degree is an extremely crucial step in our Western world. To culminate, I don't agree with our system, I believe it's restrictive and limiting. It's unfortunate that our self-worth and intelligence is summed up in one final set of examinations, but I do think we have to follow the system and make the most out of it. The key thing to remember is that a degree is not your ticket to happiness or to money, it's a stepping stone, a leverage point. When I am struggling and working hard to achieve my post-secondary goals I'm definitely going to try my very hardest to not simply "fill my head" with information, but to learn and grow as an individual. Education is great, but we have to use the system of school to get us there.