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Cao

Kexing Cao
Professor Jackie
English 113B
December 8, 2015
English 113B Reflection Essay
Throughout my learning experience in English 113B, one of the most worth noting
writing skills I have obtained should be about my solid interpretation on texts and topics,
along with literary application on real world disciplines. Based on my learning process, I
have conducted three major essays within this semester, including literary application upon
religion based on the graphic novel Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, literary book review upon
the topic of miscegenation based on Angry Black White Boy by Adam Mansbach, and an
argument essay in analyzing the effects of word choice based on various speech analysis. In
this reflection, I will explain comprehensively regarding how I developed myself into a
qualified academic writer throughout each composing progress.
To conduct literary analysis based a particular novel upon real world topic is a
challengeable task. Specifically saying, one needs to have sufficient capability in identifying
critical moments from the texts and drawing rational connection to selected discipline. What I
have done in Religion is a manipulation was demonstrating how religious approaches
beneficially and negatively affects peoples minds. I have spent a lengthy paragraph on
analyzing the ways of government using religion to manipulate youth join the war
(Religion is a manipulation, pp. 2). In this case, I have done a qualified job in
demonstrating my claim via presenting specific details from the text. For example, the
government offered plastic key to convince youth from impoverished community to join
the war because if they were lucky enough to die, this key would get them to heaven, and
more importantly, there will be plenty of food, women and houses made of gold and
diamonds in heaven (Marjane, pp. 99-100). With the supporting details from the text, I have
applied my personal explanation to enhance my argument, especially in explaining religion
manipulate people to fight blindly for their better life (Religion is a manipulation, pp. 2).
However, after reviewing my essay, I realized that I could do better with seeking more
external resources, especially upon how religious paradise are displayed in Muslims, as well
as significant historical events that demonstrated governments use of religion to mislead
peoples minds. What I have achieved the most was the capability of finding accurate and
relevant quotes to support my major claims; however, if I could implement more analysis on
each quote, as well as more rational connection between each quote, the quality of my paper
would be greatly enhanced.

Cao

Just Be Who You Are Angry Black White Boy Book Review is a more challengeable
literary analysis paper, which requires me to analyze the novel to answer miscegenation or
hybrid identities. While reviewing my completed final draft, I was surprised of my progress
of applying sufficient personal analysis upon each quote or evidence drew from the text. For
example, while presenting Did the world merely call traitors to whiteness black? ... Had
the first two or three declared him black (Mansbach, pp. 78), I have then offered my
analysis especially upon why such miscegenation or hybrid identities contributed to
protagonists Macon biggest confusion (Just Be Who You Are, pp. 1). Another exploring
spot in my paper would be the supplement theory, such as the performance theory that
raises rational relationship to the miscegenation of Macon. However, while reviewing my
paper, I realized that I failed to provide an academic definition on performance theory.
Though I have applied personal explanation on how societal expectation shapes a person to
act according to his or her gender role, the reader may still be confused about what
performance theory suggests. In my future academic writing, I should be careful about
making each newly raised point along with an accurate academic definition.
The Bridge of Communication is a different task form compared with Just Be Who
You Are and Religion is a manipulation because I have to come up with distinct body
paragraphs in explaining how word choice affects audiences in two aspects. The most worth
noting insights I have obtained from this composing progress was about my outline revision.
In writing a typical essay, an outline is extremely significant. What I have done in gathering
ideas was listing two major points, including negative word choice effect and relative effects
from different use of tones. With prepared resources on hand in advance, I could ensure that
my writing progress was keeping on the right track. However, the most important failure in
this essay was about the unclear thesis statement. My originate thesis statement was as
following: words are the inseparable part of society in the past and now. Words have the
power to communicate certain issues (The Bridge of Communication, pp. 1). Obviously,
my original thesis failed to provide the two major points in my body paragraphs, including
the effects of negative word choice and different tones. Therefore, in order to show my efforts
in revising it, I have come up with a new thesis statement as the following to make my essay
more easily to be understood: word choice and tone are two fundamental components in
reaching communication effectiveness; writers and speakers should pay special attention to
the right use of word choice and tone selection because failing to do so may result in
obstacles in communication. In the above new version of thesis statement, I have identified
the importance of both word choice and selective tone in communication progress, and the

Cao

reader would be able to obtain a general idea upon the topic.

To wrap up, although I am facing difficulties and challenges in writing academic
compositions, I have obtained valuable insights and knowledge from my learning experience
in English 113B. In my future writing, I would focus my self-improvement especially on
conducting a valid thesis statement and achieving a more comprehensive literary analysis.

Cao

Works Cited:
Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis. New York; Pantheon Book, 2003. Print.
Cao, Kexing. Religion is a manipulation. English 113B course works. 2015.Cao, Kexing.
Just Be Who You Are Angry Black White Boy Book Review. English 113B course works.
2015.
Cao, Kexing. The Bridge of Communication. English 113B course works. 2015.
Mansbach, Adam. Angry Black White Boy. New York: Broadway Books, 2005. Print.