#rflctn

I had started off the year in Literature 12 Honours with a bit of overconfidence, having done well in my previous English classes.

I soon discovered quickly that my confidence was misplaced. My once-strong essays weren’t bringing me perfect scores, and I could not, for the life of me, understand why. My essays had followed the strict formula in my mind, but I was wrong.

A few weeks into Literature 12 Honours, my mindset changed drastically. My focus instantly went to analytical essay writing, obsessing over how I could get those perfect 6’s, never once stopping to focus on maturing as a writer. At that point, it was only about marks, marks, marks. Unsurprisingly, my efforts to improve were in vain as a result of this. I was determined to improve, but wasn’t willing to get out of my writing-comfort-zone.

When it came time to write the first narrative of the year, I was surprised to see that we had complete freedom. It caught me off guard, and I found myself asking fellow classmates what they had chose to write about so that I would at the very least, have their example to follow as a guideline. My friend realized this and told me to take advantage of the freedom I had, and break free from analytical essays. She called it my escape.

Since then, I started paying more attention to my writing and put more thought behind my words. I was steadily improving, and although my marks weren’t improving as much, I could see the small differences in each writing piece I produced. From hooks that were better phrased, to satisfying conclusions, I was elated to see my progress. For once, I was excited to go to English class.

In terms of Creative Assignments, I found myself challenging myself by straying from art (which is a big interest of mine, as I take an art class every year and spend most of my time at home drawing). I had initially wanted to tackle an analytical essay piece for the first few Creative Assignments, but decided against it as I already had enough analytical writing to show. A Celine of the previous year would have definitely done her best to make every Creative Assignment a visual piece, or at least somewhat visual, but I chose to challenge myself.

My experience in Literature 12 Honours was a pleasant one, but it proved to be quite stressful in the beginning. Luckily, thanks to the help of those around me, (including the lovely Mrs. Smith’s pink words of encouragement and advice on each writing piece!) I was able to grow and mature as a writer, in a variety of different areas. Essays that I once viewed as merely tedious work are now an effective vessel for exploring the unwritten in literature that I am excited to use.

A joy of writing has been rekindled in me, and I would like to thank Mrs. Smith’s Block 8 Literature 12 Honours class.