Introduction

Anastasia Williams

Mrs. Sauer

Am Lit/ 4th hour

24 May 2014

We are able to live due to one thing, discovery. The finding of new information inspires advances that will cause the world to be better or worse. Discovery is an interesting topic because our world is created on the basis of discovery. Without discovery, I would not even have the tools to be writing this personal anthology. Throughout this year, I have learned a lot about discovery and I have also made some discoveries about myself.

As I read different books, songs, and poems this year I was surprised that there are many great American writers. I had always believed that the best authors had two qualities, being old and British. My favorite author until this year fit in with my clouded view of great authors, and although I still believe that Jane Austen is a great novelist, I now also enjoy reading works from American authors such as Mark Twain and Daniel Quinn. This discovery of new authors helped me understand my American topic by giving me experience.

This class has not only changed my reading but it has also improved my writing. Mrs. Sauer has taught me the important rules of writing in blogs, argumentative essays, personal essays, and forums. Until this year I did not know that blogs are written with correct grammar and that forums are written with causal rules. The discoveries made in this class have helped me appreciate my topic because it is apparent that discoveries are made daily.

I not only found new writing techniques in this class, but also a new friend. I have known Brittney Lynn since middle school and we have talked to each other often but we did not become close until this year. I was lucky enough to sit next to Brittney while writing every essay and while discussing our topics I found that we have similar personalities. I knew before that we both enjoy cheer but as our conversations veered away from cheer I discovered that we both enjoy childrens movies and music.

Discovery has impacts on all aspects of life and so it is important to focus on this topic when reading. This year I focused on discovery while reading, watching television, and viewing art, and because of this, I have changed. I gained a best friend, my writing has improved, and I now appreciate writing from many different areas. Throughout this year I have reached a new understanding: I was “Discovering Me.”