English: How writing gave me a voice by Arden

English: How writing gave me a voice by Arden - August 2016 Scholarship Essay

In High school and even in college, hearing the word English alone filled me with dread because my initial thoughts would be answering essay questions, writing lengthy papers, and hoping my papers would be good enough to land me a passing grade. However, my views on English changed after writing prompts that allowed me to tell my story and my thoughts on both personal and non personal situations. Writing papers were a gateway that led me to think critically, yet carefully on how to address prompts efficiently and effectively. Taking English made me pay attention more, think critically, and gave me a voice.

The subject English alone forced me to grow as a person because I often reflected on myself. I also wrote in diaries and journals about my days and specific world events that I would normally turn a blind eye to. I started paying more attention to the current events that occurred around me and it made me want to do something about it. Taking English classes forced me to read more literature and pick up a physical book instead of my cellphone or tablet. Reading the authors' voice alone made me see things from a different point of view aside from my own. So when I would talk to people, I would respond in order to understand them better, not listen to people just to reply. Taking English also made me pick and choose my words carefully as I wrote or spoke to others.

Additionally, taking English forced me to think critically on a lot of things. English has a way of making people like myself really think long and hard about even the most controversial topics. It forced me to pay attention to them and also do my fair share of research and using that to the best of my ability. I was able to make connections to things that I never knew had a adequate connection (i.e. Intelligence and how it can lead to people still being successful without a college degree). I was able to use the research I collected from resources to help me put together my arguments that could "crush" the other party's counterargument via paper or an actual debate. Taking English made me want to learn more both inside and outside of the books on how to be successful as an aspiring animator. So when I find myself watching tutorials on how to animate, watching interviews, and practicing how to get my content on the big screen I can thank English for helping me understand my future career path better.

Furthermore, taking English gave me a voice. I was a quiet person who was not good at being assertive and demanding respect from people. Taking English taught me how to not only think critically as a person and formulate and argument to "crush" the counterargument, but it taught me that I need these skills to survive. So when I started speaking up more, clearly stating facts, and using my voice I got the respect that I wanted. I also used my voice to help others in need like my friend from being bullied by another classmate who took advantage of his kindness and money. My friend thanked me for speaking up and helping him to the best of my ability. The old me would not have spoken up, but after taking English I learned how critical it was to use my voice.

Finally, English helped me in more ways than I could ever imagine. I was able to question things that did not make any sense to me and I was able to tell my story. It gave me the confidence that I needed to speak up and speak out against things that I do not agree with such as bullying. I was able to not only help others but I was able to help myself by speaking up and using English as a way to do so. I am grateful that I took English in high school and college as it made me pay attention more, think critically, and gave me a voice.