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WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

The learner will exchange ideas and information with others using written text in a manner effective and appropriate for the intended audience.

SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE

For this reflection, I will focus on the first Core Skill: Written Communication. The artifact that I
chose was from the 16-week blended course, ENG 241, British Literature I. This artifact that was
chosen is titled “Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Piece,” which was created in December of
2024. In this assignment, the rubric called for a final paper in which students chose one of the
previous readings from the course and connect it to a literary theory, and its respective text. So, I
decided to base my paper on a poem that I thoroughly enjoyed. Using On Monsieur’s Departure,
a poem written by Queen Elizabeth I, I analyze the text through the theory of feminism using
Audre Lorde’s insights from The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action. In this 4-
page essay, formatted in MLA style, I developed the thesis of “the consequences of staying
silent.” First, I analyzed the 18-line poem, then I looked at Lorde’s work. Looking through the
challenges of both texts was vital for the thesis to be successful. At first, looking at the poem in
the lens of The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action was a bit difficult, however,
by remembering that this essay had to connect the feminist theory, I found a way. By reviewing
the challenge that Queen Elizabeth I faced, which was not being able to convey her feelings
publicly due to her royal position, and Lorde’s fight to readers to harness their fears and speak up
for those who can’t, the essay’s title came to life. As said in my essay, the phrase, “Speak Now
or Forever Hold Your Peace” is known to be used in a marriage ceremony. However, in the
context of feminism, whether one is silent due to love or fear, the truth must come out, because
there is no true peace without honesty.


For my first goal, I focused on mastering syntax and mechanics. Based on this artifact, I believe
that it was successful in this goal. Throughout the essay, I made sure to not only discuss what the
text was about, but to also analyze characteristics of the writing. For example, a literary device
was found in the poem as well as the theme. I was also able to make a connection to the real
world and The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action. Through each transition
sentence and explanation of my thesis, the essay’s structure was well supported. I believe that
from the course’s previous assignments of writing explication essays, I was able to learn what
this final paper needed and mastered the rubric.


In the second goal, I focused on mastering genre features, especially the organization aspect.
Starting the essay, I wrote the introduction as the first paragraph and put thesis as the last
sentence. Then, I dove into analyzing the On Monsieur’s Departure poem and wrote the third
paragraph on The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action. By establishing the two
texts first, the theory of feminism was much easier to put into perspective. Again, by completing
the explication essays throughout the course, I successfully mastered the characteristics of the
rubric due to applying my previous knowledge.


Overall, in the “Written Communication Core Skill,” I learned that a written text must be shown
in a manner that is appropriate to the intended audience. While this paper was not a focus on my
desired career, it was an enjoyable assignment that allowed me to explore a topic that I care

about. Even with initial challenges to connect two texts to a literary theory, thorugh using my
knowledge that I experienced from the course, this final paper showcased my understanding of
the topic.

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