A Collection of Writing
by Jackelyne Morales
The Influence of Technology in Blade Runner (1982) and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Source: Lawrence, Francis. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
xxxWith a focus on analyzing Sci-Fi in television and film, I found myself combing through the endless films that could be explored through one of four elements: social/human identity, science and pandemics, immigration and dystopia, and the alien messiah. I chose to analyze Blade Runner (1982) for my initial paper about social/human identity, and then extended this to include The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013). I highlight the position technology takes as an influence on social/human identity in these two Sci-Fi films. This paper displays the development of my skills in analytical writing and the use of secondary sources to develop and analyze both films through a unique lens.
Gender in A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
Source: Amirpour, Ana Lily. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night.
xxxFilm, much like literature, has many aspects that may be analyzed by genre or through the lens of feminist theory. In this paper, I focused on Ana Lily Amirpour’s film A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014). Using Kristeva’s theory of the abjection, I focused on the Girl, a vampire and the titular character in this film, connecting her gender and species to feminism through her actions and her very existence in this fictional city. This essay expands on my research and writing abilities, exploring the lengths and different theories that can be analyzed in a film.
The Power of Rumor in Pride and Prejudice
xxxFocusing on the world-renowned 19th-century author Jane Austen, Projects 1 through 4 developed my literature analysis skills and the exploration of past artifacts pertaining to Austen. In my analysis of Austen’s most famous novel, Pride and Prejudice, I found that my skills and my critique of my own writing improved from the transition of Project 3 to its revision in Project 4. My literary analysis developed a new perspective of the role of both pride and prejudice through rumor in Austen’s novel through her main characters. In Project 4, the clear development and expansion of analysis of the text display the improvement of my writing skills. The depth of my analysis of the text is also expanded in this project, showcasing big and small sections of the novel relating to rumor.
Acceptance and Rejection in Shakespeare’s Othello and The Tempest
xxxFocusing on Shakespeare, the most well-known and analyzed playwright, the thought of analyzing any of his works was daunting. Yet, throughout several papers and various theories, through various lenses and plays, I display my academic and analytical writing skills. In this final paper, I compare and contrast the effects of acceptance and trust on Othello in Othello and Caliban in The Tempest. It also shows the ability to develop and transform a paper based solely on Othello into a deeper analysis of two characters in two different plays. It also showcases my ability to analyze Shakespeare's plays through a topic not frequently explored.
Freshman Composition Lesson Plans
xxxWith an interest in teaching in higher education, the final lesson plans for this course allowed me to showcase the skills and thoughts that go into crafting lessons for students. The structure and well-defined plans create a clear representation of my skill in pedagogical writing when thinking about what is best and most beneficial to students.
Writing Center Workshop
xxxAt the writing center where I work as a tutor, my supervisor asked the tutors to pair up and create a workshop on specified topics. While my partner worked on a handout for the students, I made the presentation. This presentation showcases my ability to write for various audiences and purposes. Even after the workshops had concluded, the PowerPoint has worked in helping students in their tutoring sessions.
Teaching English as a Second Language Lesson Plans
Source: Councilcle. Alphabet Spell Text.
xxxFor my first microteach, I repurposed and reconstructed my workshop on thesis statements and conclusions to focus on thesis statements for a different audience: High-Intermediate/Advanced-level ESL students. The lesson plan and the repurposed PowerPoint showcase my ability to construct and reconstruct a lesson for different students and situations.
xxxIn my final lesson plans assignment, I delineated a lesson that would teach intermediate-level ESL students about restaurants. The lesson includes activities ranging from class participation, group work, and solo work to engage the students in their target language (English).
The Ever-Changing Fire
Source: Timmossholder. Fire Log Hot.
xxxA piece of writing from a course, this sample of my writing showcases my ability to write a narrative in an academic context while also showcasing my creative writing skills. This writing narrative history provides a look into my journey as a writer and showcases the development of my creative writing and storytelling skills. It also delineates my journey as a writer and my interest in writing personally and academically.
Who Am I?
xxxThis is personal, creative work. It showcases my ability to write for different audiences and purposes and my creative writing skills, specifically in poetry. This is a poem inspired by personal feelings and empathy toward individuals in the Latinx community affected by societal and governmental faults.
Should a child
xxxThis poem is another piece of personal writing that showcases my creative writing skills. This poem was created from a mixture of emotions and the influence of current events at the time of writing. It explores the questions and emotions one as a woman may feel when faced with the decision to bring life into the world.
xxxMy name is Jackelyne Morales. I am a writing tutor at my local community college and a graduate student in the English Studies program at ASU. My strengths and interests lie in writing analytically and creatively. My work revolves around writing and helping students in higher education with different elements of academic writing. With limited experience, my work background in education and writing is at its starting point; however, my academic journey has provided me with stepping stones for pivoting in the proper direction.
xxxUtilizing analytical, creative, pedagogical, and public-facing writing skills throughout my academic journey has influenced my progression and the different possible routes for my future. Throughout my time learning to earn my M.A. in English Studies at ASU, I have produced work that showcased my various writing skills and their progression from the beginning of my journey.
I was born here
but I am not from here.
I am American
xxxxxxin the realest sense,
xxxxxxxxxxxxand yet—I am not welcome.
I am indigenous to this land
xxxxxxwhere my feet are firmly planted
xxxxxxingrained into the soil,
xxxxxxone with the land.
Yet my people—their smiles, their laughter
xxxxxxtheir screams, their tears
xxxxxxare now unwelcome
xxxxxxbecaused they were not born
over an imaginary line.
Source: McCraken, Alli. The Border. Amnesty International.
But should a child
Be born
Into a life—a world
So unforgiving?To walk a thousand miles
BarefootTo feel their stomach
Ache with hunger
To become a mirrorTo follow the only path untouched
And unblockedTo continue the cycle.But should a child
Be born?
Source: Nikkytok. Child and adult footprints on sand beach stock photo.
