This underlines how other people's judgements try to limit our potential. Even though her boss told her that her writing was her weakness and that she should move on and try something else, that criticism did not define her abilities or her future success. The author's story is the perfect example that even when outside opinions are discouraging and limiting, our personal conviction can carry us through and allow us to grow beyond the limits that others try to place on us.

This shows the unfair reality that people are judged by the way that they speak rather than by who they are. When the doctor only stepped in when the daughter who spoke "perfect English" appeared, the bias against those who communicate differently was made readily apparent. Even though she voiced her concerns over her family history with brain tumors, she wasn't taken seriously because her language was imperfect. This reveals how language can create barriers to respect and care, even when the person's needs are serious and just as real and valid as the needs of those who speak "perfect English."

This segment suggests that because the author's mother expressed her thoughts imperfectly, others assumed her thoughts were imperfect as well. From my own experiences in foreign language classes, I know that even when my grammar and/or vocabulary was limited, my ideas were still there, and they were complex and meaningful. Language fluency does not determine the depth of thought, it changes the way that those thoughts are expressed.

This shows how language is deeply linked to perspective. Even though many people cannot understand the author's mother, the author understands her on a basis that goes farther than grammar, she understands the love, culture, and perspective that her language carries. It shows that even though strangers cannot understand, her words are reflective of her own lived experience and that language is not solely defined by "perfection" in sound, but rather by the truth and worldview that form the basis for the words.

This passage truly reveals the danger of waiting until we don't have fear to speak because silence will only grow heavier the longer it lingers. Even though fear will often never completely disappear, if we wait for it to go away completely, it is more likely that our silence will completely overtake us, and our thoughts and beliefs will never be shared.

This also serves as a powerful reminder because if we truly embody the truths that we hold deeply in our lives, we will share them every opportunity we get. By living and speaking these truths, we teach others through our actions and words, which gives them an extra layer of power and credibility.

This is such a powerful segment of this piece. In this definition, the author combines all of her personal experiences, and you can feel her conviction and determination radiating from the words. In so doing, she once again underscores the importance of speaking up because without standing up for what you believe in, the voices of others will overtake you, and you will lose a piece of yourself in the process.

This particular passage highlights how silence often stems from fear or hesitation, leading us to betray ourselves in a way by holding back our true voices. Although silence may feel safer, it limits our growth and impact. Because of this, choosing to speak is powerful, in that it confronts our fear, sparks change, and affirms our identity and the influence our voices can have both on those around us and on our situation.

This is definitely something that I need to remember to do. Often I highlight or underline passages from a text because they have meaning in the moment and I recognize that it is something that relates to another topic in some way or form. However, I do not always leave myself notes in the margin because I feel as though I will be able to remember it or that getting through the passage is more important. Because of this, I will sometimes come back and not remember the significance of the highlighted text.

This is a great insight, as doing so will help retain information gleaned from the selection. By reading the selection twice, you are also able to catch details you may have missed, helping build a greater understanding both of the material and the style in which the author is writing.

I completely agree with this statement. After reading a text the first time, I can recall what it was about, but I often fail to identify any of the writing choices that the author made in regards to their personal style. It usually takes reading the text a few times to notice the hidden meanings behind some of their descriptions, or to comment on the style of writing that was employed.

Active reading is more than just going through the words. It is about paying attention to what is being said and how it is being said. This conscious effort to pay attention helps you notice the patterns in the text and the choices the writer makes, helping you discern what they mean when making such choices. It definitely takes focus. For example, when you are tired and reading the same paragraph over and over again, you are not taking in the text and reading actively. This is a mostly universal experience that stresses the importance of active reading.

This is something that I have always enjoyed about writing. It allows you to incorporate new information into any previous experiences you might have. The combination of these things often leads to new insights and ways of thinking.

This statement is great in setting expectations for our writing, ensuring it has meaning both for ourselves and others. This will help immensely in any projects that we have this semester.

This is an extremely helpful resource, as a handful of classes I have taken in the past have not introduced how to format work. Including an example is a great tool as well, ensuring that we can verify we have the correct formatting before turning in an assignment.