Metacognition: The Kite Runner Essay

While working on The Kite Runner essay, a specific type of thinking that helped me create my essay was resonance. I first let my pen flow and brainstormed several thesis ideas and expanded on a few with thoughts that burst into my head. After a day or two, I looked back at my list and tried to see what I could find more levels with, what I could prove well, and what interested me. I finally lowered my list down to my final thesis, which was saying that Amir can only gain closure with Hassan through Sohrab. This required me to make several connections and use resonance to relate the scenes. By doing so, I was able to see how my evidence and connections came to life and really did make sense. I think this was an effective method for me. By writing down all the ideas and possible evidence that jumped right out at me while brainstorming, I was able to see what would work right off the bat. Then, by waiting, I was able to get a fresher perspective, so in reality, whatever theses that may have been awkward, I was able to realize that and eliminate them. This really helped me find the best thesis I came up with and one that I cared to write about.

I was really surprised that I was able to make deep and valid connections, and that I didn't have to rewrite my plan, because for once it all just clicked and made sense. It made me feel more confident since what I connected within the text really worked, and that I knew exactly what I was doing. I realized that I am better at understanding what goes on in books than I thought I was. I liked that my evidence proved my point, in both simple and obvious ways, but then I drew in on them to make it deep and worthwhile. I found that my writing can make an impact and I am able to prove a valid point. One thing I would like to work better on in is writing openers that are catchy and not just boring.

Blogging Around

Taylor's Connection: The Kite Runner and Mean Girls
From what I read, I found the point of Taylor's blog entry was to show continuities in human thinking by connecting The Kite Runner with Mean Girls showing that time, location, and culture have no bearing, and that there remains a divide in society because of the brain's tendency to "chunk" information.

This was really a great blog post! Mean Girls being one of my favorite movies, I found it really interesting to see you make valid connections between it and The Kite Runner, and you explained them in depth too. I especially like how you connect it to the real, modern world in the end through your connections. As bad as the truth may be, I agree with you that there will always be people who will make the division continue.

Sam's Best of Week: Nature vs. Nurture
Sam's main focus was that we shouldn't judge someone because their culture and the way they were raised, what they were raised to believe (nurture) shapes them, and they might not know much better (although it certainly doesn't make what they do okay). She then draws on bettering oneself by judging their actions rather than judging others.

This is a great insight that you brought up. I definitely agree with your point that we should judge our own actions rather than judging others. You really took nature vs. nurture to another level; from Assef being a bully, to a circular character, and reflection in your own life. As horrible as his actions were, Nature vs. Nurture definitely shows that you shouldn't judge someone because it might not be their fault. If more people see this and try to better themselves, then that's really the only way to move forward in the world.