In Humanities, we read important literature pieces to understand the different philosophies of the world. Most of the time, we are interpreting the ideas presented in a work within an American context. Recently we have read Walden by Henry David Thoreau, and I have had a lot of time to reflect on his preposterous ideas.
For Humanities class, we wrote a synthesis essay on AI use in school based off our own stance on the subject.
I claimed that AI has no place in our current education system, and it would be very diffucult to start incorporating it.
This essay required me to evaluate multiple perspectives while maintaining a clear, consistent argument. I synthesized ideas from various sources to support my position rather than relying on a single text. The assignment emphasized critical thinking and the ethical implications of emerging technologies. It also challenged me to anticipate counterarguments and address them thoughtfully within my writing.
For Humanities class, we wrote an essay where we selected two sources, one argumentative and one satirical, which both discuss the same topic to compare which does it better.
I selected The Communist Manifesto and an excerpt from Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times which both criticize capitalism. I claimed that Chaplin's satirical approach delivers a better critique.
This essay pushed me to analyze not just what arguments were made, but how they were delivered. Comparing satire and formal argumentation highlighted the power of tone, medium, and audience. I examined how humor and exaggeration can make complex critiques more accessible and impactful. The assignment strengthened my skills in close reading, comparison, and rhetorical analysis.