First day of the 9th Annual Student Research and Writing Conference

I walked into the amphitheater not really knowing what to expect from the 9^th Annual Student Research and Writing Conference. I had rooted my judgement based on what I had seen in the classroom, where two of my classmates rehearsed their presentations and discussed the structure behind two popular brainstorming techniques: the Venn Diagram and Cluster Sampling. Being from the College of Natural Sciences, these techniques were not new to me; however, I thought it was interesting that both techniques were being applied not to gather statistical information or relate variables, but to bring forth traits and qualities of each of my classmate’s personalities. They were using analytical diagrams to discover something about themselves, they made them their own, and by doing so they amplified the versatility and practicality of both diagrams. Consequently, I could only assume that this conference was a platform to, in some way, “humanize” all the research techniques college students are exposed to daily by individualizing each one of them, and giving them a more profound personal value, as well as characterized them as important tools for self-awareness and/or self-discovery.

"That is part of the beauty of literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you're not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong." 

- F. Scott Fitzgerald

On May 8^th, I could only attend the conference from 1:00-2:20 pm. There were three students in the panel, eager to read their pieces. I was happy to see that the students were not reading research papers, which I had been dreading, but opted to present instead a variety of literary pieces that ranged from essays, superhero stories, and journal entries. Although I am no critic, I found that the superhero short story── based on a childhood memory── and the short story of a girl who metamorphosed into her boyfriend’s dog were both tremendously well written and executed. The use of imagery embedded in the story a feeling of genuine freedom from the writer’s part; I could sense that these stories were of great value for them, and that those papers they were holding held a part of their identity, a part they were now willing to expose to the audience. Despite being strangers, after listening to their stories I felt I knew those three students slightly better. For example, I learned from the young man who recreated the energy of a childhood game between two brothers, and the girl who referred to her mom as her conscious, that both students had been shaped by their mother’s presence. The mother figure was an important element in their stories, as she symbolized the order and reason that accompanies reality. All in all, I feel that this was the purpose of the conference. The professors that orchestrated the event were not trying to tell the audience who were their stellar students, but rather that we can find in literature a creative medium to express ourselves, and that they were willing to support such freedom because, at the end of the day, the greatest lesson they can teach us in an English course (taking into account many of us already know the language) is to take advantage of known techniques and use them as tools to further prompt our self-discovery.

The importance of creativity in literature was strengthened with the efficient discussion on graphic literature that was presented by the second and last panel I saw that day. I found peculiar that while one would expect English courses to discuss classic novels, there are some English professors willing to teach about comics and its role in our changing society. More than ever, comics are becoming effective mediums of expression because even within their structural requirements—speech bubbles, patterns, sound effects, etc. – the writer can express a thought or opinion in a more concise and illustrative format, which is bound to attract potential readers more effectively than a long essay discussing the same topic. I wanted to comment on the topic that emerged during the Q&A segment relating to the limitations comics may impose on readers and their final comprehension of a topic. I agree with one of the students in the panel who said that for some people, like himself, may find illustrations to limit imagination, people who would rather paint their own version of a story and stick to the images they have created. Nonetheless, I do not believe comics or illustrations limit readers, but rather present a second possibility that could even be powerful enough to move or alter the image and understanding we had before. If anything, our comprehension of the topic becomes more well-rounded because we have synthesized that “final” opinion by interconnecting different views and considering other possibilities. 

Works Cited 

"Graphic Literature: A Blend Of Genre, Medium, And Form". Irosf.Com, 2007, http://www.irosf.com/q/zine/article/10423.

"Imagery | Literary Devices". Literary-Devices.Com, 2010, http://literary-devices.com/content/imagery.

Kumar, Amit. "Personal Development". 2016, http://www.maxvibrant.com/personal-development/personal-development-program-an-integrated-approach.

Web Urbanist. "Recovering Literature: Bold Classic Book Cover Redesigns". 2017, http://weburbanist.com/2013/04/09/recovering-literature-bold-classic-book-cover-redesigns/.