It is a great explanation and interpretation, thank you

Were just gonna ignore the mass amounts of guns in the US that are unregistered and owned by the lawful as well as unlawful lmfao okay😂

I'm a comparative literature student! Thank you so much for bringing light to this short story. I love it so much!! 🥰🥰🥰

I've always wondered... what if Patrick was telling her something else? We assume he's telling her that he's leaving her, and it's the most logical conclusion. Still, I wonder.

Does the reader play a role in interpretation of the text? For example one could sympathise more with the people of Burma being oppressed compared to : -The narrator who is just mocked -And the elephant which is just an animal? Aldo, when you read- even a short scene- of the man being killed by the elephant doesn't it make you feel more determined to kill the elephant - British empire?

It’s nice hearing your perception in each and every essay but this essay has a deeper effect and love how you explain how the narrator is moved by the elephant even tho it is extended to a length the metaphor is just spoken to well.

This is such an insightful analysis of Lamb to the Slaughter! The way you broke down Mary’s character and the story’s dark humor really added depth to my understanding. Your interpretation of justice and morality in the story is spot on-amazing work Doctor Kosters

Over time it has been helpful when I begin doing assignments ahead of time instead of last minute to be avoid missing a word or having errors, but I've noticed that sometimes I feel motivated after doing one assignment per assignment instead of all at once.

Though the subtle indications expose the truth, Dr. Kosters's study of An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge clarifies how Bierce deftly manipulates narrative shifts and stream of consciousness to bring readers into Peyton Fahrquhar's romanticized sense of valor. It's especially remarkable how quickly we, as readers, allow ourselves to become enmeshed in his fantasies, thereby mirroring how our own prejudices and needs could skew our view of reality. The ironic turn at the conclusion challenges us to consider how readily we may fool ourselves. In what ways, in your opinion, Bierce's use of narrative perspective questions our conception of reality against illusion in the tale?

These suggestions have been super helpful! I constantly struggle with repetitive writing and these tips helped me avoid that in a recent paper. I am an English major and have wrote many papers and this has helped me avoid making this mistake for future instances.

Dr. Kosters, this analysis on young goodman brown was very specific and made me think, Do you think Goodman Brown's journey reveals the danger of losing faith in others, or is it more about the darkness within himself? Thank you

"It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts... However, this mirror will give us neither knowledge or truth. Men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they have seen, or been driven mad, not knowing if what it shows is real or even possible... It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that." - Dumbledore This passage demonstrates the importance of taking action. Harry Potter has spent his whole life dreaming having been denied any choice or sense of agency by his aunt and uncle, the Dursleys. It's not until Hagrid enters his life and tells Harry he is a wizard that his world is open to real possibilities, starting with Harry's choice to leave the Dursley's to go to Hogwarts. Like mentioned in the lecture, Harry's ability to weigh the implications of the circumstances and make decisions on his own accord are instrumental in his coming into who he is as a person and as a wizard. Dumbledore's words in this passage suggest that dreams and desires fail to reflect reality and therefore they are not to be relied upon when making real life choices. The implications of the magical world are strong, forcing Harry to take action to help himself and those he care about rather than theorizing and thinking too much on it. Hermione says to Harry when they are about to split up after figuring out Snape's enchantment that friendship and bravery are more important that books and cleverness. This alludes to the idea that your actions determine your values, not what you know or how well you perform. This idea is explored throughout the novel through Harry's brave actions. In the scene where Draco steals Neville's remembrall and Harry goes after him on the broom, Draco had the upper hand having been raised in a wizard family and having practice on a broom. However, Harry is the victorious one in the scene not only because he recovered the remembrall, but because he had no experience flying and chose to take the risk with the pure intention of protecting his friend Neville. Harry, Ron, and Neville where all at odds with Draco throughout the novel, yet his eleven year growing up in an affluent wizarding family and the power they provided didn't earn him any special recognition. While the three Gryffindor boys and Hermione, who is from a muggle family, all earned special praise at the end of the year feast due to their brave actions.

The lecture was helpful to me because it made James Joyce’s short story Araby easier to understand. It explained important aspects like the ending, symbolism, and the narrator’s feelings about Mangan’s sister. I found the character analysis and discussion of the setting especially useful for understanding the deeper meaning of the story. This clear breakdown helped me feel more confident in analyzing the text. Thank you.

Particularly in how Jekyll's mind is split between his ego and the animalistic id shown by Hyde, Dr. Kosters's presentation on The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde gives an interesting examination via Freudian and Jungian lenses. Especially in light of Victorian society's strict criteria, the duality of human nature as demonstrated by the great difference between Jekyll's honorable existence and Hyde's terrible deeds highlights the difficulty of morality and self-control. Stevenson's examination of the darker, suppressed aspect of our nature strikes me as intriguing since it makes us consider whether everyone of us carries a version of Hyde. Do you think Stevenson is implying that repression simply fuels our darker instincts, therefore challenging the Victorian concept of respectability?

Critically thinking is well explained in this lecture and using examples such as Socrates helped me think more open minded. The Socratic Method is well explained as an example of critical thinking as someone who did not understand it prior to watching this video! Adding more questions feels necessary to understand the argument.

The very disturbing tale Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" challenges us to consider how society expects shapes our impressions and the accuracy of the storyteller. From a psychoanalytic perspective, Emily's transgressions personal and social are terrible, especially when one considers how the demands of the society skew her mental condition by means of the deceptive narrative style. Faulkner's use of time and place to confuse the reader intrigues me especially as Emily's life seems to be a strange puzzle put together in fragments. In what ways do you believe Faulkner's use of time and the fractured story influences our knowledge of Emily's mental state and behavior?

I find Barthes' thesis to be very apt in explaining the relationship between reader, author, and the text. The basic idea is that once the text is in the hands of the reader, it is up to their interpretation. At this point the author's intentions and perspective are no longer primary influence on the meaning of the text. As a reader I think the best part about fiction is that it doesn't feel like a lecture, it encourages you to think deeply about the themes in the text without feeling like a lesson allowing you to form your own takeaways and interpretations. As a writer this concept is very important to keep in mind to ensure that your intentions are clear enough that are not overly misconstrued and that you're not so heavy handed with your messaging so the reader has room to take charge while reading the text. Reading "The Death of the Author" has changed the way I look at texts I've read in the past. Mostly in the sense that I am able to better understand how different people can read the same text and feel differently towards it because they interpreted it differently. Every reader brings their own thoughts and experiences that inform the way they consume and interpret a text. I remember reading "Pride and Prejudice" in high school twice and it not being my favorite despite it being an adored classic and considered a great romance. I think the characters and story simply didn't align with my perspective on life and love and therefore I didn't find it very romantic or aspirational in that sense. Inversely, I really enjoyed "To Kill a Mockingbird", especially the fact that it was written from the perspective of Scout, a child, in order the show that racism and hatred are taught not innate. I distinctly remember kids in my class saying they found it annoying that Scout was the narrator and I imaginenow that their interpretation was informed by their own experiences.

The video was helpful to me because it showed how to find reliable resources for writing essays or analyzing literature. I learned about three important databases: JSTOR, Literature Resource Center, and Literary Criticism Online. The explanation of how to use each database made it easier for me to understand where to find scholarly information. This gave me confidence to do better research and improve my work.

This story is a fascinating exploration of identity, freedom, and societal expectations. Do you think Louise’s fleeting sense of liberation reflects a universal human desire to break free from constraints, or is it more specific to her experience as a woman in a repressive marriage?

It has been helpful that over time I've annotated most textbooks I've read, whether it is books, articles, journals, poetry, and etc. although I used to highlight most pages over time I stopped doing that in order to see the sentences that stuck out that I would enjoy to go over. To this day I still find writings I've annotated throughout high school in class when I was done with my assignments, and noticed that I would leave little stars nearby a text that seemed important. What has been helpful is using different colors and circling texts, but not overdoing it to avoid confusion. Prior to attending college I went shopping for supplies and bought sticky notes, and for online courses I use a separate notebook with folders separating the textbook chapters. Thank you for recommending other supplies!

Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" is a potent illustration of his iceberg theory where the actual depth of the characters' feelings and challenges is concealed under the surface of their apparently casual discourse. Though neither of the pair freely admits it, the symbolism of the white elephant wonderfully captures the weight they bear. Hemingway's use of a simple technique to capture the intricacy of their circumstances intrigues me since it increases the power of the narrative. In what ways, especially with the opposing landscapes, do you believe the location reflects the emotional turmoil among the people?

After reading the The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and watching the corresponding lecture, I have come to the conclusion that author C.S. Lewis's efforts to make the story a supposal as opposed to an allegory is appropriate for it's intend child audience because it meets the reader where they are. Unlike an allegory, a supposal doesn't rely on a reader to have a frame of reference for the story and themes that are being referenced in the book. As a supposal, this novel places biblical characters and themes in a fantasy world and in a different form. It is as if the stories are being introduced to the young reader for the first time. Despite not being very familiar with Christian stories myself, I was able to identify the references with the mention of the "sons of Adams" and "the daughters of Eve". There is also a very clear juxtaposition between good and evil in the book, with all the woods creatures assisting the kids and reversing an figure that they have never themselves seen in Aslan vs the Witch who everyone feared and was known to harm people, even those who did her bidding. As mentioned in the lecture, the fantasy setting is particularly appropriate for a young audience who are able to immerse themselves in the story through their own imaginations and the suspension of disbelief. The way that Lewis characterizes already existing characters in mythology allows for children to empathize with them and feel a sense of closeness to them as readers of the book. A supposal also allows the reader to fully immerse themselves in a fully fictional world without directly connecting the story, emotions, and themes to their own life.

"A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" by Gabriel García Márquez examines issues of faith, how people regard the supernatural, and how those who are different are treated differently. The narrative criticizes how people misinterpret unusual or supernatural individuals by imposing their own prejudices, presumptions, and self-serving aspirations on them. It calls into question how people react to the miraculous-with exploitation, skepticism, or apathy-instead of with awe or comprehension, and it draws attention to the mystery of the nature of God.

This lecture really helped me gain knowledgeable insight on how to write an annotated bibliography with the aspect that comes with it. I used to be kind of confused on how to write/format an annotated bibliography, but this lecture really helped me and opened up my mind.

Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" is an excellent look at guilt. The narrator thinks he can trick his conscience, but that only ends badly for him. He hears a beating heart, which is a strong reminder that shame will not go away, no matter how hard he tries. It's interesting to me how Poe uses the narrator's determination that he is sane to make his madness seem even scarier. How do you think the narrator's view of his own sanity adds to the general unease and irony of the story?

This lecture of how to come up with a topic was very helpful because it breaks down the steps and processes, without confusing you while condensing the actual work of finding a very relevant and interesting topic.

The singing lesson is interesting because it shows the complexities of a time when being a woman and a mother were still considered top priorities. We see the rollercoaster of emotions caused by her "miracle" engagement, break up, and re-engagement, which seems to dictate the day and interactions between Ms. Meadows and others. This status change in her engagement also comes with the fact that she is considered "old." At 30 years old, considering someone old, however, different times and circumstances seem to be a bit premature. The thought that Basil is homosexual also makes sense due to the wording in his letter, using the word "disgust" concerning the marriage or how he cares about HIS image and takes far less interest in Miss Meadows. The cycle of despair and joy for Miss Meadows is highlighted by the times and the ultimate goal of a wife and mother for a woman during this time. The societal rules and construction lead to Miss Meadows mismatched with someone who does not care as much for her, however she finds joy in that she can provide what is considered value at this time.

This lecture was very useful in helping to identify a credible source. Look for publications from respectable authors or organizations, such as scholarly journals, official websites, or well-known news channels, in order to locate and recognize a reliable source. Verify the information is current, includes citations, and has clear evidence. Steer clear of sites that lack verification or use biased wording.

This story was quite terrifying to me and was hard for me to process, but this lecture helped me better understand it. The symbolism in this story was beyond compare.

I had trouble understanding the story's background at first, but this lecture helped me understand it. Many people might identify with the concepts of denial and ignoring personal issues that were emphasized. The fact that Neddy had everything but ultimately had nothing to live for impressed me and served as a reminder that material belongings aren't as valuable as they first appear to be, and serve no long term purpose.

In this deeply analytical lecture, it made me think a lot about how AI is starting to take over human lives. We never really think twice about how AI could influence and dictate our daily lives, but it does, and in fact it does a lot. This lecture had me questioning how deeply I was relieved to deeply think about how AI could take over our lives sooner or later.

This story is very relevant in our society today because we all follow traditions unbeknownst to us. We never question the traditions that we partake in, even if they are odd or morbid. The analysis in this lecture was very helpful and interesting.

I have always been concerned with doing a peer review because I was nervous I couldn’t do it right, however this lecture put some ease to my mind. By doing the basics like asking questions and implying reading strategies, I am now certain that I can do a helpful/good peer review.

I've been nervous to do peer reviews but it has helped when I've been in person classes and see how others get nervous as well when giving feedback, but over time and discussing positive feedback with one another and discussing if it can be improved is helpful. I think over time there has been times I've struggled with noticing transitional sentences in others writing, including my own, but discussing it with peers is helpful to clear when there is confusion in the writing. It is important to keep note of the 15 questions Dr. Kosters wrote down.

A clear structure for evaluating George Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant," highlighting the significance of ethos, pathos, and logos, was offered by the rhetorical aspects. They provided a solid foundation for carrying out an in-depth rhetorical analysis by skillfully revealing how these techniques influence the story and affect the reader. Examining literary devices such as irony and metaphor greatly enhanced the conversation and improved comprehension of Orwell's goals and strategies.

Hasty generalization is one instance of a logical fallacy that I have come across. "Milk is bad for everyone because my friend got sick after drinking it," for example, was an immature generalization from when I saw a social media post that made this claim. Without taking into account additional variables or supporting data, it makes the assumption that one person's experience is universal. This type of flawed reasoning is prevalent and emphasizes how crucial it is to assess arguments critically.

One of the tips given in your lecture, which was reading what you have written out loud, was very helpful. This is because we usually don’t catch our mistakes when we write, so reading it out loud helps us correct our “fallacies” that we may have accidentally skipped.

The ethos, pathos, and logos lecture was extremely helpful since it demonstrated how these rhetorical devices are used in daily situations. The "Got Milk?" commercial, for instance, employs pathos by appealing to emotions with relevant or humorous events, ethos by showcasing celebrities to establish trustworthiness, and logos by highlighting the health benefits of milk. This facilitates the recognition and comprehension of persuasion in practical settings.

"A Sound of Thunder" is a strong look at what happens when people are arrogant and the butterfly effect. Bradbury does a good job of showing how even small actions, like killing a butterfly, can have huge effects on history. The term "a sound of thunder" refers to both the noise itself and the huge power of actions that don't seem important at first. The story criticizes people's desire to control nature by shooting big game, showing how dangerous it is to use the environment for personal gain. In the end, Travis raising his gun is a moment of judgment that shows how careless actions always have results we can't change.

The lecture on the three categories of rhetoric-ethos, pathos, and logos-was very beneficial in helping me better grasp how to evaluate and apply persuasive techniques. Prior to this lecture, I frequently had trouble telling these rhetorical appeals apart or comprehending their distinct communication goals. I can now recognize and distinguish them in both written and spoken arguments with certainty.

This lecture was very crucial and helpful. Since the thesis establishes a clear course for you to follow, it is the most important component of the essay. Your essay's thesis is its foundation, and this formula is quite useful. It assists in keeping the thesis concise, targeted, and equipped with all the necessary elements to get it started in the right direction. It includes all the necessary data and helpful information, and it also makes sure to include an argumentative point.

For me, procrastination is a big writing challenge that often gets worse by distractions like my phone. I give myself a mental boost by laying out my thoughts and picturing my objectives in order to get past this. The task feels more doable as a result. In order to maintain my focus, I also set my phone aside, either turning it off or putting it in a different room. I write more effectively and with less stress when I follow these easy methods.

This lecture was extremely helpful in figuring out how to find the right headspace to get rid of my annoyingly incessant writer's block. I definitely can agree that being organized and taking relevant notes is key to help with writer's block. I have found that clustering the ideas then brainstorming helps me come up with a topic.

I think that this lecture really touched on how to write a good essay or do my best work because of my contributing psychological factors. I think that having a good environment, the right amount of motivation for the right reason(s), and doing good mentally is definitely a very good headstart for creating your best work.

I cannot explain how many times I’ve referenced back to this video- especially during finals week!! I had only done an annotated bibliography ONCE, about 3 years ago, so I was very rusty. You offer such a clear and concise of how to write one and I appreciate all the suggestions you give. I will definitely come back to this whenever I need a refresher!

"There Will Come Soft Rains" by Bradbury is both scary and makes me think. The story's technology keeps working perfectly even when people aren't around. This is a scary picture of a future where machines take over roles we used to think were important to our survival. It's scary to think that technology could improve to the point where people are no longer needed, especially since the story focuses on how life goes on without us in a cold, automatic way. Bradbury's story seems like a warning, asking us to think about how to balance technological growth with keeping our humanity. How do you think Bradbury's story warns us about the risks of depending too much on technology? Also, do you think that technology could one day completely change what life is all about?

One of my writing challenges is putting off finishing my work until the last minute. I always think I perform better under pressure, but this is rarely the case, and it has resulted in low grades or incomplete or poorly done work. Doing my work in increments from the first day is one way I've come up with to ease the burden. This lecture really helped me feel better about procrastination in general, which I really appreciated.

Updike’s story underlines the conflict between individuality and conformity. In the story "A&P," the protagonist, Sammy, breaks the expectations of the world surrounding him. For instance, Sammy’s fascination with the three girls who essentially defy social norms by wearing bathing suits in the store. After the manager reprimands the girls, Sammy’s infatuation makes him quit his job. This magnifies his admiration for their nonconformity and his desire for rebellion. Clearly, he wants to stray from the course he’s expected to take. Interestingly, this path is brought up in several instances by different characters who try to condition him to conform subtly. I’d also like to add that additionally, one's parents can challenge one’s true identity, whether that’s them pushing their idea of what they should be doing with their life career, relationship, or life goals. Wise, one must think for themselves. Updike explores the pressures and expectations humans face that shape their choices/outcomes.

As someone who is constantly on social media there has been tons of misinformation displayed on social media that leads people to misbelieving things and not having credible sources. Over time in my writings I've had trouble recognizing the difference in primary and secondary source, but this lecture helped me understand how I can have a reliable source, and avoiding sources like Wikipedia. I like how Dr. Kosters explains the need to be specific throughout research and how to get different sources in the search engine! I've recently used my schools online library which has many books I found interesting to read. and I find it helpful there is a public library. I've used the CRAAP method when reading articles online and notice if it is fake news as there are fake websites.

"A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings," by Gabriel García Márquez, is a story that questions our ideas about God and people by showing an angelic figure who is misunderstood and abused. An important part of the story is how religion, assumptions, and the "othering" of strange or different people are understood. The villagers' quick change from being amazed by the old man to taking advantage of him shows how we don't always see the holy or divine in strange forms. This story makes you think about religion, stereotypes, and how little we know about God's mysterious ways. What do you think García Márquez is trying to say about how people often misunderstand or take advantage of what they don't know, especially when it comes to faith and meeting God?