Sports Literature Course Reflection EssayThroughout this course, we have examined numerous themes in the texts you have read and the life lessons one can take from sports. Now is your turn to discuss these lessons and how you personally were able to connect to the texts we have examined in this course. In a four to five page essay, you need to identify at least four different themes from three separate texts and discuss how you personally can relate to each and the lessons you learned from the experiences of the players/coaches/fans of the text. These lessons should reflect both an understanding of the reading and also how you personally have grown from these understandings. Your introduction should broadly address the question of how sports are either a positive or negative thing in life. Your thesis should address how you have grown through the understandings gained from this course and outline the four themes you will address throughout the paper. The paper should be written in MLA format and include proper In-Text citations and an MLA Format Works Cited Page Some potential themes include, but are not limited to:

Friday Night Lights:-The impact of H.S. Sports on a small town-Ways in which teams and communities are linked-The pressure of H.S. Sports on Athletes-The fear of “peaking” on H.S. Athletes-The expectations of second-generation athletes-What happens when an athlete’s career comes to an end?-Issues of race within a team

Glory Road:-How a coach can impact the athletes they serve-Issues of race within a team-How a coach’s attitude towards his team affects performance-How an underdog can overcome long odds

Blood Feud:-What happens when one holds a grudge-What sustains a rivalry?-At what point does personal pride cause more issues than necessary-How a rivalry can bring the best out of a team/individuals-How a specific incident can serve as a rallying point for a team/group-At what point does physical play go beyond the normal realm of accepted behavior

Fever Pitch:-How a passion can help one form an identity-How a passion can help one endure difficult times-How sports allow one understand life-How sports serve as an escape from the real world-How being passionate about something can help you relate to others-Ways in which the highs and lows of Hornby’s life match your own and what you could gain from a life like his

A rough draft of your essay will be due in physical form on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 for peer editingFinal drafts are due Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at the beginning of class

Reading Reflection Responses in CollegeTo encourage thoughtful and balanced assessment of readings, many interdisciplinary courses may ask you to submit a reading reflection. Professors often ask students to write reading reflections. They do this to encourage you to explore your own ideas about a text, to express your opinion rather than summarize the opinions of others. Often instructors will indicate to students what they expect of a reflection, but the general purpose is to elicit your informed opinions about ideas presented in the text and to consider how they affect your interpretation. Reading reflections offer an opportunity to recognize – and perhaps break down – your assumptions, which may be challenged by the text(s).

Reflection also offers you the opportunity to consider how your personal experiences and observations shape your thinking and your acceptance of new ideas. Reflective writing can help you to improve your analytical skills because it requires you to express what you think, and more significantly, how and why you think that way. In addition, reflective analysis asks you to acknowledge that your thoughts are shaped by your assumptions and preconceived ideas; in doing so, you can appreciate the ideas of others, notice how their assumptions and preconceived ideas may have shaped their thoughts, and perhaps recognize how your ideas support or oppose what you read.

Critical reflection requires thoughtful and persistent inquiry. Although basic questions like “what is the thesis?” and “what is the evidence?” are important to demonstrate your understanding, you need to interrogate your own assumptions and knowledge to deepen your analysis and focus your assessment of the text. Below are some questions to ask yourself while examining a potential topic for your body paragraphs. Once you have chosen a theme to explore, begin examining the theme with the following questions in mind:

Assess the text(s): 1. What is the main point? How is it developed? Identify the purpose, impact and/or theoretical framework of the text. 2. What ideas stood out to me? Why? Were they new or in opposition to existing scholarship?

Develop your ideas: 1. What do I know about this topic? Where does my existing knowledge come from? What are the observations or experiences that shape my understanding? 2. Do I agree or disagree with this argument? Why?

Make connections: 1. How does this text reinforce my existing ideas or assumptions? How does this text challenge my existing ideas or assumptions? 2. How does this text help me to better understand this topic or explore this field of study/discipline?

A Note on MechanicsAs with all written assignments or reports, it is important to have a clear focus for your writing. You do not need to discuss every experience or element of your life, just the ones that you feel best connect to the idea you are exploring. For reflective responses, identify the main arguments or important elements of the text to develop a stronger analysis, which integrates relevant ideas from course materials.

Furthermore, your writing must be organized. Introduce your topic and the point you plan to make about your experiences and learning. Develop your point through body paragraph(s), and conclude your paper by exploring the meaning you derive from your reflection. You may find the questions listed above can help you to develop an outline before you write your paper. You should maintain a formal tone, but it is acceptable to write in the first person and to use personal pronouns (I, Me, My, Our, etc) to communicate your own experiences.