Lucas Soard Assignment 4

Using additional texts is without a doubt the most important skill I’ve learned from studying literature. When studying a piece, the reader must take in every single detail, no matter how minute, and decide how they view the piece. Simple diction choices and repeated symbols can have drastic effects on how we interpret literature. When reading pieces, especially in preparation for class discussions, one of the most helpful practices I’ve employed was to do extra research on the piece. Who was the author of this piece, and why did they write about this specific subject during this specific time? When was the piece written, and how can the historical context around a piece of art affect it’s interpretation? I think all of these are important questions, and their answers almost always have an effect on my personal interpretation. This skill in particular, going beyond just the actual art itself to find meaning, has helped me incredibly. If a math concept seems a little vague, searching online can help me clarify how and why it is important. Why are we studying a particular event in history over another? Often, consulting other books can help me understand what makes that particular happening so valuable.