Reflection (ePortfolio: Assignment document analysis #2: )

In this assignment I looked at a letter from an indentured servant and analyzed her
purpose and made connections to the reading and lecture. This assignment helped me work on
my analytical skills. It is hard for me to look at a document like this with a historical perspective
rather than focusing on the rhetorical strategies used by the author. I have a tendency to want to
analyze the diction and strategies/methods used. In this assignment, I was aware of the authors
motivations and purpose but tried to focus on connecting the letter to the reading and lecture. The
lecture really empathized the idea that indentured servant were used rather than slaves because of
economic reasons, and in a lot of ways were treated similarly as slaves. I tried to view this
document with this lens. The reading really empathized the differences of the colonies and the
inequality in the colonies in terms of the emerging planter class in the South and the indentured
servants in the Chesapeake colonies. In this way this assignment led me to try to make more
connections to the course and read the document with those ideas in the back of my mind.
Looking at documents critically was also a skill developed in this assignment. I tried to be aware
of her motivations, as well as the textbooks characterization of indentured servants during this
period. I tried to ask myself if this document refuted or supported claims in the book.
For my next assignment one of my goals is to take a stronger position when interpreting
the document. I know one of the objectives of the course is to be able to understand the
documents and adopt a historical perspective. I would like to possibly introduce multiple
interpretations and of course connect my reading/analysis more to the ideas in the lecture that
should be framing my thinking. I want to be aware of both the more traditional view of the
document and other points of view that challenges assumptions. I need to work on taking more

chances with my interpretation and adding depth to my discussion to grow from these
assignments.
What are your learning goals for your next assignment? What skills do you feel you need to work on
more? Explain your answer.