Justine L.

Palasigue AR 1B
Purposive Communication Module 1

Module 1:
ACADEMIC WRITING

Initial Activity
Directions: I want you to read and understand the introduction of reflection and critical
analysis. After you read, try to answer the checkpoint.

REFLECTION CRITICAL ANALYSIS

I experienced new culture immersion
when my family had a vacation in my
mother’s ancestral home in Cuyo,
Palawan, Philippines. It was my first visit
to meet my grandparents. My
grandparents were kind but they lived
among individuals who practiced Cuyuno
culture, something I never knew anything
about. I had a problem communicating
and interacting with people, having been
brought up in Germany. I could also not
understand most of their daily life
routines including dressing, eating,
behaving among different people or even
interacting with those of my age. It was a
great challenge to be there at first. While
there I experienced different stages of
culture shock.
Processing Activity:
The article by Nick Bilton (Internet Pirates
Will Always Win) points out the immense
development in online piracy and the
infringement of copyright issues. A one
major concern of the writer is the recurrent
challenges faced by authorities seeking to
curb piracy sites on the internet, such as the
BitTorrent. As much as content owners
seek to fight such websites as BitTorrent,
the author provides case examples to show
that the problem will persist as long as
internet remains active. Bilton seems to
agree with respondents’ views on the
inadequate goodwill by media companies
to solve piracy challenges. The general
opinion of the author is that content owners
should disregard the efforts of stopping
illegal downloading from the internet, and
instead seek alternative solutions.

1. Based on the given excerpts of reflection paper and critical analysis, give
the differences between the two kinds of academic writing in terms of:
a. purpose – To reflect about a personal experience or to analyze another person’s work
b. content of introduction – What information is given in the introduction?
c. language – formal or informal; uses first person or third person pronoun, present tense or past tense,
narration or explanation

2. Write your answer in a graphic organizer or a comparison table with three

columns and four rows as shown below.
 Category Reflection Paper
a. Purpose The purpose of the reflection paper is to reflect
about a personal experience. Moreover, it helps
us gain insight and see how to move forward.
b. Content The introduction of a reflection paper specifies
what the writer is reflecting upon. It contains
both a hook (to grab the attention of your
audience/reader) and a thesis statement.
c. Language Language used in a reflection paper is
informal, uses first person pronoun, past tense
with a coherent tone, and in the form of
narration.
Critical Paper
The purpose of the critical paper is to
analyze another person’s work. Also,
it interprets and/or evaluates a text.
The introduction of a critical paper
often start with a hook such as a
rhetorical question or a bold statement.
The intro paragraph also name the
book or work of art that your analysis
will tackle. The author’s name, the
title of the work, and any relevant
publication information is included.
Language used in a critical paper is
formal, uses third person pronoun,
present tense, and in the form of
explanation.

Activity 1: Scaredy Teen

Directions: Identify the steps in writing a reflection in the given statements below. Write
only the letter of your answer.

A. Description C. Evaluation E. Conclusion

B. Feelings D. Analysis F. Action Plan

____A__1. Almost two summers ago, my parents signed me up for a review session for
college
preparation. Many high school students like me from different schools in Palawan
participated in the said event. I invited some of my former junior high classmates to join also in the said
event so I won’t be all by myself. However, they were grouped separately from me, and I ended up alone
surrounded with unfamiliar faces. In the fi rst two days of class, I was seated alone in the middle corner of
the room while my classmates were busy chitchatting with their friends.

____F_2. I realized that the fear I had in beginning a conversation is just based on my imagination and
negative thought. From that time on, whenever I am around with unfamiliar people, I will start a
conversation and look for a common ground for us to talk about.

___B__3. I have a fear of initiating a conversation, thinking that they may see me as a boring
conversationalist or socially inept.

___ C _4. For two days, I didn’t speak or approach anyone in the class. Then one of the proctors asked us
to introduce ourselves; that’s when I learned that most of the people in that room went to the same school
with me. They were just unfamiliar because they came from different blocks. This knowledge armed me
with courage to chat with my seatmate.

___E__5. I found that initiating a talk isn’t that hard. My seatmate who I talked to responded to me
warmly. She told me that at first, she thought I was a snob because I did not join in the conversations.
 Activity 2: The Star- crossed Lovers

Directions: Identify the steps in writing a critical analysis in the given statements
below. Write only the letter of your answer. You may repeat the answer twice.

A. Introduction B. Summary C. Critical Analysis D. Conclusion

___C__1. Shakespeare’s presentation of the nurse in Romeo and Juliet is a key to the audience’s
understanding of the play because she makes major links between the characters. She is a memorable
character as she is likeable although the audience views of her character changes.

___A__2. “Romeo and Juliet” is a play written by William Shakespeare, an English renowned poet,
playwright and actor born in 1564 in Stratford-on-Avon, England.

__ B__3. The story started when Romeo attended the masquerade ball uninvited in Juliet’s house. There
he saw Juliet and immediately fell in love with her. Juliet also was struck with love the first time she saw
Romeo.

___A__4. Romeo and Juliet is a tragic-story of young lovers who are fated to die because of a family feud
that lasted for a century.

___D__5. Although the tragic story of Romeo and Juliet was written a long time ago, its lesson has
persisted up to our modern time. I highly recommend that you read the modern version of Romeo and
Juliet rather than the old version.

Activity 3: What is different?

Directions: Distinguish the difference between a reflection and a critical analysis by

underlining the important word/phrase that signals a reflection and encircling the
important word/phrase that signals a critical analysis.

Example:
I cannot even count how many times I failed at home, in school, in love, and in life.
Answer: how many times I failed - reflection

1. Although the writer is describing a ‘dark time’ in his life, the tone is very matter-of-fact and not at all
self-pitying or exaggerated.
Ans: the tone is very matter-of-fact and not at all self-pitying or exaggerated- critical analysis

2. Instead of limiting myself into a series of frustration, I did some research.

 Ans: limiting myself- reflection

3. Most of the poem is written in the voice of the poet remembering his youth, but lines 16-19 are the
voice of Miss Luna, his primary school teacher.
Ans: Most of the poem is written in the voice of the poet remembering his youth- critical analysis

4. The vocabulary is more childish: ‘the mammy frog’ which provides a contrast to the more
sophisticated language used earlier in the stanza, e.g. ‘bubbles gargled delicately’.
Ans: The vocabulary is more childish- critical analysis

5. It took me long to realize that flipping calendar is somehow frightening. I had never imagined the
consequences of being an adult.
Ans: It took me long to realize- reflection

6. In the second stanza sentences are quite short, particularly the one highlighted: ’I sickened, turned, and
ran.’ Short sentences are used to build up dramatic tension and suspense.
Ans: In the second stanza sentences are quite short, particularly the one highlighted- critical analysis

7. I have realized that it’s okay to feel disappointed about the things I fail to do as I grow older.
Ans: I have realized- reflection

8. The title “Death of a Naturalist” is confusing; we expect to read about a death, instead we find the story
of a young boy’s fascination with frogspawn.
Ans: The title “Death of a Naturalist” is confusing- critical analysis

9. With this newfound knowledge, I am ready to look at the positive side of experiencing failures and be
the better version of myself.
Ans: I am ready to look at the positive side of experiencing failures and be the better version of myself.-
reflection

10. A naturalist is a person who is interested in nature and wildlife, the young boy in this case; the death
is of his interest in nature.
Ans: the young boy in this case; the death is of his interest in nature.-critical analysis

Evaluation
Reflective Essay
Topic: What is the most important piece of advice would you give to yourself?

Life after 18 isn’t easy; it is like a rollercoaster ride. There are lots of ups and downs, loops and
turns. I still remember the days where I felt that I am too hard on myself. I always cry at night questioning
myself worth, “Do I think I am a good human being?”, and “Am I someone deserving of love?” these
questions prompted me to work on myself- to be the better version of myself.

According to Lucille Ball, “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have
to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” This quotation simply means that we must accept
ourselves fully. When we learn how to love ourselves, we can set boundaries and make healthy choices
for our own good.

I realized that at the end of the day, I only have myself. My friends and loved ones will be here
for me when I need them but they won’t be able to understand everything that goes in my life, they won’t
be able to understand the thoughts that haunt me at night.

With these realizations, the piece of advice that I can give to myself is, “Take time to know
yourself.” Because I cannot and will not be able to love myself, know my worth, and discover myself
until I take time to be still. According to Socrates, “Getting to know yourself is truly the most important
thing you can do in your lifetime.”