Self Assessment
I. Integration across multiple readings, finding unexpected connections:
Giovanni deduced David’s deception
David dodged self abduction
Hella induced her misconception
Roland fell for the seduction
Assembling evidence for reduction
Criss-cross’d paths of theoretical formation
Postulation interpretation integration
II. Original insights that push beyond class discussion:
Why “the journey begins” in refrain?[1]
Why “Dancing, Deaf and Dumb, Death, Dentistry, Devil and Demonology, Distribution, Dogs, Domestic Servants, Dreams”?[2]
What do Ash’s books say of his brain?[3]
I don’t align with Mizrahi’s schemes
Or culinary debate extremes
I don’t claim innovative perceptions
I’m just trying to ask the right questions
III. Sophisticated awareness of your own thinking processes:
As bright as I can sometimes be
I can also be molasses
Frustrated, anxious eyes don’t see
Meaning drifting as landmasses
Or any shifting mental impasses
“Affect is an aid to cognition”[4]
Humour quickens intuition
IV. Creative risks that may not always succeed but show intellectual courage:
I tried to test my boundaries
In the portfolio for module one
To test my mettle in its foundries
To ensure the second’s second to none
A rhyme royal has now begun
How to show I’m brave in thought?
A septet assessment’s worth a shot
V. Evidence of pursuing questions beyond assigned materials:
After fourteen hours in the airport
I can safely say I prefer the play
Though my quantum may fall short
Ramifications I can weigh
How nearly was, was doomsday
The act with the most critical mass
‘Twas the one came not to pass
VI. Substantial revision showing evolution of ideas:
I revise everything I write
I rewrite everything I revise
I question everything I rewrite
Every word and what each implies
You could say I overanalyze
I’m clearly not one to shirk endeavour
Writing in heptastich takes forever
VII. Deep engagement with feedback from previous modules:
One can’t dance without accomplice
Or engage judgment unreceiv’d
Nonetheless, I’ve thoughts in surplus
I’ve lofty targets to achieve
To my professors, I grant reprieve
They’ve shown me what’s worth fighting for
I’m well-equipped to fight my war
[1] James Baldwin, Giovanni’s Room, First Vintage International deluxe edition, with Kevin Young (Vintage International, 2024), pp. 167-168.
[2] A. S. Byatt, Possession: A Romance, Nachdr. (Vintage, 2007), p. 2.
[3] Byatt, Possession, pp. 18-19.
[4] Liz Howard, Infinite Citizen of the Shaking Tent (McClelland & Stewart, 2015), p. 19.
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