During the close read of our texts, we analyzed pivotal moments and characters that contributed to the entirety of the themes as a whole, most often in small groups. Through this close reading of texts, I was able to develop a larger understanding of not only the plays themselves, but how I view the world. As we touched on themes of family, racial, and gender/sexuality structures in society, I recognized that these themes are ones that I have encountered my whole life, but I have not actively thought about. I have begun to recognize in day to day life as well as other disciplines of study, that mental illness often forces deviation from a cohesive family unit, that racial ties and stereotypes are present especially in the media, and that gender roles are important to consider. We have written many reviews that have especially strengthened my ability to compose a prose piece. These reviews have mandated that I formulate my own opinions about a play, rather than most assignments where I would read/watch the play and then answer questions or take a quiz on it. When you take a quiz or answer set questions, it is unusual to include your own opinion and express your personal beliefs. As I wrote reviews in this course, I was able to thoroughly articulate and insert myself into a larger conversation that I have not been apart of before. Analytical writing is not new to me, but it has given me the ability to clearly express myself. Through the online essays we wrote, specifically, I am able to logically formulate opinions about the texts we have read which is an important skill in all realms of life. While it is important to provide your own opinions and analysis, to think about what others are saying is a large part of the English language and literature itself