I want you to reflect on your past, present, and future regarding the language arts skills of reading, writing, and speaking. It seems like an appropriate time to do so, as you are leaving one specific period of education and headed to another of an entirely different kind. Some wise people (Mr. Dykstra included) would say that life is more rich, more full, and more influential with these skills. Those same people would call them necessary for success. And success feels good. It’s appropriate, therefore, to purposefully consider where you’ve been, where you stand now, and where you’re going in terms of your writing, speaking, and reading.

Your reflection should be approximately 1000-1500 words. Type it. It should cover all three time periods and all three skills. Other than that requirement, take it where you will. Offer personal opinions, objective judgment, predictions, anecdotes, relationships, connections, etc. Be specific, or philosophical. Be grateful or jaded or self-deprecating or proud. But above all, be passionate and honest.

Likely questions I’d like you to consider as starting points for your writing include the following:

• What is my current skill level?
• What are my strengths? Weaknesses?
• What do I want to be better at?
• What do I want to be excellent at?
• What books have mattered to me the most?
• What have I learned from books or other pieces of literature?
• My favorite type of writing is . . .?
• The best piece of writing I’ve done is . . .?
• What literature do I want to read in the near future?
• The best language arts teachers have done what for me?
• What language arts skills will be most important for my future?
• What advice would I give to incoming freshmen regarding their high school language arts experience?
• What language arts skills or experiences do I have passion for? Or disdain for?
• Who will my audience be for future speaking and writing?
• In what skill have I most improved?
• The value I place on these skills in my life is . . .