I have always been enthralled by the power of stories. Starting many years ago with my father’s simple bedtime tales, my interest continued to grow and I became a voracious reader. The power of the writer to create believable, identifiable worlds and characters within the imagination is something which never ceases to amaze me. As a result of this abiding passion, I decided several years ago that I wanted to learn about the literary concepts which bring stories to life.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my start in the study of English Literature as a part of my Access course at City College Norwich and have taken up The Art of Fiction by David Lodge and Aspects of the Novel by E.M. Forster, both of which have furthered my understanding of literary terms and theory as well as improved my writing. I am particularly interested in the concept of round and flat characters and the ways in which authors can use them effectively. This interest has been further piqued by my recent study of Hard Times by Charles Dickens, as Dickens tended to make heavy use of flat caricatured characters but still managed to convey in them an ineffable human quality.
When I came to this country, I was captivated by the depth of history and culture which pervaded everything around me. As I further investigated my interest in English Literature, I came to understand that it is inextricable from the influence of that history and culture. For this reason, I chose the subjects of History and Cultural Studies when I enrolled in the Access course at City College, and I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about subjects such as Class in 1950’s Britain and The Industrial Revolution. I believe that having a cultural and historical context from which I can approach literature will further my understanding of important concepts.
I love participating in events which promote the arts, including book clubs, writing/poetry groups and competitions. I have volunteered my services as a judge for several Poetry Slam events and enjoy writing short stories, poems, comedy and essays. I write a popular web comic and am working on a novel which I hope to complete after higher education. I read often, ranging from subjects such as philosophy and religion to modern fiction, fantasy and classic fiction. I have been lucky enough to enjoy studying several of Shakespeare’s plays, namely Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and The Taming of The Shrew. I particularly enjoy Victorian era literature, especially A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and the short stories of Oscar Wilde.
I gained many important skills during my service in the US military. Self discipline, a strong work ethic and good organizational skills were necessary in order to complete my duties. I learned to work as part of a team, gaining valuable interpersonal skills. I participated in volunteer activities such as Habitat for Humanity and worked in environmental cleanup operations. My strength with written and spoken language saw my success in Airman Leadership School, earning me the Distinguished Graduate and Academic Achievement awards and securing my subsequent promotion to Staff Sergeant. This academic achievement was mirrored in my attainment of the coveted CISSP IT certification. Whether I was writing technical manuals, correspondence, performance reports or presentations, I came to understand the role that the written word plays in the operation of any organization. My ability to see the big picture in my detailed work was recognized by the US Air Force and I was awarded with the Air Force Commendation Medal.
I look forward to applying my new skills to the study of my oldest love, Literature. I wish to use the knowledge attained in higher education to pursue a career in publishing or teaching while continuing to write. Given my passion for the subject and my demonstrated capacity for learning, I believe that I am well suited to study English Literature at degree level.
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