Transactional Writing Task

The assignment was to write an open letter that advocates for a book in school curriculums, highlighting its educational value and the importance of diverse perspectives in literature.
I first did research on why books were banned and the impact it had on various mediums which gave me insight onto what ideas I shoul write in my letter. Then I made a list of 5 books that I was fond of and then chose 1 that captured my eye more than the others. I chose the book Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. And although it wasn't mandatory, I decided to to do further research on this one book and noted important ideas down so that writing in class would be somewhat better. 

Academic Reflection
Working on this assignment helped me develop stronger academic skills by engaging deeply with the themes of Thirteen Reasons Why and understanding its educational value. As I researched the reasons behind book bans, I saw how often books are challenged for addressing uncomfortable but necessary topics which is exactly what this novel does. Analyzing the story’s message about how small actions and words can have serious, lasting effects helped me think more critically about how literature can reflect and influence real-life behavior. The extra research I did gave me a clearer understanding of the book’s context and strengthened my ability to build a thoughtful, well-supported argument about why it should be included in school curriculums. Overall, I learned how to use literature not just as a story, but as a tool for deeper insight and reflection.

Personal Reflection

On a personal level, reading and writing about Thirteen Reasons Why helped me better understand the emotional struggles many people face but often hide. Hannah’s story made me more aware of how easy it is to overlook someone’s pain and how even small, everyday actions can impact others in ways we don’t realize. It pushed me to think more carefully about how I treat people and reminded me that kindness and attention can make a real difference. Choosing this book also made me feel more confident talking about difficult topics like mental health, because I saw how powerful literature can be in starting those conversations. This experience helped me grow not only as a student but as a more empathetic and aware person of myself, others.