Learner Portfolio: Core Concepts Re ection
Date: Aug. 28, 2023
What did you learn about literature from the activity?
• From this activity, I learned there are many factors that distinguish us as writers and as readers.
Our personal identity, cultures, and other aspects in uence how we share and perceive literary
works. By hearing from other perspectives, it increases our range of knowledge and improves us
as people going forward.
Which concepts do you think are most important or interesting in the context of studying literature?
• My favorite concept is certainly culture. In general, I love learning about the cultural dynamic of
society, especially the interaction and di erences of cultures around the world. When applied to
literature, it’s like nding the root or reason behind a piece of work. By grasping the culture writing
came from, we can understand the in uence traditions had on its descriptions and word choices.
Overall, I feel all literature is a representation of its current culture, and can often times be
compared to demonstrate an evolution in the society of its time.
Which concepts and/or questions did you nd most challenging? Why do you think this was?
• I guess the hardest concept to grasp would probably be representation, as its the most broad in
the sense it can go so many ways. Without proper understanding, representation can be
interpreted in many di erent ways. Any aspect can be represented, from emotions to themes, there
are so many takes on the rather simple topic. I guess another confusion lies in its relationship to
reality, as described in the character description. I think I just need to learn more on how realistic a
representation can be in order to better understand its de nition.
Were there any concepts and poems you struggled to connect? If so, why was this?
• I wouldn’t say so, I think all concepts and pieces of literature work well independently and have
their own details that let it shine individually. When connected, beautiful interpretations and writings
can be created because they earn a certain depth. When it’s clear the concepts connect, they
become more personal with the visual representations of identity, culture, perspective, and more.
Which concepts stand out for you in terms of how they connect or overlap with each other?
• I would say the most distinct concepts would have to be transformation and communication, as it
really depends on who the author and readers are as people. The two connect beautifully, with
communication depending on the choices made by the creator in order to successfully
communicate a message or theme. Word choice, symbolism, and other aspects are specially
chosen in order to better tell a story. On the contrast, transformation relies on the mind of the
reader to create a unique and compelling interpretation that harness the vision of the writer and
allow for further exploration to be done. As the two concepts work simultaneously, they have the
ability to connect the writer with the reader and capture the beauty of literature.
How do you think these concepts will help your learning as we move forward on the IB Literature
course?
• By understanding these concepts, I feel I’m forced to go beyond what’s on paper. This activity has
taught me that there is a reason behind every decision, that words are more than just what sounds
the best but what can evoke the most feeling. Each concept allows me, as a viewer, to appreciate
the approach made by the author. It highlights not only the path of the character, but the
background of the writer that adds the necessary depth to successfully analyze the work.
