write a five-seven page essay (worth 100 pts.) that encourages you to engage in both self-reflection and research to determine the best path forward for your academic and personal aspirations. Through introspection and investigation, you will gain clarity on your interests, strengths, and goals, while also examining your field of studys academic possibilities and career opportunities.
If you are undecided about a major, that’s okay too, as this will give you a chance to explore different options. You may even find that this project will help you narrow down your major.
Sections of Your Essay:
Each Part should encompass around one-two paragraphs (this is mainly about the body of your essay. You, of course, still need introduction and conclusion paragraphs).
Part 1: Personal Reflection
Reflect on your academic journey thus far and consider your interests, strengths, and goals. What experiences, classes, or activities have sparked your curiosity or passion? Describe any uncertainties or challenges you may have encountered in determining your academic path. Are there specific skills or knowledge areas you wish to develop? How do you envision your future, both academically and personally?
In this section, narration, description, and analysis will come into play.
Part 2: Exploration and Goal Setting
Explore various academic paths available to you, including selecting a major, pursuing a certificate or specialized training, or engaging in self-directed learning. Research the requirements, curriculum, and potential outcomes associated with each option. Consider how each path aligns with your interests, strengths, and long-term goals. Evaluate the feasibility and practicality of each option based on your personal circumstances and aspirations.
In this section, analysis and narration will come into play.
Part 3: Synthesis and Action Plan
Synthesize your personal reflections with your exploration findings. How do your interests, strengths, and goals inform your decision-making process? Reflect on the potential benefits and challenges of each academic path you have considered. Develop a concrete action plan outlining steps you will take to further explore your chosen path or paths. Consider seeking guidance from academic advisors, mentors, or professionals in your field(s) of interest.
In this section, argumentation and analysis will come into play.
Part 4: Optional: Controversial Topic Exploration
While this is not required, to broaden your essay, you might choose a controversial topic within your potential major or area of interest and conduct in-depth research. This could be an ethical dilemma, a technological advancement, a policy debate, or any issue currently sparking discussion in your field. Analyze various perspectives on the topic, the arguments presented, and the potential implications for the future of the field. Reflect on how this controversy might impact your decision to pursue this major and how you might engage with such issues in your future career. As an example, let’s say you are majoring in Nursing or another medical field, you could look into how technology is being used to prolong lives, the Ozempic weight loss trend, or something else.
In this section, argumentation and analysis will come into play.
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Essay Title: Navigating Academic and Personal Aspirations: A Journey of Self-Reflection and Research
Introduction
In the pursuit of academic and personal growth, it is crucial to engage in self-reflection and thorough research to chart a path that aligns with our interests, strengths, and aspirations. This essay delves into the importance of introspection and investigation in determining the best course forward for one’s academic and personal goals. By exploring various academic paths, setting goals, and synthesizing reflections with research findings, individuals can gain clarity on their future trajectory.
Part 1: Personal Reflection
Reflecting on one’s academic journey provides valuable insights into personal interests, strengths, and goals. It is essential to consider experiences, classes, or activities that have ignited curiosity and passion. Uncertainties and challenges encountered in defining an academic path should be acknowledged. Identifying specific skills or knowledge areas for development is crucial in shaping academic and personal growth. Envisioning the future academically and personally sets the stage for goal setting and decision-making.
Part 2: Exploration and Goal Setting
Exploring diverse academic paths involves researching majors, certificates, specialized training, or self-directed learning options. Understanding the requirements, curriculum, and potential outcomes associated with each path is vital. Aligning these choices with personal interests, strengths, and long-term goals ensures a meaningful educational journey. Evaluating feasibility based on personal circumstances and aspirations aids in making informed decisions about academic pursuits.
Part 3: Synthesis and Action Plan
Synthesizing personal reflections with exploration findings leads to a comprehensive decision-making process. Integrating interests, strengths, and goals into the equation helps in selecting the most suitable academic path. Assessing benefits and challenges of each option allows for a well-rounded perspective on the potential trajectory. Developing an action plan outlines steps for further exploration and seeking guidance from academic advisors, mentors, or professionals in the chosen field.
Part 4: Controversial Topic Exploration (Optional)
Exploring controversial topics within one’s potential major enriches the academic journey by fostering critical thinking and analysis. By delving into ethical dilemmas, technological advancements, policy debates, or other contentious issues, individuals can deepen their understanding of field. Analyzing various perspectives and implications of these controversies enhances decision-making and prepares individuals to engage with complex issues in their future careers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, engaging in self-reflection and research is instrumental in shaping academic and personal aspirations. By delving into personal interests, exploring academic paths, setting goals, and synthesizing reflections with research findings, individuals can navigate their educational journey with clarity and purpose. Embracing challenges, seeking guidance, and staying open to new possibilities are key elements in charting a path towards a fulfilling academic and personal future.
