Critical literacy is indeed a hard subject. That is a statement that one cannot deny. This subject challenged the mind to a whole another level. This is perhaps a downhill, catastrophe, disastrous semester for semester 4 student. Or any other synonym for apocalypse. This subject involve in-depth analysis on an article. This is a very difficult and exhausting process as you have to push the brain to think critically.

Most student might thought that this subject is unnecessary. But as a linguistic student, I think it is a wise decision to include this subject in the syllabus. This is a good practice for a person who is studying the language and would enhance the person writing and thinking skill. For language student, writing is one of the most important components to be a successful language student.

This subject does took a lot of time especially in completing the assignment. I can say almost all of the student has difficulty doing the assignment, especially identifying the writer's believe. This is because it is not our country education policy to enhance student critical thinking. Since kindergarten up till high school, kids have been thought to only memorize the textbook and what was told by the teacher, which does not involve critical thinking. Unlike in many other country, they have urge the young ones to think critically and voice out their inner thoughts. This is why many of us have difficulty to think critically.

I hope in future the lecturer have more understanding on the student's position. We are not familiar with this thinking method and we are still trying to improve our critical thinking.

I do like this subject as it open up my eyes to a whole new way of thinking. We should considered every option or situation available before we came up with a statement. Aside that, I also now know how to write a very strong and good argument essay.

 “if money were the only criterion by which a child's welfare can be gauged, then a baby bought for as much as RM40,000 on the black market would seem set for life. For money-rich but child-poor couples, it is a small price to pay to introduce a small life into their home. The cot is gilded, the blanket monogrammed, the college fund filled to the brim. All that's wanting is a bun in the oven. And where there is the baby-for-sale racket, money can indeed buy happiness. And after all, why not?” (NST. March 3, 2013)

In my opinion, it is not acceptable to buy a baby or children from black market just because you're desperate to have one even when you have more than enough one to do so. By doing so, it reflect that you agree with human trafficking. This involves conscience, human trafficking involve life of others and it is not right to trade people for money. Therefore saying, it makes you a heartless person because you agree with illegal human trade.

The price of a black market baby varies based on such factors as the ethnicity of the baby, and also whether the baby comes with proof of ownership or registration papers. As a rule of thumb, an Asian baby will cost about 60% of a normal baby, and a black baby will cost about 10% of a normal baby. A Russian baby can pass for a white baby in many cases, but a scrupulous baby-seller will not attempt this type of "bait-and-switch". If the baby is damage, they can actually have zero or even negative value. Often the value of a baby can vary by state. For example, a Mexican baby is much more valuable on the border states, where its cavities can be filled with contraband and muled over the border.

How can a human being put a price on a baby, addition to that, the price is based on its race. This is so spiteful, every baby born is a gift from god. Not a subject which you can toy around as of it is nothing.

Instead of adopting a child from black market, use the money to adopt a child in legal way. Money can sure fasten up the process. It is difficult compared to buying from black market. But the government only want to ensure the child will be in a safe hand and will be raised perfectly.

 The body is the greatest possession, the mind is the greatest treasure and the spirit is the greatest companion

From my opinion, the statement emphasis on oneself. For me it means that our body, our mind and our spirit is the best for us and we only should depend on ourself, not others.

These ability is a gift from god, therefore we should appreciate and make good use of it. “the body is the greatest possession”. Our body has been created with a wide range of capability to achieve something, which is why it is our greatest possession. We can change and achieve something with action using our body. Thought our action and body, we can give a big impact to the world.

“the mind the is greatest treasure” - the mind is known to be as a very mysterious subject and up until now, there is still a lot of things that is left unexplained about our mind. Our mind have a lot of capabilities that are even beyond our awareness. Simply said, we can determined what are right or wrong, decision-making and survival using our mind. Without it, we might just be a living dead.

Lastly, the most important thing of a human being is the spirit. Spirit is the non physical part of a person that are the emotions and character, or simply put, the soul. To be a good person, the spirit plays a vital role in a human being. Only a person with a strong spiritual can survive in this tough world.

A normal human being can't avoid being stereotype. Me myself too, have my on stereotype towards certain people. Stereotype is actually part of our everyday life. We hear and make stereotypes everyday and everywhere. Every person, male or female, young or old, is labelled with either positive or negative stereotypes. Stereotype is when we group and labelled each other. But sadly, usually it doesn't have any valid basis.

Perhaps this because we have been taught on stereotype since we were born. We were born, raised and learned stereotype from our parents. There for, stereotype has become a habit for us. Which is why most people can't avoid to have stereotype and stop from doing so. In fact, some people might not even realize they often have stereotype on people. Because they think that labelling people and make assumption without valid reason or evidence is a normal thing.

Aside that, stereotype was also made because human beings likes to categorize things. It is natural occurrence of our brain to categorize things and to be stored in memories so that it is easy to be remembered. However, this should be done in a positive way, not the other way around.

Since we cannot avoid to do so, we should find a healthy way in managing stereotype that would not bring negativity in our life or others.

I have heard from seniors about this particular subjects, and all of them claimed that this is the most hard and it is a very critical subject indeed. Maybe that is why it is called Critical literacy, I guess.

Truthfully, I don't have a slightest idea on the content of the subject at the beginning of this semester. But when the classes has started I am starting to get the idea what the subject is about. From the brief explanation given by the lecturer, I can see that this subject is about in depth study of an article. Analysis and critical thinking is applied in completing the assignments for this article.

From my understanding, this subject revolves around the rule of 10. Which are topic, content, source, audience, rhetorical function, purpose, perspective, positioning, impact and visual literacy. I can see that it is important to have full understanding of these components.

I hope that will able to fully mastered in writing the rules of 10. This subject would tough me on how to think critically and outside the box. This is because, sometimes what you see might not be the truth. You need to think from different angle and other perspective to obtain information.

Aside that, this subject also tough on how to write a good essay. By the end of the semester, I wish I have the ability to write a very solid essay with arguments and strong evidences. You are free to write your stance or have any sorts of opinion, but the most importance is, you would have to provide your evidence. Only then, you are a good writer.