An Internal Assessment
Done in partial fulfillment of
CAPE
Communication Studies
Name: Siquane Perry
Teacher’s Name: Ms. Foster
School: Manning’s School
Centre no.: 100068
Territory: Jamaica
RELIGION
Does religion’s declining
influence have a negative or
positive effect on society?
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The successful completion of this project would not have been possible without the help of some
persons. First and for most, I want to say thanks to my teacher Ms. Foster for seeing it fit to give
me this assignment.
Secondly, I would like to say thanks to my family and friends who helped me through the
research and compilation of data.
Thirdly, God gave me strength and health throughout this project and for this I am thankful.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE no.
General Introduction ……………………………………………………..
Expository ………………………………………………………………...
Preface ……………………………………………………………………
Reflective …………………………………………………………………
Analysis …………………………………………………………………..
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………….
Bibliography ……………………………………………………………..
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
General Introduction
Religion is found in all societies, past and present and plays a central role in cultural life. The
beliefs an individual has stems from the influence of religion which in turn influence their
lifestyle. The theme of my portfolio relates to religion, its declining influence.
Thus, from the relevant information presented in the exposition, challenges like drug abuse,
alcoholism, teen pregnancy etc. were encountered; and is believed to have stem from religion’s
declining influence. While in the ‘Turning Point,’ the title of the story written for the reflection is
yet another aspect of the portfolio where the theme is covered through the voice of a teenage girl
who relates her experience to the church. She speaks of being neglected and chastised by her
home church because of her conduct; more so after she became pregnant.
Presently, it is of my belief that providing the challenges faced daily as a young lady, that is
challenges relating to decision making, peer pressure and also codes of conduct, if it was not for
the positive effect of my religion, I would have not been in such a good standing to the extent of
being a role model for others. Academically, with all those challenges contained, I am able to
focus more on my school work and is able to advance. Finally, as it relates to my future career, I
strongly believe that having a religious background considering its influence is very important
because it provides guidance and helps in moral choices.
PREFACE
Preface
The short story entitled ‘Turning point,’ speaks about the challenges faced by a teenage girl
which further led to her downfall. This piece was written to inform the reader of how vulnerable
‘young people’ are and of the challenges faced if proper grooming is not administered.
Correspondingly, it serves to provide an understanding of how an individual’s environment as
well as his or her company influences the kind of behavior displayed and in like manner, dictates
the future of that person.
Henceforth, the targeted audience is intended to be young people; both male and female
considering that they are directly involved and affected by some or all of these challenges. The
fact that it also speaks to active church goers; those with roles and responsibilities and also adults
in general is equally important.
Given these points, the reflective piece entitled ‘Turning point,’ will be presented verbally as a
dramatic piece to the members of the Silver Torch Youth Club in my community. This method is
chosen as the most appropriate since the Silver Torch Youth Club has an open session at its
Sunday night meetings where the full complement of young persons and adults are present.
Persons will be selected to act out each part of the piece. Also, this method not only provides
entertainment as opposed to speech or print but serves to enlighten the audience to aid in better
understanding.
THE REFLECTIVE
Reflective Piece
Topic: Turning Point
“Mama! Wake up, it’s almost six thirty,” Kody’s high-pitched voice could be heard from across
the hall. Miss Esmerelda ignored Kody’s call but just as she was about to go back to sleep, the
door to her bedroom flew open and a cheerful Kody stepped into the room. “Mama, you need to
get up now or we will be late for sure,” called Kody. Kody is a seventeen year old backslider
who is now re-baptized while Miss Esmerelda, her mother is an old Christian lady.
That Saturday at church, Kody sat in the front of her Sabbath school class and listened
attentively despite the nasty glares she was receiving from the members of the class. She learnt
about leadership and the qualities needed to become a good leader. “Is wah happen mi dear? You
just smiling suh” said Miss Esmerelda to her daughter who was now making her way over to
where she sat. An announcement was made and the floor was open to persons willing to share
their testimonies. Surprisingly, Kody was the first person to get up from her seat and walk to the
front of the church. Whispers could be heard throughout the congregation while some members
of the congregation looked on in perplexity. Kody confidently greeted the congregation then she
began her story. “2009 should have probably been one of the best years of my life, reason being I
was given an opportunity to attend the famous music camp; where my life changed.
“Wahpn girl, yuh look lost eeh man, where yuh heading?” “W-well I don’t really know, I mean I
am supposed to be at voice training bu-, nuh worry sweet, mi a go right deh suh, walk wid mi
nuh.’ Every day I would hang out with Malcolm and his friends and soon found out their real
intentions. I got so involved with this group that my conduct changed entirely. When I got home
from camp, people marveled at what I had become. “Heh, Esmerelda likkle gal get slack since
she go town… ah wonda how por Elsie ah tek it,” commented some people. Meanwhile at home,
Mama was in a state of denial and depression. “Fada Jesus, devil tek ova mi pickney,” said Miss
Esmerelda. My response to mama was that of cursing and being disrespectful. No one could
fathom my behavior and conduct and so I was stripped of my positions at church. As a result, I
drifted further out into the world.
Some months after, my father was diagnosed with cancer and it was like adding salt to a wound.
He was told after that he had just a few days to live. I lost all hope and felt as though I was alone
in the world. Mama and I cared for him up to the point of death. Throughout the sickness, only a
few church members visited us and they looked on in disgust. His death left a gap in our family
and still the church, a place we became fond of, a place we thought we were a part of failed to
give us the well needed support. I could not handle it and so I started to look for a distraction;
not in family or friends but elsewhere. At the age of 16, I got pregnant and so I was not just
having a bad day, but a bad year. The week before I found out that I was pregnant, a youth
program was being held at church. The young persons were asked who their role model was and
majority of them said me. I got depressed and blamed myself for what happened. Mama was
really upset and disappointed. I went back to church and as was expected, persons gave me
horrible stares. “ Suh she ween stay long time, true eh just a come out,” was their remark. I felt
really hurt because I knew the person I was and I knew that I was wrong to have gone down that
road. Despite all that went wrong, I knew what I had to do to make it right and so I talked with
mama about it and she gave me a solid advice, one which I will carry with me every day. She
said, ‘Quitters never win and winners never quit, so my child, you need to start a new. Each day I
would sit and think things over and mixed emotions would take over. I realized that I wanted to
get back to being a leader, I wanted to be active because I realized that a role model is not
someone who has never gone astray but someone who had the courage to move on. As was
expected, some persons thought I should not have been re-baptized.
“Well church, here I am as a living testimony,” said Kody. She encouraged the church to fulfill
its roles and responsibilities and to offer the necessary support to each other despite of what the
situation is or who may be involved. She also gave them a charge to reach out to the youth of the
church and mentor them so the chances of them ending up like her are minimal or unlikely.
ANALYSIS
Analysis
In the story entitled ‘Turning Point,’ it is seen where lack of support and overall neglect
negatively impacts the life of a teenage girl. Notably, the role of the church is presented as being
vital to overall individual growth and development. The writer deftly employs the use of
communicative behaviors and dialectal variation to develop each aspect of the written piece. In
effect, added meaning and depth facilitates successful communication.
As presented in the first line of the story, vocalic is used by Kody to get her mother’s attention as
she shouts “Mama! Wake up, it’s almost six thirty.” Vocalic is used to show emotions by virtue
of pitch, volume or tone thereupon influencing how speech is interpreted. Her pitch shows that
she is excited and seeks to get her mother’s attention. In the long run, the reader is able to see
what fuelled her enthusiasm. Similarly, proxemics is seen as she leaves where she is and ventures
into her mother’s room when her attempt at getting the correct response fails her. Additionally,
the fact that Kody sits at the front of the class tells of her interest in what is being said. However,
compelling is the response she receives from her classmates who are seemingly uncomfortable
by her presence. Another key point to note is Kody’s attitude towards time. As a result, she can
be regarded as a reliable person and the reader is able to appreciate her.
Throughout the reflective piece, different dialectal variation was used by the characters. Kody
spoke mainly the acrolect (Standard English) variation of the language and for this reason may
be seen as being ‘educated and is likely to have had great association with the use of this variety
for instance, in speaking it. It also shows her appreciation of the language since it is by choice
that she uses it considering that creole is predominantly spoken in her community. Conversely,
Miss Esmerelda, Mama or Miss Elsie speaks a combination of the dialect, that is, she speaks
mesolect. Interestingly, the smooth transition from her constant use of the creole “Is wah happen
mi dear, you just smiling suh” to the Standard English “Quitters never win and winners never
quit...” is of great significance. Of great importance too is that the remainder of the characters
uses the basilect. The profane English is seen when the church members were being rude to
Kody “suh she weeh stay long time…” Ordinarily, the pure creole is often used in cursing.
In conclusion, both linguistic criteria used by the writer that is, dialectal variation and
communicative behaviors were very effective in presenting present day issues surrounding
teenagers and the church to the public. It is seen that communication is directly affected by social
and emotional downfalls.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it can be said that the writer effectively achieved her purpose of informing the
reader of challenges faced by teens due to religion’s declining influence and the repercussions
faced if proper grooming is not administered. Likewise, the reader obtains an understanding of
the factors that influence the behaviors displayed on a daily basis.
Also, as seen throughout the piece, the writer skillfully uses the various linguistic criteria to add
meaning and depth thus appealing to the reader. Such criteria includes Communicative behaviors
and Dialectal Variation which were covered entirely.
In essence, challenges such as teen pregnancy, drug abuse, alcoholism, and peer pressure can and
must be curbed; what better way is there to address these issues than through a solid foundation
in religion and by extension a working church body.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Johnstone, L. Religion in Society (8th Edition)
Haidt, J.
The Righteous Mind
White, E.
Child Guidance and Steps to Christ
Matthew 5:13, King James Version
http:// www.NPRnewsreport.com/religion and Teenagers/
http://www.parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/.../religious influence
http://www.religionandsociety.com
http://www.journals.berghahnbooks.com