The following essays, written by students in the introductory writing subjects at MIT, were selected for publication in Angles 2021 by an editorial board of lecturers. The ten works are categorized by theme and linked below. For more information on Angles see our About Angles page. For an overview of this edition of Angles and an explanation of the thematic categories chosen for this edition, please see our Editors’ Note.
Pandemic Reflections
Drops by Paige Dote
“The first day without in-person classes it rained.“
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young College Student (A Graphic Memoir) by Rihn
“If you ventured into one of the dorms at MIT….”
Where I Come From
Halves by Laura Schmidt-Hong
“Fractions were never my strong suit.”
A Thousand Jasmine Blossoms by Sadhana Lolla
“One of the only photographs I have of my grandmother hangs next to the carved wooden altar in our house.”
Ghost Town by Kaleb Desta
“Ever since I could breathe on my own, I have always worn a cross.”
Finding My Own Way
Comic Relief by Anusha Puri
A Cellular Symphony by Laura Schmidt-Hong
Engaging with Contemporary Issues
“The Ballot or the Bullet”: Malcolm X’s Ultimatum for America by Aishah Jones
“On April 12, 1964, civil rights leader Malcolm X delivered a speech to an audience of about 2,000 at King Solomon Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan“
Plastics: Why are they here? Where are they going? by Mario Ibrahim
“Plastics, when introduced into the environment as pollutants, not only scar the natural beauty of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems….”
Effective Documentary Making: Embracing Emotional Appeals and Central Narratives by Jessica Pan
“To be effective, a scientific documentary must be both engaging and informative.”