A Conversation with Our Latest LLP Spotlight

Why Choose LLP?

By Kiana Jones

 I had the pleasure of speaking with Tennessee State University’s very own, Alldon Thompson. Some of you may know him as the new LLP spotlight. Thompson is from Atlanta, Georgia and is a junior at Tennessee State University. He double majors in English and Mass Communication with an anticipated graduation in 2021.

Alldon Thompson

 “I naturally chose to be an LLP major because I passionately love language," Thompson says. "(I enjoy) all the creative ways one can use language to convey a story and information.”  His English influencers are Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, and Toni Cade Bambara. They have inspired and encouraged him to employ language as an advocate for causes most important to him. He goes on to say, “Choosing to be an English major allows me to extend my imagination.”

After completing his years as an undergraduate, he plans on continuing a higher education striving for a dual J.D./M.J. in Law/ Journalism. His career goal is to advance his knowledge and creative skills to become one of the best investigative journalists in the news/media industry. Thompson also wants to publish fiction and nonfiction works in the future.

His favorite English class that he is currently attending is Adolescent Literature with Dr. Shafer. He declares, “I enjoy how he advocates for his students to make their academic essays and assignments uniquely their own. His lessons are clear and brilliant. Lastly, Dr. Shafer does not subject Adolescent Literature to merely adolescents, but the effective use of it for children and adults equally.”

I asked Thompson if he had any advice for those who may have a desire to major in English and he replied, “Close readings help a lot with annotating and understanding the material. Most importantly, seek help from professors if the course gets too challenging.”