I know that one of you is out there, just waiting for me to post this assignment. For that reason, I'm just going to cut to the chase, give you the straight-skinny, get right to the point, or maybe not. You know by now that I am a woman of words who appreciates the intricacies and turnings of language, and I will usually find a way to wax poetic about any topic that presents itself. (You all may consider this lunatic rambling, but you are entitled to your own (misguided) opinion.)
Anyway, here's what I'd like to know:
1. In this year of language and rhetorical analysis, what have you learned? Or if not learned, grown more aware? What have you attempted in your writing and/or reading that you never did before? Conversely, on what do you still need some work?
2. One of the things I have hoped for you is a growing awareness of language. So, to that end, include a bit of found poetry for us: a phrase, a slogan, a song lyric, a word, any use of language that catches your eye and tickles your ear.
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You know, it's funny but when you ask me what I've learned this year in our analysis lessons all I can think of is, "I now know what hyperbole means!" Sadly enough that statement is true but as I think harder I come to realize how much more I think over the wordchoice of an author. I wonder why an author chose that specific word out of the thousands in the human language to portray his meaning. Was it a deliberate choice? Did the words just flow from his hand without him giving it much thought? In truth I'll probably never know because I will never be able to meet most of the authors we discuss in class but those questions will plague me for the rest of the year.
Oh and the phrase that caught my eye is, "It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt," a quote that is often attrubted to Abraham Lincoln but is actually derived from Solomon's Proverbs 17:28.
Before junior year started, I anticipated AP English to be difficult and rigorous, and it definitely has been. I've heard horror stories about timed writings, yet every person I spoke to assured me that although gradually timed writings became more frequent, they also became easier and more tolerable.
Initially, I regarded timed writings, especially rhetorical analysis, as rigid, very structured pieces. Before we looked over the samples from the AP site, I obsessed over the details and the structure. I made sure that my thesis included three topics that I planned to discuss, even though sometimes I had no idea what I was going to say. I realized that instead of considering the overall effect and message, I placed emphasis on periodic/loose sentences or other rhetorical devices.
However, I stayed after school one day with Ms. Kohlmaier to discuss the "Author to her Book" piece, and she told me that this was course was a course of thinking as much as it was a course of writing. That entire week, I pondered over what she meant.
I still don’t fully grasp the meaning, but I hope this semester, I can appreciate the literature we read more instead of obsessing over the mechanics or structure. Also, frequently I struggle to translate my thoughts into words. Instead of effectively conveying my meaning, my words become distorted, thus frequently wordy and unclear. Probably, my biggest goal is to become a better writer by becoming a better, more logical thinker.
And as for part two, I’m not quite sure of the assignment. I thought it was to write a found poem, but Colleen’s post included a favorite quote, so I will include both. :)
"I Pretend to Feel No Pain"
Bombs falling, lightning strik[ing],
Lay your weapon down:
If you want more,
Why don’t you say so?
It’s all a game,
Twist the knife again,
It’s heartbreak warfare.
"It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied. And if the fool, or the pig, are of a different opinions, it is because they only know their side of the question."
--John Stuart Mills
Ay, it's yo boy John! Last year my work confused people and I often ended up confusing myself. I saw that many of my writings were, in fact, lame. I just maneuvered my way around the system and barely did enough to satisfy myself.
This year, however, I've learned to use my voice. A certain junior English teacher told me I sounded so stiff and unnatural in my writings. At first, I thought she was trying to pick an insult and fling it at me (Yes, I now know I am very stubborn). But, I also took it in consideration. They don't call them teachers for no reason. Since then, I've been trying to develop my voice, but it still doesn't seem to stand out yet. I think I come off as informal, but modern society is so demanding! There are many conformities that influences everyone around me. The bad thing about my informal tone is how weak it is. It's not strong, so it just falls flat on its head. I need to find a way to sound smart, as well as sounding like a real human. Some say the challenge in writing is sounding educated, but really, it's more important to sound natural. Even in literature, this tends to happen. There are a vast number of storybook characters who have a wide range in intellect, from the odd brainiacs to the dysfunctional "below average smart". These store intrigue us, mainly because character development is enough to keep our interests in. And yes, I've learned about citing examples to support a point, as you can see above.
I don't really understand this second question. Um, grrr, idk.
"It's better to be a dinosaur rather than a rock".- anonymous. There's a phrase. I dunno if it works.
With the start of my junior year, I expected to face much difficulty in English AP because it was my weakest subject. Although I approached the class with much anexiety and negativity, I found that I began to actually enjoy and appreciate language at times. One of the many things I have learned to admire is the impact of a single word. Previously, I had never taken the time to truly define and see the meanings of certain words. I had not understood the true weight particular words, such as dark, magical, or broken can carry. In addition, I have learned to recognize different styles and themes in writings. In reading literature from various time periods, I have become familiar with and can now identify themes from each period. One of the genres I have come to know is romanticism, which includes themes such as such as a lonely hero, an emphasis on nature, or an escape from society. A second genre I have come to know is rationalism, which includes themes such as facts, literal descriptions, and logical reasoning. I also have become aware of the power that the literary tool of ethos can have. This literary device can not only evoke emotion but inspire a reader to act and take up a new outlook.
This class has pushed me to understand not only what the writers are saying but the reason why they are saying it. The question "Who cares?" has pushed me to dig deeper into the reader's mind and find out the true signfigance of what is being said. I have also attempted to write in a less structured manner. After so many years of writing with a formula, I have decided that I need to branch off and further my writing skills. It has been a bit of a struggle, but I am slowly improving.
I think writing is where I need the most work on. I need to work on writing about the author's ideas instead of writing only about their literary tools and devices. The literary effects need to support the ideas. As I stated previously, I also need to work on writing without a formula.
One thing that has got me thinking lately is this song lyric:
"We are the fuse and ammunition"- Ammunition by Switchfoot
Chris Gaw
Period 3
Before taking English III AP, the two words, 'rhetorical analysis,' used to scared me. It still does but at least I understand what it means now. This year, I've attempted to get to the point in my writings; before, I had a terrible habit of rambling and didn't think much of it. I thought, 'Longer is better,' until you told the class that it is harder to write a short story/essay than a long one. I still need to improve the way I perceive other authors' writings. Instead of looking at the overall meaning, I need to examine each detail- usually those details show the author's style and mood, which I have a hard time deciphering. For example, I even struggle with the question of whether a passage is rational or romantic.
I love this quote: You cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:24 NIV. It from the Bible, which is full of enigmas and often leaves me kind of confused, but this verse is short and simple which is a nice break from the metaphors and parables that the Bible contains.
I actually learned how to delve deeper into a piece of writing than I dared to look before. Before this year I thought I was able to analyze a piece of literature and tell you the hidden meaning of it. I was in for a not-so-rude awakening this year. There were ways to analyze a novel or a poem, whether I had interest in it or not, in a deeper way so I was able to find it interesting and compelling. I remember reading 'Thanatopsis' and absolutely not getting it the first time I read it. I like to believe I have a well built vocabulary and a good sense of insight, but I remember that day in class how I was proven wrong but in a way that I didn't feel ashamed, but that I was happy that now I knew how to analyze it and feel a sense of what the author meant. I still have a lot to learn when it comes to being to able to directly state my point in a research paper, and also explain my reasoning better. I also desperately want my writing skills ti improve so I can write both in a romantic style and rational style. I was reminded the other day in class when we turned in the exercise on romantic and rational writing, how much I needed to improve writing both ways. One in which I need to improve organizing my rational thoughts, and the other where I can feel its okay to let go and let creativity just flow from my fingers. At least, that's be nice.
I have a lot of phrases that impacted me, but the one that stays with me is this one.
"Do not judge men by mere appearances for the light laughter that bubbles on the lip often mantles over the depths of sadness, and the serious look may be the sober veil that covers a divine peace and joy." - E.H. Chapin
In this year so far I feel as though one word consistently comes to mind: clarity. I think in disjointed, rapid phrases and pictures, and until this year my writing reflected that. However, through class discussions, literary analysis, and other class exercises I find that I think in a more logical fashion and am able more clearly state my ideas, connections, and thought processes.
Another aspect of class that I have really enjoyed and benefited from was the reading of pieces that contained unfamiliar words. I enjoy reading for pleasure, and up until this year that hobby had provided a sufficient vocabulary basis. This year reading Hawthorne and Wilde exposed me to new language and literary styles, showing me how words and syntax could be manipulated in intriguing ways.
I hope to further improve my writing ability in the coming semester so that I am able to create "a work of art" in a limited amount of time. I also hope to gain a more open perspective through analyzing poetry and literature.
A phrase that has stuck with me is from Proverbs in the Bible. Proverbs 16: 2 reads that "All a man's ways seem right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the motives". Also, "and the least they ever gave you/ was the most you ever knew" from the song Acoustic #3.
In this year so far I feel as though one word consistently comes to mind: clarity. I think in disjointed, rapid phrases and pictures, and until this year my writing reflected that. However, through class discussions, literary analysis, and other class exercises I find that I think in a more logical fashion and am able more clearly state my ideas, connections, and thought processes.
Another aspect of class that I have really enjoyed and benefited from was the reading of pieces that contained unfamiliar words. I enjoy reading for pleasure, and up until this year that hobby had provided a sufficient vocabulary basis. This year reading Hawthorne and Wilde exposed me to new language and literary styles, showing me how words and syntax could be manipulated in intriguing ways.
I hope to further improve my writing ability in the coming semester so that I am able to create "a work of art" in a limited amount of time. I also hope to gain a more open perspective through analyzing poetry and literature.
A phrase that has stuck with me is from Proverbs in the Bible. Proverbs 16: 2 reads that "All a man's ways seem right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the motives". Also, "and the least they ever gave you/ was the most you ever knew" from the song Acoustic #3.
Before (and even during) my junior year I had heard a lot of warnings from my older friends:
1. Do your APUSH notes ahead of time.
and 2. Watch out for English timed writings.
As it turns out, these have both been true in some way or another. I have definitely learned how to analyze passages we get on timed writings better than I did at the beginning of the year. Now 'Seek Complexity' is the first thing I think about when I look at any timed writing. Although I still don't know how to extract more extended metaphors and deeper meanings out of the passage than the author probably put in, I now know that I have to 'Seek Complexity' in every passage.
Although I have learned to analyze these passages better, I sometimes still look back at the essays I have written and ask myself, "How could you miss that?! It was right there in the passage!!" A pretty good example of this was the final exam essay. Yes, I DID get that the first passage was some sort of scientific journal or observation but it didn't even come to my mind to call the first passage Rationalist and the second passage Romantic. A lot of the time, I know what it all means, but I can't find a way to say what I mean and I know that I need to work on this.
As for the phrase, quote, etc...: There are so many that come to mind for me! But one that particularly jumps out at me from the pile of stickie notes on my desk is
"Oh yes. In the world of emoticons I was colon, capital D."
-The Big Bang Theory
Ava Pacheco
period 3
After my first semester of junior year, I feel as if I’ve learned more about writing this year than any other year. Before, I had never considered to look deeper or to seek complexity. All of the “hidden meanings” of the novels, although not intentionally “hidden”, were completely invisible to me. I read for plot and plot alone. I might have paused here and there to notice an exceptionally well-written metaphor, but that was as far as my appreciation of language went. There was no other reason why I picked a particular quote to put in my essay than that it sounded pretty, but during our class discussion of the very first timed writing, a certain English teacher struck me with the question “Who cares?” This precise question allowed me to begin to question my own writing, which in turn caused me to see novels as more than just a plot.
At first, I only asked myself the reason I chose a particular example for support, but then I thought who cares if poor Dimmesdale is a sad and tortured soul? And why did Hawthorne make him such a miserable character in the first place? To provide a comparison for Hester, perhaps? I started to understand the novels on a deeper level and learned that essays could have endless possibilities without any strict guidelines. Interpretation is up to the reader.
Of course, I still need to work on understanding of the passages and the intentions of the author. Often, I find myself staring at a piece of writing with no clue how to analyze it. Hopefully, I will improve.
For the second part of the response, I don’t have a favorite quote, but I am particularly partial towards the word “maverick”. When I first saw it on an answer choice of a SAT practice question, I initially thought it was the name of a breed of fish, but later I learned that it meant a dissenter or non-conformist. The word just stuck in my mind because I love the sound of it.
Yawen Ren P.3
Coming into junior year, I was especially scared for English. It was definitely a difficult journey but it amazes me how much I have learned in only one semester.
I think I was so focused on finding all the rhetorical devices. I would find that metaphor or that simile but I see their importance or their purpose. One of the main lessons I learned this year was to focus on the 'Why' not on the 'What'. I realized that the rhetorical devices should support my claim and the not the other way around.
I am trying to be a more critical reader. Often times, I solely focus on the plot. I remember the first timed writing, one of the comment was that my essay was like a summary. And honestly, trying to answer the infamous question "So what?" was really difficult in the beginning of the year. And it still is. But I think I am slowly improving.
For the second part, I really like the meaning behind this.quote.
"The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes and silly people."
-Emerson
J,Lee
I'd have to say that this has been one of my most interesting English classes ever. I can actually write what i want and how i want it. This year I have gotten better at expressing my views through writing in a way that other people understand. This class has helped me expand my vocabulary with the word study assignments.
One thing that I love about English this year is that our teacher doesn't care about what the author writes, but why. I always hated it when my old English teachers only allowed us to write about only what the author directly stated, instead of our interpretation of his words or ask why he wrote them.
One thing that I could improve on this year is have more variety in my essays. What I normally do is focus on a few items in a novel and fiercely give my views about it. I need to focus on more than a couple of things and give more than one opion about what I write.
A lyric that has caught my eye this year is:
Give it time
Give it up
Draw the line
Raise the cup
It's easy
(Easy)
Not to be mean-
"It's Easy" by Weezer
Will Woodruff
This year in language and rhetorical analysis i have learned and grown more aware of the different types of writing and can now easily point it out in any book movie or any type of literature. When I now am writing I try to first find out the authors hidden meaning in his story that is usually not very obvious in locating. Then I look for the strategies that the author uses to give his meaning. I need to work on however how to discover this meaning with less difficulty.
The only phrase that really catches my ear is the Army commercials that have the slogan at the end saying "There's strong and the there's Army strong" this catches my ear because it has always been a secret fantasy of mine to enlist into the army because I see the people in the army as people who are unstoppable and I want to feel like that too.
Dillon Shindler
This year, the depth at which we explore books has really stood out to me. I feel that I have grown from this. I now read books for more than their face value and it makes these novels a lot more interesting. Not only has having a wonderful teacher help me to understand this, but my fellow students have really helped me to look into parts of the novels we have read in ways that i never knew existed.
These lyrics stood out to me:
Let them all pass all their dirty remarks;
There is one question I'd really like to ask;
Is there a place for the hopeless sinner;
Who has hurt all mankind just to save his own?
- Bob Marley
- Kevin Becher
3rd period
Prior to the beginning of this year, I expected English III to be like all of my previous classes.... lots of reading, analyzing, etc.... I knew that writing would be a large part of the curriculum but I wasn't aware that we would have so many timed writings; however, because of the timed writing work that we have done, I feel that I better understand how to analyze passages, find the deeper meaning and purpose, and write a decent essay in a limited amount of time. A goal of mine for this semester would be to continue improving my writing skills under a limited time. I have also become more efficient in analyzing what the author has to say, rather than simply stating all of my thoughts; however I think I could further improve my writing by continuing to focus more on what the author has to say rather than my thoughts.
This past semester I also feel that I have learned from our word study we do every 6 weeks. Finding new words in my reading has always been something that I have attempted to do; having it as an assignment really inspires me to make the effort to not only find new words, but to also learn what they mean.
This past year I have also found it interesting that we are learning about different types of writing such as rationalism and romanticism. Before this school year, I only vaguely understood the full implications of these words. This past semester has allowed me to better understand the nuances of each of these styles of writing. I have also become more aware of the differences between the world views of puritan, rationalist, revolutionary, and romantic authors.
As far as what I still need work on in the coming year, I feel that I still need to improve how well I do answering AP Style questions. All the work we have done this past semester has really helped me to better answer these types of questions and I hope to continue improving.
One of my favorite quotes was given to me on a bookmark right before high school started:
"A great pleasure in life is doing things that others say you cannot do." – Anonymous
Another one of my favorite phrases is from the Bible (Philippians 4:13)...
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Both of these quotes remind me that everything is possible.
Kathleen W.
Period 3
Well, I can without a doubt say this is the first year of English in highschool that i have actually been challenged. The past two years have been an abundance of non-sequitors, compiled into one large meaningless grade. However, all of those dreadful literary terms tests are finally being put to use. This year, we studied text as always but not the same way we did years prior: A character was a character, a plot was just a plot. There lacked the beauty of ambiguity and we didn't even care to delve deep into the mind of the author to see if perhaps there might have been a special message being conveyed. This year, a whole new door opened, a very rusty and challening door, but a door. I almost couldn't read anything without wondering, "Now what is the deeper meaning of this writing?" (This making fact based classes such as History sometimes more challenging.) Sometimes I think I take this complexity to the extreme which is something I'm working on. But all in all, the ride has been bumpy but enlightening. As John Mayer puts it, I'm so alive
I'm so enlightened/I can barely survive/A night in my mind/I've got a plan/I'm gonna find out just how boring I am/And have a good time.
English III AP is not exactly what I thought it would be. I expected to be the hardest class that I had ever taken and my least favorite class. However, after the first semester I realized that the class is not impossible and as long as you pay attention, you can understand the timed writings. I was expecting more outside class reading,but in reality it is mostly writing.
During the first semester I learned how to analyize a piece of writing and write a better essay. I learned to use the literary devices to illustrate the overall effect of a piece of writing. Prior to taking English III, I couldn't write timed-writings at all, but now I know how to use the language to express the effect. Learning about Rationalism and Romanticism helped me understand literary pieces better as well.
What I need to improve on? I think that my timed-writings could be improved. Before I never really wrote an introduction, but this year I plan on trying to write a better introduction and elaborating on the effects the author is trying to create.
And for the second question... "All men who have achieved great things have been great dreamers." -Orison Swett Marden...and this ones on one of those inspirational sticky-notes, "I never did very well in math - I could never seem to persuade the teacher that I hadn't meant my answers literally." -Calvin Trillin.
Yasmine Khairandish
Period 3
this year i have learned about the progression of american literature, from puritanism, to rationalism, to romanticism. i have grown more aware of rhetorical strategies in all things. because of junior year and the stress that it puts on me, everywhere i look i see triangles (thank you pre-cal), and also in everything i read i can point out all sorts of literary devices or strategies. for instance in the quote "hard work beats talent when talent doesnt work hard", i immediately think to myself oh wow thats chiasmus... cool! i can even use some of these in daily conversation with people. however i still have not fully grasped a strong command of the english language, and i need to work on such. specifically my vocabulary, my analysis of works of literature (for timed writings).
the quote "knowledge is power" has been on my mind lately and everytime i think about it, i apply it to various situations. even in a game of football, such is true. as i journey through my education, i can only hope that i gather up enough knowledge that i can become "powerful". not saying i want to become president or any of that, frankly that just not my cup of tea. i mean "powerful" more as influential, or respected.
Dylan Guthrie
I've learned that assignments turn out better when you don't leave them until the night before they are due (ignore the time stamp on this assignment). The level of depth and insight that you require cannot be created in a midnight to two o'clock run. Also, the rhetorical strategies themselves really don't have any value in the essay: it's the effect they have that is important. I also consider the authors reasons for putting something in a piece. They don't write by accident, so every phrase has a purpose.
I have two quotes that I really enjoy. The first is by Mark Twain: "Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities." The second comes from Battlestar Galactica. Gaius Baltar says, "All we need is strength! Strength that comes from within! ...and guns! More guns! Bigger guns! Better guns!"
Tommy Wilkinson
I've learned to seek complexity and keep in mind the question of who cares. Long before I took this class I was seeking complexity and keeping the questions of who cares in mind, but as I grew older and the middle school teachers taught the exact opposite of what I used to do. To keep up with the grade I followed their simple, surface footsteps and now I can do what I've been doing without the teacher telling me not to. But as you can see I am not as sharp at the moment but you can expect much more from me this semester. As for what I need to work on in my opinion will be the little details such as grammar. And definitely more thoughts can be put into the word selections on my essay, at the moment I feel like the words are just expressing myself but I think i can put more to them than that
anyways here it is my comment hope you didn't spend too much time reading mine you could've had a break if you didn't leave us this assignment, maybe go out and enjoy the coldness, this is very unusual for Houston I am certain you are aware of that.
TX=Tim Xu peace out~
Oh i forgot to do #2
the phrase will be "SEEK COMPLEXITY" quoted from a famous English teacher whom I will not name because I think it is unnecessary once I have completely mastered the quote it will become mine, but the time is not yet. but I'm still not gonna quote it hahaha
TX
I thought about this one for a few hours, and I'm still not a hundred percent sure what would be the best thing for what I've learned. I've learned a lot literature throughout American history, but that does not sound like the most practical thing to say I have learned. Completing word studies has taught me numerous new vocabulary words (the best of which is probably plenipotentiary), but just pointing out that seems underplaying the rest of the year. I have learned the best way to go about AP writing, which will serve useful this year and next, but I am not certain how long after that. And I know I am probably forgetting another major topic that I will remember at 10:30 tonight, and I'll say, "How did I forget that?" Best as of now, those seem like a very brief, solid list.
I feel like I could use a little more practice on AP writing, but I feel like I have started to get the feel for it. It had never occurred to me to write an analysis starting with the ideas, then going to the methods and examples. I always went either "chronological list of examples->effect" or "methods->examples and the effect they create".
2. "They say that these are not the best of times/
But they're the only times I've ever known/
And I believe there is a time for meditation/
in cathedrals of our own/
Now I have seen that sad surrender in my lover's eyes/
And I can only stan apart and sympathize/
But we are always what our situations hand us/
It's either sadness or euphoria."
-Billy Joel, "Summer Highland Falls"
Well, one interruption by a little brother needing help with math later, and that didn't take so long.
Essays and timed writings this year have been more than just essays and timed writings--they have been a way for me to push myself into rhetoric writing styles, into comprehension of tangent ideas, into a challenge to illustrate emotions. Maybe not tangent ideas to others, but to me finding meaning in passages can at some times is a dead end. But I totally think that as each essay passes, I have had a deeper understanding of writing and putting feelings into words. What I have loved this past semester was the idea that writing is not a treacherous task that wastes time, yet rather it is a way to let my creative side take over, a way to document ideas, a way to reach better understandings. And everything accumulates to that--sentence structure, diction, punctuation, length, point of view.. it's never ending. Writing in the romantic/rationalistic point of view is something that has amazed me--along with the growth of man came the growth of literature; I think it is fascinating. I even like to think that in our lives just the opposite happens: along with the growth of literature will come the growth of man--as we plunge deeper into writings, we too become more of self-aware persons.
As for a quote, this one comes from a book I read but originally from a persian proverb and is one of my favorites:
"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars."
One of the most important things I have learned this year is to dig deeper and look for more complex details. I use this strategy throughout the timed writings and also with the in-class and outside reading novels and poems. Like you always tell us, "seek complexity!" In the beginning of the year, I would read the prompt, read the passage, and write the first things that came to my mind. I have now learned to read and re-read the passage until I have found something that a reader would not notice at first. I was told by my older brother that English III AP is a much more challenging class than English I and II; however, I have found it extremely interesting and I have learned a great deal more this year than I could have imagined. Yes, I have learned to seek complexity, but I am still struggling with starting out in the world and bringing the introduction back to the paper itself. I find this a challenging part in writing because I cannot always think of something to begin my paper with.
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity." --Albert Einstein
Nicole Jacobs
Period 3
I would like to think that i hace grown more aware of tone shifts, and the fact that most of the pieces you give us have a probable very subtle shift somewhere, and the acknowledgment of this very subtle shift is very key in adressing.
in my wirting i hope to think that i have been able to shift my focus on how the author does things to why the author does things, but i would be a fool to think i did not still need some work in this area. I'm attemping to make the larger more abstract leaps to metaphors and similies and how they relate to the over branching theme not just the fact that yes they are here and yes this is a comparison they are making.
as for the second part of this assigment i will leave a lyric from my current obsession The Postal Service from on of my favorite songs "Clark Gable":
I want so badly to believe that "there is truth, that love is real"
And I want life in every word to the extent that it's absurd
Katie B
pd. 3
Going into my junior year, the one class I expected was going to give me trouble was English AP. I've always had a weakness in reading, but I was a fairly decent writer. Last year I had Ms. Nommensen as my teacher and I felt like she really prepared me well for your class because she taught that class like a college course,sounding very professional likewise to yourself. After a semester in your class, I've learned to realize that "seeking complexity" will somehow reveal the message or meanings in the text. I have grown more aware of the rhetorical strategies authors use in their writings to convey a meaning without obviously giving it away. A thing in your class that is unforgettable are your fun timed writings. From the beginning of the year to now, I can see how reading through the text and recognizing tones of the writing will help crack the code to the writing which will eventually lead to a well thought analysis. On my first AP style test of the year, I did not reach my expectations which let me knew that I had trouble with my reading. This semester I would like to improve on analyzing the text more carefully and managing my time on timed tests. Oh and I would also like to put my ideas together more quickly since on timed writings I always start out blank!
And a phrase that tickled my ear was: "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will." -- Vincent T. Lombardi. If I am going to be successful in your class, I have to have the will to do it.
Through this class, I mainly learned how to view things differently. For example, when I read a passage, and once I get the story, I try to find other ways to view that passage, other than my opinions, like the author's real purpose or hidden messages of writing this story, so to speak, seeking complexity. Things I am working on are making my awkward word choices simpler and clear, not trying to sound too scholarly, and increase my reading speed without losing the contents I just read. I like this quote by Thomas A. Edison: "Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration." cause we just talked about him at apush, and it really comes to me for some reason :) Danny Cho Period 3
In previous English courses I feel that I lacked the analytical mind required to successfully master criticism and understanding of texts. Until quite recently , I struggled to see the author's purpose and the means through which the purpose was conveyed. Through the course of this semester, however, I have been able to grasp the larger meaning of pieces of literature and understand how each particular author conveyed his/her purpose. With this realization, I not only understand literature from class but also literature and novels that I read outside of class. I now see meanings beyond the superficial as I read and understand concepts previously incomprehensible in works I have already read. I feel that not only will this skill assist me in future English classes but also in literary discussion (which I hope to participate in someday) and in my own readings and even writings. The awareness of ulterior motives and meanings can prove useful in many situations, I feel like.
Something that I lack or may improve upon is the art of writing about personal experience--which in the upcoming year could prove quite useful. I feel like I have many significant stories worth telling, but I haven't been able to figure out how to make them materialize on paper. Hopefully the transfer from thought to actuality will prove to be easier after more practice.
One quote that is always on my mind is from a popular Spanish song which says "Los errores nos eligen para bien o para mal" or "Mistakes choose us for good or for bad"
Another favorite quote of mine is from one of my favorite authors Salman Rushdie. He wrote, "Reality is a question of perspective; the further you get from the past, the more concrete and plausible it seems—but as you approach the present, it inevitably seems incredible."
Wow, what have I learned in an entire semester of English AP? First of all, it's hard to imagine that it's been that long since first walking into Ms. Kohlmaier's class on the first day of school. When I think about it I remember how frustratingly difficult those first few timed writings were at the start of the year. Don't get me wrong, I still think I might completly miss the point of a passage and bomb a timed writing at some point in English III, but I feel as if I can understand and analyze writings and understand the promts better than I could before junior year. I've also begun learning to see the bigger picture of a passage instead of just picking out little details of it like similies and personification.
What I still need to work on, I believe is my ability to express into words what I know or what I see. I might sometimes understand something completely but not be able to comunicate it and thus it's useless. I think this has a little bit to do with I think faster than I can write/type so I might jump ahead to my next idea or topic before I completly finish my previous one.
I really like the quote "We only got 86 400 seconds in a day to turn it all around or to throw it all away" from the song Live Like We're Dying by Kris Allen because it makes me think about how little time we have and we never know which minute is going to be our last so we might as well live as if every minute is going to be our last and like they say in The Dead Poet's Society, "Carpe Diem", seize the day.
Bradley Curran
period 3
This year has been particularly difficult and intnese. Not only has the difficultly level in my classes raised by a fair amount, but I have noticed a huge difference in the amount of time I am putting into school and my work. I have always been a hard worker in school but I have never been so challenged until this year. My middle school english classes were kind of a joke and I remember them being a blow off class so when I got to high school, I was blown away with the fact that english is in fact, not a blow off class. This year of english has been a huge wake up call to me. At times, my brain literally hurt during class! This class has really challenged me to think beyond the main picture, which is something that I have a hard time doing. I am warming up to "seeking complexity" and looking past the obvious. It is very helpful when we analyze pieces of work because almost all of the time I miss the beauty of the work. Last semester was defiantly a challenge but I am ready to work even harder this semester!
The one verse that has stuck with me through my life is Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
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