Grace's English I Blog

My strengths as a writer are more so in analyzing a work. In the Poetry unit as well as in the Literary Analysis, we were tasked with writing claims. I think that I can analyze the language and rhetorical situation of a work well, which better aids in writing a claim. This also applies to determining the meaning of a piece of literature in it's entirety. This can be difficult for some people because you have to think about the many aspects of the work, however I believe that determining a central theme is one of my strengths. I also think that I am fairly good in dealing with word choice. This was especially relevant in the personal narrative, when describing specific scenes in great detail. In addition to my strengths, I also faced many challenges throughout the year. These being writing over extended periods of time, sentence fluency, and determining the meter of a poem. When writing over extended periods of time, I would come to points where I was at a loss for words and ideas...

During English I, we were tasked with many different types of writing. These being, a personal narrative, literary analysis, research paper, and even blogging. In each of these separate projects, there were definitely highs and lows. I think my best work was shone in the research paper, and my worst possibly in the personal narrative. One main reason for my better work in the research paper was because of time. Since the personal narrative was written in the first quarter, I wasn't accustomed to Dr. D's style or even my own for that matter. I also struggled in finding a topic for my personal narrative. It was sort of difficult to remember instances in my life that I could describe in great detail, as well as write enough about. Taking the summer off probably hurt me in an English sense; meaning I wasn't able to develop or keep up with any of my writing skills. Blogging definitely helped with this because I was being "forced" to practice writing. My research pape...

Anna Katherine- What super power would you want to have?  Emma P- What makes you happy?

My best sleepover memories are from giant birthday party sleepovers with my friends when I was little. My best friend growing up was named Madisan. Her birthday is in early September, so every year she would have tons of girls over for a sleepover. The parties would also have a theme (Camp Rock, Barbie, ect.) and her mom would make a cake, and have cute decorations scattered throughout the house. We always did a craft too; I remember making picture frames, coloring t-shirts with sharpies, and even decorating cupcakes. At the cupcake birthday party, we of course all ran outside to smash them in each others' faces. My favorite sleepover party Madisan ever had was one of her last ones (she always has a birthday party, but now they aren't quite as big). At this party, we planned to "slumber" the first person who fell asleep. Poor Bella fell asleep, and we put shaving cream all over her hair and face. She was so shocked and upset that she had to take a shower in the mi...

Purple Hibiscus  by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is an emotional, powerful, and riveting novel. Adichie includes many tactics in her work that contribute to these three adjectives. The novel is emotional because it is told exclusively from the perspective of the main character, fifteen-year-old Kambili. Kambili describes her life in an almost journal-like fashion. The reader is able to experience every single part of Kambili's life, including the good and the bad. Kambili uses many sensory details in her descriptions, which can be very entertaining, but also sorrowful in more serious scenes, like the abuse she faces. Adichie does an amazing job of conveying to the reader that Kambili is a timid, scared, yet friendly girl completely through her actions and words. The novel is powerful in the fact that it covers so many deep issues. The characters, Kambili, Jaja, and Mama face extreme abuse by Papa, which can be a hard topic to discuss in a novel. Adichie makes this and other topics re...

Juliana- Q4: Week 3 political post Emma P- F.B.I. Raids Office of Trump's Longtime Lawyer Micheal Cohen

The Architect of Trump's Threatened China Trade War- Bob Davis, The Wall Street Journal    This article, written by Bob Davis, mainly discusses the economic and trade issues between the U.S. and China, as well as Mr. Robert Lighthizer's involvement in these issues. Davis states that the U.S. policy on trade was introduced by U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer. In a meeting held by President Trump's advisors and cabinet, Mr. Lighthizer proposed the idea that China often promised changes in their trade policy, but neglected to follow through with these promises. Although this issue had previously been placed on the back burner, President Trump did not hesitate in beginning an investigation of Chinese violations of U.S. property rights. In a meeting with Chinese officials to discuss the U.S.'s concerns, Mr. Lighthizer voiced his concern for the growing U.S. trade deficit. In order to prevent an all out trade war with China, Mr. Lighthizer held another meeting ...