Grace's English I Blog

Katie: Strengths and Challenges  Seryn: Hits and Misses

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 ...

Zoe- purple hibiscus  Julia- Free post= poem 

  When we first began reading Purple Hibiscus  I didn't really know what to expect. I knew that it was a historical fiction novel, but I did not realize the how deep the book would be. Adichie includes many serious topics in her story, including abuse, government, and religion. These topics can be very controversial, but Adichie does an amazing job of presenting the topics in a factual way. So far I am enjoying the novel because it has a lot of information regarding Nigerian culture and history. The book serves as a learning experience not just about Nigeria, but about the issues faced by the characters.   For my reading focus, I chose culture. I chose this topic because I wanted to explore the differences between the Nigerian and English culture present in Enugu. So far, I have noticed a cultural tension between Papa and his father. Papa enforces Catholicism and English on his wife and kids, while Papa-Nnukwu is more free-spirited with his idol worship and Igbo language...

   My dog's name is Lucy. She is 1 right now, but her birthday is April 22nd, so she will be two in about a month. Lucy is a 6lb toy poodle, but she thinks she is 80 lbs. We often call her a "diva," (because she has a lot of attitude) but we love her more than anything. Before we got Lucy, my mom swore she would never let a dog live in her house, but after a lot of begging and reassurance that my sister and I would take care of her, my mom finally let us get a dog.    About a month ago, my sister and I were playing with Lucy in the living room. We noticed a spot under her chin that was red and bloody, almost like she had been scratching herself. We immediately brought her to my dad, and he decided to take her to the vet in the morning. After school, my dad told us that the vet said that Lucy had a "hot spot," which would clear up soon if we applied prescription powder to Lucy's neck. The powder worked for a little while, but Lucy soon started scratching ag...

Juliana- Q3: Week 8 Write a Poem Anna Katherine- Song analysis: Umbrella 

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/hannahmontana/youllalwaysfindyourwaybackhome.html I chose "You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home," by Hannah Montana because I personally love this song and it is very inspirational. The song uses anaphora, slant rhyme, and consonance to convey a deeper meaning, which is to go to your family during tough times. They can help you through your issues because they love and care about you. You can change your style You can change your jeans You can learn to fly And you can chase your dreams You can laugh and cry But everybody knows You'll always find your way back home Anaphora is used in this section with the phrase "you can." Anaphora is used to encourage and inspire listeners to reach for the dreams. Anaphora contributes to the overall message of the song, which is to remember that your family can help through any tough times.  You can change your style You can change your jeans You can learn to fly And you can c...

The Garden I wait outside the garden wall, Searching for my brother's blue baseball. I search around the bright white gate, I hear a voice, that tells me to "wait". The gate then opens to reveal, A scene that almost made me kneel. The roses, yellow, pink, and red, Were like a sunset that had spread. And then I saw the most beautiful sight, A tree with flowers black as night. The voice called out, begging me to stay, So I turned around and all went gray. I used end rhyme, a little alliteration, imagery, and two similes

Free Post - Julia Free Post - Emma P

   Whenever my parents built my house, (16 years ago) they chose colors that were current and popular during that year. Over time, my mom was unhappy with the colors she had chosen a nearly a decade and a half ago, so she decided to have the entire house painted! This might not sound like a lot, but when you have to take everything out of cabinets, tables, shelves, etc. it gets a little annoying. After doing some research, mom decided on the workers that were going to paint the house, and the colors for everything. She ended up choosing a lighter, fresher color, that she used in every room, which really does brighten up the house a lot.   My parents decided it was best to start the job during Mardi Gras Break. We weren't traveling anywhere, and my sister and I would be out of school, so it wouldn't be a problem if my mom needed to leave the house while we were getting to know the guys. They arrived at 7am every morning and normally didn't leave until 5 or 6 at night, whi...

  The presentation that stuck with me the most was the one titled "How to Win at Life." The presenter was very personable and didn't seem nervous at all. Her topic discussed tricks that companies use to attract buyers. She used the grocery store as her main example. I didn't realize that the reason milk is in the back of a store is because consumers come into buy it at least once a week due to milk having a short shelf life. The seller is hoping that while on their way to get the milk, a consumer will see other goods and end up purchasing more from the store than they originally intended to. This also applies to the candy section that is at almost every check-out station in a store. The goal of this is to make the candy easily acceptable to the consumer when they are making their final purchases because many peoples' guilty pleasure happens to be sweets. The presentation finished with some advice on how to not be a victim to the tricks employed by sellers.   Bein...

Muskaan: Research Post Juliana: Q3: Week 3 ATDPTI response

Thesis: Eleanor of Aquitaine was the greatest female ruler ever to govern in Medieval Europe because of her unique inheritance, queenship in France, and her influence on the crown and court of England.    For my research project, I chose Eleanor of Aquitaine. I chose this person because after briefly discussing her in History, I wanted to learn more about her life. As it turns out, Eleanor's life is extremely interesting. I am really glad that I chose this topic because there is plenty to write about, and her life is sort of like a reality tv show. In addition to being very dramatic, Eleanor of Aquitaine left an amazing legacy on chivalry and courtly love that carried itself into the Renaissance.    Eleanor began making history at the young age of fifteen when she shockingly became the heir to her father's duchy. During the twelfth century it was very uncommon for women to inherit things. After becoming the duchess of lands larger than those held by the king of Fr...

   So far, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian  by Sherman Alexie has been an interesting book. At first I thought it was going to be one of those cheesy novels, but it actually isn't. The story reveals the harsh life of a boy named Junior. Junior is an Native American Indian that lives on a reservation. I didn't realize how tough life was for Native Americans. I had no clue that the people living on those reservations face many hardships. I really enjoy ATDPTI because it gives me a better understanding of what life is like on a reservation, and it makes me appreciate the things that I have.    I also enjoy that the novel includes cartoons. It adds character and lightens up the tough story-line. In addition to cartoons, the characters are all very well-developed. the author does a good job of describing everyone that Junior comes into contact with. I also think it is unique that the story is written as Junior's diary. The reader gets to see Jun...