Nina's English Blog

 Prompt Response: One conversation that changed me was when I was told my mom has cancer for a second time. The first time I was informed that my mom was diagnosed with cancer it drastically changed me as a person, but it was nothing compared to the second time. It made me realize that sometimes despite what you think, life can take a turn for the worse very quickly. When my mom finished treatment and beat cancer the first time, I had never expected that it would come back again. I realized that I needed to always be aware and prepared for the worst. Also, the second time around I was told that it was much worse. This made me cherish the people around me more. I realized that you never know when your going to lose someone, or if someone close to you has fallen sick. Summary: Today in class we filled out a worksheet which analyzed a poem. Reflection: I learned how to interpret metaphors visually and into words. I also learned how to better understand poems when reading them. 

 Prompt Response: In middle school, we had a whole unit on poetry. We learned how to analyze poetry and create ones of our own. My class observed different poetry styles and how to write them. The type of poem to write that stood out to me in particular was blackout poetry. The writing process was unique and unlike any other style of poetry. I started with reading the original text, and understanding the main idea of it. I used the main idea of the poem to roughly base my poem theme off of. Then, I started searching for key words in the text and how to arrange them. Sometimes, I had to cut up words and letters to complete it. After I had chosen my words to create a poem, I had to design the blackout images to make it follow a theme. Summary: In class we analyzed poetry that compared poets to acrobats. Reflection: I learned how to better analyze poetry I may not understand at first. I also learned how to break down metaphors easier. 

 Prompt Response: Clustering helped me generate ideas because it allowed me to put down everything that had came to mind without worrying about organizing it right away. Once I had my main idea in the center, I could branch off into different examples, reasons, and connections that would be used in my essay. The most useful part of clustering is being able to visually see how my ideas connect to each other. It also helps me noticed which ideas I had enough evidence to write about and which we were weaker, and should maybe left out. I think I would use clustering when planning an AP Lang essay because it will help me quickly organize my thoughts before forming my body paragraphs. Summary: Today in class we took notes on clustering. Reflection: I learned how to properly brainstorm by using methods like clustering. I now know how to effectively organize my ideas before writing my AP Lang essay.

 Prompt Response: The easiest part of writing the essay was getting my words out. I felt like the prompt was very relatable for me, so it made it easier to come up with a claim and sub claims. I also thought that finding evidence using my personal experiences was fairly easy, because technology is so prevalent in my life and people my age. One thing that was hard for me about writing the essay was trying to not repeat my commentary. I felt that at some points I was restarting things I had already stated because I didn't know how else to explain the evidence. I found it difficult to make complex and new points about something as simple as selfies. One thing I will do differently in my next essay is trying really hard to make sure that my commentary says different things for both pieces of evidence. I want to make sure that I have two pieces of evidence which support two different things, and explain why. Summary: In class today we wrote an AP Lang essay about the value of selfies. R...

 Prompt Response: One time that I felt like I truly belonged is when I was with my best friends. This can be said for multiple times, really any time that I am with them. Niko and Elisa are my two best friends and I always feel like whenever I am with them, I am exactly where I need to be. They always make me feel included and loved. I struggle with feeling like I fit in and belong in places, but being with them always makes me feel comfortable and safe. I am able to act truly like myself and fit in better. The thing that creates this feeling is the feeling of security I get being around them. It allows me to open up and feel like I belong. Summary: I was absent in class today. Reflection: I was absent in class today. 

 Prompt Response: The vocabulary word from today that would be most useful to me in the future is idyllic. This word means carefree, or simple; nearly perfect. This could be used in my life in many ways. For example, if the weather is really nice I could describe it was idyllic. Or if I think a piece of clothing is almost perfect. If I am not feeling like doing something I could use this word, or if I have a basic outfit I could use it. There are many instances in my life that this word could be use in. It has around three meanings which are all very common. Summary: Today in class we worked on the third vocabulary lesson. Reflection: I learned multiple words like dulcet, expurgate, and iniquity. I also learned how to use them in a sentence. 

 Prompt Response: One thing about commentary that I understand that I did not before was how to lead into it. Before, I would start the commentary with phrases such as "this evidence shows" or "this evidence proves." I now know that there are other more effective ways to introduce commentary. Not only that but before in my commentary I was sometimes rephrasing the evidence over again. When writing my next AP Lang essay I will use all of these skills to improve my argument. I will introduce the commentary in a way that transitions smoothly using academic language. Additionally, I will make my commentary using questions such as "what does this evidence prove, why does it matter, and how does it connect to the research statement?"  Summary: Today in class we practiced commentary with multiple prompts and pieces of evidence Reflection: I learned what questions to ask myself when writing commentary that will make my reasoning more effective. I also learned how ...

 Prompt Response: The first takeaway I got from reviewing others essays from the AP Lang exam was the importance of evidence and commentary. When grading others essays I realized that the evidence and commentary takes up the majority of the score, and if you do not do it sufficiently than you will not get even an average score. I noticed that there is a very specific way of stating evidence and writing commentary, and that specific evidence usually scores higher points. The second takeaway I got was the importance of answering the prompt completely. Many of the writers did not fully understand the prompt and missed the question. This led to them not getting a simple thesis point, and having an extremely low overall score. Summary: Today in class we reviewed multiple essays from the 2019 AP Lang exam. Reflection: I learned how to properly state evidence and claims in the argumentative essay. I also learned how to construct an essay following the AP Lang rubric which will score the m...

 Prompt Response: Before I complete an assignment, I always use the rubric as a guide. This is because it allows me to ensure that I complete all of the required components to the assignment. If I use the rubric throughout the assignment, then I do not have to go back in the end and add new elements. After reviewing the AP Lang rubric today, I will use it as a guide to construct my essays. This is because I know exactly what graders are looking for in each section- the introduction, evidence and commentary, and sophistication point. Additionally, there are specific notes in each section of the rubric which can ensure that I get all points possible for the essay. Summary: Today in class we went over the rubric and started brainstorming a new essay prompt. Reflection: I learned how to effectively get the sophistication point. I also learned how to start brainstorming an essay prompt in a timely manner. 

 Prompt Response: Last year I was in AP Seminar. I was required to write a paper on a group research question, where each member analyzed the research question from a different perspective. At first, I tried to go off the rules my teacher gave and didn't fully understand the rubric. I had glanced at the rubric and read over it, but I didn't make sure that I knew what I was doing. This made writing the paper extremely difficult, because in AP Seminar there is a specific way of writing that isn't traditional. If I had known the "ins and outs" of writing this kind of essay, it would have been more efficient because I would not have had to go back and make changes. Towards the revision stage, I fully read the rubric and had to make many edits to  make sure I was writing how AP Seminar graders would like it.  Summary: Today in class we went over peer feedback and looked at a rubric for AP Lang. Reflection: I learned in more detail about expectations on the AP Lang argu...

 Prompt Response: After reading my classmates' argument paragraphs, I learned that multiple people can have different perspectives on the same topic and still make convincing points. I noticed that the strongest paragraphs didn't just say their opinion outright. Instead, they gave specific examples and explained why they mattered. I also noticed how word choice and tone can alter the way an argument comes across. Reading my peers' paragraphs made me think about how I express my own ideas and how I can make my reasoning clearer to someone who may disagree with me. Summary: Today in class we read each others argument paragraphs and graded them based on a certain aspect of the paragraph. Reflection: I learned that the way one presents their evidence is crucial to making an argument sensible. I also learned different ways to express opinions which make an argument more convincing. 

 Prompt Response: One time I used informal language in a situation where formal language would have been more appropriate was when I spoke to my dad. This is because whenever I speak to my dad, it is usually a serious situation. Not only that but he is a lawyer so he speaks very formally and expects me to do the same. There was a time when I was facing consequences for a situation, and my dad was lecturing me. Instead of using formal language and properly responding I was using informal language as if I was speaking to my friends. Looking back, I should have spoken more formally when stating my case and replying to him. This is because using informal language infuriates my dad and makes my statements less impactful. Summary: Today in class we learned about informal and formal language, and refined our paragraphs. Reflection: I learned how to introduce evidence more effectively in argumentative paragraphs. Additionally, I learned the difference on when to utilize formal versus infor...

 Prompt Response: One idea suggested from my group member Lucy was using a personal account about her mom. She explained to us how her mom had gone to a restaurant and waited for a long time for her food. My group members and I thought about how the staff must have been very stressed, which was part of our original claim. Lucy agreed with this but stated that her mom also was upset because her food and drinks came out very late. Not only that but her order was incorrect because the staff was frantically rushing. This made us improve our argument by creating a more unique claim about how waiting in long lines can actually affect your food personally and not just the staff. This makes the argument more effective because it can reach out to the reader directly. Not everyone may care about the mental health of the staff, but surely everyone cares about the state of their own food. Summary: Today in class we went over a new vocab list and did two lessons on them. Reflection: I learned h...

 Prompt Response: One thing I have always been curious about is psychology. This is because I am a very observant person, and I like to analysis people's body language and expressions. Psychology goes hand in hand with this behavior. Understanding psychology allows one to understand the way that people's brains work and functions. It can explain behaviors, emotions, biases, and so much more. I have always had a curiosity when learning about psychology because it is the basis of human life. I find myself researching terms and concepts to explain people's behaviors, thoughts, and reactions. Not only this but I am very passionate about mental health disorders and bringing awareness and understanding to them. Understanding psychology helps diagnose people with these disorders, which can save lives. Overall, I will always be curious about psychology because it explains exactly what I have always been interested in, and there is so much to learn and understand. Summary: Today in ...

 Prompt Response: The most difficult part of building an argument for me is finding good evidence. Normally, I am used to quoting evidence directly from a source like a journal or research paper. In AP Lang, coming up with evidence from my observations, experiences, and readings is hard for me. This is because I struggle to know how to introduce it, and how specific I should be when discussing my evidence. Especially when the evidence is a story or personal experience. Another thing I struggle with is commentary. Sometimes I misinterpret the prompt and make assumptions which is not a good thing. Summary: Today in class we learned about line of reasoning and constructed a paragraph. Reflection: I learned in greater detail how to establish a line of reasoning and how everything in paragraphs connects together. Additionally, I learned how to better integrate evidence into my paragraphs.

 Prompt Response: One fear that I overcame was roller coasters. I have extreme anxiety about many things, which causes me to overthink about outcomes of different normal events. I see the danger and negativity in small things that not everyone notices. That is why for as long as I could remember, I refused to go on roller coasters. I would miss out on trips to Six Flags with my friends, and sit out on rides at fairs. But eventually, my best friend helped me work up the courage to go on a small roller coaster. At first, I was terrified. But by the end of the ride, I felt exhilarated. Every since then, I have been obsessed with roller coasters. I love the rush, the drops, the loops, and everything in between.  Summary: Today in class we went over corrections in our argumentative paragraph. Reflection: I learned that I need to specify my evidence in greater detail or it isn't effective. I also learned that I need to explain my evidence better and not make assumptions. 

 Prompt Response: One phrase I use frequently is, "that is a nice sweetie." This is a phrase I use when I want to reply to someone's statement that is absurd or unusual. It means that I am acknowledging what they are stating, but not fully agreeing or understanding it. It has become a part of my everyday speech because I like how it is a nice way to respond to things that are funny or odd. Sometimes when people say things that are so out of the ordinary, it becomes hard to come up with a response. This phrase is short, simple, and easy to understand. Additionally, I learned it from TikTok and picked it up from there.  Summary: Today in class we learned new vocab words and did practice with them. Reflection: I learned around 14 new vocabulary terms. Then, I learned how to use them in sentences.