Quarter One Theme: ("The American Dream")

(http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Vintage-American-Flag-Posters_i3553639_.htm)

I agree with the "Vanity Fair article" and it's position on the American Dream today. During the 30's, America had a label, a land of opportunity. But as generations to come the American Dream became further out of reach for more families than intended. Today, the American Dream is none other than a mindset of personal achievement. The article emphasizes the reality of the American Dream, that you don't have to reach extreme wealth in order to be successful and satisfied. The novel "The Great Gatsby" supports that the "american dream" will certainly have it's downside.

Quarter 1 Columnist Rhetorical Analysis Reflection Precis

My columnist was Gail Collins who wrote about politics. Her main rhetorical strategy was the way she uses her humor to verbally attack and denounce politicians. Her technique is especially unique, she begins by challenging the audience by pointing out the obvious downfalls in voting for the republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump. And then after she makes jokes of the politicians' strategies and questions their supporters. Her interaction toward the audience plays a large roll in her rhetorical strategies because she builds a connection with her humor.

(http://www.precisdigital.com)

Quarter One Novel: "The Great Gatsby"

(http://rockingodshouse.com/the-great-gatsby-christian-review/)

(http://www.rantpolitical.com/2014/11/15/republican-party-represents-the-american-dream/)

(http://ohscurrent.org/archive/opinions-archive/2015/01/24/is-the-american-dream-attainable/)

This particular novel through the characters Gatsby and Daisy, emphasizes the flaws in the typical American dream. The Great Gatsby is a critique of the American Dream, emphasizing that people will always reach for more because they will never be satisfied with what they have. For example, Gatsby finally reunited with Daisy, and he made it his new life goal to get her back into his life. As the audience we know that this is an awfully long stretch. At first it seemed to work but he then soon realized that Daisy was not going to leave Tom no matter how in love she was with Gatsby. At this point we realize that Gatsby's dream has failed. 

In contrast, The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson, supports the idea of the American Dream. The Declaration of Independence was a platform for the rising idea of the American Dream. The first paragraph outlines that idea, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Personally, i agree with The Great Gatsby's perspective of the American Dream. Truthfully, this unrealistic dream is slowly out of reach for a lot of deserving people. The American Dream shouldn't be achieved through extreme wealth, rather it should be earned with personal hard work and satisfying achievement.

Jefferson-Stanton Comparison Rhetorical Analysis Essay Formal Paper

With my next formal paper will be better developed with thorough thoughts that further my claim. I will construct a better structure to my essay.

Favorite Quarter 1 40-Minute Timed Write

"The Common Life", where I had to write an essay to defend, challenge or qualify the author's idea about the relationship between the individual society in the Unites States. In other words, this was the argumentative essay. I felt as though this was the easiest timed write. I could write freely about what I thought.  

Finally! The reflection.

To admit, this quarter was fairly overwhelming and so happy it was over. Nonetheless, I really do believe that I learned and improved my writing skills. I especially learned how to "properly" write an analytical essay. After completing my formal paper, I feel as if I've grown grammatically and my writing has matured drastically. I've grown more interested in the English subject and I can't wait to see that else Ms. Ahearn has up her sleeve to mentally crush me but to also guide me into my learning experience in AP Lang!

All other photographs on this website that don't obtain a link beneath it, is own and taken myself.

QUARTER 2

Quarter 2 Columnist Precis Paper

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My choice of columnist, Anne Applebaum is a persuasive and logistical columnist. Throughout her opinion articles she uses a sufficient amount of evidence to support her initial claims. This then draws the audience to her general claim. She does not use many rhetorical devices other than logos, and occasionally pathos to further a connection with her audience. 

Applebaum has a very straight forward style of writing, she states her opinions, she follows up with relevant evidence and analysis. Once in a while she adds emotional touches to further persuaded her audience.

Quarter 2 Synthesis PaperFinal Draft 

Synthesis Paper reflection:

Quarter 2 Reflection

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As stated in my quarter one reflection, this quarter was overwhelming in general. Although the work load of AP Lang this quarter was quite the same, if not more, I felt as if i learned how to manage everything at once better. I realized that I didn't have enough time to cram every single night with homework. All nighters are okay once in a while but three every week? It's unhealthy. Spacing myself out, even if it meant finishing homework n a different class, really helped out. 

One thing i really liked about this quarter was the theme, Identity. The synthesis paper above was especially interesting. I got to explore different people's perspective on what makes up an individual's identity.

Once again, I'm glad that little by little I gain something from this class. Not only reading and writing skills, but just general knowledge.