Caroline's English Blog

 Prompt Response: Recently, I have been using the word “therefore” in my writing a lot. I have caught myself on multiple occasions using the word in notes and assignments. The word is a connector word that basically says “for that reason”. I’m honestly unsure about why I have been using the word so much. It might be that I simply have a lack of better words, and I need to expand my vocabulary. Summary: Today in class we went over new vocabulary words from the curriculum and completed activities around them. Reflection: I liked how I had already known a lot of the words prior to reading about them in class, but there were also some that I had never seen before. I appreciate the fact that we go over vocabulary, as it is helpful in so many aspects of student life. These words will help me during the AP Exam and other exams. 

  Prompt Response: So far in AP Language, I have felt that overall 1 am  doing well. However, there are some things that we have gone over that don't exactly coincide with what I have learned in the past. I feel that I have already learned a lot, which tells me that I need to stay focused in this class. I am going to continue trying to work hard and stay focused so 1 can understand better. I feel that I am staying on top of my work in the class, but I could always be doing better. Summary: Today in class we created our own argumentative paragraph with a claim and two supporting pieces of evidence. Reflection: I found it a bit difficult to write my argumentative paragraph because I was worried that I was doing it incorrectly. However, like I mentioned in my prompt response, I feel that if l continue to work hard then I will eventually understand how to answer something like that more. 1 also felt that the prompt was a bit of a difficult question to answer, which probably wa...

Prompt Response: One time, I made a claim that I believe older pop-country music is better than the pop-country music being made today. A friend questioned why I felt this way, and I explained about how I feel that today, the pop-country music being made often lacks passion and is very repetitive. I used some of the popular pop-country music artists today as examples, such as Morgan Wallen and Ella Langley. This helped with my argument because I referenced well-known artists who I felt made music that followed my claim: lacking passion and use of repetitive lyrics. By explaining my evidence, I was able to convince my friend to agree with my claim. Summary: Today in class, we discussed moral justification for situations like murder and backed up our claims with evidence.  Reflection: Today when we had the class discussion, I made a point that I later realized I was unable to explain. This was due to both the fact that I didn't fully think through my claim, as well as because I didn...

 Prompt Response: I enjoy class discussions the most compared to the other two given learning methods. I feel that class discussions allow me to think a lot about a topic and prompt me to understand it. I understand that some students heavily dislike class discussions, however I am not necessarily afraid or uncomfortable with public speaking. I feel that class discussions helps me make opinions and give a lot of thought into what the topic is. This makes my understanding of the topic much better. Therefore, I like class discussions most because they allow me to gather different opinions and more information about the topic. Summary: In class today, we reviewed an FRQ and went over how to answer and set up for an essay.  Reflection: Understanding and practicing the set up of an FRQ essay will help me on tests, and of course, the AP exam. I appreciated the class discussions that took place today because they helped me understand the point of view of others.

 Prompt Response: One thing I will never understand is the discrimination and disrespect that our society points towards those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One thing others who don’t spend a lot of time with those who have special needs don’t seem to understand is that they are often some of the happiest, friendliest, and loving  people. However, one of the biggest problems within our society’s treatment toward those with special needs is how many people jump to treating disabled people as if they are inferior. On countless occasions, I have observed people who do not have special needs treat those who do as if they are babies- even if they are the same age. I will never understand how some can’t understand: those with special needs are the same as those without, and should be treated as such.  Summary: Today in class we overviewed evidence and how to use it. Reflection: Understanding evidence will help me with my arguments. The FRQ that we answered h...

 Prompt Response: One thing that makes me different from other people is my height. It is always one of the first things that is mentioned whenever I meet someone for the first time. “You’re so tall” or “Do you play volleyball?” are questions I have had to answer what feels like a billion times. I don’t think that 5’10” is that tall, but it seems to be something others think is crazy. When I was younger, my mom thought I would be the shortest of my sisters. For a while I was, and then I had a major growth spurt. After the next family reunion, I felt that I had been marveled at for my height more times than I could count by my family members. Suffice it to say, I would say there are a bunch of other things that make me different from others- but the one that stands out the most when you first look at me is without a doubt my height. Summary: Today in class we had a quiz where we read passages and answered questions concerning rhetorical devices.  Reflections: While I thought th...

 Prompt Response: Living around Atlanta has influenced the way I see community because it has shown me the importance of a truly diverse community. Atlanta is known for its diversity- especially in the areas like where Lakeside is where we are benefited by living, working, and schooling in areas with multiple different cultures, races, and ethnicities. The role of diversity in Atlanta and the world is often underestimated for its importance. Diversity is so important because it allows us to understand and respect other cultures. If I was explaining Atlanta to someone who is unfamiliar, I would want them to understand that our community is special because of its diversity- and I would also want them to understand the privilege they have with their lack of traffic in their city! Summary: Today in class we analyzed a speech by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms addressing the violent protests that took place in Atlanta that were fighting for civil rights after the killing of George Floyd....

 Prompt Response: The most creative thing I have ever made was my very own Lukasa board in my AP Art History class last year. The Lukasa board is a work of art that comes from the Luba people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The board is made up of a board with trinkets, paper, string, and all sorts of things that resemble the accomplishments and life of the maker. We made our very own in class after learning about it, and mine was full of little figures that remind me of my life. Overall, I loved the project and still have it today! Summary: Today in class, we went over rhetorical situations and overlooked a speech from President Trump.  Reflection: The acronym SPACECAT will help me analyze rhetorical analysis' in the future. I will now be able to break down speeches and rhetorical situations and understand them. 

 Prompt Response: One time I felt completely lost was in sixth grade on the first day of school. I had gone to orientation and found my classes, but for some reason that morning I had no idea where I was or where to go. In the bustle of kids and teachers, it felt impossible to find help. I saw maps that told me where I was, but as I was so turned around, I would take incorrect turns. Finally, I found a teacher who helped me find my way. I got to my class a bit late, but nonetheless, I figured it out! Summary: Today in class we covered claims of value and did a worksheet on them.  Reflection: Learning about claims of value will help me with my understanding of backing up claims. The requirement of having lists of criteria will help me to learn how to back up a claim with solid reasons. 

 Prompt Response: As a child, my parents told me and my sister that after Halloween, a witch would come and take some of our candy in the middle of the night. I believed this, as the morning after Halloween I would notice there was much less candy in my bag than there had been the night before. Come to find out, my parents would put the candy away so we wouldn't eat it all at once. This candy would be saved to be put in our Christmas stocking, used for dessert, and some probably used as a snack for my parents! I realize now how obvious it was that this was a lie, but my sister and I were fully convinced for a few years! Summary: Today in class we went over and took notes on claims and their different forms.  Reflection: Learning about claims will help me with my understanding of arguments. I am now able to build a good claim, and I will be able to tell if a claim is arguable or not. 

 Prompt Response: An argument I wish I handled differently is when my sister and I were fighting over wearing each others clothes. My sister was yelling at me for wearing one of her tank tops, and I yelled back about how she had been wearing something of mine two days prior. Looking back, yelling was not the right move. Instead, I should have given her "points". I should have let her win and agreed that I shouldn't have taken her tank top. Once I did this is when I could've brought up the fact that she wore my clothes a few days prior, which would have in the end allowed me to win the argument.  Summary: Today in class, we took notes from the book "Thank You for Arguing" and learned a lot of different persuasion techniques.  Reflection: The book, "Thank You for Arguing" allowed me to learn new persuasive techniques that will allow me to win future arguments. The book presented me with real-life scenarios that I might experience, and I will have way...

 Prompt Response: I am currently attempting to persuade my dad to stop using ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI platforms due to the harm they bring to the environment. To do this, I have used multiple articles written by environmentalists and even sent him sad videos of animals who are affected of climate change. I used ethos when I found articles written by environmentalists who knew what they were talking about and are credible. I used pathos when I sent sad videos of animals who were affected, which would evoke sad emotions. So far, ethos has been the more effective persuasion technique, as my dad is more interested in reading articles than watching videos. I will continue to use these tactics to fully persuade him.  Summary: Today in class we went over examples of ads and how they might use more of ethos, pathos, or logos.  Reflection: Our review of ethos, pathos, and logos will help me to continue persuading my dad to stop using AI platforms. I now understand how these p...

Prompt Response:  I feel that as I grow older, I will have to stand up for the conservation of the environment a lot. I plan on going into the biology field when I get older. Therefore, I will end up fighting for organisms that don't necessarily have a voice. I also feel that with the worsening problem with climate change, there will be an increase in problems that must be fought for. If I do work in the biology field, I will be faced with these problems firsthand.  Summary: Today in class, we discussed arguments and the tactics of a good debate.  Reflection: The discussion of debate made me think about how I would argue within a debate. I realized the importance of ethos, pathos, and logos. 

 My three goals that I want to achieve this academic year are maintaining all A's, doing well on the SAT and ACT, and not letting myself prioritize anything over my academics. I have always had A's in high school, and while I understand that junior year could change that, I don't want my personal expectations to fall short. I also want to ensure that I am studying for the SAT and ACT as I understand the importance of doing well on them when it comes to applying for colleges. Finally, I want to make sure that I keep academics as a top priority as it can be easy to let sports, friends, and clubs take up your life. I believe I can reach all of these goals as long as I stay consistent and work hard.