I am not technologically savvy and this is my first time blogging. (I can't arrange my posts by older dates!)
Curse this piece of contraption!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
-~READ THIS PLEASE~-
Hello visitors! Please refer to the archives and begin reading with the first post entitled "Greetings Comrades."
I am not technologically savvy and this is my first time blogging. (I can't arrange my posts by older dates!)
Curse this piece of contraption!
I am not technologically savvy and this is my first time blogging. (I can't arrange my posts by older dates!)
Curse this piece of contraption!
What is the American Experience?
This country was founded on the grounds of discontent and oppression and has witnessed various forms of revolution, such as the American fight for independence, civil rights for blacks, and women's suffrage. Despite the fact that countless men and women dedicated their lives for the sake of obtaining the quality of life which Americans live in now, and now currently neglect, allowing the American government to slowly take away our freedoms, the fruits of the American people's labor and the infinite number of sacrifices made to achieve this liberty. We are the 99%, they are the 1%, and I strongly believe now that it is time for America to revolt united. The American experience is not about the idealized hope and opportunity, but of oppression and revolution.
At the end of first quarter, I had previously stated that "for the early settlers, the "American experience" was a constant revolt against government constitutions, and continues to be a problem today." And to this day, I still stand true to my convictions with another detail to add. Oppression.
A feeling of government oppression has been recently felt after the implementation of SOPA and PIPA, and now, with the proposal of ACTA, it is clear that the rights enlisted in the 1st amendment, are being stripped from us before our very eyes. This is a clear act of oppression, not only of American expression, but of worldwide expression as well. The internet, which connected our countries as one, has served as a key factor in several recent revolutions. Now, with the government having perceived this as a destructive tool, is attempting to censor it to quell our innately rebellious spirit. Thomas Jefferson had clearly written in the Declaration of Independence, " it is their right to throw off such a government," a government convicted of "a long train of abuses and usurpations begun at a distinguished period and pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them..." Americans have a right to rebel, and rebel we will rightly do so.
At the end of first quarter, I had previously stated that "for the early settlers, the "American experience" was a constant revolt against government constitutions, and continues to be a problem today." And to this day, I still stand true to my convictions with another detail to add. Oppression.
A feeling of government oppression has been recently felt after the implementation of SOPA and PIPA, and now, with the proposal of ACTA, it is clear that the rights enlisted in the 1st amendment, are being stripped from us before our very eyes. This is a clear act of oppression, not only of American expression, but of worldwide expression as well. The internet, which connected our countries as one, has served as a key factor in several recent revolutions. Now, with the government having perceived this as a destructive tool, is attempting to censor it to quell our innately rebellious spirit. Thomas Jefferson had clearly written in the Declaration of Independence, " it is their right to throw off such a government," a government convicted of "a long train of abuses and usurpations begun at a distinguished period and pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them..." Americans have a right to rebel, and rebel we will rightly do so.
Top 5 Things an AP Lang Student Should Know: #1
#1 Ideas
Pffft, what? Ideas? Seriously?
Yes, yes seriously. (This is actually the only one I placed in the right rank.)
No one wants to listen to or read a reiterated idea over and over and over again! So be original!
If you interpret the obvious, no one is going to be impressed. Honestly, there is no harm in trying to deviate from the norm! Sometimes, you even interpret something so completely different, people think you're insane. Or even stupid! BUT! Not in AP Lang!
Here's the passages
This is my unusual essay
No one else interpreted the passage the way I did. I believe my originality saved my grade from failure (I didn't answer the prompt!)
No deducted points for a new idea! See?
For the best chance to receive an A, answer the prompt AND have a weird but cool idea in mind!
In AP Lang, we decipher texts and produce new ideas on assumptions, historical context, intuition, blah blah.
Don't be afraid to share your ideas! Especially during Socratic Seminars, that's when we get to discuss our thoughts the most.
Just Free Your Mind!
You don't even have to agree what the teacher thinks, it's all up to you!
Here's a venn diagram I made for you bros!
Hah hah, I actually saw this 3 or 4 years ago on failblog and tried looking for it but it was impossible to find again so I made this cause I thought it was just that funny.
There are no rules in interpretations! It's how you perceive something, not some one else. It's up to you.
All pictures belong to their respective owners and I do not have ownership over them in any shape, way, or form. Found at www.deviantart.com
Pffft, what? Ideas? Seriously?
Yes, yes seriously. (This is actually the only one I placed in the right rank.)
No one wants to listen to or read a reiterated idea over and over and over again! So be original!
If you interpret the obvious, no one is going to be impressed. Honestly, there is no harm in trying to deviate from the norm! Sometimes, you even interpret something so completely different, people think you're insane. Or even stupid! BUT! Not in AP Lang!
Here's the passages
This is my unusual essay
No one else interpreted the passage the way I did. I believe my originality saved my grade from failure (I didn't answer the prompt!)
No deducted points for a new idea! See?
For the best chance to receive an A, answer the prompt AND have a weird but cool idea in mind!
In AP Lang, we decipher texts and produce new ideas on assumptions, historical context, intuition, blah blah.
Don't be afraid to share your ideas! Especially during Socratic Seminars, that's when we get to discuss our thoughts the most.
Just Free Your Mind!
You don't even have to agree what the teacher thinks, it's all up to you!
Here's a venn diagram I made for you bros!
 |
| Red-"Teacher's Interpretation" Blue-"What the Author Intended" Green- "My interpretation" |
There are no rules in interpretations! It's how you perceive something, not some one else. It's up to you.
All pictures belong to their respective owners and I do not have ownership over them in any shape, way, or form. Found at www.deviantart.com
Top 5 Things an AP Lang Student Should Know: #2
#2 Read & Annotate
If you want to do well, read the things your teacher assigns you to read. If you don't, then you're just going to have to sit there. And if this is the case, then at least listen. AP Lang teaches you more than just about writing, but also new ideas, philosophies, and lots of other crazy things!
Your readings are important for your mental development. And whenever you get readings, you have to annotate them. Even if it is only one or two words per paragraph, it's fine. As long as you understand your notes, that's all that matters.
Here are some of my rather messy annotations
Notice how I didn't write too much, but enough to give me an idea of what's in the content?
I know my annotations aren't the best, but they sure are efficient! Especially when it comes to timed writings, developing a habit like this isn't so bad. But sometimes it's good to write out a few ideas like I did in the first link.
How exactly do you annotate? Here's a few tips...
There are a bunch of more ways to annotate! So you really don't have an excuse when you show up to class with a spotless paper and say," Oh, I couldn't find anything." or "I didn't get it."
Writing in some notes helps you understand the reading, so at least try and annotate.
ALSO! Be aware of Socratic Seminars! You always have to provide contextual evidence, which is directly from the readings assigned. And unless you have annotated, you will do poorly, and your lack of knowledge will show. Socratic Seminars are called "Socratic" for a reason you know? The conversation becomes somewhat philosophical and deep, so be prepared. Semper paratus! (US Coast Guard Slogan)
FYI (In case you didn't know) semper paratus means always ready
If you want to do well, read the things your teacher assigns you to read. If you don't, then you're just going to have to sit there. And if this is the case, then at least listen. AP Lang teaches you more than just about writing, but also new ideas, philosophies, and lots of other crazy things!
Your readings are important for your mental development. And whenever you get readings, you have to annotate them. Even if it is only one or two words per paragraph, it's fine. As long as you understand your notes, that's all that matters.
Here are some of my rather messy annotations
Notice how I didn't write too much, but enough to give me an idea of what's in the content?
I know my annotations aren't the best, but they sure are efficient! Especially when it comes to timed writings, developing a habit like this isn't so bad. But sometimes it's good to write out a few ideas like I did in the first link.
How exactly do you annotate? Here's a few tips...
- Write what the argument is. Do it whenever the argument shifts into something specific or on something vague. Differentiate the explicit (stated) argument from the implicit (not stated) argument.
- How is it written? Do they Compare/contrast subjects? Use Inductive reasoning? Deductive?
- List the rhetorical devices used, like anaphora, epistrophe, extended metaphor, etc.
- Then scribble in whether they use a lot of facts, personal experience, values, authoritative figures...
- Does it use a lot of ethos (character), pathos (pity), logos (logic)? Write in which ones
- Tone! Condescending, sarcastic, objective, contemplative, haughty, etc.
There are a bunch of more ways to annotate! So you really don't have an excuse when you show up to class with a spotless paper and say," Oh, I couldn't find anything." or "I didn't get it."
Writing in some notes helps you understand the reading, so at least try and annotate.
ALSO! Be aware of Socratic Seminars! You always have to provide contextual evidence, which is directly from the readings assigned. And unless you have annotated, you will do poorly, and your lack of knowledge will show. Socratic Seminars are called "Socratic" for a reason you know? The conversation becomes somewhat philosophical and deep, so be prepared. Semper paratus! (US Coast Guard Slogan)
FYI (In case you didn't know) semper paratus means always ready
Top 5 Things an AP Lang Student Should Know: #3
#3 Answer the Prompt
Don't forget to do this. If you do, then it's game over for you my friend.
Well, actually, you won't fail, but the highest grade you can get is a C if you're really that good at writing. And if you adhere to your thesis. Just promise that you won't forget to answer the prompt.
How do I know this?
Well, I learned it the hard way...
Here is a sample where the prompt was answered well. (You could barely read when I uploaded it so I retyped this)
Prompt: In the following passage from The Scarlet Letter, the narrator describes Hester Prynne in her isolation from the Puritan community. In a well-organized essay, analyze the language and rhetorical devices the narrator uses to convey his attitude toward Hester and toward women in general.
Essay: Hester Prynne, a social pariah from her Puritan community, is forced to wear the letter "A," for committing the sin of adultery. The narrator conveys his attitude towards Prynne through descriptions of her during her isolation. Based on his observations of Hester, the narrator then makes a generalization that women become oppressed because of their over reliance on emotions.
By using personification, the narrator can treat the feelings of tenderness, passion, and heart as people, which magnifies the importance of human character to Hester Prynne. However, those are the very traits that led to her downfall, as her sin of adultery was a culmination of both passion and heart. The narrator hypothesizes "if she survive[s], the tenderness will either be crushed out of her...[or the tenderness will be' crushed so deeply in her heart that it can never show itself anymore." He also details in the first theory that if she were indeed to transcend her transgression, her "outer semblance" will match the inner suppression of tenderness within her heart. Further emphasizing the destruction of Prynne, the narrator also remarks "that Passion would [n]ever dream of clasping [Hester] in its embrace." These attributes defined Hester Prynne, but as society punished her for allowing these emotions to consume her, she lost her former self, which was comprised of heart, tenderness, and passion, and when combined, formed love.
I used an open thesis (which does not specifically mention which devices are going to be used) to answer the prompt and it was done nicely! (At least in my opinion)
Watch the video...
...and that was how my face looked when I got my paper back.
You may think,"how can you possibly have not answered the prompt?"
And I say,"..." I don't really know but it happens! Sometimes the prompt is tricky so be careful and read it thoroughly.
Don't forget to do this. If you do, then it's game over for you my friend.
Well, actually, you won't fail, but the highest grade you can get is a C if you're really that good at writing. And if you adhere to your thesis. Just promise that you won't forget to answer the prompt.
How do I know this?
Well, I learned it the hard way...
Here is a sample where the prompt was answered well. (You could barely read when I uploaded it so I retyped this)
Prompt: In the following passage from The Scarlet Letter, the narrator describes Hester Prynne in her isolation from the Puritan community. In a well-organized essay, analyze the language and rhetorical devices the narrator uses to convey his attitude toward Hester and toward women in general.
Essay: Hester Prynne, a social pariah from her Puritan community, is forced to wear the letter "A," for committing the sin of adultery. The narrator conveys his attitude towards Prynne through descriptions of her during her isolation. Based on his observations of Hester, the narrator then makes a generalization that women become oppressed because of their over reliance on emotions.
By using personification, the narrator can treat the feelings of tenderness, passion, and heart as people, which magnifies the importance of human character to Hester Prynne. However, those are the very traits that led to her downfall, as her sin of adultery was a culmination of both passion and heart. The narrator hypothesizes "if she survive[s], the tenderness will either be crushed out of her...[or the tenderness will be' crushed so deeply in her heart that it can never show itself anymore." He also details in the first theory that if she were indeed to transcend her transgression, her "outer semblance" will match the inner suppression of tenderness within her heart. Further emphasizing the destruction of Prynne, the narrator also remarks "that Passion would [n]ever dream of clasping [Hester] in its embrace." These attributes defined Hester Prynne, but as society punished her for allowing these emotions to consume her, she lost her former self, which was comprised of heart, tenderness, and passion, and when combined, formed love.
I used an open thesis (which does not specifically mention which devices are going to be used) to answer the prompt and it was done nicely! (At least in my opinion)
Watch the video...
...and that was how my face looked when I got my paper back.
You may think,"how can you possibly have not answered the prompt?"
And I say,"..." I don't really know but it happens! Sometimes the prompt is tricky so be careful and read it thoroughly.
Top 5 Things AP Lang Students Should Know: #4
#4 Analyze Text
You might be able to do this well already, but it becomes even more crucial. This skill is invaluable, especially when it comes to timed writings. You will learn how to write synthesis, compare/contrast, rhetorical analysis, and other types of essays. And you know what? You'll have to be able to analyze the text you are reading and write a decent essay on the prompt around 40 minutes (Depending on which kind of essay)
Here's a sample of a bad analysis (Divided into 3 parts)
I got a C- on this one
(To be truthful, I filled the one above during lunch)
Here's a sample of a good analysis (Divided into 3 parts)
I got an A on this one
How do you get an A? Well, follow these easy steps and you'll be right there!
1. Read the passage, but before that, see when and where it was written. This opens up a lot of ideas, as the writing could reflect thoughts from the era of Romanticism, transcendentalism, etc. A person can be inspired to write because of the events occurring around them.
2. Now pick a sentence or two to analyze. This is when you use your vocab skills! Talk about what the device does, how it is being used, and what it accomplishes.
3. After all that is done, write about what exactly is the point? Usually, the quotation says something beyond the obvious, which is interpreted through your own thoughts. This is often about human nature, societal habits, anything cynical really can be applied here. It's basically the message the author is presenting.
NOTE: The author's argument can be implicit. People are smart, and they are clever. This is shown through their writing! Decipher rhetorical devices, modes, approaches, syntax, and diction! It all means something.
The secret to getting an A is really just about being able to argue and articulate your ideas well. Of course, this is done through analyzing!
Below is an example of a good analysis with an implicit argument...
Don't be afraid of writing essays. After some practice, you'll get the jist of it.
When you see the prompt, say to yourself," CHALLENGE ACCEPTED" and do it!
In all honesty, the analyzing part isn't so important as proving your thesis and sticking to it, but we'll get onto that subject later.
All images found on www.deviantart.com
You might be able to do this well already, but it becomes even more crucial. This skill is invaluable, especially when it comes to timed writings. You will learn how to write synthesis, compare/contrast, rhetorical analysis, and other types of essays. And you know what? You'll have to be able to analyze the text you are reading and write a decent essay on the prompt around 40 minutes (Depending on which kind of essay)
Here's a sample of a bad analysis (Divided into 3 parts)
I got a C- on this one
(To be truthful, I filled the one above during lunch)
Here's a sample of a good analysis (Divided into 3 parts)
I got an A on this one
How do you get an A? Well, follow these easy steps and you'll be right there!
1. Read the passage, but before that, see when and where it was written. This opens up a lot of ideas, as the writing could reflect thoughts from the era of Romanticism, transcendentalism, etc. A person can be inspired to write because of the events occurring around them.
2. Now pick a sentence or two to analyze. This is when you use your vocab skills! Talk about what the device does, how it is being used, and what it accomplishes.
3. After all that is done, write about what exactly is the point? Usually, the quotation says something beyond the obvious, which is interpreted through your own thoughts. This is often about human nature, societal habits, anything cynical really can be applied here. It's basically the message the author is presenting.
NOTE: The author's argument can be implicit. People are smart, and they are clever. This is shown through their writing! Decipher rhetorical devices, modes, approaches, syntax, and diction! It all means something.
The secret to getting an A is really just about being able to argue and articulate your ideas well. Of course, this is done through analyzing!
Below is an example of a good analysis with an implicit argument...
Don't be afraid of writing essays. After some practice, you'll get the jist of it.
When you see the prompt, say to yourself," CHALLENGE ACCEPTED" and do it!
In all honesty, the analyzing part isn't so important as proving your thesis and sticking to it, but we'll get onto that subject later.
All images found on www.deviantart.com
Top 5 Things an AP Lang Student Should Know: #5
#5 Vocabulary
Vocabulary is essential to proving your argument or thesis! You will use vocabulary for multiple choice assessments, annotations, rhetorical analyses, basic writing, etc... Become an expert at it!
...in which case...
http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=§ion=&global=1&q=Derp#/d2ii68b
Seriously though, vocab really does make a big difference.
Here's an interim report of my grades (which I raised eventually)
I know, I know, I got a C+. But that's not the point. Look at the red highlights. Then look at the subject and grade. Makes sense why have a low grade, right? Motivate you enough to study it?
I would have uploaded those quizzes to show you the types of questions asked but I never got them back...
Another tip of advice with vocab, try not to use the obvious. It's really not that impressive. Unless you absolutely cannot think of anything else besides imagery, simile, alliteration...go ahead.
Sometimes, using different types of rhetorical devices can expose a new idea. You never know!
For instance, try using something better, like satire, irony, anything! At least SOMETHING better than imagery. That's just sad. Here's a funny comic kinda relevant to what I'm talking about.
http://hipsterhitler.com/comics/matter-of-time/
...well I thought it was amusing. This was, in my opinion, a hilarious, yet intellectual comic. It depicts Hitler as a hipster in a satirical way of both the past and present, also referencing to several events at the time pertaining to the time period. If you liked this, you should check out the website, it's filled with comics! (Link below comic) (Btw, I do not in any shape or form support Hitler or the Nazis.)
Top 10 Vocab Words that are often confused with each other.
1. Concession vs. Refutation- A concession is when you acknowledge other peoples' ideas and a refutation is flat-out rejecting those ideas. Often, a concession is made to later bring in a rebuttal, so they can destroy the other person's argument! >: )
When you have a fight with someone, you could make a concession to his/her argument (to show that you are listening to their ideas, but not necessarily agreeing with them) and then refute it to make your own argument seem right and to weaken your opponents.
2. Euphemism vs. Innuendo - Basically what this is replacing an offensive word with a more subtle one. For example, instead of calling someone fat, you might call them "big-boned, fluffy, or chubby." These terms are a lot better ways of labeling someone who is a little overweight. See what I did there? A little euphemism!
And an innuendo is an indirect implication of something, often not good. You might have heard someone say to another (or to you), " You only get sick on Fridays. " This comment gives the hint that this person only seems to get sick on Fridays is skipping school, work, or whatever place he/she goes to.
3. Malapropism vs. Pun - Malapropism is when similar sounding words are use incorrectly, kind of like a pun, except malapropisms are unintentional, while puns are deliberate. You might say, "I need help with righting this speech" (Malapropism) and the comic below is an example of a pun...
And another bad pun
http://drawingboard.smackjeeves.com/archive/
4. Slippery Slope vs. Hasty Generalization
A hasty generalization is making a conclusion lacking any real evidence, really just a bunch of opinions. Slippery slope is another logical fallacy in which the start of one event leads to a chain reaction of others, i.e. A will lead to B, B to C, C to D, D to E, and so on so forth.
5. Pathos vs. Bathos
Pathos evokes pity, but bathos evokes insincere pity. Bathos is an excessive degree of pathos that it does the opposite effect of repelling the audience instead of capturing sympathy. Bathos can be heard from everyday language, someone can complain, "I only had 3 hours of sleep, I woke up an hour late, I failed my math test, and then I fell down the stairs." No one wants to join you in your pity party.
Unlike bathos, pathos is genuine, like hearing the experience of a holocaust survivor. Pathos doesn't get any realer than that.
There is a ton of more vocab, but I decided to elaborate a little more so hopefully, you found this a little helpful. Heck, maybe you even knew them all! But seriously, study your vocab. You do that and you're a third way set for AP Lang :)
Vocabulary is essential to proving your argument or thesis! You will use vocabulary for multiple choice assessments, annotations, rhetorical analyses, basic writing, etc... Become an expert at it!
However, some words may be confused with others due to...
1. Similar spelling
2. Similar definition
or
3. You flat out don't get it...
1. Similar spelling
2. Similar definition
or
3. You flat out don't get it...
...in which case...
http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=§ion=&global=1&q=Derp#/d2ii68b
Seriously though, vocab really does make a big difference.
Here's an interim report of my grades (which I raised eventually)
I would have uploaded those quizzes to show you the types of questions asked but I never got them back...
Another tip of advice with vocab, try not to use the obvious. It's really not that impressive. Unless you absolutely cannot think of anything else besides imagery, simile, alliteration...go ahead.
Sometimes, using different types of rhetorical devices can expose a new idea. You never know!
For instance, try using something better, like satire, irony, anything! At least SOMETHING better than imagery. That's just sad. Here's a funny comic kinda relevant to what I'm talking about.
http://hipsterhitler.com/comics/matter-of-time/
...well I thought it was amusing. This was, in my opinion, a hilarious, yet intellectual comic. It depicts Hitler as a hipster in a satirical way of both the past and present, also referencing to several events at the time pertaining to the time period. If you liked this, you should check out the website, it's filled with comics! (Link below comic) (Btw, I do not in any shape or form support Hitler or the Nazis.)
Top 10 Vocab Words that are often confused with each other.
1. Concession vs. Refutation- A concession is when you acknowledge other peoples' ideas and a refutation is flat-out rejecting those ideas. Often, a concession is made to later bring in a rebuttal, so they can destroy the other person's argument! >: )
When you have a fight with someone, you could make a concession to his/her argument (to show that you are listening to their ideas, but not necessarily agreeing with them) and then refute it to make your own argument seem right and to weaken your opponents.
2. Euphemism vs. Innuendo - Basically what this is replacing an offensive word with a more subtle one. For example, instead of calling someone fat, you might call them "big-boned, fluffy, or chubby." These terms are a lot better ways of labeling someone who is a little overweight. See what I did there? A little euphemism!
And an innuendo is an indirect implication of something, often not good. You might have heard someone say to another (or to you), " You only get sick on Fridays. " This comment gives the hint that this person only seems to get sick on Fridays is skipping school, work, or whatever place he/she goes to.
3. Malapropism vs. Pun - Malapropism is when similar sounding words are use incorrectly, kind of like a pun, except malapropisms are unintentional, while puns are deliberate. You might say, "I need help with righting this speech" (Malapropism) and the comic below is an example of a pun...
And another bad pun
http://drawingboard.smackjeeves.com/archive/
4. Slippery Slope vs. Hasty Generalization
A hasty generalization is making a conclusion lacking any real evidence, really just a bunch of opinions. Slippery slope is another logical fallacy in which the start of one event leads to a chain reaction of others, i.e. A will lead to B, B to C, C to D, D to E, and so on so forth.
5. Pathos vs. Bathos
Pathos evokes pity, but bathos evokes insincere pity. Bathos is an excessive degree of pathos that it does the opposite effect of repelling the audience instead of capturing sympathy. Bathos can be heard from everyday language, someone can complain, "I only had 3 hours of sleep, I woke up an hour late, I failed my math test, and then I fell down the stairs." No one wants to join you in your pity party.
Unlike bathos, pathos is genuine, like hearing the experience of a holocaust survivor. Pathos doesn't get any realer than that.
There is a ton of more vocab, but I decided to elaborate a little more so hopefully, you found this a little helpful. Heck, maybe you even knew them all! But seriously, study your vocab. You do that and you're a third way set for AP Lang :)
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Greetings Comrade!
So you guys can succeed where I initially failed at! Hah hah hah!
But seriously, it's so I can help you guys prepare.
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