Ja'nylah's English Blog

 Prompt Response: After reviewing my classmates' posters and reading the feedback on mine, I realized how important layout, color, and font choices are in making a message clear. Seeing other designs showed me different ways to create a strong focal point and better balance. The feedback helped me understand that small details, like spacing and text size, can impact how others interpret my message. I learned that a good poster isn't just creative, it communicates clearly, and revision is an important part of the process. Summary: In class we reviewed how feedback for out rhetorical analysis, watched two videos about A.I. and how it affects schools and comments on everyone's digital poster. Reflection: I learned how A.I. impacts the education department with students using it for all of their assignments.

 Prompt Response: While writing my figurative language, I learned that some people have doubted me and tried to put me down and expressed that I will not be as successful as others, but I still overcome my fears and put all the negative opinions in the back of my head and do what makes me happy. Summary: Today in class we wrote out 6 similes and metaphors about personal growth and what other people think of us. Reflection: I learned how to make similes and metaphors that describe how my life is going.

 Prompt Response: During the break I took time to practice driving and study for the test so I can get my permit. I also visited some family members and went to Atlantic Station to go shopping, get some food, and catch up with each other. Summary: Today in class we read "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou and explained the meanings of the similes and metaphors used in the poem. Reflection:  I learned how to identify similes and metaphors and explain what they mean in a poem.

 Prompt Response: I would choose a handwritten letter, a playlist, and a warm blanket. The letter represents thoughtfulness because I take time to express how I feel. The playlist shows that I pay attention and connect through shared emotions. The blanket represents comfort and consistency, showing that I care by being supportive and present. Summary: Absent Reflection: Absent

 Prompt Response: Writing my rhetorical analysis essay helped me grow as a writer because it pushed me to think deeper about how authors use strategies like diction, repetition, and figurative language to achieve their purpose. At first, organizing my ideas and creating a strong thesis was challenging, but outlining my main points before drafting made the essay clearer and more focused. Revising my paragraphs to better explain how each rhetorical device supported the speaker's message improved my confidence. I also learned that adding specific evidence and commentary makes my analysis stronger. Overall, this experience made me feel more prepared to analyze complex speeches and texts in American Literature because I now understand how to break them down step by step. Summary: Today in class we wrote our rhetorical analysis essay. Reflection: I learned how to write a rhetorical analysis using a planner to help guide through that process.

 Prompt Response: One step of the rhetorical analysis process that helped me most was identifying the rhetorical situation. By focusing on the speaker, audience, purpose, and context, I learned how these elements shape the message. This step helped me understand why the speaker chose certain words and strategies to connect with the audience. It improved my ability to analyze a speaker's message because I could see not just what they were saying, but why they were saying it in that specific way. Summary: Today in class we did step 3 and 4 of our rhetorical analysis planning guide. Reflection: I learned how to create my thesis statement for my rhetorical analysis.

 Prompt Response: My idea of a perfect day spent with someone I care about would be a relaxed day with one of my closest friends. We would start the morning by getting breakfast and talking about everything and nothing at the same time. Later, we'd go somewhere fun like a park or the mall, listening to music and laughing without worrying about time. In the evening, we'd watch movies, eat snacks, and just enjoy being comfortable around each other. The best part wouldn't be what we do, but the feeling of being understood and appreciated. Summary: Today in class we planned step one and two of our rhetorical analysis. Reflection: I learned how to plan out my rhetorical situation and rhetorical devices and apply it to a rhetorical analysis.

 Prompt Response: The best piece of advice that my parents have given me is to be more successful than them. They told me this because they want me and my siblings to have a better lifestyle than them and live a wealthy stable life. My parents want the best for me and my siblings. They do not want us to struggle financially and mentally and tell us to always save our money to get into a good college or just to have some in case of important emergencies. Summary: Today in class we read the poem "Mother to Son" and identified the details in the poem and how they correspond to life. Reflection: I learned how to identify the details of a poem and how it relates to different scenarios.

 Prompt Response: The most challenging part of working in a group is making sure everyone is staying on task and doing what they are told to be done. During sometime in middle school, everyone was assigned to complete a project in groups of 4-5 people, and instead of picking the people ourselves, our teacher already had our groups planned out. Once I was situated with my group, we got the instruction on what to do and the expectations that are required for the project. As soon as we get started, most of my group members start going on their phones and not doing their part of the project. I learned from this experience by looking for the information myself and note it so that I can have it ready just in case the same situation happens again.  Summary: Today in class we practiced writing a rhetorical analysis and graded different rhetorical analysis based on the thesis, commentary, and depth. Reflection: I learned how to identify a good rhetorical analysis and the components of ...

 Prompt Response: The challenging part of writing an essay for me is organizing my ideas. I usually have a lot of thoughts, but it's hard to decide what should come first and how everything should connect. I plan to overcome this by making a simple outline before I start writing, so I know my main points and evidence ahead of time. This helps my essay stay focused and makes writing the draft much easier. Summary: Today in class we worked on a rhetorical analysis body paragraph based on the "I Have A Dream" speech by Martin Luther King Jr. Reflection: I learned how to create a rhetorical analysis body paragraph and imply what I know to my commentary to explain the reasoning on why the speaker chose the rhetorical device and/or strategy.

 Prompt Response: A real moment that felt like the beginning of a powerful story was the first time I realized I had to speak up for myself instead of staying quiet. I was in a situation where I normally would've gone along with what others wanted, but something in me finally said, "Enough." It wasn't dramatic on the outside, but inside it felt huge, like crossing an invisible line. After that, I started seeing myself as someone who could make choices instead of just reacting. It felt like a turning point because it changed how I handled challenges moving forward. Summary: Absent Reflection: Absent

 Prompt Response:  If I had to write a poem about my life right now, it would be about being in between growing, but not quite finished yet. It would focus on balancing school, expectations, and figuring out who I am while still feeling unsure. The poem would capture moments of stress mixed with small wins that keep me going. Overall, it would be about change, patience, and learning to trust myself even when the future feels unclear. Summary: Today in class we learned how to write a rhetorical analysis. Reflection: I learned how to write a rhetorical analysis.