Ja'nylah's English Blog

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After viewing your classmates’ digital posters and reading the feedback comments left on your work, what new ideas or perspectives did you gain about your poster? Reflect on how the feedback influenced the way you think about your creative choices and describe what you learned about the creative process while designing and presenting your poster.

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.

Today you created similes and metaphors that reflect your struggles, growth, and resilience. In a well-developed paragraph, reflect on the process. What did you learn about yourself while writing your figurative language?

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.

Describe how you spent your time, any activities, traditions, travel, hobbies, or moments that stood out to you. You may also discuss something new you tried, something you learned, or how the break helped you reset before returning to school. Keep your response appropriate for a school setting and focus on experiences you are comfortable sharing publicly

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.

If you had to describe how you show love using only three objects (for example: a playlist, a hoodie, a late-night snack, a long text message, etc.), what would you choose and why? Explain what each object represents and how it connects to your personality.

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

Now that you have completed the rhetorical analysis essay, reflect on your growth. Explain how this experience impacted your confidence as a writer and whether you feel prepared to continue analyzing complex speeches and texts in American Literature. Support your reflection with specific references to the writing process.

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.

Today, you learned how to complete a rhetorical analysis planning guide step by step, from identifying the rhetorical situation to analyzing devices and effects. Reflect on one step of the rhetorical analysis process that helped you understand the process more clearly. Explain what you learned during that step and how it improved your ability to analyze a speaker’s message.

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.

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day week, describe your idea of a perfect day spent with someone you care about (a friend, family member, or significant person in your life).

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.