Gregory's English Blogging Destination

Strengths and Challenges: Saad Hits and Misses: Evan

     Over this past year, I have written for many different rhetorical situations: research, narrative, literary analysis, etc. Overall these projects, I think I have finally come to some conclusions about my writing as a whole. One, I feel more comfortable in dealing with analytical writing. This is seen throughout my work. I also had more fun when doing these analytical pieces rather than the creative ones. I also feel that I am able to better organize myself in the analytic genre. I also think that my mind works better at compiling and an analyzing data rather than coming up with new ideas and expressing myself.      Another part of the writer within me struggles with attention to detail. I can vividly imagine a scene within my head, but I struggle to craft that scene on paper. I feel that this comes from my lazy nature. I always try to make my works as concise as possible, and this is becoming a problem for me. Sometimes, my work doesn't need to be con...

     Over this past year, I have attempted and succeeded in many different styles of writing. One of those I feel especially confident in is my research paper. I enjoyed the entire process for the research paper: from choosing a topic to the final product. I also liked it because the entire process seemed to flow well. It didn't seem like I was switching between project steps, but rather it seemed like it was just the next link in a chain. The research paper also allowed for a level of intimacy and customizability for the topic itself. I was able to choose something that interested me. I think this was my strongest piece overall this year.      Not all of my pieces have been a stunning success in my mind. I think one piece I "missed" was the personal narrative. During my personal narrative, I found increasing difficulty in trying to establish the scene of my memory. I told the story more as a narration rather than an observation. I think the reason I found...

What are the most meaningful relationships in your life?: Saad What are your favorite video games?: Matthew

     To answer this plainly, No, I am not distracted to technology. I honestly work better on a computer or iPad than on paper. I find it easier and more efficient to work with others using technology. Technology allows us to be miles apart and be working on the same virtual piece of paper. This can be seen as a huge benefit to collaboration and cooperation. I would even say that technology allows me to stay more focused on what I am working on. I am able to listen to helpful music and look up helpful tips while getting the work done in a timely manner, albeit it does have its drawbacks.      I think that technological distraction results from irresponsibility. I believe the term technology is too broad for this prompt. I believe that the entirety of technology can't be distracting, but I do believe in certain situations it can be distracting. For example, while trying to do homework, some people might feel the need to check their phone every ten seconds b...

     So far, I find Purple Hibiscus to be an interesting novel to read. The novel dives into a complex family that is dominated by an abusive father, Eugene. At thsi point in the novel, Eugene has had several instance of abusing his children throughout the book. For example, he scalded his children for several instances of "sinning" over a vacation. I should also mention that most of these abuse cases come for situations involving religion. This abuse leads to a complex situation between Eugene and the rest of  the family. I think it is important to note the reaction of Eugene to him abusing these children.      Eugene does not appear to take pleasure in abusing his family. When he abuses Kambili in one instance, he is crying as he pours the boiling water over her feet. This appears to show that Eugene does not to hurt his children, but something else is motivating him. In Eugene's case, it appears to be is christian life. Eugene sees himself as fulfi...

Saad: Shootings Matthew: America's Gun Problem, Explained (Not Really, and I Actually Explain Why)

     One recent development that has become a increasingly popular topic in the US is the amount of lethal police shootings that has occurred. The article titled Police shootings are also part of America’s gun problem explores this topic in length. Lopez's, the author, main point is that the US has an disproportionate amount of lethal police shootings to its population. He then goes on to suggest that the root of this is the amount of civilian owned guns the US has. Officers are more likely to feel threatened in the event of a suspect pulling something out of his pocket that may be a gun. Overall, I think Lopez does suggest some reasonable points; however, I do not think that this is the entire story.      In the event of you are stopped, arrested, or detained by a law enforcement officer, one should generally follow their instructions. Most of these instruction are to ensure safety for the officer and for yourself. To my knowledge, most lethal shootings ...

Free Post: Saad Creative Free Post: JC

     I walk on on to the docks and see my new galleon. Boy, she is magnificent. She ready to take on the open seas I search of precious loot. I have been on many adventures before, but none with a ship and crew like this. I eagerly climb aboard to check its amenities: map deck, crew cabins, crow's nest, and the beautiful sails. Oh the magnificent sails with state-of-the-art rigging and fine adjustments. It makes my little brain explode with the planing involved in crafted such an elegant transportation machine.      "Anchors up!" I shout to the crew. The sails are set. The wind is perfect, not a cloud in sight.  I would shout "smooth sailing" but my jinxing comes more often then I'd like. I go and take the helm. I plot my heading to 78 degrees ESE. And now, it is just time to wait. The best part of the journey. Riches are good in all, but it is all about the journey you take to riches, whether that be by raiding someone else's ship, or discovering a h...

     There are many interesting uses of diction in Purple Hibiscus . It effects how different people see different characters. For example, Eugene sees his father as a pagan, while aunt Ifeoma sees Papa Nnukwu as a traditionalist. Both these words mean the exact same thing in context, but pagan has a negative connotation to it. Traditionalist makes Papa Nnukwu feel more acceptable to others and makes the reader feel more empathetic towards him. This shows how he is seen through different people.      These interpretations also reveal a lot of Papa Nnukwu's character. In the novel, he is see as this poor, free-spirited man. He had the chance to be rich from his son, but chose to see his grandchildren instead of having a nice house a good food. This sets what the priorities in his mind are: family and happiness. These starkly contrast the beliefs of Eugene. Eugene's first priority is to the church, it appears that everything he does is for the glory of...

Waffle Fries: Evan Poetry: Tucker

I make my way through the brush, sneaking and prancing through the green grasses of the ancient forest. Only one way to test my luck. I lurch up on my unsuspecting pray. hopefully, he won't have my head today. Get ready for a blood bath. I draw my longsword and slash the unsuspecting Anjanath. It shrieks in pain. How dare someone disrespect my name. And thus, the hunt begins Sibilance, Alliteration, Assonance (Inspired by Monster Hunter World )

     "Umbrella" by Rihanna feat. Jay-Z incorporates many of the sound patterns we have been talking about in class. In the beginning of the song, sung by Jay-Z, there are many sour patterns used. One of them is the alliteration of "Good Girl Gone Bad." There are also may eternal rhymes in this beginning part. There is also consonance of c, ch, and ck sounds. This gives it a cacophony in this beginning part. It makes the listener hear these harsh and unforgiving sounds. This is important as it leads into the part where Rihanna sings.      As Rihanna enters the song, her lyrics emphasize her soothing voice. There is assonance of log vowels. Theses assonances gives it an euphonic sound. It seems that Jay-Z is there to emphasize the problems of the world only for Rihanna to sooth you from those problems. There is also a lot of sibilance in Rihanna's part; however, I don't think this is intentional because the sibilance results from her talking about the sun. N...

Free Post: Fortnite: Saad Motives and Breaks: Evan

     Over Mardi Gras break, I picked up Monster Hunter World . This game is pretty self-explanatory: you fight monsters. I have enjoyed this game over the past few weeks. It has really brought a genuine sense of exploration and discovery through its diverse landscapes and monsters. I haven't experienced anything that really feels repetitive or boring in the game. It still instills that sense of exploration and curiosity for its unique world.      Another reasonw hy I think I have enjoyed this game so much is because it have returned me from PvP (Player vs. Player) games. Monster Hunter World  is a cooperative open-world PvE (Player vs. Environment) game. I had been on many multiplayer PvP games like Overwatch  and Battlefield One  for the past few years, so it has been really refreshing in a sense. It has a much different play style than those games, but I am getting used to it. Your play style depends on what weapon you use. I use a long sw...

    One of LAUNCH presentation was on a method of properly educating teens through methods of "Reasonable risk-taking." I found this presentation to be especially interesting. It compares the decision making process to learning in a new way that I hadn't seen before. The "reasonable risk taking" sets up an environment where it is OK to fail. This is very similar to the process of learning. My math course is set up to where it is OK to fail the first time, as long as you are able to process and understand the knowledge, it will be alright.      I especially enjoyed this presentation because of how it was presented. The presenter used his own method during his presentation. He went on stage without any aides and gave his presentation. It put him in a risky position, but if he failed, it was not the end of the world. It is one thing to talk about something that teens should do, but I think it makes it all the more incredible that he actually implemented his method...

Columbus: Tucker Research Post: Saad

     Between our Social Studies and English classes, I have been working on a joint research paper. The topic I chose was Karl Marx relationship with Russian communism. I have found this topic to be very interesting thus far. I think a lot of people get confused about what communism actually is. Communism is a socioeconomic system that is supposed to benefit the proletariat or working class people. This system seems good in theory, but it has its problems. It all starts off with the criticism of Capitalism, the current dominant economic system. They say that the Bourgeois, middle class, are only making the proletariat suffer through the economic system through taking advantage of them.       Communism really boils down to one key economic prospect: the abolition of private property. The communist argument goes that since the Bourgeois own the means of producing goods, The Bourgeois can and are taking advantage of the proletariat. Through this process, the ...

     In class, we have been reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. The novel takes place on an Indian Reservation and is about a boy who has had many developmental problems and struggles in his life. Arnold, the main character, goes on his journey to never give in to society's torment of him and his people. I have enjoyed this book so far. It has been much more of a relaxed read since I don't have to annotate it. It really takes stress away from the last books we have read. Also, I think the book has been a good distraction from the research paper. It reminds me of how to be a kid.      I think the novel can be very inspirational. Arnold can be a understandable character. He isn't this perfect being that does everything right and all. He is just a normal human being who has emotions and problems like the rest of us. I feel he is the way a lot of kids see themselves these days: failures, imperfect, and isolated. I also li...