Since the last response to course material, I feel we have learned a lot of information that is a lot more interesting than what we were learning at the beginning of the year. We got into the details of syntax and how sentence lengths and structures are what vary and these impact the overall tone, pace, and emphasis in the piece. Syntax is definitely the hardest of the DIDLS for me to understand and figure out on my own. I understand it and can find sentences that are significant and mean something to the piece because of the syntax, but I think I will really have to work on this one on my own to get it down-pat.
I was happy when we started talking about plays, theater of the absurd, and comedies. I personally find this part of the course to be a lot more interesting than DIDLS. The American Dream was so strange and absurd to read the first time through, I think doing a second closer read will be interesting because we will have the chance to sort through all of the strange lines and relationships between the characters. Reading about comedies and plays and figuring out the relationships between the characters is something I am looking forward to in this class.
One thing that I really would like to work on and improve on is coming up with strong thesis statements for open prompt essays. You have to analyze the prompt in such a detailled fashion, and sometimes it is hard for me to keep things straight. I am worried on my AP exam I will not fully answer the prompt, and this would cause me to lose many points. I know I need to keep working on this and hopefully I will improve dramatically throughout the school year.
Good work. I'm really getting a good sense of how you're feeling about class. Walk a mile in each other shoes stuff, you know? So anyways, good work. Also, I don't think you have anything to worry about because we still have a LOT of time left until AP exams and by then I think that we will have improved exponentially. I also feel like lots of other people feel the same way.
ReplyDeleteI agree things are getting more interesting! The DIDLS stuff got long sometimes. Syntax is pretty difficult, I think the meaning of it is alright but its just hard to get used to looking for and recognizing in text. The essay thing is freaking me out, too, but, like George said, we have a lot of time to figure it out. The biggest thing that helps me in forming my thesis and overall essay is thinking about the idea that techniques lead to effects which lead to meaning. Cover that and all the goals of the prompt and you're good to go!
ReplyDeleteYes! Things are getting so much more interesting now that we have started getting into the literature and away from the techniques. Syntax is more difficult than the others for me, but I think it's kind of interesting seeing just the ways authors can change around the words in a sentence to make different things important. I wouldn't worry about the AP too much yet, we still have lots of time, I know how you feel though, I still have issues getting any form of support that works well, I guess I cherrypick too much. But we will improve a lot by the time May gets here, don't worry.
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