Perambulating Symbols

The challenging component this semester was the transition from high school English reading and writing level to college level. It is mainly because High school writing did not have many expectations from students, its main focus was on the ideal five-paragraph essays. As compared to college, writing is mainly geared and focused on one’s ability to thoroughly answer the assigned prompt. Initially, I was not sure if I was capable of handling a fast-paced course, however, I quickly adjusted to the change and I am glad that I chose to stay. In English 10, I have learned many valuable elements that I can incorporate into my everyday writing. I have included my writing from project 2 a rhetorical analysis on, “Black Lives Matter”, which effectively demonstrates my growth as a reader, thinker, and writer.

This English class was the best English class I have ever had. There were no tests, vocabulary quizzes, or in class essays, which made the class less stressful. Before this English class, I was afraid that I would not enjoy writing many essays or writing so many words in one paper. Afterwards, essays have become something that is not so much my favorite task in the world, but it has become more enjoyable to an extent. Professor Sullivan’s class has taught me to formally write a research paper, to analyze a book through responding to different quotes from the story or novel, to understand magical realism, and to understand my own passion for school and how much effort I will be willing to put out in years to come.

Kim Brooks, we know has been “teaching composition at state universities and liberal art colleges and community colleges as well,” (Brooks 2) however what makes her truly passionate about the situation is her love for literature since she was a teenager. “Like so many, depressive, creative, extremely lazy high-school students, I was saved by english class” (1). Brooks demonstrates through these quotes her credibility, not only because she’s a teacher but because she truly loves writing and believes others should receive the education which she was fortunate enough to get. She was not apart of any clubs or extracurriculars, she wasn’t interested in other academic classes, so she knows how beneficial having the skills to converse, to write and to properly articulate one's self are. Brooks shares this personal anecdote, otherwise known as pathos, to relate to those reading, most specifically high school students like she once was. While focusing this piece mainly on English it can also be associated with other classes in high school as well. She is trying to illustrate how one can use what is learned in high school in their life if given the proper tools and taught skills which can be applied

As the semester comes to a close, it is always interesting to look back and reflect on the events and opportunities my English class has given me throughout my first semester as a whole. At the beginning of this semester it was evident that I was feeling uncomfortable due to the adjustment that I was going through as a student moving to college. It was very difficult expressing myself through my writing since I was nervous about good impressions and my good grade. While this class was one of the most difficult courses that I have taken this far, it has become quite evident to me that I have grown a substantial amount as a writer and as a person; Especially, when it came to explaining my ideas, writing academic essays, and making arguments.

This school year has gone by really quick but I do feel that I grew and was successful in areas such as incorporating ethos and pathos into the introduction and conclusions of my essays. Writing is more widely appreciated when you can connect to it or with it and building ethos and pathos into it, which creates a relatable tone. Specifically in my Identity free response essay, I had improved my introduction with the use of the rhetorical appeals. I revised the anecdote to put the reader in the moment. This built up my essay and made it stronger, which is what the rhetorical appeals are made to do. Additionally, I have never really been a strong writer , but throughout my essays, I have greatly sharpened my analysis skills. I have learned to continuously ask "so what " on many different levels. On my rubric for the Lord of the Flies free response essay, support and development are one of my strengths. This reviews the addition of evidence that is drawn from any sources. I challenge myself to question further into why anyone should read my essays. Asking “what is the purpose?”

The power of the written word, it is something I believe in; and having read an essay, I can not believe that anyone, even a college admission officer, could entirely separate their personal opinion of the essay from the academic worthiness of the student. Unlike oral traditions, the written word has stability, portability and permanence, the same piece of work may be read and reread exactly as it was first written. Writing allows us to make our thoughts visible to others; it gives us the ability to express and explain complex events, emotions, and situations. Words can wound, they can inspire, they can inflame a populace to revolution or assuage them to lasting peace; they give voice to those who would be silenced, preserve our fondest memories and offer the only true freedom some

Second, I used tone to give the essay character. The speaker throughout the essay appears to me very haughty and excited. The quote “Now I have solved two problems, bullying and your failure in school. I should really write a book.” shows

The blinds on the windows are shut, it feels like a prison cell as I sit under the spotlight. The darkness outside makes me feel somber and alone. I stare at the glowing screen and think to myself, “It’s just me and this paper.” In December of my junior year in high school, I was assigned a persuasive essay on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter; it was my first academic essay of the year. My previous experiences with academic writing were both stressful and unfulfilling; when the essay topic was announced, I felt only resentment and anger, I remembered my past tribulations. With my mother’s help, this essay was different; after I submitted it to the teacher, I possessed a new perspective on academic writing. From my experience, I learned that strong writing skills are vital to communication, critical thinking, and life outside of the classroom.

When a student hears the word “essay,” most begin to panic and put their best foot forward to earn the best possible grade possible. More often than not, essays are a huge section of that student’s grade so the pressure to do well is evident compared to a simple thought posted on twitter. While the four types of rhetorical appeals are not easy to spot right away, they are present. Logos and kairos work hand in hand as both are used to organize thoughts and present evidence to support the author's argument. Speaking of the author, the way the he/she introduces himself and the knowledge that he has on the topic of his essay is the act of ethos. Lastly, depending on the type of essay, the author is able to incorporate pathos to convey emotion to the reader, thus opening the eyes of the reader in favor of the

"The Misfits" is a character study about people who are unable or stubbornly unwilling to adapt to the world; or to the changing world. The title characters have all been seriously hurt in the process of living and are searching (consciously and unconsciously) for ways to cope with what has happened to them in the past. To the extent that they represent an almost universal condition, the film is a symbolical study, with each character meant to illustrate a different means of coping with the realization of one's growing irrelevancy. The initial setting is Reno, symbolically appropriate because as the quickie divorce capital, it is a place where people try to remove the excess baggage of their pasts. Roslyn (Marilyn Monroe) has come there for this purpose and her new freedom is a beacon to her three male co-stars.

Welcome back my friends to the blog that never ends. I’m so glad you could attend. Read along! Read along! There in this class is some prose that’s pretty crass. Be careful as you pass. Read along! Read along! Wow! How disappointed Emerson, Lake and Palmer must be in this sophomoric attempt at humor. Certainly, a painful finale to wonderful class. Admittedly, I have struggled to produce original and interesting content for these blogs. It wasn’t always so. In the autumn of 73, I experienced no such struggle. Ideas burst forth freely and often to form exquisite prose delighting my English professors. Indeed, the fact that I now struggle was a compelling argument to register for this class.

In the book, The Awakening, the author Kate Chopin uses symbols to express meanings in her story about a young married woman exploring outside her comfort zone for herself and happiness. Main character, Edna Pontellier, feels trapped her in marriage as a wife and woman in the 19th century. In her quest to find her independence and true happiness, she does the unthinkable and her actions cause major conflict within herself. The book uses many symbols to express hidden meanings throughout Chopin’s story. A major symbol in The Awakening is the ocean. Since the book begins and ends here, it is a very complex and important part of the story. The ocean symbolizes freedom, growth, and rejection in Edna as she finds herself.

This semester I learned a lot about writing in English 151. It has been a roller coaster ride with these essays for me this semester. I learned step by step how to write a good essay and how to have your readers be engaged in what you’re trying to tell them. Each essay I did has taught me something valuable I can take to the next level of English. I feel as if as the semester went by I did not take my writing that seriously and that reflected in my grades I received in each essay. It made me a better student and writer and it will reflect next semester. In this essay, I will reflect on what I learned throughout this semester that you should apply in your writing when you begin English 151.

Since Freshman year at Rowan University, I have aspired towards obtaining a higher education of graduate studies within the field of English Literature. Thus, I am applying to Rutgers University-Camden Masters in English program in the quest to realize my greatest career objective of pedagogy at the collegiate level. This Masters in English program will be the institution that sharpens my literary prowess and analytical writing methods.

Since the beginning of the semester, my writing has changed and evolved to accommodate and sustain longer essays. With longer essays, there is more room for in-depth analysis. Further analyzing a topic has led me to findings that I did not know existed. As I continue to write, I uncover addition and superior methods to approach my writing to the benefit of me and therefore, my audience. Throughout the semester, I have incorporated techniques to further my narrative throughout my writing.