During the first semester of AP Literature and Composition, a lot of focus was drawn to practicing how to find the complexity. First, we started the year with diagnostic essays through which we saw our starting position and set goals for what we need to improve on throughout the year. Next, we worked on the Open prompt and used our summer reading books to answer them. The next unit was the Poetry unit, during which we discussed the several different forms of poetry and poetic techniques, but more importantly, we got a better understanding of how to find the complexity in literature. In order to practice finding the complexity,we annotated, created tone shift charts, and formed thesis statements.
For me, the most significant part of this semester was learning and understanding some of the complexity in literature. In past English classes, everything seemed a lot more black and white. I like how this class has opened my eyes to different meanings and arguments a person can assert in a poetry passage or excerpt. The Open Question Unit opened my eyes to the meaning of literature in terms of books. I gained insight into how certain scenes and descriptions led themselves to the complexity of the work as a whole. I believe this was crucial in understanding the complexity because it taught us how to break up a large work into the pieces that add to its complexity. The Poetry Unit, on the other hand, taught me how to focus more on the small details of the writing. With the poetry unit, I learned how to pay close attention to diction, syntax, imagery, as well as various poetic techniques. Along with the learning a lot about literature, I have also learned a lot about working with others. The way the group dynamic works in this class is particularly interesting because not only are we creating presentations by sharing ideas, but we are also learning about different perspectives and finding different nuances to the piece. While there were some difficulties with working in groups, I believe that I have learned a lot from having open discussions and continuously bouncing ideas off of each other.
I can confidently say that I have learned a lot about analyzing literature throughout this semester. When reading Their Eyes Were Watching God I realized that I have changed the way I read literature. The same details that we looked for in poetry were now more noticeable. In the beginning of the year, I was very nervous after writing the benchmark essays because I didn't understand what the prompt meant when it asked us to find the complexity or analyze the speaker's voice. I also felt as though I didn't have the tools or knowledge to write a proper thesis statement that addressed the prompt without merely restating it. While I still need to practice more before I feel completely confident in my ability to effortlessly identify the complexity and form a coherent thesis statement, the practice we have done in class has made me more confident that I have the tools I need. For next semester, I would like to work on making the process of analyzing and understanding the literature quicker so that I can spend more time writing. I would also like to continue using and practicing the terminology for poetic techniques and rhetorical devices so that I can more accurately analyze the literature.
For me, the most significant part of this semester was learning and understanding some of the complexity in literature. In past English classes, everything seemed a lot more black and white. I like how this class has opened my eyes to different meanings and arguments a person can assert in a poetry passage or excerpt. The Open Question Unit opened my eyes to the meaning of literature in terms of books. I gained insight into how certain scenes and descriptions led themselves to the complexity of the work as a whole. I believe this was crucial in understanding the complexity because it taught us how to break up a large work into the pieces that add to its complexity. The Poetry Unit, on the other hand, taught me how to focus more on the small details of the writing. With the poetry unit, I learned how to pay close attention to diction, syntax, imagery, as well as various poetic techniques. Along with the learning a lot about literature, I have also learned a lot about working with others. The way the group dynamic works in this class is particularly interesting because not only are we creating presentations by sharing ideas, but we are also learning about different perspectives and finding different nuances to the piece. While there were some difficulties with working in groups, I believe that I have learned a lot from having open discussions and continuously bouncing ideas off of each other.
I can confidently say that I have learned a lot about analyzing literature throughout this semester. When reading Their Eyes Were Watching God I realized that I have changed the way I read literature. The same details that we looked for in poetry were now more noticeable. In the beginning of the year, I was very nervous after writing the benchmark essays because I didn't understand what the prompt meant when it asked us to find the complexity or analyze the speaker's voice. I also felt as though I didn't have the tools or knowledge to write a proper thesis statement that addressed the prompt without merely restating it. While I still need to practice more before I feel completely confident in my ability to effortlessly identify the complexity and form a coherent thesis statement, the practice we have done in class has made me more confident that I have the tools I need. For next semester, I would like to work on making the process of analyzing and understanding the literature quicker so that I can spend more time writing. I would also like to continue using and practicing the terminology for poetic techniques and rhetorical devices so that I can more accurately analyze the literature.
Divya, thank you so much for all your hard work this semester! You are a strong writer, and I'm glad you feel the analysis of the pieces has gotten a lot easier. :-)
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