Essay

Throughout middle school, essays had always been something I felt very confident about. I felt like I was a good writer and I always got a good grade. Boy did that change this year. Before this class I never looked any deeper into a novel than exactly what happened in the story. I didn't care what the theme was, finding motifs and symbols, or character development. Writing essays became quite a challenge for me because of this.

I've come a long way since the beginning of the year with my writing. Now when I read I find myself naturally noticing symbols, figurative language, and developing themes. I feel like my writing has become a lot better but I still have a lot to work on. I tend to repeat words or phrases over and over, seeming to be at a loss for new ideas. I also have a hard time transitioning into new paragraphs and I can't seem to come up with an interesting hook if my life depended on it! Although I have a lot to work on, I've learned a lot about writing essays this year and feel like it will help me a lot in years to come!

Summer Reading List

One book I'd like to read over the summer is The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen. Last year in 8th grade all of my friends read it and always talked about how amazing it was. So I figured I would probably enjoy it too. Another book I'd like to read is The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. I saw the movie twice and it was amazing. So I'm guessing the book is probably a hundred times better! You can never go wrong with a Nicholas Sparks book!

Culture Shock

The chorus of this song relates to Romeo and Juliet because it describes how Romeo feels towards Juliet.


Hey Juliet- LMNT


Hey Juliet
I think you're fine
You really blow my mind
Maybe someday
You and me can run away
I just want you to know
I wanna be your Romeo
Hey Juliet

Extra Credit Blog

Though I can recall many times I just about wanted to die writing that Great Expectations essay, looking back on the past seventh months of honors english, its been a pretty enjoyable experience. Through elementary and middle school, english always came easy to me.. let's just say this year has been a little different. Nothing has been so extremely hard that I couldn't handle it, but I definitely have had to work way harder in this class. Although my english class last year really helped me to prepare for all the work. Sometimes this class can be a little overwhelming for me, but I know it's only going to help me in the long run. I really have learned a lot in honors english and I feel like it will really help me in years to come. It also helps knowing that when I'm really tired and dreading going to school, I can atleast count on some entertainment in first period. Wether it be Luke and Evora fighting, Miles disgusting Mrs. Gilman with his 8:00 am pasta salad, or Tom and Jack being.... welll, Tom and Jack. Though I've struggled from time to time in this english class, I feel like it has definitely been worth it, and an overall good experience.

Animal Farm Trailer-Seven Commandments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW888a-Bx2U

Mockingbird Motif

Since reading To Kill a Mockingbird, i have understood what motif is much better. The motif in this story to "never kill a mockingbird." Which means to not punish someone that doesn't know any better and can't help themselves. This is referred to several times throughout the book.

Once when they kill Tom Robinson, an innocent, disabled man. Not only did they kill him but they shot him way too many times. Another time is when Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell to save Scout and Jem. Punishing Boo, a man that stays in his house all through the day, would be like killing a mockingbird. All he was doing was protecting the kids.

Life Lessons

I'll never forget coming home crying in first grade because I was having issues with a few of my friends. My mom said, "Honey just be yourself and if somebody doesn't like you, then they're not a real friend. If you just be yourself you will find people who like you for who you are and not what you try to be." Although at the time it didn't seem like what my mom had just said was very important, it has stuck with me my whole life and is some of the best advice I've ever received.

This has been one piece of advice that I can honestly say has never let me down. Through all the drama of my pre-teen and teen years so far I have stuck to this. As long as I'm true to myself I will find people who will be true to me. This life lesson has helped me throughout the years to find out who my true friends really are.