Sarai’s English Log

 After looking at my classmates’ digital posters and reading the feedback on mine, I got some new ideas about how people see my work. Some comments helped me notice things about my poster, like how the images or colors helped show the message. Seeing other posters also gave me ideas for different ways to use visuals and figurative language. The feedback helped me understand that creativity involves trying different ideas and being open to suggestions. I learned that feedback can help you improve your work and think more about the choices you make when designing something. Today we turned in and got to view and comment on all of our classmates posters. Doing this has helped me learn more about my classmates, as well as review my own work and take in the feedback.

The hardest part for me was coming up with comparisons that were creative but still made sense. A lot of the first ideas I thought of felt kind of basic or overused, so it took longer to think of something better. It was challenging to make the simile or metaphor interesting while also clearly connecting it to the topic. To work through it, I tried to focus on the qualities of the topic and think about other things that share those same traits. Next time, I’d probably brainstorm a few different comparisons first before choosing the one that works best.  Today we worked on making a poster for our metaphors and similes. Doing this helped me to better visualize my ideas, and think through what I wrote.

While creating similes and metaphors about my struggles and growth, I realized that figurative language can help express feelings in a deeper way. It made me think more about the challenges I’ve faced and how they helped me grow as a person. Comparing my experiences to different images and ideas helped me see that struggles can be like obstacles that make you stronger over time. I also learned that writing creatively can help me understand my thoughts and emotions better. Overall, the process showed me that even difficult moments can lead to personal growth and resilience. Today in class we made metaphors and similes related to ourselves. Doing this has made me think more about my like, and made me creatively think of ways to make metaphors and similes.

During my break, I mostly spent time relaxing and taking a break from school. I hung out with family and friends, watched movies, and spent time on some of my hobbies. It was nice not having to worry about homework or deadlines for a while. One thing that stood out was just being able to slow down and enjoy the free time. I also thought a little about my goals for the rest of the school year. Overall, the break helped me recharge and come back to school feeling more ready to focus. Today in class we read STILL I RISE by Maya Angelou. Doing this helped me learn more about Maya Angelou and her poetry.

 If I had to describe how I show love using three objects, I would choose a playlist, a handwritten note, and a photo. A playlist represents how intentional I am with my feelings. I show love by carefully choosing songs that remind me of someone or match what they’re going through. Music helps me say things I sometimes can’t put into words, so making a playlist is my way of expressing emotions in a thoughtful and personal way. It connects to my personality because I pay attention to small details and like creating meaningful experiences. A handwritten note represents sincerity. Taking the time to physically write something shows that I’m willing to slow down and be genuine. It reflects that I value depth and honesty in relationships rather than quick or surface-level interactions. A photo represents memory and appreciation. When I love someone, I hold onto moments. Keeping or sharing pictures shows that I treasure experiences and want to remember the time we’ve spent together. Alto...

Completing the rhetorical analysis essay helped me grow more confident as a writer because I learned how to break down a complex speech step by step instead of feeling overwhelmed by it. Using the planning guide, identifying the rhetorical situation, and outlining my main points before writing made the process feel more organized and manageable. Drafting and revising also showed me how important it is to clearly connect rhetorical devices to the speaker’s purpose instead of just listing them. After going through brainstorming, outlining, drafting, and editing, I feel more prepared to analyze complex speeches and texts in American Literature. I now understand how to support my ideas with specific evidence and explain the impact of a speaker’s choices, which makes me feel more confident in tackling challenging readings in the future. Today in class we finally wrote our rhetorical analysis essays. Doing this has allowed me to use everything we've learned in class, and identify how muc...

One step of the rhetorical analysis process that helped me most was identifying the rhetorical situation. Focusing on the speaker, audience, purpose, and context helped me understand the bigger picture before analyzing specific devices. I learned that knowing why a speaker is talking and who they are addressing makes it easier to explain their choices in tone and strategy. This improved my analysis because instead of just listing rhetorical devices, I can now explain how they support the speaker’s overall message and purpose. Today in class we finished working on our planning for our rhetorical analysis essay. Doing this has helped me become more prepared to write my essay, and better understand the text and what it is about.

 My idea of a perfect day spent with someone I care about would be going out and going to the bookstore, then going thrifting, going out to eat dinner and then coming home and watching a movie together. This is like a culmination of all the things I like doing, and I know some of my friends that would enjoy this as well, so it would be fun. I wasn't here Monday, but I believe we worked on prep work for our essay.

 The most challenging part of working in a group is dividing the tasks and then making sure everyone completes their part of the work. One time that a group assignment did not go as planned for me was when I had to do my AP Gov final last semester, I was supposed to do a presentation with one of my friends but I got sick and had the flu, and they had to do it themselves. What I learned from this experience was that I have a good friend, since they offered to do the whole presentation themselves. Today in class we analyzed and graded sample rhetorical analysis essays. Doing this has helped me see the main components needed to make a good rhetorical analysis, and see that you don't have to make it super complicated for it to still be a good overall essay.

 A real moment in my life that felt like the beginning of a powerful story was the first time I realized I had to start advocating for myself instead of waiting for things to get easier. I remember feeling overwhelmed by school, expectations, and pressure, but also noticing that no one else could fully understand what I needed unless I spoke up. That moment mattered because it shifted how I saw myself, from someone just reacting to life into someone who could make choices and push for change. It didn’t fix everything instantly, but it gave me a sense of control I didn’t have before. That realization felt like a turning point because it marked the start of me taking my own voice seriously. Today in class we wrote half of a rhetorical analysis essay body paragraph and learned about the components it takes to write a proper one.  Doing this has shown me how to properly write a rhetorical analysis, which is something that I have never really done before in previous ELA classes, so...