Blog Portfolio (Due: 20 May 2011)
Elizabeth Trinh
Weintraub
HLit 2nd Period
20 May 2011
Blog Portfolio
Blog Prompt #10 (due May 16)
Reflect on your freshman year in Language Arts, addressing specifically (but not limited to) the following questions:
1. How have you changed as a reader and a writer this year? (Think back to your summer essay…..what has changed?)
I remember walking into Mrs. Weintraub’s class on the first day of school, proud of my character analysis and my knowledge of MLA format. I walked out of her class with a failing grade on the essay. I didn’t know how to write a thesis or proper character analysis. After one school year with Mrs. Weintraub, I know I am a better writer, not only because I make higher grades on my essays, but also because I am more confident. As a reader, I do not believe that I have changed much. However, I have read many good books this year that I wouldn’t have picked up to read otherwise. When I have free time, I read leisurely, but I know that I am able to analyze a piece of literature critically at any moment.
2. How has your understanding of media evolved?
I now know that there are many people who critically dissect and analyze all types of media, from Walt Disney movies to Abercrombie ads. All types of media have a biased touch, but the more important issue to look at is the fact that media is taking control of our lives. In today’s society, we are extremely dependent on technology, and this is very dangerous. Exemplified by the novel Fahrenheit 451, if we continue in the direction we’re heading in, we will soon become mindless robots.
3. What different strategies (compared to middle school) do you employ when making sense of difficult texts?
The strategy that I employ when making sense of difficult text is using context clues; I always use context clues. I have used them since elementary school, and I will continue to use them throughout my school career. On the top of my mind, I do not use any other type of reading strategy.
4. What was your favorite unit of instruction this year & why did you enjoy it?
My favorite unit of all would have to be the Romeo and Juliet unit. Romeo and Juliet is a classic love story, and I know I wouldn’t have ever picked it up to read on my on, because it is written in old English. The story combines love, tragic, and comedy in one play. Shakespeare is an amazing and talented writer, and I am so thankful that I got to read some of his work. Romeo and Juliet is a beautiful piece of literature! (Additionally, I loved watching the movies! They made the unit more enjoyable!)
Blog Prompt #3 (due Sunday 1/30 at midnight)
Relating to Media Literacy……
Critique a film that you watched within the last two months. Write at least a two paragraph review with a clear thesis statement. Post your review on your blog and be sure to comment on at least two other blogs.
From the beginning to the end, Dear John is a light, romantic movie that follows the life of John Tyree, a soldier, as he falls in love with a young woman named Savannah Lynn Curtis. Although some critics have described the film as corny and sappy, in my personal opinion, Dear John is a heart-breaking story of how love doesn’t always conquer all. On opening day, February 5, 2010, my friends and I went straight to the movie theatre after school to watch Dear John. Since then, I have watched Dear John countless times; each time, I cry even more than the time before. Even though Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams were more convincing in The Notebook, Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried had such natural chemistry in the movie. I would unquestionably recommend Dear John to anyone who is in the mood for a love story.
I primary became interested in watching the motion picture after I read the original Nicholas Sparks’ novel. After I read the book, I went to see the movie, and it was a tearjerker. Nicholas Sparks wrote a brilliant storyline, and scriptwriter Jamie Linden and director Lasse Hallstrom did an outstanding job bringing the novel to life. Dear John is particularly different from any other “chick-flick,” because the story is told completely in a male’s perspective. Additionally, Dear John cleverly took great advantage of the 9/11 event, bringing back an air of a war-type romance. Overall, Dear John was a sweet film, and Channing Tatum made the movie even easier to love.
Add a comment May 16, 2011
Blog Prompt #10 (Due: May 16)
Elizabeth T.
1. How have you changed as a reader and a writer this year? (Think back to your summer essay…..what has changed?)
I remember walking into Mrs. Weintraub’s class on the first day of school, proud of my essay and my knowledge of MLA format. I walked out of her class with a 63, I believe, on the essay. I didn’t know how to write a proper thesis or character analysis. After one school year with Mrs. Weintraub, I know I am a better writer, not only because I make higher grades on my essays, but also because I am more confident. As a reader, I do not believe I have changed much. However, I have read many good books this year that I wouldn’t have picked up to read otherwise. I still read leisurely, when I have time, and I know read well when I analyze the piece critically.
2. How has your understanding of media evolved?
I now know that there are many people out there critically dissecting and analyzing all media, from Walt Disney movies to Abercrombie ads. All media does have a biased touch, but the more important issue to look at is the fact that media is taking control of our lives!
3. What different strategies (compared to middle school) do you employ when making sense of difficult texts?
I always use context clues. I’ve learned to use them since elementary school, and I will continue to use them throughout my school career.
4. What was your favorite unit of instruction this year & why did you enjoy it?
My favorite unit of all would have to be the Romeo and Juliet unit. Romeo and Juliet is a classic love story, and I know I wouldn’t have ever picked it up to read on my on, because it is written in old English. The story combines love, tragic, and comedy in one play. Shakespeare is an amazing and talented writer, and I am so thankful that I got to read some of his work. Romeo and Juliet is a beautiful piece of literature! (Additionally, I loved watching the movies! They made the unit more enjoyable!)
2 comments May 5, 2011
Blog Prompt #9 (due 4/26/11)
Elizabeth T.
My group, consisting of Maddie, Maddie, Connor, Kelly, and me, decided to read Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. Originally, I wanted to read a Nicholas Sparks’ novel, but the group wanted to read about Water for Elephants, as it is a New York Times Best Seller and a movie based on the novel is coming out soon. I read a summary on the novel on Wikipedia, and I was hooked. I expect to fall in love with the novel, and I would absolutely love to watch the movie after I read the novel. I have worked well with all of my group members before, so I expect to work well with my group members now. In general, I feel as if I am in a good group. In my experience, group work is typically not a productive classroom strategy, because I am usually stuck doing most of the work, but I hope that this is not the case for this group.
1 comment April 18, 2011
Blog Prompt #8 (Due: 4/12/11)
Elizabeth T.
Romeo and Juliet is a sweet, romantic read. I absolutely loved it, and I believe that it does live up to its prestigious reputation. As a reader, I began making sense of a difficult text quickly. At first, I had a hard time understanding what the characters were saying, but soon after the first stage, I comprehended the text almost entirely. Now, I adore the language of Shakespeare. Shakespeare is such a talented writer, and I enjoyed Romeo and Juliet so much that I am tempted to read more of his work.
1 comment April 5, 2011
Blog Prompt #7 (Due: 3/13/11)
Elizabeth T.
Although I have yet to be in love before, I believe that love at first sight is very much as real as the sky is blue. In fact, there has been scientific studies that show that love at first sight is indeed real. In The Little Mermaid, The Little Mermaid falls in love with the human prince the first time she sees him. In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo falls in love with Juliet when he first sees her. “Good Directions,” a country song by Billy Currington, describes love at first sight. In The Notebook, Noah falls in love with Allue at a carnival when he first lays eyes on her. In Titanic, Jack falls in love with Rose upon first seeing her. Nevertheless, love at first sight is not just a plot line for a Hollywood Blockbuster movie; love at first sight is fireworks and butterflies.
1 comment March 9, 2011
Blog Prompt #6
Elizabeth T.
Romeo and Juliet is a classic, but tragic love tale. Because it is a renowned story, of course I have been told the plot line as a bedtime story, and I have read allusions to Romeo and Juliet. Additionally, I read the playwrite last summer. This month, we are reading and analyzing Romeo and Juliet. Although I read the play last summer, I was not able dissect it, because I did not understand Old English. I expect to fall in love with Romeo and Juliet, because I am a sucker for love stories. I am extremely excited to be able to critically analyze this beautiful piece of literature.
Add a comment February 28, 2011
Blog Prompt #4
Elizabeth T.
The playwright Romeo & Juliet is a dark, tragic tale filled with deep, passionate characters. The protagonists Romeo and Juliet are deeply in love with each other, and their deaths ultimately unite their fueding families. Romeo & Juliet will forever be a classic love story, and that is how it should stay, a classic. On Monday, Ms. Weintraub’s second period class went to see a play of Romeo & Juliet. Although I did find the play to be humorous and entertaining, I did not like how the play was set up, so to speak.
Obviously, everyone knows the story of the two, young, “star-crossed” lovers and their deperate deaths in the name of love. How could anyone not? In general, I do not like people changing classic movies, novels, or songs. I do agree that sometimes change is for the best, but the play that I saw on Monday was a mocking parody. Overall, I did not like how the script writers changed the play in a way that mocked the Romeo & Juliet that Shakespeare originally wrote. In my personal opinion, the play was ridiculous.
Add a comment February 3, 2011
Blog Prompt #3 (due: Sunday 1/30)
Elizabeth T.
From the beginning to the end, Dear John is a light, romantic movie that follows the life of John Tyree, a soldier, as he falls in love with a young woman named Savannah Lynn Curtis. Although some critics have described the film as corny and sappy, Dear John is a heart-breaking story of how love doesn’t always conquer all. From opening day, February 5, 2010, I have watched Dear John countless times; each time, I cry even more than the time before. Even though Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams were more convincing in The Notebook, Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried had such natural chemistry in the movie. I would unquestionably recommend Dear John to anyone who is in the mood for a love story.
I primary became interested in watching the motion picture after I read the original Nicholas Sparks’ novel. After I read the book, I went to see the movie, and it was a tearjerker. Nicholas Sparks wrote a brilliant storyline, and scriptwriter Jamie Linden and director Lasse Hallstrom did an outstanding job bringing the novel to life. Dear John is particularly different from any other “chick-flick,” because the story is completely in a male’s perspective. Additionally, Dear John cleverly took great advantage of the 9/11 event, which brings back an air of a war-type romance. Overall, Dear John was a sweet film, and Channing Tatum made it even easier to love.
Add a comment January 27, 2011
Blog Prompt #2 (Due: January 23)
Elizabeth T.
If I had the opportunity to produce a ten-minute news program directed at teens, I would broadcast only one story. I am very passionate about religion, and I believe that religion is extremely important in life. Therefore, I would have the topic of Christianity be the major story directed at teens in the news program.
2 comments January 18, 2011
Second Semester Blog Prompt #1
Elizabeth T.
MY GOAL: I will improve my writing skills and make an A on every writing assignment this semester.
MY STRATEGIES: I will carefully read the prompts and brainstorm outlines. I will self-score myself using the writing rubric, analyze my mistakes, and rectify them for self-improvement. I will also schedule help sessions with Mrs. Weintraub to discuss writing strategies and techniques.
Add a comment January 7, 2011
Blog Prompt #10 (Due: 11/21/20)
Elizabeth T.
In my own words, propaganda is a means of persuasion by the manipulation of facts and images. It is often used in a misleading or exaggerated manner; propaganda has been negatively used by Nazi Germany, North Korea, and even the United States of America. There are many propaganda techniques: quotes out of context, scapegoating, and name-calling. All of the techniques that I have mentioned are improper. In conclusion, propaganda is negative and is not used for good purposes, because it, essentially, tells lies.
3 comments November 15, 2010
Blog Prompt #9 (Due: Sunday, 10/31)
Elizabeth T.
To me, doublespeak is a type of language that intentionally reverses or disguises the meaning of a group of words. I believe that doublespeak is common in the media and in politics, because it is constructed to impose approval upon the overall population. Therefore, if people approve of doublespeak, even if they hate it in their minds (which is doublethink), it is considered acceptable to the public. Two of my favorite examples of doublespeak that I found are “pain compliance” and “capital punishment.” “Pain compliance” is the government’s way of saying torture, and “capital punishment” is essentially the death penalty or state execution.
3 comments October 25, 2010
Blog Prompt #8
Elizabeth T.
My top three titles for my next college bound novel are Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, and Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott.
1 comment October 19, 2010
Blog Prompt #6 (Due Oct. 10)
Elizabeth T.
In their presentation, Madison Barefield and Peter Chung talked about happiness. What is happiness? What causes happiness? Are people in today’s society truly happy?
I learned that meditation is a great way to relax, and relaxation ultimately leads to happiness, because people, who are relaxed, are content. Peter, who spent three days meditating, wrote a journal that was both insightful and comical. The entire presentation was concluded by a meditation session, which was extremely helpful. Overall, the presentation was ingenious.
2 comments October 5, 2010
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