Matyas’ English Blog

  Prompt Response:  In the first 4.5 week grading period my time in AP Land has been going very well. I am enjoying the discussions, and the workload does not feel overloading by any means, but is still challenging and engaging. I have been doing very well in learning how to better structure arguments, and how to analyze them. however one thing that Would better me to improve on would be to better manage my time with the daily blog posts. I have never been the best time manager, but I want to better my time management skills this year, and start that in AP Lang. Summary:  Today in class we wrote our first full argumentative paragraph. Reflection:  What I learned today showed what I need to improve in my paragraph writing. I need to work on coming up with stronger evidence quicker.

  Prompt Response:  A time I gave an opinion, and I was questioned on it what's when I claimed to my mom that certain health food apps can be deceiving when they say certain things about the food we consume. My mom asked me how I knew that and said I was incorrect. I then told her that I have read and watched media from food scientists who properly explained how and why these apps are misleading. I supported my point by using direct evidence from food scients, and explaining how many of the way that studies are explained are misleading to make you believe a certain thing. I explained how these were reputable sources, and real scients, and this was important so show that my view was not based in personal bias, but instead based in fact. It was important to prove this about my evidence, so that I explain why what I said is true, instead of throwing stuff at a wall and hoping that it sticks. Summary: Today in class we read a story about a veteran in the Vietnam war who killed som...

  Prompt Response:  The learning method that I enjoy the most is hands on activities. To me hands on activities are the most engaging, memorable, and educational forms of teaching someone something. While class discussions can be engaging, they can be intimidating at times for certain people. Additionally, other forms of learning such as lectures and worksheets often lead me to disengage and zone out during the class. When I am given something that is mandatory, and I actually see the difference of my work, I find it the easiest to recall, and the most fun in the moment. When a learning method is not only fun but actually leads to long term learning it is able to help me over the longest period of time. Summary:   Today In class we looked an an example of a question that was on a past AP Lang test, and learned what the best way to plan for it and answer it is. Reflection:  I can use what I learned In class to properly plan out and answer the AP Lang argumentativ...

  Prompt: Something I will never be able to fully understand is how songwriters create music. I find it so mystical that someone can think of a beat and think of lyrics that go along with it so well. While I do understand rhymes, and I do understand people can make beats, It always fascinates me how people can think of such creative and unique sounds that have never existed before. Additionally, how does one structure a song, or decide how each part is supposed to be sung. Song writing is so creative that I will never fully be able to grasp how someone is able to conjure up something that has never existed, and fully flesh it out. Summary: Today In class we learned how to create claims and how to back them up with evidence in a paragraph format. Reflection: I can use what I used today to properly learn how to answer paragraph argument assignments on the AP Lang test. This will help me get a passing score so that I can take less classes in college.

  Prompt Response:  One thing that makes me different from other people is my ability to have fun. I pride myself in that I can fund joy in most if not all situations especially if I am with people. I love to create fun and happiness when it might not be immediately noticeable. This is a skill that not all people have and it makes me enjoy going out and doing things that just happen more than most. This allows me to get many things done easier and up to a higher caliber. Summary: Today in class we further evaluated speeches made by politicians and completed a work sheet to evaluate rhetorical appeals. Reflection:  

  Prompt Response:  A time I felt completely lost was when I was thrown straight into the AP Seminar exam. To preface, the first half of the year was mostly spent reading a couple of books, and while we did one presentation, it was not nearly enough to prepare me for the work load that was to come. as soon as it started we were not allowed to ask the teachers and questions, and the teacher wasn't allowed to say what wasn't already given to us. This was incredibly stressful, and led to me putting off work, and having countless sleepless nights. I felt lose in the writing, and lost in the presenting. Thankfully when the storm passed it was an amazing feeling to never have to worry about the stress of AP Seminar again. Summary: Today in class we learned how to create claims of value. Reflection:  I can use what I learned in class to decide if my argument is relevant and credible or if another person is credible or has enough backing.  

  Prompt Response:  The most creative thing I have ever made was me and my moms Christmas ornament shop. I always had a knack for origami growing up, and one year I made some small paper ornaments for my family Christmas tree. My mom loved them so much that she decided to work with me to get very fancy paper and beads to create one of a kind ornaments. Once we collected our variety of ornaments we started to attend small Christmas craft shows with them, eventually graduating to large craft shows and making lots of money. This stands out as my best work because it has taught me so much about creation, business, and communication. I have heard so many personal stories of how me and my moms art has meant so much to so many people that I never would have been able to hear if I didn't decide to create. Summary: Today in class we evaluated a speech made by Donald Trump and examined its rhetorical appeal. Reflection: I can use what I learned today in class to discern when someone is ...

  Prompt Response:  Living around Atlanta has caused my community and identity to be incredibly diverse. Every place in Atlanta that I have lived there have large pockets of communities that are all incredibly different, but all interact with each other. Because of this every friend group or event that I go to has people of all classes, and races. Overall I see my community as something to grow by meeting new people. If I were to be speaking to someone unfamiliar with Atlanta I would want them to know that my community will take a lot of time to get used too because not everyone has the same stories, and that it is so much more rewarding to make connections and community in such a diverse city. Summary: Today in class we evaluated a speech made by Keisha lance Bottoms that was in response to the violent protests that broke out after the murder of George Floyd. Reflection:  I can use what I learned today to better make arguments in conversation or when I am not as prepared...

  Prompt Response:  As A child I believed that I was not safe in the dark. This was especially the case when It was dark in my room and I had to make it from my door onto my bed. Due to this fear, I would try to run onto my bed in as few steps as possible and jump onto my bed before something "got me" This was also the case when I had to go down stairs to check on something. If it were dark in would get very scared and run up the stairs as fast as possible straight into the safety of my bed. On some occasions I would attempt to get over this fear by purposefully walking slowly up the stairs, but no matter what the fear would overcome me and one way or another I would be running straight to my bed. Summary: today in class we focused on the three types of claim: claims of fact, value, and policy. Reflection: I can use what I learned today to evaluate the motives of a person I am arguing or listening to. Based on certain words or aspects someone argues for I can determine which ...

 Prompt: In sophomore year I was having a disagreement with my sixth period teacher that I wish I would have handled differently. This was on a block day, and I had D lunch. I got to lunch a little later, and needed to use a microwave but there was already an incredibly long line. Due to this I ended up sitting down for lunch very late, and I ended up leaving teo minutes after the the bell rang. This then caused me to walk into class as the final bell rang. The teacher told me to go get a pass and since I was already in a bad mood I came at her snappy. Knowing what I know now from the book we read I instead should have approached the situation In a different way. Summary: Today in class we read over a book that teaches you effective strategies to "win" arguments Reflection: Throught My life if I can have the skill to successfully get my way in arguments or conflicts, I can overall have a more organised life, and I can know that I am in control of situations whenever I am in a...

  The other night when I got home late after marching band practice my aim was to convince my brother to put away the dishes. In order to convince him to assist me I used ethos and pathos. I spoke about how I regularly do dishes without complaining, and overall I have more chores and less time at home compared to my brother. Then I used pathos when I said that I am stressed because I have homework I still need to eat and I need to go to bed early because I have an extra early day the next day. I told him that the help would mean so much to me and that I would really appreciate it. My clever use of ethos to make myself credible and trust worthy and my use of pathos was enough to conscience my brother to help out and do the dishes for me that night. Today In class we learned the difference between ethos, pathos, and logos. I can use the knowledge that I gained in class to discern how an advertisement is trying to persuade me. This can allow me to look at the full picture and not be m...

 As I grow older and face more new experiences and people the issue that I will likely have to debate the most often will be immigration. Due to my lineage and the people that I surround myself with this is a topic that I feel incredibly passionate about. I believe that by making people feel safe rather then demonizing the average person you create a better and more functioning society. With stance I know I will have to confront a lot of people who don't agree with me later on in life, and I do not wish to change or quiet my opinion just to appeal to certain people.  Today In class we presented and listened to a story behind each persons name in out class. We learned about the meanings of each, and a short story behind their name or a nickname. Today I learned all about how each persons name has a story or reason behind it. I can use this knowledge when I meet people and learn their names because some names may be more significant than originally perceived.

 Three academic goals I am aiming to achieve this school year are to better my writing, better my time management skills, and to have better test taking skills. Bettering my writing is an important goal for me since I can apply that skill to any part of my life. being a better writer can open up job opportunities in my life. Bettering my time management skills can also alleviate stress in my life and allow me to achieve better grades and have an overall more organized life. Finally I plan to better my test taking skills by studying and practicing more test skills.