Matyas’ English Blog

  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...