New Improvements

This year has been a new and fun experience for me. I moved to a new district and I lost some friends, but I also made new ones. Honors English 10 has helped improve my ways in reading and also writing. I’ve learned to how to comprehend books and also how to include more details in my writing.

This year in my English class, I have read many new books. My favorite book this year was Lord of the Flies by William Golding. This book helped me learn to identify and find the importance of the themes in books. This book also helped me make connections to others books and also to the world around me. I connected this book to Anthem by Ayn Rand, both books have connections to human nature. In Anthem, Equality shows human nature by him being curious about the things he didn’t know about. In Lord of the Flies, the boys show the savagery inside of humans. In the book Anthem, they changed the way society works and took away inventions from civilization. In the book Lord of the Flies, the boys lost their touch with society and started going on a rampage without any presence of order. These two book help but showing us the importance of society and civilization. Society helps keep us from our natural instincts and savagery. If society and order didn’t exist then there would be chaos around the world.

The Socratic Seminar helped my deeper understanding of the books we’ve read this year. Communicating with my peers around me helped me understand different possible themes and different point of views. This improved my way of reading so now I have an open mind while reading. An example from this school year is when we did a Socratic Seminar on the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The Seminar helped me identify the various situations in the novel which impacted the kids lives the most. This Seminar helped me on tests and essays over the book. In my old school, we read the book without a Socratic Seminar and I didn’t comprehend the book as good as I do now.

I have improved very much in writing this year. I learned how to included important details which grabs the reader’s attention and also the details help support my topic sentence. This helps my writing flow better. In my research paper, I had many details about my topic but it didn’t flow very well and it didn’t explain my topic sentence as well as I wanted it too. In my personal narrative, I had many details and my details supported and tied back to my theme. I showed improvement from my research paper to my personal narrative. Another way I improved was I included more voice and personality in my writing. In my research paper, I sounded like a robot. In my personal narrative, I included my point of view of the story and showed my feeling toward the theme of the story.

This year has been very useful to my skills in reading and writing. I’ve learned many things this year and I hope to continue to improve with my skills. There have been negative moments in my skills but there are also positive moments. Next year, I know what I need to work on in reading and also writing. I am not perfect but you will be able to see a clear difference between my freshman year and my sophomore year.

The Football Match

This is my favorite short story that I have written this year. I included many key details and I also made it interesting. I wrote something I was passionate about. I think this is showing that I improved from the beginning of the year. I want to keep writing like this and I want the stories to be longer. Next time I write a story, I want it to be about something else I am passionate about.

The stands are filled with men, women, and children waving their hands and homemade signs. The cheers coming from the crowd make it hard for me to hear. I smell the hot dogs, popcorn and pizza being sold at the concession stand. The marching band has just left the field with the tuba player’s last note still ringing in my ear. It's the fourth quarter with us in the lead by five. The scoreboard shows six seconds left. The coach yells, “It’s time to go”! I strap on my helmet with great enthusiasm and head towards the field to take my position.

Their quarterback quickly shouts out a play. I think to myself “What's for dinner?” My thoughts quickly turn back to the game as I look up just in time to see a six foot three quarterback running toward me at full speed. Sweat starts to rolls down my face and my eyes start to burn. My legs suddenly grow weak with fatigue. My hands start to shake as I start to run towards my opponent. I feel a sudden breeze. I start to gag on my mouthpiece. I look up, but all I can see is a glare from the sun, which begins to blind me. My bones start to crack. I suddenly realized that I have been hit, and hit hard. I hear a whistle and all I can see is my opponent standing over me.

Research Paper

I think this was my worst piece of work this school year. I didn’t put very much effort into this research paper. I showed my understanding into my concept but I didn’t set up my details in a way that would backup my topic paragraph. I also didn’t have a conclusion so it didn’t show the whole point in writing this paper. I need to work on my setting up my details in a way to support my claim and topic sentence. If I were to do this again I would cite my sources better.

Trans fat is a type of saturated fat produced when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil through a process called “hydrogenation” to make cooking oils last longer and to give it a better texture. States like California and New York have tried to ban it in restaurants and food manufacturers in their cities (Understanding Controversy). In 2006, the FDA had made all food manufacturers containing over 0.5 grams of fat list the amount of trans fat on the nutrition label, countries like Denmark have banned it completely(Understanding Controversy). Trans fat affects your life because it increases your chance for cardiovascular diseases, it is in your everyday food and it affects the function of your cells.

Researchers in Universities like the University of Maryland have found out that trans fat affects areas of your health like heart disease, diabetes, obesity,lactation and many more. Trans fat can also lead to death. Different states in the US wanted to prevent deaths happening from trans fat so they tried to ban it in some states, Since the ban in New York, 11 counties had a 4% reduction in deaths by cardiovascular disease (Understanding Controversy). It shows that the ban had a had clear effect. Imagine how it would affect the U.S if it other states had banned trans fat in restaurants. Not just the U.S has started its march to get rid of trans fat. Countries like Austria, Switzerland and Iceland have placed laws to help stop deaths from trans fat( Time).

The FDA estimates that Americans eat about 5.8 grams of trans fat everyday. Nutritionist say that Americans should cut down on how much trans fat they consume but, trans fat is in many popular foods. Trans fat is found in foods like doughnuts, cakes, pie crust, biscuits, pizza and many others. It is hard to pick foods that don't have trans fat. If you’re wondering how to see if your item has trans fat then look at the nutrition label. About 37% of items in grocery stores contain trans fat and many food manufacturers claim they don’t have trans fat in their items (Eat This Not That).

Trans fat disrupts the functioning of your cells. Studies also found out that trans fat can cause your endothelial to dysfunction. Trans fat modulate your cell function, changing your membrane fluidity and your cell communication (Trans Fat). They modulate nuclear receptors that are in charge of your gene transcription. They inhibit insulin from binding to the cells which makes blood sugar problems, and creates problems with diabetes and obesity (Fran McCullough).Trans fat stays in your blood for a long time and can cause arterial deposition and plaque formation. If trans fat is in your cell membrane then it cannot be taken out.

It is difficult for companies and food manufacturers to stop making a certain product because it means less money for the company. For some companies they just care about the money and not about people’s health. The FDA estimates the cost of the transition to food manufacturers will be $12 billion to $14 billion. They will have to pay to research and test new ingredients plus reprint labels and repackage products, which could cost up to $200,000 per product (Gannet ). Studies show that the bans in New York and in California have a clear effect on the deaths caused by cardiovascular disease. Trans fat can ruin your life forever. It’s important that you look for it in your food. Trans fat has a relation with cardiovascular disease, it is in your everyday food and it affects the functioning of your cells. Its very hard not to eat trans fat, but if you avoid it then you would live a healthier life.

Anthem

This is not my best work. My sentences have little meaning to them and I need to put more information in them. I should make all of my paragraphs connect back to my introduction paragraph. I need to work on improving my vocabulary so I can put more information in my sentences and so I can sound more intelligent. I need to put more thought into my paragraphs and focus on the main idea. I should include more supporting details to make the reader understand more about the book. I need to express my personality more in my writing. When I write this again I would want to include more information, more details, a bigger introductory paragraph and a more thoughtful conclusion. This essay shows that I read the book, but it doesn’t show that I understood the book.

“We are one in all and all in one”( rand 19). In the book Anthem by Ayn Rand the government represents a collectivist society. The rulers appeal to many ideas to protect their society, also they have consequences to keep power to themselves. Also because Equality was smart, it causes him think escape and rethink his life.

The rulers retain their power by showing the consequences if someone doesn't obey the rules. “There is no crime punished by death in this word, save this one crime of speaking the Unspeakable Word. We have seen one of such men burned alive in the square of the city’ (49). This quote is talking about the Great Transgressor. He had spoke the unspeakable word so they punished him. They demonstrate their power to the people of the city. This strikes fear and makes the people obey the rules. Equality disobeyed a rule and an official took him away. Equality was locked up and they started to torture him. They do this to protect themselves and their community so no one gets any ideas to start a rebellion.

In the book Anthem by Ayn Rand the rulers have a collectivist and communist society. Collectivism means your worth contributing to the society. In the book the rulers also refer to the idea of communism. “We are one in all and all in one. There are no men but only the great WE, One, indivisible and forever” (19). They make everyone think about everyone else before themselves. They also show communism by whenever someone talks, they can never talk in first person. Also the rulers banned a word to help keep the idea of communism. “ The sacred word: Ego”(105). They are very serious about the banned word because they killed someone for saying it. The keep their power also by choosing everyone's jobs. “Dare not choose in your minds the work you would like to do when you leave the Home of the Students. You shall do that which the Council of Vocations shall prescribe for you” (22). Equality was really smart and the teachers did not like that. He should of been in the Home of the Scholars because he was intelligent. The Council of Vocations instead made him a street sweeper. They did that so he does not cause a rebellion and they do it others too.

There are many things that caused Equality to leave his society. He was very smart and a fast learner. He wanted to increases his knowledge. He made a creation with electricity and he wanted to present it to the scholars. He wouldn’t let anything happen to it. “They would see nothing, save our crime of working alone, and they would destroy us and our light. We care not about our own body, but our light is” (61). The Scholars had threaten to destroy that light and kill him so he ran away from the community. Also, Equality found a house which had books in it. He learned from reading the books to think for himself instead of others. “Many words have been granted to me, and some wise, and some are false, but only three are holy: ‘I will it’” (95). In the books he learned of the sacred word: “Ego”(105).

The rulers have refer to many ideas in their society, also to hold control of the society, they have consequences for breaking their rules. Equality was smart enough to escape his community and start on his own. Equality started to realize that the rulers had bad ideas so he left. He then started to find his own way of thinking and is planning on starting his own community. He plans on building a better community than his last.

Personal Narritive

This personal narrative has helped me improve a lot in my writing. I was able to show my personality through my writing in which I haven’t did in a long time. I practice on including details in my writing. The details in my writing also helped show my personality. Even though I included many details in my writing, I have to included many more. This shows my understanding in telling stories. Something I need to work on is emphasizing my climax and character development. If I did this again, I would show how I felt from before the trip and show how I changed after the trip.

My screen was so bright. I suddenly got a text from my old friend. He went to my old school “Whitehall”. We have so many memories together. A good memory is the time I went to Washington D.C with my school.

It was around 5 am in the morning. As soon as we got on the bus, everyone was asleep. I was so tired and it was so quiet, it was hard not to fall asleep. I sat by my friend, Sebri, during my time on the bus. When mostly everyone was awake, we started to watch a movie. The movies were entertaining but it was so loud when everyone awoke, it was hard to watch the movie.

When we arrived to the hotel, everyone was so excited and jumping out of their seats. The teacher had to yell over everyone to sit down. I wanted to look like a gentlemen so I offered to carry some of the lady’s bags. When we got into the hotel, it was a big lobby filled with many people. There were lots kids running around in the lobby. Me and my friends got to the room and it had two beds in it. I shared a bed with my friend, Brooke, while Sebri shared one with Jose. We then put our stuff in the room then we went down back to the bus to go look at the monuments

The first monument was the Martin Luther King Jr monument and I got to pay my respects to him. At all the monuments we went to, we had to fill out a set of questions in a packet. The other special monument was the John F. Kennedy monument and grave. It was so quiet around that place. Everyone was loud at the other memorials, but not at this one.

The best part about this trip was the boat party. Everyone got dressed up in a suit and tie. We had just got done sightseeing so we had to get dressed on the bus. It was crowded inside so I had to fix my tie outside the bus.

“Alright group picture” said Mr. Winston. I wasn’t ready for the picture so I was caught off guard. There were many other schools on the same boat trip. We had to wait in line for about 30 minutes but it was worth it.

When finally got onboard the boat and we got to eat our dinner. That didn’t take as long as I thought it would. Everyone was taking selfies and somehow I managed to get in every single one. By my seat there was a window with the sun setting on the lake. The water was as clear was a crystal.

After the dinner, some people went to the top deck. We went and found new people from different schools. I talked to a lot of girls and I got a lot of numbers. Me along with my new friends, and my old friends had a rap battle. I didn’t participate but it was extremely fun to watch. As I’m walking around I’m\the boat I see it has transitioned to night time. As we go down the lake on boat, We pass a bridge full of rainbow colored lights, We also saw fireworks during the boat trip.

There were lots of videos and pictures taken on this trip. I still have them on my phone. This trip ended being the last time I got to see my friends. People I really cared. I learned to cherish all the memories I made with them good or bad. I missed them very dearly but I’m glad it ended on a good note. I can thank my trip to Washington, D.C for that.

The Roman Times

I should've included more questions on my interviews with the Roman citizen and the Soothsayer. I am proud that I included many details about the death of Caesar. I included the five w’s in my paragraphs. I also showed how every citizen was feeling in my introduction paragraph. I should've formated this into a real newspaper. I also could've included more pictures to make this more interesting. A real newspaper has more visuals. I could used a picture of the Soothsayer, a Roman citizen or showed the mobs. I should included more details in my interviews.

Our leader Julius Caesar was assassinated! It was March 15 at the Senate House, Cassius, Brutus, Casca, Trebonius, Metellus and other senators stabbed poor Caesar to death. Caesar was on his way to be crowned king and the conspirators stabbed poor Caesar to death. Caesar had 23 wounds. The main conspirators were Brutus and Cassius.

There has been crazy weather on March 14 and some crazy sightings. An owl was seen in daylight, slaves were on fire but didn’t burn and also the dead were coming back to life from the graves. Caesar’s wife, Calpurnia, had a bad dream about a statue of Caesar was squirting blood and the people Rome washed their hands in his blood. Calpurnia cried out three times in her sleep. These could of been signs from the Gods that something was going to happen but instead Caesar ignored the signs and went to to the senate house. On the way to the senate house, Trebonius gets Antony away from from Caesar, Metellus gives an excuse to see Caesar and Casca stabs Caesar first. Brutus stabs Caesar last and Caesar’s last words were “et tu, Brute”. Brutus was Caesar’s best friend and he couldn’t believe Brutus had turned against him.

Antony was there to watch the stabbing and he ran away afterward. Antony had talked about how Rome will have tyrants as their leaders now that Caesar is dead and that Rome will be put in Chaos

At Caesar’s funeral, Brutus had said that his reasoning for killing Caesar was not because he hates Caesar but because he loves Rome more. Brutus said that would they rather “Caesar be alive and the people slaves or Caesar be dead and the people free”. Brutus said another reason he killed him was because of his ambition. After the speech, the people were on the conspirators side. Antony came up to speak about Caesar at the funeral proving Caesar wasn't ambitious. Antony pointed out that Caesar had refused the crown three times. Antony also presented Caesar’s will for the people, 75 dramachas. The people were then on Antony’s side. The people then got mobs started and went after the conspirators.

After Caesar’s death, Rome was in a civil war and the two sides were the new triumvirates, Antony, Lepidus and Octavius, and the conspirators. Brutus and Cassius ended up committing suicide and the triumvirates won the war. How will things be for Rome after the war? Will the new leaders be tyrants and plunge Rome into darkness or will Rome still be great?

Interview with Roman Citizen

Q: Who’s side are you on? Brutus or Antony?

A: After lord Antony presented the will of Caesar, I finally see that Caesar cared about the people of Rome. Brutus was wrong about Caesar ambition. I trusted Brutus because he was honorable, but now I know he can’t be trusted.

Q: How will you respond to the killing of Caesar?

A: Caesar must be avenged. Caesar didn’t deserve to be taken away so early. I must show the conspirators the consequence for killing lord Caesar.

Q: When will you get together this mob?

A: I shall get the mob ready now so the conspirators don’t escape from Rome.

Interview with the Soothsayer

Q: How do you feel about the death of Caesar?

A: I tried my best to warn Caesar about the ides of March. He just didn’t want to listen. I tried to tell him at the race and also on the way to the senate house.

Q: What can you tell me about the future of Rome?

A: I see a dark path for Rome all because of Caesar’s death. I wanted to prevent this by warning Caesar but as I said, he didn’t want to listen.

Q: Is there anyway we can stop Rome from going into a dark path?

A: Not unless Caesar comes back to life or we get a noble Roman to stand up and become our king.

I Prefer

This is my “I Prefer” poem. This the first poem I wrote that has a style like this. When I wrote this piece, it described my personality. This poem puts my heart into the paper. I want this into my portfolio because this is one of the only piece of writing when I express myself a lot. I could make this longer but I think that would ruin the mood and lose the reader’s attention.

I prefer fruits over vegetables

I prefer spaghetti over lasagna

I prefer sports over school

I prefer family over money

I prefer electronics over hand written

I prefer whip over dab

I prefer Drake over Meek Mill

I prefer pools over lakes

I prefer pictures over words

I prefer flying over walking

I prefer superman over batman

But I mostly prefer friendship

Poem

This was the first poem I did in the beginning in the year. This doesn’t have any type of rhyming scheme. I like this poem because it describes scene. I was most descriptive in this piece of writing than any of my other pieces. I got worse from here in my writing. I need to work on incorporating a rhyme scheme. I also should work on my flow of words. I need to learn when to use less words or more words in a sentence.

Poem

By Tajai

A young man with

A black and white button up shirt,

A popped collar, a rough pair of ripped jeans

And a new haircut.

He had put on cologne beforehand so he smells nice.

The gum he was chewing was mint.

The music in the store was so loud

He could barely hear his mom say ”cheese”.

Despite the noise, the young man looked and felt confident.

You can say he felt the same way to

A kid who studied a lot for a test.

After the picture, people walking

With shopping carts came up and gave the

Young man compliments.

One person had said “he looks like a

Respectful, responsible and reliable gentlemen”.

Another person said ”he looks like a freshman”.

I think everyone liked the way I looked.

Even on the first day, everyone was saying I looked fresh.

I think most people judge

By the way someone looks.

Your looks can determine the way others

Think about you.