Kathleen+S

__** February 3, 2011: Task 1 **__ Noun Phrase Verb Phrase Possessive Apostrophes Prepositional Phrase __ Underline: Dependent Clause __

1) The child takes an enormous teddy bear from the // day-care’s // toy bin . Type of Clause: 1 Independent

2) The dog goes underneath the house to search for Maya and Reynold’s cat, but the cat climbs // onto // the roof because it is scared of dogs. ••Note: The word, onto, is italicized because it is also a part of the VP. Type of Clause: 2 Independents

3) The c hildren’s voices scare the elephant, lion, and chimpanzee, so they try to get away // from // the zoo , __but retreat back__, because they know the trainers would catch them with the zoo animals’ shrills that mimic the // elephant, lion, and chimpanzee’s voices. // ••Note: The last possessive is italicized because it it a part of the VP. The word, from, is italicized because it is part of the VP. Types of Clauses: 3 Independents, 1 Dependent

__** February 4, 2011: Task 2-Improvements for AIMS **__ // Strengths: // I think that I have a good concept on organization, sentence fluency, and conventions. This is due to the fact that I got the highest scores on these out of the other categories. I think that it’s good to have these categories in good shape, so that I can focus on the others that need work. Sometimes, I wish that I had my weaknesses as my strengths because the ones that I am good at are meant to enhance the paper. I also think that my writing depends on the type of essay I have to do. Expository essays are easier because to me, because my writing seems to flow better. Yet, I do need to improve on the others so that I can be prepared for the writing AIMS.

// Weaknesses: // The categories that I can improve on are voice, ideas, and word choice. Word choice can be easily fixed with a thesaurus. Yet, this is not the problem that I have with word choice. People have commented that I have awkward sentences, which probably comes from not using a certain word the right way. Voice and ideas go hand in hand. Having a five or six in voice helps people understand the ideas more and vice versa.

// Improvements: // To improve my weaknesses in ideas and voice, I will expand my explanations and examples for the point that I am writing about. Having a clear and extensive explanation helps the readers understand the author’s thinking behind it. My ideas tend to be simple, and they cannot be if I want to exceed AIMS. If I had more concise ideas, it would allow me to focus the writing for the topics. Word choice can be improved by using a thesaurus; and checking whether it fits in the context of the sentence. Besides my weaknesses in the AIMS categories, there are other things that I need to work on. One of my biggest problems is remembering the grammar rules that be a part of grading the writing AIMS. Grammar rules’ concepts that I need to improve are not having prepositions ending the sentence, using transitional phrases, and making the writing more interesting. I never thought much about the grammar rules until this school year. I think that I need to read and practice these grammar rules, in order for me to remember it. Another thing that can help me with this problem, is to understand how to diagram sentences better. I should also write smaller than normal, because I tend to be unable to fit all of my thoughts in the paper. I have also been known to switch tenses throughout the essay, which I should stop doing. To stop this, I have to reread the essay and catch the errors that are involved with the tenses.


 * __ February 16, 2011: ﻿Task- I, Too by Langston Hughes __**

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong.

Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table When company comes. Nobody’ll dare Say to me, “Eat in the kitchen,” Then.

Besides, They’ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed-

I, too, am America.

1) **Imagery:** Words or phrases that describe what one or more of the five senses experience. 1a) kitchen, sing, laugh, eat, say, beautiful, company 1b) Seeing the kitchen area, shows that there is a boundary between it and the company room. Laughing, eating, and singing show that this character is happy or satisfied with himself, even if there is a boundary with other people.  Beautiful represents what the person believes he is and how others cannot see it, unless equality comes to America.  Company refers to the group someone wishes they were with. This concept has been presented in media, books, and in real life for most individuals.

2) **Metaphor:** A form of comparison that links two things that would sound completely dissimilar to each other. 2a) I, too, am America 2b) This metaphor shows that the character feels that they are included with the “company” that lives in America. One of the most important words in it is “too,” which displays that the character wants to be a part of their country. In the beginning, when it says, “I, too, sing America” there is some disconnection with the character’s national pride for their country. Singing is supposed to bring out emotions and make their voice be heard. Therefore, it is as if the character is not heard through their emotions or character, but through their skin. At the end of the poem “I, too, am America” signifies that the character feels as if the rights of American citizens are brought upon the character, making this person a true resident of the United States.

3) **Symbol:** Something that represents something else; therefore bringing some kind of significance to the object. 3a) Company 3b) Langston Hughes uses the symbol of __company__ to display __how much this character wants to be included within those considered to be better than others. Being equal with the company, allows others to pursue more things without being judged or ashamed of doing it. Comparing the character’s situation to the company’s, shows the audience that there would be more equality without there being boundaries between them.__