Two weeks into the school year and I have acquired an immense amount of knowledge on how to read and write actively. I have grasped the concept of DIDLS (diction, imagery, language and syntax) and how to use approach these tactics in an essay. I have picked up on description, and learned how to break down poetry in a manner that I have never thought of before. For example, I now know how to convert old english language into a modernized language and make contrasts between other pieces of poetry. This skill allows me to further my understanding of interpreting poetry, thus giving me the ability to grasp the concept of DIDLS. I have also learned how to make a concrete introduction, and how to write a two part thesis statement.Learning the concept of DIDLS and how to apply it took a while, but I think I have learned how to find details and understand tone through diction in a reading. DIDLS also helps when it comes to breaking down opinions and attitudes in reading. I know now the difference between a formal statement and an informal statement all through the use of diction.I have also learned how to break down the prompts for the closed reading for the closed reading essay for the Ap exam. I know how to skim the prompt and take out the key concepts in which they want us to respond to. This effectively creates more time to write my essay, and helps me organize my thoughts before doing so.The two part thesis concept has helped me quite a bit when it comes to writing my introduction paragraphs. My essays in general are going to always consist of a 3 sentence introduction from now on, and I will eliminate conclusion essays altogether. If it weren’t for those practice sheets and practice thesis statements, I would yet have to learn what it means to write a thesis. Although all this learning has enhanced my writing abilities, I still need to constantly improve and revise my work before I make it visible to others, and I still have a long ways to go in Ap english before I become a proficient writer and an actively profound reader.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
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I also feel like I have taken in an immense amount of knowledge. Before school started this year, I had completely forgotten that this was AP english, and was meant to resemble a college course. I was expecting something like British Literature, but harder. I was blown away at how we read differently, and at how actively we read.Like you, I really appreciate the abilities DIDLS has given me for picking apart literature.
ReplyDeleteThe practice we had for prompts was also something I utilized. I agree with you that from now on, my introductions will follow the formula introduced in class. I too need more practice to feel comfortable with it. Especially when it comes to thesis writing.
I also think that I need to work on enhancing my writing abilities. I agree that we have had a lot of information to absorb over the last two weeks. It also took me a while to be able to effectively use DIDLS and I am still not certain if I have gotten a hold of it yet. There did seem to be a few sentences where you summarized a little too much but it wasn’t that bad. It seems like you have an effective knowledge of the course material and are on your way to be a successful writer for May.
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