The immense amount of practice that we have done with analyzing literature and writing an essay, including the introduction, thesis statement and topic sentence, has been a good repetitious tactic for me. I have acquired the skill to organize my thoughts, and refrain from stating the obvious in an introduction paragraph.
Throughout our practices of writing an introduction essay, there has been one ideal concept we have been analyzing; techniques. In nearly every essay prompt, it asks you to analyze the "techniques" the author uses to create a certain appeal to the essay. I have learned the types of techniques that are out there for one to analyze. This has been especially helpful, and I feel like I am ready to tackle the introduction paragraph of the Ap english essay portion of the exam.
Although analyzing syntax was not as easy to me as analyzing diction, I have learned to break apart sentence structures and get a feel for the tone of the sentence. Syntax can help determine how the author talks and how the sentence is arranged to appeal to the audience. If it were not for the practice that we have done in class, I would not have realized the effects of sentences due to the arrangement of words.
Another thing I have realized about my introduction paragraph is that I have a tendency to state the obvious. For example, in one of my introduction paragraphs I stated that the Theatre of the Absurd uses diction, irony and hyperboles to appeal to the audience. All plays use tactics to appeal to the audience, and the the purpose of the Theatre of the Absurd is to make the audience laugh, thus my earlier statement is an obvious generalization that becomes pointless to state. Thanks to Ms. Holmes making me realize this, I have become more aware of what to state in my prompt.
Overall, I have grown as a writer in Ap English , and I hope that my essays continue to advance as the year progresses!
Throughout our practices of writing an introduction essay, there has been one ideal concept we have been analyzing; techniques. In nearly every essay prompt, it asks you to analyze the "techniques" the author uses to create a certain appeal to the essay. I have learned the types of techniques that are out there for one to analyze. This has been especially helpful, and I feel like I am ready to tackle the introduction paragraph of the Ap english essay portion of the exam.
Although analyzing syntax was not as easy to me as analyzing diction, I have learned to break apart sentence structures and get a feel for the tone of the sentence. Syntax can help determine how the author talks and how the sentence is arranged to appeal to the audience. If it were not for the practice that we have done in class, I would not have realized the effects of sentences due to the arrangement of words.
Another thing I have realized about my introduction paragraph is that I have a tendency to state the obvious. For example, in one of my introduction paragraphs I stated that the Theatre of the Absurd uses diction, irony and hyperboles to appeal to the audience. All plays use tactics to appeal to the audience, and the the purpose of the Theatre of the Absurd is to make the audience laugh, thus my earlier statement is an obvious generalization that becomes pointless to state. Thanks to Ms. Holmes making me realize this, I have become more aware of what to state in my prompt.
Overall, I have grown as a writer in Ap English , and I hope that my essays continue to advance as the year progresses!
I am finding that many of us struggled with syntax and that many people find diction much easier. I also find that sometimes I state the obvious. I was happy to learn that we need a short opening because I feel like sometimes I go into to much detail in the opening.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you; once I figured out what syntax was all about, I found it to be a very useful tool. I have also benefited from the repetition of thesis activities because they force me to practice. I really like how you included information about your personal struggles with essays, like stating the obvious. Facing difficulties is the first step to overcoming them. Hopefully next time you will include a little bit of information about the literature we are reading in addition to essay writing information. I would love to see your thoughts on the plays we have been reading!
ReplyDeleteYes. You do happen to state the obvious in your intros. But thats not bad. The thing is, most essays do state the obvious, its just the manner that you go about it. Many writers and columnists state the obvious in a less than obvious ways, they use puns or play with concepts to conceal the fact that the idea they're starting with it one thats already been written about. The trick is that you have to go about it very carefully while inserting your own idea so that it looks completely new!
ReplyDeleteAll of our ideas grow from somewhere, we're more often taught our skills than discovering it by ourselves, so of course you're gonna be stating the obvious, you just have to add your spin to it too.
And yes, the syntax packets helped me out too. :)