TOW #29: Letter to a New APELC Student

To the futures students of APELC,

I would first like to warn you to not believe the rumors and horror stories of analyzing incomprehensible texts and receiving low grades on essays in AP English and Composition. I once believed such stories that I considered not taking APELC; however I am glad that I did. APELC has been a great class where I have grown closer to those in my class, due to the small number of students, while becoming a better educated student and citizen.

Throughout the year, I can honestly look back and see the drastic improvement in my writing skills. This can be seen not only through the grades that I have received on my essays, but also in my way of thinking that can be seen through my writing. This course has taught me to become a writer who is more educated, more informed, and more mature. My ability to analyze and argue has improved due to the two units that are centered on these two forms of writing. Despite the beginning, which was a bit rough and difficult, I was able to quickly adapt to and improve in the course.

Over the eight months, I advise you to not be disappointed in the beginning of the course. Do not be upset about the first score you receive for your summer essay about Eats, Shoots, and Leaves; the first score is merely a baseline so that you can understand where you, as a writer, are at, and the score shows you the areas where you can improve. In addition, I recommend you to make use of the resources you have around you; I have learned to appreciate the Office Hours that are held every week. The Office Hours provide a time to meet with Mr. Yost for review for Unit Tests and essays. I strongly advise you to take advantage of the meetings. Through frequently meeting with Mr. Yost and Ms. Pronko, I have seen a drastic increase in my writing ability and in my essay scores.

This course that you are about to enter will be difficult at times; the texts may require hours to analyze and dissect, the essays will require much more time for brain-storming and revising, and the projects will consume some of your free time. However, the work, the stress, and the hours of sleep you may have sacrificed will all be worth it in the end. The moment after you finish your APELC Exam and sign your name of the exam date poster is exhilarating. You are able to reflect and honestly say that your writing skills have improved and that your way of thinking was changed. You realize the importance of becoming an educated, active participant in your community, which this course tries to help you become.

TOW #28: TOW Reflection

From the many TOWs that have completed over the span of about seven to eight months, I am able to see growth and improvement in my writing through: changes in my ability to write clearly and fluidly and the establishment of a more sophisticated tone. As I re-read the TOWs from the beginning of the year, I noticed my lack of topic sentences; therefore, I was unable to properly introduce the purpose of the paragraph. In addition, I saw that I did not create strong theses with consequences that connected them to a bigger idea. However, as time passed, my writing progressed. Not only has my writing improved grammatically, but I was also able to create my own voice that now distinguishes me from my peers.

Rather than mastering, I believe that I have greatly improved so that I am on my way to mastering my writing skills. Over time, I think that my ability to create a stronger thesis has immensely improved; I now understand the importance of the three components that a thesis must consist of: context, claim, and consequence. In addition, I try to have a stronger conclusion that answers the question of "So What?" All these improvements reflect, in my opinion, how I have almost mastered the mentality and mindset I am to have as a writer. I now have a better idea about the mind and thoughts of my audience, and I try to accommodate my writing to provide as much clarity as possible.

Despite my improvements, there are still many areas in my writing where I can improve and grow. I can always strive for being more concise with my writing; I often find that the peer advice given on my Timed Essays suggest being less repetitive. Another thing I can strive to improve is my vocabulary so that I will be able to express and relay my ideas and messages in a better, clearer way.

Overall, I believe that the results I have received from the many TOWs I had to write was well-worth the effort. The TOWs constantly made me practice my ability to analyze different types of texts. I think this reflected in my increasing scores for my Analysis essays; the Analysis portion was my weakest section, yet now, I am more confident when it comes to analysis. The practice that I have received also prepared me for the Mock and the AP Exam. With a diverse group of texts, from visual texts to autobiographies, I felt ready to tackle any kind of analysis that I was expected to complete. 

TOW #27: Written - "Inaugural Address" by John F. Kennedy

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=8032

With the scare of Communism, the Cold War, and the conflict with Vietnam, the United States was in an unstable situation; the future president, who must be chosen wisely, had a heavy burden and weight on his shoulders. President John F. Kennedy understood the importance of his term, which is seen in his inaugural address. By utilizing an optimistic tone and chiasmus, Kennedy reassures the American people by speaking of a time of change and transition.

President Kennedy knew that the inaugural address would be a small reflection of his term as president; Kennedy established an optimistic, hopeful tone to provide a fighting spirit and peace to the American people who were fearful of the chaos. As Kennedy states that "the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans" and  "let us begin anew," the president speaks of a transitioning period, in which there will be a new start and a new age of America. In addition, Kennedy states that "the energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it--and the glow from that fire can truly light the world," which, once again, shows Kennedy's attempts of bringing reassurance and hope for the future under his guidance and leadership.

One of the most famous lines from President Kennedy's speech is "and so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country." This famous usage of chiasmsus gives the effect of parallel structure, which allows the ending of Kennedy's address be memorable and easy to understand. Not only does the usage of chiasmsus help Kennedy's flow and impact, but it also gives a call to action to the people. In the beginning of Kennedy's speech, he specifically addresses nations, adversaries, and the world. The transition from the address to the world to the address to the people is powerful; Kennedy stresses that in order to achieve the hope and peace that the country desires, the people must also take an active role. 

In a time of chaos and fear, Kennedy's inaugural address has been remembered throughout history due its brilliant usage of rhetoric that addressed the problems that occurred at the time. With his usage of an optimistic tone and chiasmsus, Kennedy successfully reassures the American people. As the inaugural address signified Kennedy's first words as president, he understood the weight of his words and with his meticulous selection of rhetoric, Kennedy's entrance into the presidency is one to remember.  

TOW #26: Written - "Sinews of Peace (Iron Curtain Speech)" by Winston Churchill

The craze and chaos due to Communism has terrorized America for about a decade after World War II. As United States's former ally in World War II, the USSR has refused to remove its hold and influence over a part of Germany, America attempted to intervene. The USSR was influencing the surrounding nations as well, such as Poland and potentially Greece and Turkey. With the worry of Communism spreading throughout Europe, western democracies, specifically America and Britain, attempted to preserve and prolong democracy. In Winston Churchill's famous speech, Sinews of Peace, he utilizes a famous metaphor and inclusive diction to advocate a call to action: unite together to achieve peace.

The famous metaphor that Churchill mentions is the comparison of the Communist nations in Europe to an iron curtain; this usage of figurative language shows the invisible potential harm that can be caused due to unawareness, which must be prevented through unification and combined efforts. Churchill states that "in front of the iron curtain which lies across Europe are other causes for anxiety" (1), reflecting the potential dangers that accompany the unknown happening and plannings of Communist nations. In a time where the world is worrisome and suspicious of other nations, due to World War II which ended not long ago, Churchill stresses the potential harm of the lack of democracy via his metaphor.

Throughout Churchill's speech, he continuously uses the words "we" and "our" in order to have an inclusive tone that seems to unite himself not only with the audience, but with all of America. Churchill mentions that "the safety of the world, ladies and gentlemen, requires a new unity in Europe, from which no nation should be permanently outcast" (1), and he displays his attitude towards unity by his diction. With a mindset that already displays unity, Churchill, through his inclusive diction, shows that the nations must stand together to combat against the unknown dangers of Communism while preserving democracy.

The effectiveness of Winston Churchill's rallying speech is evident through the combined efforts of Western democratic nations in the fight for democracy for all. By utilizing a brilliant metaphor and inclusive diction, Churchill is not only able to successfully relay a call to action (to unite together), but also is able to place a sense of responsibility on the shoulders of free nations. Churchill's speech shows that it is in the hands of those who are free to save those who are, apparently, oppressed by the chains of Communism

Source: http://historyguide.org/europe/churchill.html

TOW #25: Visual: "Hope" by Shepard Fairey

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ben-arnon/how-the-obama-hope-poster_b_133874.html

 In 2008, the election for the next president of the United States of America took place. With Barack Obama as the candidate for the Democratic party and John McCain as the candidate for the Republican party, the election received much participation and passion due to one of the candidates. If elected, Barack Obama would become the first African-American president. Associated with Obama's campaigning is an iconic poster that attempts to represent the nature of Obama. Shepard Fairey was the artist who created this poster. known as "Hope". Fairey has utilized color scheme and modern, street-style art to appeal to citizens to vote for Obama for president.

As the poster uses the colors red, white, and blue, Obama is pictured to be comprised of those three colors. This famous color combination is a symbol of the United States. The symbolism of the color scheme would be that Obama reflects America; he understands the desires, needs, and hopes of the American people. As the president, Obama must represent the entire nation, and that is what he attempts to display through the color scheme of the poster. In addition, the red, white, and blue is utilized to show patriotism and pride in the country that he hopes to lead. Such a color scheme appeals to the people because this displays Obama in a positive, approachable, and trust-worthy light that he will fairly and justly represent the citizens.

The street style of art, which Fairey says he uses in the interview with the Huffington Post, shows Obama in a more familiar and modern way. As the times are changing, Obama is reflecting that he is a modern president who understands America today. The street style of art shows how Obama is president who is able to lead America in the modern 21st century. In addition, the street style of art seems to target a specific audience: young adults. To draw young voters to the polls, the street style of art is both appealing and eye-catching to the younger target audience. This appeal of a specific type of art and art technique has changed the view of politics and addresses a specific group of potential voters and supporters of Obama's campaign.

With the iconic "Hope" poster that has changed the ways of campaigning, Fairey uses color scheme and modern, street-style art to appeal to voters and show Obama in a positive light that may help him become president. The success of such campaigning can be reflected in the results of the 2008 presidential election; Obama won the seat of office against McCain. Not only has Obama successfully persuaded the American people, but his campaigning has taught many the new ways of advertising and campaigning that can be used in modern times.

TOW #24: IRB - "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos

As Gantos vividly gives an account of his life experiences, from his early adulthood to his time in prison, Jack Gantos is able to draw in the reader. After successfully pulling in the reader to his rich style of word articulation, Gantos is able to reveal a deeper meaning behind his autobiography; not only does the book entertain the reader, but it also teaches important life lessons centered around perseverance and overcoming obstacles. These lessons which Gantos instills into the reader are even able to be seen through the publication of the book. Gantos, an aspiring writer, has pushed through trials and tribulations from his days of drug dealing to the day he was able to publish his autobiography. Through Gantos's usage of a colloquial, casual tone and humor allows him to share his experiences in a way that is funny and entertaining, while also enlightening.

Along with Gantos's vivid details about his life, Gantos's use of a casual, colloquial tone establishes a more intimate and familiar connection between Gantos and the reader in order to both show his life story and share the lessons he has learned. Through the repeated use of "I" and colloquial words such as "dope", "joint", and "Feds", the slang and colloquialism used by Gantos creates a casual tone. This tone helps Gantos share his story in a way that is informal and more personal. Through using colloquialism, Gantos utilizes a casual tone that helps him entertain and inform the reader. Though the casual tone is light hearted at times, the colloquialism allows Gantos to be brutally honest in his thoughts and expressions. One example of this is seen when Gantos reveals his fears and anxieties of encountering danger in the prison with other prisoners. Sharing that "I was brginning to fill up with fear and wanted to put some distance between us...It was just twenty-four hours since I had been sentenced and I knew I was in way over my head" (153), Gantos's colloquialism and tone creates emotion and a more personal connection between the reader and the narrator, Gantos.

Gantos's use of humor while writing about a heavy topic such as his experiences in drug-dealing and time in prison aids Gantos in entertaining the reader while also teaching an important lesson. Many examples are able to be found throughout the entire autobiography. One example that particularly stuck out was when Gantos describes his face: "because the skin of my face was so messed up it was difficult ot shave properly, so my shaving became and exercise in landscaping-as if I were shaving around flower beds and trees and rocky outcroppings" (174). Not only does the usage of humor aid in establishing the entertaining, casual tone, but it also reflects the lessons and morals Gantos, himself, learns. Gantos repeatedly states that it is important to preserve and be the best version of oneself that he can be. The usage of humor, even while describing his time in prison, shows how Gantos is applying what he has learned from his experiences: continuing on, remaining optimistic, and being true to oneself.

Gantos's autobiography, Hole in My Life, is evidence of the power of perseverance and optimism. Though Jack Gantos hit rock bottom when he had to take all the blame for the drug transactions, Gantos continued to perservere through the obstacles in his life and do what he loved: write. By utilizing colloquialism to create a casual tone and humor to entertain while enlighten the reader, Gantos shares his experiences to teach and enlighten the reader. The story of Jack Gantos is a reminder to the reader that despite how dark and dim one's situation may be, the best possible thing one can do is persevere and continue on while enduring and overcoming trials and tribulations.

TOW #23: Written - "Declaration of Sentiments" by Elizabeth Cady Stanton

As the middle of the 19th century was filled with religious passion and drive for reform, the United States, after the Second Great Awakening, attempted and successfully provided reform and change for several different causes such as jails and the education system. However, an unpopular cause known as the fight for Women's Suffrage was shunned and looked down upon. During a time period where women were deemed inferior both physically and socially in comparison to men, the reform for Women's Suffrage was a long battle fought by both men and women who continued to persevere despite the obstacles that stood in their way. A prime example of such a reformist is Elizabeth Cady Stanton, an active leader in beginning of the reform for Women's Suffrage. The famous text composed by Stanton is known as the Declaration of Sentiments. Through Stanton's brilliant use of arrangement and inductive and deductive reasoning, Stanton shows the contradicting words and actions of America; this, in turn, aids in Stanton's attempt to rally support for Women's Suffrage.

The Declaration of Sentiments is inspired, arranged, and based off of another famous document in America's history: the Declaration of Independence. As the Declaration of Independence was penned by Thomas Jefferson as an act of officially declaring rebellion against the tyrant, King George III, Stanton realized similarities between the proclamation of the colonists and the mission of the Women's Suffrage activists. Stanton uses famous phrases such as "we hold these truths to be self-evident" and "that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" (1). However, a change and clarification that Stanton makes in her unique arrangement, which is based off of the Declaration of Independence, is the addition of a few words which causes the audience to question who the rights and freedoms of America apply to. This change that states "that all men and women are created equal" is shocking and radical; never before has the usage of the arrangement of a previous document been used to support a fight for women's right to vote. The arrangement of Stanton's document has similarities with the Jefferson's document; this brilliant idea of Stanton guides her audience to question and see that the freedoms and natural rights apply not only to men, but also to all women.

Similarly to the Declaration of Independence, Stanton exhibits a brilliant use of inductive and deductive reasoning to help support her reasoning and persuasion. Like the Declaration of Independence, the deductive reasoning Stanton utilizes is simply:

1. Major Premise: People have the duty and right to throw off, or change, a government that abuses the rights of the people.
2. Minor Premise:  The women of America are having their rights abused by not legally gaining the right to vote.
3. Conclusion: Therefore, the women of America have the duty and right to protest for women's suffrage. 

Stanton's thought process, which is very similar to that of Jefferson is easily identifiable in the introduction of the document, specifically the first few paragraphs. In addition, Stanton also uses inductive reasoning to support her minor premise; this provides evidence and reasons that justify the claim the minor premise makes. Such usage of inductive reasoning is seen when Stanton writes that "He has never permitted her to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise. He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice" (1). Elizabeth Cady Stanton lists several more justifications, helping lead to the conclusion which is the minor premise in deductive reasoning. By utilizing inductive and deductive reasoning, Stanton shows the clear details and grounds of the fight for women's suffrage.

Though America is supposed to represent equality, liberty, and democracy, Elizabeth Cady Stanton expresses, through her composition of Declaration of Sentiments that these ideals are contradictory to what is actually occurring in America: women are being denied the right to participate in government and are refused suffrage. As Stanton uses arrangement along with inductive and deductive reasoning, Stanton highlights and augments the flaws of America in a classy manner that imitates the famed Declaration of Independence.