1. Honors English this year has been quite challenging but I have learned more
than I can think of.
My writing has seriously improved throughout the year in preparation for the
writing test. I must use examples, whether they are true or not, to explain my writings
one step further. Not only must i use examples, but I must explain my examples and
how they relate to the topic. Imagery is key in writing a well written essay. I have
learned that I can create images in readers' heads with my choice of words and any
great writer can make their story come alive. Overall, my writing has dramatically
improved and will continue to build upon my now solid foundation.
Understanding the text of a story or book is more than just reading words on a
page. Mrs. Higgins has taught us that in order to understand a book you need to read
between the lines and analyze what the author is trying to portray. Historical facts were
placed throughout every story we read, and in order to understand what is written we
had to research the history behind the story. What events occurred during the book's
time frame that may have influenced the author's words? Questions like that helped me,
as a reader, thoroughly understand the text.
Along with learning how to write better papers and understanding what an author
is trying to say, I learned new, and greater ways to improve my vocabulary. The first
semester seemed to be the toughest, with all the new vocab words and weekly vocab
quizzes. I thought I would never use those words ever again, but I have found myself
using, or thinking of those words on a daily basis. Mrs. Higgins promised to us that we
would one day be grateful for learning new and greater vocabulary and I already am.
Our quizzes used different forms of a word or different words that mean the same thing
to help us choose the correct word. Not only did it help us find the right answer, but
using synonyms for a word widened our vocabularies even more.
Overall, I am grateful for my time in English with Mrs. Higgins and my peers. I am
positive that my knowledge gained from this class will improve my future.