Ms. Fogarty Prefers For Her Students To Use Pencils

To be honest, English was and still is the subject I struggle to stay afloat in. 10^Th grade English itself proved to be a challenge for me let alone AP English. Getting through the class is not the difficult aspect to the class, rather, trying for 7s and 8s on AP essays proved to be more difficult than expected. Fortunately, this school year is coming to a close and the only thing I can do with this class is to reflect and point out the ins and outs as well as the strengths and weaknesses of my all things pertaining my critical reading and writing abilities.

            What makes AP English so hard is not only the reading and writing, but rather the understanding about and beyond the text and a writing that highlights your knowledge of a text, the purpose of the author as well as the rhetorical devices utilized by the author. Encompassing all this could be a lot to incorporate into the class. But, over time and experience reading and writing begins to improve. I believe the biggest aid and contribution to my English language contribution the pointers and tips given from classmates as well as Ms. Fogarty.

            Mainly, the writing proved to be the challenge of the course. Initially, I did not really know what made an essay exceptional. However, throughout the year Ms. Fogarty would show the science behind making an essay good. Throughout the course, I had to improve on staying precise, specific, and choosing appropriate diction usually helped via, useful constructive criticism by Ms. Fogarty in the beginning of this year I received a two on the Marquart FRQ essay then, fast forward towards fourth quarter, and I received a six on the Edward O. Wilson FRQ essay showing the progress made through the year. Characteristically, even at the close of the year I all my AP essays show how undeveloped my writing skills remain with the highest score of a six, but it is still some knowledge gained and for that writing is now an easier less scary topic to tackle especially with the regents coming up.

            Even though my writing has bettered, there’s is always room for improvement. Only I know my writing the best. Although it got better it is not where it should be at or being utilized at its full potential. Through hours of procrastination and a neglect of reading and studying, it takes their toll on the essays. Now that it is the end of the year, all anyone in this case could do is learn from the past. Thus, from firsthand experience, anyone who decides to take AP English or any AP class, should always complete their work with complete effort, and finished early. Ultimately, this will lead to a good work ethic and a well discipline mind, not just benefiting AP English class but college and future careers overall leading to a better life. However, this year was the first AP course I have took, treating it like as a mediocre class would have been my imperative mistake and I know future students will do the same and many will only learn through the experience itself. Although academic priorities where not at the top of my mind this year, it now is. Hopeful, this will serve as an aspiration and inspiration to improve next year. Fortunately enough, I am taking DCC’s English 101 and 102 which will continue to improve my writing skills and argumentation essentially carrying on all throughout college and their essays. But, until then I must continue to improve.