Josiah’s English Blog

Prompt Response:  My group does not have a strategy to ensure everyone is working. Everybody just does their own thing, and I think the grade we get is the grade we get. Summary: We didnt meet today Reflection:  Both of my group members haven't been on the work at all times, and I think I'm carrying this team.

Prompt Response:  The biggest challenge I faced with my group was trying to work with them as a group. There wasn't much communication, and if there was, it was one-sided. I did what I could do for my part, and I was hoping they would do theirs. Summary: We did not meet today. Reflection:  I continued searching for the right sources to use, which isn't difficult, but seeing how I only have nine sources, I don't have a large pool to pick from.

  Prompt Response:   The most compelling issue connected to my research topic is the deep, ongoing tension between ensuring national security and protecting everyone's  civil liberties. This issue is significant because it lies at the heart of a democratic government and the rule of law, raising important questions about how far a government should go in restricting freedoms to protect its citizens from terrorism. Summary: We did not meet today. Reflection:  We didn't have class today, and Im somewhat glad because yesterday I was up at 3 am working on the annotated bibliography, so im really tired.

Prompt Response:  The most challenging part is the reflection. I understand what to do and how to do it but some of the sources have lots of clutter and make it difficult to get to the meat of the passage. Trying to pick through the extra stuff in the paragraphs has improved my ability to skim and better analyze large portions of text. Summary: Today, we once again continued to work on the annotated bibliography. Reflection: I got more done today but finishing all of it is going to be somewhat difficult with my home Wi-Fi being down.

Prompt Response:  Some perspectives are neutral but others call out the injustices with counter terrorism methods being used on civilians. Reading each of them made me realize that efforts to stop people from destroying this country are being used against people in this country which is inevitably going to destroy it in the end. Summary: Today, we continued researching for our annotated bibliographies. Reflection:  Research is somewhat difficult but what makes it even harder is my focus. I'll try hard and get it done but I always end up getting distracted by something and getting off task.

Prompt Response:  Using GALILEO takes more direct search terms and allows you to nitpick the format, date span, type of source, etc. Unlike past research tools, GALILEO had a lot more extra results based on little bits of the search term. I had to deepen and refine my search terms so I could get results that I needed because if I used simple one word terms I would get thousands of results, some of which did not relate to my topic at all. Summary: Today, we began the research portion of our project. Reflection:  I think the research is going to be somewhat easy with its stumps here and there but so far the only problem I've had is finding sources relating to my topic.

Prompt Response:  This image is criticizing the current state of America. It displays how Trump's use of a "Big Beautiful Bill" is essentially crushing "Uncle Sam"(the old representation of America) and is using ICE to keep him suppressed. To shield what he is doing, he attempts to draw the people's attention to the Iran-Israel conflict. The artist wants people to question what is truly going on in our world and what we are "allowing" to happen. Summary: Today, we practiced prompt analysis. Reflection:    Today, my group was actually here, but we didnt have work to do anyway. We reviewed how to build an opening argument and looked at several sources as a reference.

Prompt Response:  Instead of just googling a topic, using specific search phrases can narrow your results. Not only does this strategy allow for more accurate, streamlined results, but it also produces more credible sources and texts. Summary: Today, we created our search terms and reviewed the steps for properly citing work. Reflection:  My group was not here again, but making search terms that actually worked was the easy part. Branching off from the main question and analyzing it deeper was the hard part. Some good points were brought up, and I thought about some other perspectives on my question.

Prompt Response:  Our research topic is War on terrorism. It's a difficult topic because there's so much to it. It isn't something that can simply be "solved" because it has elements of politics, morals, ethics, even science. One perspective is that terrorist are fighting for something and acting radically due to their voices not being heard. Another perspective might be that terrorism is needed in our world for balance and advancement. Both perspectives pose a good argument and show how nothing is inherently good or bad. Having multiple perspectives can be beneficial by giving insight to the opposition's view but understanding the other perspectives drives that further and can assist with rebuttal. Summary: Today, we chose our research question. Reflection: My group wasn't here today so I did all the work (I would've had to do it all anyway). Choosing the question really made me think about how terrorism affects our world today and what the world woul...

Prompt Response:  In the past, researching has been easy and hard. Usually, when I'm working in a group, the hardest part was making sure everyone was on task and actually doing the work. When this happens, I give slight pushes like "and if that doesn't work then I just handle my part of the work and leave their part be. Another challenge I have faced is leadership. I prefer to lead in a group so I tend to take charge and manage everyone else but if that becomes a problem then I find some sort of equal ground with everyone else.  Summary: Today, we began a new portion of the class; research. Reflection:  We were placed in new groups and given a topic to research. So far, the group I'm in could be better but the topic isn't anything too difficult.

Prompt Response:  When I experience strong emotions, I usually keep them to myself or tell my sister. I do this because I know how I feel the best but she understands me. I don't really rely on other people to help me figure out my emotions but when I talk to her about them, I always feel better afterwards. She acts as the outside perspective that gives the blunt truth and snaps me back to reality. Summary: Today, we did vocabulary then read and analyzed chapter twelve of "Into the Wild". Reflection:  I enjoyed the discussion we had because it really made me think about being in Chris's mindset.

Prompt Response:  The visual version of Chris's journey make his choices seem more reckless. In the beginning of the book, we're introduced to him with a quick overview of his life and how he died. Alternatively, in the movie, we get a better look into his past and a bit more of his personality. The movie really puts the danger and vastness of the Alaskan wilderness into perspective as it opens showing the scenery. Summary: Today, we watched the first forty minutes of the "Into the Wild" movie. Reflection:  I like how the movie started and so far it's given more insight than the beginning of the book. With the book, we have to visualize everything and make inferences to things that we couldn't see but, with the movie, all of that is shown. Furthermore, we can see how Chris interacts with the people he meets on his journey.

Prompt Response:  As I grew older, I realized that you don't always have to like your family, and sometimes you can't rely on them. It made me less connected to my family and somewhat distant. As for Chris, he realized that his dad isn't the man that he idolized and thought highly of. He realized that nobody is perfect and nothing is truly as it seems.  Summary: Today, we went over fifteen new vocabulary words Reflection:  It was a run-of-the-mill vocabulary Monday. I knew some words, and others were new.

Prompt Response: For me, the latter half of chapter eight and chapter nine stood out to me. It was interesting how Krakauer compared McCandless's story to others who have gone on similar journeys. The story of Everett Ruess intrigued me the most because nobody knows where he went or what happened to him. He disappeared with the only trace being the Latin word for no one, "Nemo" carved into the wall of a cave.  Summary: Today, we took the test for chapters 1-10 of "Into the Wild". Reflection:  The test was pretty easy and I believe I got an A.

Prompt Response:  Currently, success means keeping my grades up, finding colleges I want to apply to, finding a source of income, and working towards starting my hobby of blacksmithing. I want to keep my grades up not only to get into a nice college but because I want to do better than before. Prior to sophomore year, I was doing average in school but I realized that average isn't what I want. Additionally, I want to find a college that has what I want so I don't end up going to a college because of other people. Furthermore, I want to find a source on income now so I have the ability to spend money when and where I need and want to.  Right now, I can't get a job because I have to "focus on school" but with my current standing, I think I could handle both. Having to rely on my parents for money is okay for a while but now, I want to be somewhat independent financially. Lastly, I want to start practicing as a blacksmith because it is something I've always been ...

Prompt Response:   There was a time when I chose to handle something completely on my own instead of relying on anyone else. I had a lot going on: school, responsibilities, and things I didn’t feel like explaining to other people. Instead of asking for help, I just decided to deal with it myself. At first, it felt good. I liked the control, and it made me feel independent, like I didn’t need anyone else to get things done. But after a while, it got overwhelming. Trying to carry everything alone made things harder than they needed to be, and I started to realize that pushing people away didn’t actually make me stronger; it just made things more stressful. I still got through it, but it took more time and energy than it probably would have if I had let someone help. Looking back, I don’t think I’d make the exact same choice again. I still value being independent, but I’ve learned there’s a difference between being independent and isolating yourself. Sometimes relying on others isn’t ...

Prompt Response:   I connect with the word "timorous" because there have been times when I held myself back, not because I couldn’t do something, but because I wasn’t sure if I should. For example, there have been moments in school where I knew the answer to a question but didn’t raise my hand. Not because I didn’t understand, but because I didn’t want to be wrong or draw attention to myself. I’ve also felt this way when trying something new. Whether it was starting a new activity, speaking to new people, or even sharing my ideas, there’s always been a small voice in the back of my mind telling me to stay quiet or play it safe.  Summary: Today was a regular vocabulary Monday. Reflection:  A lot of these words are familiar to me, which makes me question if the book is a low-level book or if my vocabulary is just slightly larger.

Prompt Response:  A musician that has influenced the way I look at everything is "Lil Darkie". He is a very controversial rapper who gets a lot of hate but even with all of it, he still has fans. He makes music because he likes to and ignores what people say about him. I've learned to stay in my own world and not care about others negative opinions from listening to his music. Summary: Today, we read chapter 5 of "Into the Wild". Reflection:  Im still enjoying the book and seeing McCandless's journey progress is interesting.

Prompt Response:  If I had to simplify my life, I would keep my favorite hoodie because it's gotten me through a lot, my PVC sword because it's one of, if not my favorite, things I've built, and my Digivice because it's something that reminds me of my childhood. There's more I would keep, but they don't come to mind right now. The hardest thing to leave behind would be my phone because it's something I use every day, and I'm so used to having it within arm's reach, so not having it would feel alien. Summary: Today, we read chapter one of "Into the Wild." Reflection:  I think we're in for an interesting narrative, and props to John Krakauer for putting together a story from bits and pieces of evidence. Also, I think McCandless was very immature for accepting the man's help.

  Prompt Response:  A few weeks ago, my family and I went to my uncle's house for a memorial to my aunt's mother. It was really just a small get-together with some food, though. While my uncle and aunt cooked, I decided to sit in the kids' room while they all ran around. I just sat and watched my phone till the food was done. After eating, the kids decided to come and bother me. I entertained them for a few minutes, but when they kept going, I got tired. So, I got up and sat in the living room with the adults. I was okay for a few minutes, but then they started talking and laughing a lot, and I just couldn't sit comfortably. I decided to take a stroll through the apartments. It was late and somewhat dark, but I turned my music on and kept walking. While I was walking, my best friend called me. I told her what happened, we talked about it, then we started goofing around. After we got off the phone, I realized family is great and all, but friends choose to be with you. Fo...