Close Reading #1: "Is Algebra Necessary?"

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/29/opinion/sunday/is-algebra-necessary.html?smid=pl-share&_rmoc.semityn.www

       In this article, the author, Andrew Hacker, speculates if alegebra should be required for students to graduate high school. Hacker's choice of diction, syntax, and detail creates a well-written argumentive essay.
       The diction in this article is wisely chosen and adds to Hacker's persuasive tone and opinion. Readers can see from the diction that Hacker feels very strongly about the algebra's negative impact on the high school drop out rate and gradutation rate of students. For example, "Algebra is an onerous stumbling block for all kinds of students: disadvantaged and affluent, black and white" describes alegebra in a negative light and lets the readers know how Hacker feels about algebra (Hacker, "Is Algebra Necessary?"). Another pejorative comment about algebra is said in, "Mathematics is used as a hoop, a badge, a totem to impress outsiders and elevate a profession’s status" (Hacker, "Is Alebra Necessary?") By comparing math to, in a sense, unimportant objects, Hacker uses these words to show that he thinks math is also irrelevant and unnecessary.
           Hacker's use of syntax affects his tone. For instance, "How many college graduates remember what Fermat’s dilemma was all about?" is written as a question (Hacker, "Is Algebra Necessary?"). This question has a slight mocking tone to it, as Hacker is quite sure that not many college graduates actually remember small details of their algebra class. By writing this sentence in a question form, Hacker also creates a personal effect to the reader. The question causes the reader to think if he/she has remembered what Fermat's dilemma was. This personal effect is a very good technique that Hacker uses to persuade readers into agreeing that math is not necessary and important for many people.
            The detail in this article is a big part of the argumentive writing techniques that Hacker uses. It provides meaning to his argument. For example,  "Instead, it [citizen statistics] would familiarize students with the kinds of numbers that describe and delineate our personal and public lives" describes an alternative to algebra class (Hacker, "Is Algebra Necessary?"). Hacker includes this detail about citizen statistics to tell readers that there is a better way of learning math. By giving an detailed alternative option, Hacker has a better chance of persuading readers to adopt his stance on algebra and follow this alternative option to algebra.
           In conclusion, the diction, syntax, and detail that Hacker uses are important techniques to writing an argumentive essay and also impact Hacker's tone and meaning of his article. Readers are able to clearly see Hacker's point of view and can ask themselves if they think also think that algebra is unnecessary.

Open Prompt #1

2008, Form B. In some works of literature, childhood and adolescence are portrayed as times graced by innocence and a sense of wonder; in other works, they are depicted as times of tribulation and terror. Focusing on a single novel or play, explain how its representation of childhood or adolescence shapes the meaning of the work as a whole.
      
           In the series of Harry Potter, many characters' childhoods affected who they became and the decisions they made. Harry Potter, Severus Snape, and Tom Riddle all had troubled pasts, but each of them chose a different path to take in their later lives. 
            Although Harry was raised by his rude aunt and uncle and was buillied by his cousin, he didn't let them affect him. In his childhood, he chose to ignore his family and stayed out of the way by spending his time in his room under the stairs. Later on, he relied on his friends to help him reach his destiny of defeating Lord Voldemort. He pushed his sad past away from his mind and focused on his goals.
             Severus Snape also had a broken family. His mom and muggle dad constantly fought, but like Harry, he chose to avoid them. His parents arguments led him to hate muggles and join the Death Eaters. But, his choice of joining the Order of Pheonix to spy on the Death Eaters helped Harry win the war against Lord Voldemort.
           Although Tom Riddle had a sad childhood (he lived in an orphanage) like Harry and Snape, he chose a different path than them. He spent his childhood bullying other orphans and leading them into dangerous situations. He continued to gain followers as he grew older and used dark magic to obtain his goal: to avoid death. Unlike Harry and Snape, Riddle showed how a troubled childhood can lead to a even more troubled life.
            JK Rowling's representation of these unfortunate childhoods enforces her theme of the importance of choices. Like the wise words of Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, "You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be,"  it does not matter if one doesn't have a happy childhood, but rather how he lets that affect him and his choices (Rowling 708). Rowling uses this theme to not only teach readers about growing up and making good decisions, but also to develop her charcters and create her storyline. As a whole, the different choices of different characters shape the story of this series by creating a hero, villian, and a helpful spy.

Response to Course Material #1

        In only one week of AP Literature, I have already learned so much. One of my goals this year was to learn more poetry vocabulary words and this week, I have gotten closer to that goal. Although I was able to memorize all the words that were used on the test, I realized that actually putting those words into context was a different story. For example, I knew the definitions of paraprosdokian and non-sequitur, but in context it was hard for me to distinguish the difference between the two words. I learned that not only memorizing the terms, but also applying the terms will be beneficial for studying poetry.
        Another thing that I have found out was that everything we learn in AP Literature connects and flows into one another. This week, we watched three slides on AP Test Essay Basics, the Rhetorical Situation, and Argument. The first slide taught me the techniques and elements that are needed to write a good essay. These essay basics are the foundation of essay writing and one can not start to write any type of essay without knowing these basics. In addition, the vocabulary terms that we have learned this week also contribute to the basics by showing different style and techniques that a writer can use in an essay. This first slide is connected to the second slide in that once a person learns the basics, he/she can build onto them by using the rhetorical situation. The rhetorical situation includes topics (like subject, purpose, audience, and speaker) that a writer should use to effectively communicate ideas to the reader. This slide flows into the third slide. In order to write a good argument, one needs to not only include the basics of essay writing and the rhetorical situation, but also a thesis, analysis (claims/warrants), and a conclusion. This last slide is more detailed than the previous two slides. It tells the readers exactly what is necessary to write an argument. I wish that I had viewed these slides before I had taken the ACT test because I think they would have greatly helped me write the essay.
          I think that because the topics we learn in AP Literature connect to each other, it is easier for me to absorb and analyze the information. I am able to use one topic to develop another topic and compare and contrast different topics. I am excited to use these new techniques in my future essays.