Shakespearean Sonnet By Matt Dumbroff

Seeing as we have just begun learning about Shakespeare, and his many works I thought it appropriate to write a sonnet in iambic pentameter just like that of Shakespeare's, using some of his most famous lines in an attempt to emulate his work.

Against the stormy gusts of winter’s day

I tell the day, to please him, thou art bright

And in mine own love’s strength seem to decay

Yet doth it steal sweet hours from love’s delight

Toward thee I’ll run, and give him leave to go

In so profound abysm I throw all care

That you yourself, being extant, well might show

If Time have any wrinkle graven there

If my dear love were but the child of state

Incapable of more, replete with you

Thus policy in love, t’anticipate

And I by this will be a gainer too

Her audit, though delay’d, answer’d must be

Without accusing you of  injury

.

The Importance of Debates and Public Speaking- Sarah West

Today in English, we started our dreaded and ever feared debates. Being a naturally quiet person myself, I've been stressing about this for a while. I've always avoided public speaking as much as possible throughout my school career, and have never been very good at presentations or reading out loud. My nerves always end up getting the better of me. But I have found that this skill is becoming increasingly important for school and for life. The presentations are never going to stop, class lead discussions are going to happen more often, job interviews are going to start, but the skills that these debates aim to teach us will always be there. So even though my stomach may have been churning, and I might have been sweating, and my heart may have been pounding out of my chest,  I am thankful for the chance to practice and improve this important skill now.

We are What We Read By Ashley Lasko

While this phrase is heavily inspired by the phrase, “you are what you it eat”, I say it in the opposite context. Rather that the books shaping our image, our books are shaped by who we are as a society.

We have recently finished finished our second unit in English, and one focal point during the unit was how heroes in a culture’s story reflected the values of the culture. We focused on Beowulf, who was described to be strong, brave, honorable, and wise. These traits, naturally, reflected the values of the Geats; Beowulf being a Geat himself. We were tasked with an essay, in which we analyzed how a myth of our choice embodied its country of origin’s values.

As I began analyzing the values of my myth to the values of its country, I began to grow curious. I hypothesized that, just as myths had reflected the cultures of centuries ago, modern books, TV, shows, and movies likely represented our society today.

Popular stories these past years, such as The Hunger Games, Lord of The Rings, and Harry Potter reflect our society's emphasis on individuality and overachievement. Stories such as Pitch Perfect represent our society's views of the importance of having a good laugh, being unique, and never abandoning dreams. Novels and fantasies such as The Fault in Our Stars place significance on loyalty, mental endurance, and pure love.

This blog may not open your mind to a completely new concept, or teach you something you’ll apply everyday. However, it is intriguing to think of how the stories we wish to tell as a society reveal our values. Simply, it’s compelling to think, next time you pick up a book or sit down to watch a movie or TV show, that the story you are experiencing is the values of world today translated for enjoyment.

English Class: A Poem by Kamryn Foster

Writing and reading; reading and writing.
Filled with kids who have a passion and are finding.
Others who think the same way they do,
Who are not mathematically inclined, the studies say it's true.

Supposedly we're taught to take a test and get the answer right,
But to this system I will forever fight.
Let the kids be creative and express themselves, I'll say
And the Board'll say no and keep the subject at bay.

English is the class where you can actually think for once
And in this room you won't hear grunts
For we all enjoy the period where you can be yourself
And let your creativity show - so go ahead and grab a book off a shelf.