Reaction to AP Test

               The AP English Language and Composition Exam was my first AP test. Although we did a lot of practice leading up to the test, I had no idea of what I was truly in for on Wednesday. I didn’t know what the pressure of writing three essays in two hours and fifteen minutes felt like or how difficult it was to answer 55 multiple choice questions after attempting to understand an irrelevant passage that had no significance in your life. After taking the exam and being able to undergo the pressure that students feel during the exam, I can say that I don’t think I will ever forget my experience. Personally, the multiple choice section was the hardest part of the test. There were a lot of vocabulary words that I haven’t ever seen or used before, and I think that threw me off during the test. Throughout the entire multiple choice section, I found myself attempting to translate the passages and the questions so that I could make sense of them. I would replace words I didn’t understand with words that I thought could make sense with the context of the passages. Additionally, I felt that my interpretations of the texts were different from the interpretations of the College Board, so making an assertive answer choice was obscure. Thus, to better prepare for the test, I would’ve exposed myself to more advanced vocabulary.

               Despite my uncertainty of the multiple choice section, I felt that the essay portion went well. I knew that the multiple choice section was going to lower my final grade, so I wanted my essays to be impressive. For each essay, I made sure that I followed all of the rules and applied skills that would allow me to have a higher score. I was able to finish all of my essays by utilizing all of the time given. However, when I was in the middle of writing the second essay, my head started to hurt. It wasn’t a headache, but it was annoying. I’m assuming that it was from the fact that my brain was working extremely hard and unlike the way it usually does to write three essays in two hours. I found writing three essays in a row to be difficult. Therefore, I would change the fact that the break was given to us after we completed the multiple choice section. Alternatively, I would suggest that the break would be closer to the middle of the exam. For instance, students should complete the multiple choice section and one essay and then receive the break, allowing students to have only two essays to write in a row. Overall, the exam was thoroughly challenging and required a mastery of skill in analyzing rhetorical texts.

Descriptive Essay

As I stand in my driveway, my 2014 Nissan Pathfinder is clear in my sight. Its smooth, shiny surface glistens in the sunlight. The exterior is coated with an arctic blue finish that somehow makes me feel like I’m at the beach, watching the waves steadily roll in. When I make my way to the car’s anterior, I study the tapered front as it has the face of a familiar friend. It has a sporty look with a hint of attitude. Sometimes I find myself staring at the headlights because I wait to see if they will wink at me. The tires are like fluffy, black marshmallows that are made up of four perfect circles. They can easily daze anyone who stares into them long enough. Then, I gaze upon the silver door handles that give the impression that I’m about to enter a different world. Now that I am inside, I step onto the solid, rubber-grooved car mat that give me the confidence I need when I embark on a taxing journey. Its heated seats and ample passenger room are like the comfort of a nice warm bed when you wake up on a Saturday morning. I can feel the smooth, comforting leather seats beneath me are like the texture of human skin. When I pull the seatbelt across my body, I am reminded of a protective parent who puts their arm out to shield their child during a close call. Then, I shift my attention to the windows which are like large IMAX theatre screens that provide a clear picture of the outside world, but without the sound. After that, I look up to the double moon roof that allows me to watch the sunset on a spring evening. Then, the powerful, booming car horn that imitates a Mac truck, jolts me awake.

Social Network Sites Are More Harmful Than Helpful

           

            Whether it’s the overuse of Snapchat filters, the need to post another selfie on Instagram, or the obsession with changing your status on Facebook, it is clear that manipulation occurs when people and social media unite. We have been trained to constantly check our social media accounts as some people spend countless hours scrolling through their feed without even realizing it. And this is just the beginning.

            Social networking is the creation and sharing of ideas through online communities. These online communities can provide a platform to spread unauthorized information. The spread of this information commonly transpires with teens. For example, a teen may post something that another teen does not want other people to see. Of course, people will give the excuse that they “didn’t know” that the other person would feel that way about the post. By doing this, drama and conflict are added to something that was supposed to bring joy and new ideas. When it’s all said and done, someone gets hurt - emotionally.

            In addition to the concept of drama on social media, messages via social web can be easily misunderstood. A general positive message from a user may be interpreted as negative, which creates even more conflict. The person may not intend to cause any harm; however, that is one of the risks one takes when using social network sites.

            Another downside of social media is bullying - also called cyberbullying. This is perhaps one of the most common things people think of when they hear “social media.” Cyberbullying is when someone intentionally attacks a person through social media. For instance, in the movie, Cyberbully, a girl was bullied by her classmates by commenting inappropriate messages on her social media account and even creating a fake profile online which the girl interacts with. The purpose of this movie was to inform viewers that social network sites can lead to a decline in the mental health of some users.

            Social network sites also influence people to be unsocial in a public environment. Online communities allow people to communicate digitally; however, more people are unable to hold an actual conversation in person. This is occurs when people believe that they can hide while communicating with others behind a screen, rather than face to face. In addition, when people use social media; they tend to forget how to read social cues. In social media, there are no social cues, such as facial expressions.

            Although there are many reasons why social media is harmful, there are some ways that it can be helpful. For example, many people can discover new information, such as news or important events through social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. These platforms allow people to receive a quick insight of what is currently occurring in the world. However, the downside is that not everything that is on social media can be trusted. For instance, people can post information that can’t be proven or was a rumor.

Social media sites were designed to share information with millions of people. However, social network sites bring drama due to miscommunication, cyberbullying, and the lack of the ability to be social. Social network sites should be entertaining and safe; however, this can never happen as we do not live in a perfect world where problems don’t exist.