"The Ineffective Wall" - ​Immigration Essay Reflection

In Mr. Licata’s English class we learn how to properly use and speak English and how to apply our knowledge when writing an essay. Throughout our first semester we read the book “Enrique’s Journey” as a class. The book tells the story about a 17-year-old boy from Honduras who travels to the United States in search of his mother. For our finals essay, we were required to write a persuasive/argument assay based on the topic of illegal immigration. I chose to write about the Great Wall and argued against it.

The essay had to contain at least 500 words. It was required to include a thesis statement with a clear introduction. To succeed, I researching my topic and wrote down supporting arguments that I later used to argue against the opposite side. While writing the essay, I made sure to cite all of my sources using MLA format. I also used transitional words when starting a new paragraph or argument.

I learned how to write an essay using facts and examples from both sides of view while arguing against the opposite and convincing the reader to agree with me. My success in this work tells me that I am passionate about writing and standing up for what I believe in. I also learned how to properly use transitional words and how to start my argument clearly. The skills I have learned will help me write better essays in the future.

"The Importance of Speaking Up" -  Speak Essay Reflection 
In Mr. Licata’s English class we learn how to properly use and speak English and how to apply our knowledge when writing an essay. Throughout our second semester we read the book “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson as a class. Melinda Sordino, the protagonist of the novel, becomes reserved and isolated after she calls the police at the end-of-summer party subsequent to being sexually abused by an older teenager.

The essay we were required to write was about speaking up and the benefits of standing up for yourself. The requirements of the essay was to write a 5 paragraph essay, to use at least one transitional word in each paragraph, have at least 750 words, and include correct citations of our sources. I started by filling out a prewrite worksheet where I outlined which quotes, websites, and topics I wanted to use in my essay. Throughout this process I learned to organize my research and be a better planner, which tells me that I am able to learn independently.

The Two School Wide Learning Outcomes I demonstrated with this Artifact are “self-directed learner who communicates effectively” and “mastering skills needed in career and college”. I have demonstrated these SLO’s managing my time efficiently and overall doing well in the assignment. This is important because the skills I have learned while researching and writing will help me in throughout high school years and college.

Overall the  the most important things I have learned while working on my essays are improving my researching skills, being organized, having a plan, and improving my writing performance. The skills I have learned in this class will help me in the future because they are skills that I will use when writing any formal essay.