Ashley’s English Blog

 My group and I have used strategies to split up the work so we all complete equal amounts. We divide responsibilities mostly randomly, or we pick which part we each want to do, and it works out. We hold each other accountable by saying we need to complete an assignment by this date or time. But we have not had many issues with splitting up work or communicating. In class, we wrote our introduction paragraphs. I learned how to craft an introduction for a research essay. 

 We did not face many challenges as a group. A couple of times, we could not pick between two different sources because we all liked a different one. To fix this, we looked back at our research question. We had to see which source supports our research question and makes the most sense to use as evidence. We also checked to see what specific evidence each source had so that we could easily fill out the quotes section. In class, we finished picking our sources. I learned how to work through disagreements with my partners. 

 The most compelling issue connected to my topic on free speech versus cancel culture is how both restrict personal freedoms. Free speech that is uncensored and not regulated allow people to speak anything they want to, which can lead to cyberbullying, hate speech, and racist or offensive comments. Issues like these greatly impact social media and internet users, causing them issues such as loss of sleep which is explored in one of my sources. However, cancel culture also affects personal freedom by restricting what individuals are able to say freely. Canceling makes people weary of intellectual and thoughtful conversations that are filled with new and diverse opinions.  In class, we compared our sources. I learned about how normalized language is always changing and how it effects cancel culture.

 Doing my annotated bibliography changed my understanding of my topic because I now have a deeper understanding of how cancel culture is so unpredictable and inconsistent. It has allowed me to dive deeper into each of my sources and understand how they will impact my paper, so I can choose the best ones to use. My sources add onto each other, as I have examples, definitions, data, and an array of subtopics being explored by them. In class, we worked on our annotated bibliography. I learned how to explain my image source. 

 The most challenging part about my annotated bibliography was the evaluation. In the evaluation I had to fugue out how the author of the source was credible and knowledgable, which was hard. It was difficult to get a lot of information on the author and expand on his or her credibility. This challenge helped me grow as a researched as I had to dig deep and be smart about the sources I chose. The evaluation will help me write my research paper because I will be able to use the author's background and credibility to back up my evidence. I class, we started our annotated bibliography. I learned how to write and format an annotated bibliography. 

 I noticed that sources with opposite viewpoints sounded similar except with conflicting data and reasoning. the sources that agreed with each other all focuses on different specific points of the argument so I was able to broaden my knowledge and information for my research. Also, each different type of source was written differently with different formatting a tone of language. All of these differences broadened my understanding of both sides of the issue. In class we found more sources. I learned the difference between Literature reviews and reviews.

 This was different from how I found information in the past because I had to think of good and specific ways to phrase my topic or question to get the best search results. Using specific search strategies allowed me to research all parts of my topic and dive deeper into the more important or interesting parts. I was able to find information on both sides of the argument and find background, definitions, and examples that I can use for my research. In class, we researched more about our topic. I learned how to use specific search strategies. 

 This cartoon is criticizing the the Trump administration. The author is suggesting that the Big beautiful Bill is going against the values of the United States, as well ICE and Doge compromising our nation. It also wants to audience to think about how Trump is saying that Iran is attacking Israel and distracting from other issues. In class we went over sources. I learned how to skim through a passage.

Creating certain specific search phrases is much more targeted than just googling a topic. By using a verified research website and using specific search phrases, you get information that is specific and relevant to the exact topic and part of the topic that you want to focus on. On Google, you get a wide range of results that may not completely relate to your topic and may not be from reputable sources. Using the search topics will improve the quality of your sources and the information. In class, we did a CommonLit. I learned about how the American dream is an illusion.

My topic is cancel vulture vs. free speech. This is difficult to solve because there are different interpretations of "right" and "wrong" and different ideas on how accountability should be held. One perspective is that cancel culture in necessary to hold people accountable for their actions and words. The opposite perspective is that cancel culture threatens peoples' free speech and limits the freedoms guaranteed to us. Understanding both of these viewpoints is important to figure out where the limits are. In class, we learned more about the research process. I learned how to search up my topic in different ways. 

 In the past, my research papers have not been guided very much by my teachers. Last year, I wrote one in English class, but my teacher gave us very little guidance and basically told us it figure it out ourselves. We worked independently, so I have never really researched with a group before. For this project, I hope that having a group will help me to do better and create better work. In class, we were introduced to our research project. I learned about current events through the kahoot.

 I would plan a 3-month long vacation through the world. For the first two months, I would go with my best friend across Europe, Asia, and the rest of the continents. We would not stay in one place for too long and we would go out and meet as many people as possible. The last month, we would pick one place to stay for the month, making the most out of it while relaxing as well.  In class we did a Commonlit. I learned about what my friends' dream spring breaks were.

 A  time when I wanted complete independence or control over a situation was when I was working on a group project in english. We had to make a character analysis poster for a book, and we had to work with a group of students. i wanted to be able to make all of the decisions to make sure we got a good grade, but that ended up not being possible. It didn't go as planned, as I did have to let other members make some decisions, but we still did well. In class, we finished the Into the Wild movie. I learned more about Chris's relationships with other people.