My freshman experience about me going
to summer school, to take English I, was one of the major events that helped
shape me as a writer. The next year was my sophomore year. Usually
during the sophomore year, students are required to take a writing exam.
I believe that it was a requirement for all students in the Mecklenburg County
to take it (so there was no way to get around it). During the school year
teachers were always pressured, but for this year most pressure was put on the
ones that taught English courses.
Anyways the single event that
happened this year involved the writing test. The day came when all the
sophomore students had to take the test. The test was issued around
10:00A.M (I don’t remember the actual time). I came in went to where my
exam was held. It was a pretty small classroom maybe round 30 people in
the room. Teacher came in read the exam policies, regulations, procedures
and rules like not cheating, the time and all of that. Then we took the
exam. We had to write an argumentative essay (forgot what it was about, I
think it was about free speech and a controversial advertisement something like
that). We had about three hours. I couldn’t think of
anything. The hardest part was trying to figure out how to start the
argument and which side to lean on. I saw that everyone else was writing
all very focused and I was idle. Near the end, the teacher said 10
minuets left and I still haven’t written anything (besides trying to plan and
brainstorm…I had a headache!). So I tried to scram my thoughts on the
paper and then the exam propter said, times up and the long speech after
completing the exam, all in all I wrote only about one paragraph.
Couple weeks later got the exam back
and BAM Got A score of 1 on it! Although I didn’t pass the exam I made it
through the English II course so I could still move on to the next grade level.
Of course I was upset but I couldn’t do anything about it… That was the 2nd
major event that impacted me as a writer.
Johnny, I too had to complete the 10th grade writing exam and was not looking forward to it. I think ours was a argumentative essay as well but I have no idea on what it was about haha! But anyways.... I think that we share a lot of similar traits as far as writing goes. We brainstorm ideas in our head but really struggle to get them on paper. My suggestion to you is to just have confidence and if you have an idea then roll with it! That's what I do. Also, in what other ways do you think not passing the writing test impacted you as a writer?
ReplyDeleteArin
Johnny,
ReplyDeleteI cant remember whether or not I had to take a writing test in my Sophomore year, but I went to a private school for High School so they may have done things a little bit differently. I think it is awesome that you are writing this blog like a chronicle of the events that shaped you as a writer. It is very informative. I also think it would be cool to see some of your opinions on some of the activities we do in class. BUt other than that I really enjoy reading your blog..
Hey Johnny! I've enjoyed getting to read about your life as a writer. It's amazing how those things like the writing test can either make or break our confidence in our writing skills. Don't worry, now you can write much better than a 1! I challenge you to do you best in this English class; it could be a great opportunity for you to regain confidence in your writing! :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow, your description of this testing is so important. I think more people need to read how students experience tests. May I share this? I wonder if you will expand this is in your literacy narrative.
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