Twilight Portfolio Project

Kara

Honors English IV

8 June, 2009

Table of Contents

1. Letter to viewers2. All about Kara

3. Five works with reflections4. Novel Analysis5. Direction Card

Letter to Viewers

When I first began taking this course, I asked myself one question: what do I want to learn? I took an AP Language class my Junior year, so I already knew about many things in English. I really wanted to learn more grammatical parts to English. I also wanted to learn more vocabulary and use it in everyday conversations. I can definitely say I have met all my goals. Not only have I learned more about the difficult parts of grammar, but I have analyzed the weekly vocabulary words and use them in every conversation I can. This English class has not only helped me further my education in English, but has also helped me make friends. I stuck to the daily schedules of work, which made it much easier for me to divide my work accordingly. I have truly enjoyed this class.

All about Kara

• Hey! My Name is Kara. I live in Mooresville, North Carolina (also known as Race City, USA) and I attend Lake Norman High School. I am a Senior this year. I was recently accepted to the University of North Carolina at Asheville. I have a very large blended family of his hers and theirs. I have 2 brothers and 4 sisters! I enjoy my job as an au pair for a great family. I am currently a semi-finalist for the Lake Norman Regional Medical Center Scholarship. I want to study pre-medicine at UNCA. After, I would like to attend the University of Georgia for medical school, to become an Anesthesiologist.

Activity 1:The Siren Song

• Title of activity: The Siren Song by Margaret Atwood• Date completed: March 2, 2009• This piece of work belongs in my portfolio because it is evidence of NC Standard # 4.• It represents the theme of analyzing and critiquing texts from various perspectives and

approaches. • Describe what you have learned about the subject covered:

– This assignment has taught me to analyze poetry texts and use literary terms to describe certain terms of poetry.

• Describe how you might like to extend your knowledge beyond what you currently know:– I would like to go into more depth with my literary terms and describe how an author comes up

with the texts they write, and why they use such literary terms in poetry.

Assignment 2:Pre-reading for Unit 3

• Title of activity: Pre-reading for Unit 3• Date completed: March 8, 2009• This piece of work belongs in my portfolio because it is evidence of

NC Standard # 1.• It represents the theme of expressing reflections and reactions to

print and non-print text as well as to personal experience.  • Describe what you have learned about the subject covered: With this

assignment, I learned how to give personal reflections on literary assignments, like appearance versus reality. It helps me compare English to my personal life.

• Describe how you might like to extend your knowledge beyond what you currently know: I would like to extend my knowledge beyond what I know about relationships between English and my personal lifestyle. I would like to know more about how they relate.

Activity 3:Vocabulary Words

• Title of activity: Unit 7 Vocabulary Words• Date completed: May 17, 2009• This piece of work belongs in my portfolio because it is evidence of

NC Standard # 6.• It represents the theme of applying conventions of grammar and

language usage.• Describe what you have learned about the subject covered:

– Weekly vocabulary words have helped me to broaden my spoken vocabulary and have also helped me read better, because I know more words.

• Describe how you might like to extend your knowledge beyond what you currently know:

– I would like to learn the prefixes and suffixes of words, so it is easier for me to identify words that I do not know. Also, I would like to learn more words!

Activity 4:Predicting First Lines

• Title of activity: 4.7 Predicting First Lines• Date completed: March 31, 2009• This piece of work belongs in my portfolio

because it is evidence of NC Standard # 5.

• It represents the theme of deepening the understanding of British literature through exploration and extended engagement.

• Describe what you have learned about the subject covered:

– I have learned the characteristics of British Literature, and how to predict what the story will conclude just by reading the first line of the work.

• Describe how you might like to extend your knowledge beyond what you currently know:

– I would like to read more British works, even novels. I would like to check my predictions by reading more stories.

Activity 5:Unit 2 Essay

• Title of activity: Unit 2 Essay• Date completed: March 5, 2009• This piece of work belongs in my portfolio because it is evidence of NC

Standard # 2.• It represents the theme of informing an audience by exploring general

principles at work in life and literature.• Describe what you have learned about the subject covered:

– I have learned how to inform an audience about a certain subject, in this case gender inequalities, using principles and literature.

• Describe how you might like to extend your knowledge beyond what you currently know:

– I would like to learn more about the general principles at work in life and literature.

TwilightA Novel Analysis

Written by: Stephanie Meyer

Analysis

Hey Haley,I know you haven’t read Twilight by Stephenie Meyer yet, but I wanted to give you my interpretation of this great book. A seventeen year old girl, Bella, just moved to a small town to live with her father. In this lifeless town she notices a family that seems different from the others, and especially one, Edward. Soon, Bella becomes entranced by Edward’s beauty, and the two start a dangerous relationship. Bella is soon to find out that Edward, and the entire Cullen family, have a secret that will completely alter Bella’s life. Twilight is like a modern day twisted fairy tale. It connects with the theme of a fairy tale with many different twists to the story. Bella is always in danger, and looking for someone to be her perfect soul mate. Edward is Bella’s perfect soul mate, but he is dangerous. Edward is a vampire, and he has a fatal attraction to Bella, which adds to putting her in danger. One of the most famous quotes from the book is when Edward and Bella are talking about their attraction for each other, and how it relates: Edward- “And so the lion fell in love with the lamb..."

Bella- “What a stupid lamb.”Edward- “What a sick masochistic lion.”

Continued Analysis• This is a great quote because it talks about the unexplainable bond between two completely

different people. Another quote, which explains the obvious connection in theme between Twilight and a fairy tale, is when Bella says ‘It was obvious that he belonged here, In a fairy tale. And now I was in the story with him.” Bella always believes that she is never good enough and finds herself lucky to be with someone as perfect as Edward. She explains this when she says, “It was hard to believe that someone so beautiful could be real. I was afraid that he might disappear in a sudden puff of smoke, and I would wake up.” In most fairy tales, the man saves the woman and they live happily ever after. In Twilight, things are different. Edward has to control his need to suck Bella’s blood, while always being around her and loving her. Bella knows the consequences of being in a relationship with a vampire when she says, “About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him- and I didn’t know how potent that part might be- that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.” Another fairy tale I read that reminds me Twilight is Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet talks about the “star-crossed lovers”. It is a fairy tale that ends in the death of two lovers. It has the same danger and doesn’t end happily ever after like Twilight.

• I feel like I really connected with Bella in the novel. Bella always felt like she did not fit in with regular people, and always kept to herself. I am alike with Bella in that way. Sometimes I do not feel like I fit in with most of the people at my school. You have to read this book. It is so good and well written. I definitely give it a five out of five stars for anyone in our age group. See you soon girl!

• Love, Kara

ReflectionsAs my Senior year comes to a

close, I decided to review my online experience. I truly have enjoyed taking an English Class. Some people might have worries about the student- teacher relationship. I have a great relationship with Mrs. Rushton. If I ever needed help or didn’t understand something or made a mistake, all I had to do was email or call her and she made sure I was completely comfortable and helped fix the problem. An online class is a great experience in our ever growing technological world. My advice for future students taking this class would be to keep with the schedule of assignments, because it is so helpful! In the future, I hope to become part of the medical field, and I believe this class has helped me in my journey. Thank you Mrs. Rushton!