Wu-Tang Forever

           In the article Drake Drops Wu-Tang-Inspired Song, to the Dismay of Wu-Tang Fans Everywhere
the author Aisha Harris talks about how Drakes new song "Wu-Tang Forever" is an awful ode to the Wu-Tang Clan. The language of the piece is very critical of the song and sounds to be mocking what Drake has done. The diction of the article is colloquial, most likely pointed towards urban areas or city populations. The words the author chooses are quite simple, using everyday language that is easy to understand. The language, diction and syntax of the article all contribute to the idea that the author is using humor to say that Drake's new song does an awful job of honoring the Wu-Tang Clan.
          The language in the article is the most concrete way to tell that the author is making fun of Drake's new song. Through the whole thing the language is extremely mocking and humorous. When the author chose to add in the comment, "Others dislike the instrumentals for Drake’s tune as well: 'How can Drake title a song 'Wu-Tang Forever'…when the entire thing sounds like it was made in a bubble bath?' one music fan tweeted." (Harris) it backs up the idea that the language is humorous and cynical towards Drake's lyrics. The last sentence of the article is another example of the language, "I recommend just enjoying it for what it is." (Harris) obviously the author does not enjoy the new song and is telling the reader or listener to just take the song for being a rap song and not taking it as an honor to the Wu-Tang Clan.
          The diction used in the article sounds like everyday language, it doesn't have very complicated words or obscure words either. I think the author does this so than it can reach a wide audience, I also think the author did this so than it will add to the tone of being mocking toward Drake. There were not any unfamiliar words or big words in the article at all, some of the words he uses are "legendary", "genuinely", and "innovative". (Harris) The words are in no way challenging for the average reader which the author did to make the article very easy to understand. The diction is very simple so that article is blunt and gets to the point.
         The syntax in the piece contributes to how the sentences and ideas flow together. Harris uses a lot of semi colons and commas to emphasize different parts of the sentences. In this sentence "Or maybe they genuinely expected Drake’s new song to both resemble and live up to the work of the legendary hip-hop group, beloved for their innovative sampling, gritty beats, and intricate lyrics" Harris uses multiple commas to create parallelism between the different parts of the Wu-Tang Clan's songs. The simple use of syntax makes it easy for the reader to understand the author's point of view. 


         

Weaknesses in Poetry

My Struggles: Poetry

 

 

         When I did the practice questions in Peterson's AP English the old style poetry gave me the most trouble. I am awful at deciphering and comprehending what the author is trying to get across. I try to understand what the point of the poem or stanza is but I never seem to fully grasp it. Phrases like "O what can ail thee, Knight-at-arms" (Peterson 124) are repeated multiple times but I hardly know what it means. It is also hard for me to get to the main point of old poetry, I can sometimes understand line by line but I'm not good when I try to put it all together. Overall I need to work on understanding literature that isn't in plain modern English and start reading more old poetry.

The Diagnostic Test...

My Experience

 

                 When I first started the diagnostic test in Peterson's AP English I attacked it like the ACT. I have studied so much for the ACT that any multiple choice test it almost comes natural to use my skills from standardized testing. I started underlining what I thought was important and re-reading anything that I didn't understand. After I had finished the first poem I thought it went fine, I understood the material and did the questions. The only question that I didn't know was number two, it asked about the speakers point of view in stanzas 3,4, and 5. I used the process of elimination and just chugged on to the next thing. I was surprised by the pride and prejudice excerpt because I understood it for the most part, when I read the first couple sentences I thought it was going to be a lot harder than it was. The one question that I didn't know at all was number seventeen which asked to summarize the paragraph, I didn't think any of the answers really worked but just chose the best one. The last reading passage was more difficult than the others but there weren't any particular parts or questions that really stumped me. I finished the test in thirty five minutes which tells me that I was attacking it like the ACT, at least with the timing, and need to spend more time double checking so I get all the answers right. The experience overall wasn't bad. I thought it would be a lot worse and of course was procrastinating but I'm not always good at reading comprehension so I think in the long run these kind of exercises are really beneficial for me.