'to be comfortable with words' - autoliteracy, rewriting for class

The word 'literacy' means an ability to read, write and have understanding. We all grow up being taught the basics. I remember as a child learning the basics. I was born in California and my first language was Spanish and being the second generation it meant a lot to my family to understand my roots but yet learn two different languages. Before I entered kindergarten I was fluent in the English language. My mom always pushed to do better and always have myself and our siblings reading so we can improve ourselves and not be that typical Mexican American.

"Writing for Myself", by Russell Baker is about a teenager who learns that writing is fun. The essay starts with baker talking about his third year in high school. He also talks about how he hated his English class and that all his classes where the same. He talks about all his experiences in high school. He had a moment in high school that changed his life. He gets an assignment in his English class that turns into and autobiography. This essay inspires him to become a writer and to enjoy his English class. He also talks education and how much of a bore it is and how it does not inspire children to push themselves. He concludes his essay stating that everything can change in an instant and open a person's eyes to a world they did not understand.

I agree and disagree with Baker that school can be boring at times. I understand that a teacher can only do so much, but it is up to individual to push themselves. I believe as we progress in life we develop the ability to understand and learn more, so that we can push ourselves to do more and step out of our comfort zone.

High school was a great and bad experience. Some classes were tough, others were easy, but ill never forget the memories I made. My first two years I did not care much for school and my grades and it eventually caught my last year, but I will never forget the paper that encouraged me to become a better write and not be scared of words on a piece of paper.

It was junior year and I was in my English awaiting our first paper. I did not care much for it and wrote a not so great paper. Obviously I did not get a great grade. This continued for the other papers until the teacher got fed and made me start rewriting my papers. I was not happy about her decision and it encourage to even caring less about my English class and writing. One day we received an assignment that sparked my interest a little. The assignment was on certain genre. Suspense and horror the idea of reading a book like that excited. The bad thing about it is that she chose books that where old and did not look interesting. I wanted to read something knew not something that I would have trying to read.

I decided to go rogue and pick a book that a teacher gave me my freshman year. The book was written by Dean Koonts and titled Midnight. I was scared at first since I had no idea how she would react about my decision. I pushed on, I skimmed thru the book because I had read it before and just wanted a refresher. I took my time with this essay since I knew that it was a good book to write about. When the time came to turn my paper in I was terrified.

When I received my paper back from the teacher i was shocked to see that I got a B on it. There was a side note that ordered me to see her after class about why I chose a different. She may of not have been happy about my decision she was also not that upset about. She was happy that I chose a good author and book to write my paper on but scolded me not to try that again to stay on the subject she assigns.

Just like baker high school was my time to shine for a moment and be different. Even though, English was not my favorite subject I did my best and tried to make the best of it. The paper had encouraged me to be comfortable with words and to just write and open my mind to nonsense so I can later put everything together. It also taught not to be afraid to go off subject, but making sure I get approval.

Hi, I have a few suggestions to edit your writing

The word 'literacy' means an ability to read, write and haveunderstand language . We all grow up being taught the basics. I remember learning phonics as a child.learningthe basics . I was born in California, and Spanish was my first language.was SpanishandB eing the second generation, it meant a lot to my family for me to understandknow my roots,but yetand learn two different languages. Before I entered kindergarten, I was fluent in the English language. My mom always pushed my siblings and I to do betterimprove ourselves , and always have myself and our siblings reading so we can improve ourselves and not be that typical Mexican Americans .

He gets an assignment in his English class that turns intoleads him to writean autobiography.

He also talks about education,and how much of aboring it is, and how it does not inspire children to push themselves.

He concludes his essay by stating that everything can change in an instant, and open a person's eyes can be opened to a world they did not understand.