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the following are writings from second grade. {poem.jpg} {santa.png}
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elementary school writings {heart.PNG} senior year {heart.PNG} my bucket list {heart.PNG} my soul
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Dear viewer,
This is my senior portfolio and I would like to tell you a little about it. I have included samples of my writing from elementary school as well as this year to show how I have grown in my writing. From second grade writing about snowflakes and my family to senior year analyzing novels and poems I have significantly improved in not only the content but the concepts. As an early writer my stories were short, sweet, and to the point. Throughout the years I have learned to put more meat into my writing and to not include as much of my personal opinion when analyzing.
I don’t remember much from middle school except for “preposition panther” from Ms. PJ and Mrs. Cash’s story about her encounter with a moose. I was a math and science nerd in middle school and English was my greatest enemy. It wasn’t until my junior year that I started to find interest in English. I started to try to better myself and learn better approaches for stories and reports. However I have never been good at vocabulary and I believe I never will be. Vocabulary and conclusions are my kryptonite when it comes to writing. Oh well. My writing has improved since second grade and that is good enough for me. You will know what I mean once you visit my artifacts page and read “The Journey of a Snowflake.”
Enjoy!
Kathryn Walls<3

McGeeAPEnglish12-1Akathrynwalls {heartanddashes.jpg}
and Forever {mashuup.png}
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elementary school writings {heart.PNG} senior year {heart.PNG} my bucket list {heart.PNG} my soul
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below is a research paper written in december
Triangle: Pyramids
the Gods.
The pyramids were great monuments designed to protect the king’s body, goods for the Next World, and his soul (Millard 7). These pyramids had to be aligned with the North Star, Polaris, with the four sides facing the four compass directions exactly (14-15). These pyramids were mostly placed in the Western areas of Egypt because the god of the dead, Osiris, reigned in the west (15). The pyramid shape served as a ramp to the heavens (27). The Kings believed that once they died their souls would join the Imperishable Ones (18). These were the Northern Stars that never set below the horizon. The Kings also believed that in order to properly enjoy the New World, their bodies had to be preserved (30). This is why they were mummified.
The Great Pyramids were built from huge deposits of limestone. During the annual floods of Egypt, these deposits could be transported by ships directly to the base of the pyramid (12). The pyramids were built in layers. The people would build ramps of bricks and rubble and slide the stones up them (17). The Egyptians filled the insides of the pyramids with sand as they built them so they could slide the stones across to the other side. Once the pyramid was built they would remove the sand, except for a small amount which they would use as platforms when carving and painting the walls and columns. They would inscribe the walls of the pyramid with prayers and rituals to keep the soul protected in the New World (24).
Although many of these pyramids were built from stones weighing up to 15 tons each, every single one of them have been broken into and robbed (Millard 32). Some have been robbed multiple times. Many of the casing stones (angled stones that make the sides smooth) have been stolen to build other things. The Great Pyramid at Giza is the only pyramid with some left at the top (23).
These pyramids served as monuments to honor and protect the souls and bodies of the Ancient Egyptian rulers for many years. The Egyptians proved that triangular architecture is durable and can stand through the literal sands of time. The tombs were built so that they could be remembered and honored for years to come. They believed that if they were remembered then they were, in a way, still living. Through these pyramids the souls and culture of the Egyptians live on.
the following is a novel assignment from januaryConfidante
In the novel Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, Jane Bennet serves as a confidante to Elizabeth Bennet. Jane is Elizabeth’s older sister and therefore the first person Elizabeth goes to for advice.
Jane is an exceedingly modest and passive woman. She does not like to speak up for herself, nor the things she believes in. She always does what other people tell her to whether she likes it or not, she never steps out of line. This is because, at that time, these qualities were encouraged for women. Jane is the only woman in the novel who acts in this manner. She behaves very well, especially when compared to others, and has excellent manners. Jane is also a static character. Meaning she never changes in the novel; she never seems to find her voice. She seems to be there simply to give Elizabeth someone to talk to.
Another of Jane’s good qualities is her self-control. When Mr. Bingley moves back to London without saying a word to her, Jane does not do anything to show she cares. Unlike Lydia who, when the soldiers are stationed in another town, throws a fit until she is allowed to go with them. Of course, Jane is sad, but she retains her composure throughout the story. This part of Jane is what Mr. Bingley is most attracted to, yet it is what causes Mr. Darcy to tear them apart. Because Jane does not outwardly show her feelings, Mr. Darcy believes she does not love Mr. Bingley and then informs him of this belief.
These qualities give Elizabeth someone to look up to and admire. Early in the novel, we learn that Jane is not one to think badly of anyone. As said by Elizabeth to Jane, “You never see a fault in anybody. All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in my life…to take the good of everybody’s character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad-belongs to you alone” (Austen 11). She is saying that Jane is not influenced by the first impressions of others because she believes people to be generally good. Jane has no prejudices against anybody, not even Mr. Darcy. When everyone in town had something bad to say about Mr. Darcy, Jane stuck to the positive. Elizabeth eventually learned to put aside her prejudices, like her sister, and because of this, she saw the real Mr. Darcy.
Throughout the novel Jane and Elizabeth are talking to each other about their problems, whether in person or by letter. The letters are a way for Elizabeth to stay connected to her sister even when they are far apart. Jane informs Elizabeth of everything that happens when Elizabeth is away with Mr. and Mrs. Collins, and again when she is with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. This creates a bond that Elizabeth does not have with anyone else in her family. No one, except Jane and her father, really seemed to care when Elizabeth was not at home. They were all too busy with their own lives.
Over all Jane is just a good person. She always gives the benefit of the doubt and she wants everyone to be happy. After Jane accepted Bingley’s proposal, Jane says to Elizabeth, “If I could but see you as happy!” (Austen 300). This shows Jane’s care for her sister; even in the happiest moment of her life, she is still thinking about her sister’s well-being. Elizabeth soon realizes that Jane’s happiness is not a result of her good state of being, but rather her goodness. Jane is caring and the only truly unprejudiced character in the novel. Her unprejudiced ways cause her to think everyone is honest and lead her to desire to please everyone. This often causes her to put her own happiness aside for that of others. When this happens, Elizabeth feels she has to take care of Jane as if she herself was the bigger sister and protect her from the evils of the real world.
Throughout the novel, Jane is considered to merely be Elizabeth’s confidante. Elizabeth is usually the one that makes sure Jane is okay and tries to protect her. However, as said by Henry James, “the author sometimes uses this character for other purposes as well.” Jane is not only the eldest daughter, that wants to please everyone, she is the one who indirectly brings Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy together. First, the main reason all the sisters were invited to a majority of the dances was because Mr. Bingley liked Jane. Even though, at these dances, Elizabeth disliked Mr. Darcy, this is where they first met. Secondly, Jane never said anything bad about Mr. Darcy. She always pointed out the good in him. By having one person like Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth felt okay with her feelings towards him. Lastly, once Jane was happy again, Elizabeth felt she could focus on her own happiness, let her guard down, and open up to Mr. Darcy. Jane taught Elizabeth it is okay to love and that first impressions are not always correct. That the only way to get to know someone is to get rid of both pride and prejudice.

McGeeAPEnglish12-1Akathrynwalls {heartanddashes.jpg}
and Forever
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elementary school writings {heart.PNG} senior year {heart.PNG} my bucket list {heart.PNG} my soul
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my soul
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The soul, from Merriam and Webster Dictionary, is defined as a person’s total self. Every aspect of a person makes up his soul. Everything from what sports team they support, whether they prefer white milk or chocolate, or whether they prefer the beach or the mountains. Personally, I support the Redskins, any type of milk, and I prefer to live at the beach and have fun in the sun.
The sun takes up a large part of my soul: it influences my moods. When the sun is out and the sky is blue, I tend to be more carefree and relaxed. Just having the sun hit my arm or back is enough to make my day better. However, when it is cold and cloudy I am easily aggravated and I snap at people. The sun just helps me to loosen up. I would go to the beach on a sunny forty-five degree day just to lay on the sand and have the sun warm me up a little.

My Soulmy soul
The soul, from Merriam and Webster Dictionary, is defined as a person’s total self. Every aspect of a person makes up his soul. Everything from what sports team they support, whether they prefer white milk or chocolate, or whether they prefer the beach or the mountains. Personally, I support the Redskins, any type of milk, and I prefer to live at the beach and have fun in the sun.
The sun takes up a large part of my soul: it influences my moods. When the sun is out and the sky is blue, I tend to be more carefree and relaxed. Just having the sun hit my arm or back is enough to make my day better. However, when it is cold and cloudy I am easily aggravated and I snap at people. The sun just helps me to loosen up. I would go to the beach on a sunny forty-five degree day just to lay on the sand and have the sun warm me up a little.