Life After High School Summary

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The article, “Life After High School”, is an informative and reflective delve into the society acclaimed experience of high school, written by Annie Murphy Paul of Time Magazine. Using academic investigations, personal experience, and several keen examples, Paul addresses the relationship between social and academic status in high school, to success thereafter. Throughout the reading, Paul points out how the primary social aspects of high school such as, popularity, identification of an individual through hobbies or interests, and the strength of one’s academic pursuits, relate to an individual’s overall experience of high school, as well as how they are perceived by other students and teachers. Primarily, the article points out that although …show more content…
For example ‘imagery’ is used in several occasions, such as “faded as an orchid corsage” (Paul 1), relating the end of high school to a flower that is often worn during prom, and “bespectacled wallflower”, relating the authors high school experience as an outcast who watches from the outside. The use of imagery enhances the readers experience as it supports mental depictions and abstract connections, adding effectiveness to the piece. The entire article may be considered biased, as the author, considering herself to have been a “quiet and studious teenager” (Paul 2), commonly favors students like herself throughout the piece. Using research from various studies, the author upholds negativity on popularity stating “popularity in high school was associated with higher rates of substance abuse and sexual promiscuity in the three years after graduation” (Paul 3), and praises outcasts such as herself in which she quotes another biased author Alexandra Robbins, stating “the ones I found most interesting and appealing were often those who described themselves as outsiders” (Paul 5). The author implements this quote supporting unpopularity even though it does not provide any factual evidence to support her claims, which displays bias in her writing. If a reader recognizes bias, it lowers the effectiveness of the piece as it discredits the author. Finally, the entire …show more content…
First, I do not believe in the social categories the author describes as they are an exaggeration, originating from film and culture, and do not provide an accurate representation of high school students today. These so called classes do not clearly define an individual and it would be unfair to simply place a student in a certain class, as in my experience, many high school students are well rounded and possibly a mix of several different 'classes'. I consider myself to be one of these students, with the potential to describe myself as a jock, academic, popular, and musical student. Second, the argument that 'outsiders' are more interesting is not necessary correct. From experience, many 'popular' students are popular because they themselves are interesting and typically do not hold back from sharing these interests with their peers. Overall, I believe this article provided a viewpoint from a student who did not truly experience high school, having attended an all-girls school, and having described herself as an outsider without many

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