The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

Commonly used writing structures at MVHS actually hinder students critical thinking process.

Rigid writing

Asha Wojciechowski, Staff Writer March 3, 2024

Each year, MVHS students must take one literature course as part of their schedule. For both graduation and UC/CSU eligibility, four years of literature courses are strictly required. Consisting of writing...

Student writers use a variety of methods for planning their novels, from braindumping on sticky notes to simply storing ideas in their minds.

An open book

Abha Dash and Lillian Wang December 6, 2023
Student authors share the writing process behind their novels
Tika, my brother, and I pose for a family photo. Photo courtesy of Mangesh Bhandarkar | Used with permission

Down memory lane

Anika Bhandarkar October 28, 2023

I promise this will be the last story I write about my old dog Tika.  I’ve written a lot of “dead dog” personal narratives since my first dog, Tika, passed away when I was in third grade. Nearly...

Janya Bhaskar poses with a copy of her debut novel The Fall of a God // Photo credit Preeta Raman

National Novel Writing Month

Anika Sharma December 13, 2020
Exploring the experiences of MVHS student authors
Gupta reads a large novel in an organized library. (Photo by Guptas Father // Used with permission)

Turning pages: Changing perspectives through reading

Mira Wagner, Staff Writer October 12, 2020
Students detail their experiences with reading during quarantine along with the effects reading has on their overall perspectives

El Estoque: Behind the story

Brian Xu November 25, 2019
Unpacking El Estoque student journalists’ reporting process on story favorites

The faces behind La Pluma

Karen Sanchez October 20, 2017
La Pluma staff members reveal their interest in the club
How to do calligraphy

How to do calligraphy

Devika Watave December 7, 2016
Junior Mayumi Tabungar shares her tips on creating the best calligraphy
Senior Megan Chandler participates in NaNoWriMo for the fifth year.

NaNoWriMo: Profile on Megan Chandler

Aditi Desai November 21, 2014
Senior Megan Chandler’s shares her experiences in participating in NaNoWriMo
PHOTO CAPTION: The cover of freshman Alicia Marzolfs first novel. Abbys Secret, published in October, details the consequences of two peoples mistake, and the actions they take to preserve their relationships with others. Photo used with permission of Alicia Marzolf

Freshman Alicia Marzolf self-publishes

Maya Murthy May 26, 2014

Marzolf speaks about her novels. Freshman Alicia Marzolf is many things - a student, a horseback riding enthusiast and animal lover in addition to being a self-published author. Her first book, Abby’s...

The flyer for the upcoming  Build a Story workshop. Attendees will get a chance to publish their work in La Plumas upcoming S&S issue.

11 tips to become a better writer

Maya Murthy February 9, 2014

La Pluma co-president Pooja Desai shares tips to improve writing. 1. Hone your craft by reading. Have a book with you at all times. Read as much as you can, whenever you can, wherever you can. “I...

Essay Escort meets in the MVHS library.

Essay Escort plans transition from privately-run editing group to club

Varsha Venkat November 22, 2013
Essay Escort plans transition from privately-run editing group to club
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