Novel Study: Character

Today's blog entry is similar to your journal entry except that you are focusing on character. Choose the protagonist, or another main character in your novel, and find a key quote to respond to that is significant to the character's role in the novel. Find a quote that reveals a key aspect of the character's personality, or a moment in the novel that signifies a realization, or turning point for that character.

In your response to the quote, highlight what personality traits are being revealed, and summarize the character's identity, motivations, and basic journey through the novel.

When you are finished, read all the responses from the others in your novel study group. State whether you agree or disgree with that person's assessment of the character, and mention another part of the novel that supports, or disputes their analysis. Proper spelling and grammar apply.

Novel Study: Journal Entry

This will be your first blog posting that is for marks. I only assign 2 journal entries for the novel unit, and I usually find this one of the most interesting assignments as I get to have a bit of a dialogue with you about your novel. Please keep the following in mind when it comes to journal writing:

1. Writing in response to reading without a goal of deeper understanding is a waste of time (yours and mine)
2. Your goals are to:

a) personalize the story (make it more meaningful for you)
b) gain insights about characters
c) see the world in a different way

3. The main point of journal writing is to clarify one’s thoughts by committing one’s thinking to paper.

Please choose a quote or a passage from your novel (include page number) and explain the connection you have made to it. How does the connection you have made help you understand more about the book?

Today you need to post your own journal entry, and respond to two other people in your LIT circle group. As always, proper grammar, spelling, punctuation etc. applies.

Friday's Choices

Ok, here are the choices for your next post: (Choose ONE of the four)

1. Go to the TSN website. Choose any article you wish (must be an actual article and not just a game re-cap) and respond.
2. Go to the link: http://www.yikers.com/video_america_to_the_rescue.html and watch the clip from "The Daily Show" and respond. Note: you will need a fairly decent knowledge of American politics and recent history of the middle east to be able to comment in any depth on this video clip.
3. Watch the You Tube clip of a student getting tasered while questioning U.S. senator John Kerry (please keep volume down on your computer or use headphones). This video could be considered disturbing so watch at your own discretion. You must also read the news article "Answers in taser case are years away". Respond. (Search words: John Kerry, tasered)
4. Post a review of any movie you have seen recently. Remember that you must support your opinion with in-depth commentary on various elements of the movie (plot, acting, special effects, themes etc.)

Finally, you must post at least one comment on another blog that has discussed the same issue as you.

If you are responding to a video clip or article, please keep in mind the following:

a) Who wrote the article/filmed the video, and what do you know about that person?
b) Is that person a reliable source?
c)Is there any bias?
d) Who is the target audience?
e) What style of writing is used? Colloquial? Formal? What style of presentation for the video?
f)What is your opinion on the issue presented?
g) What evidence have you provided to support your opinion?

As always, the goal is for you to provide evidence of critical thinking and to give proof that you have tried to consider the issue from multiple perspectives and justified your ideas with thoughtful support. Formal writing expectations apply.

Opera Power

We read the article about the "dream job being just a dream" in class, and that same day someone showed me the Paul Potts performance on "Britain Has Talent" (the British Version of American Idol). I am no fan of opera but the message is pretty clear: don't settle for a job that doesn't make you happy, especially if you have interests or talents that lie somewhere else. How can you NOT cheer for this guy? I read a quote one time (couldn't tell you who wrote it), and it said: "Do What You Love, The Rest Comes". Imagine yourself spending eight hours a day, for 30-40 years of your life doing something that you aren't interested in, or even worse...that makes you miserable. One thing I did notice in the newspaper article though, is that two main reasons why people don't end up in their dream job are lack of job availability, and lack of education. The truth is, if you want a job that inspires you and gives you the lifestyle that you want, you just might have to work your butt off a little to get yourself qualified! Think about some of the careers that you want (and the daily life that you want), and then start taking the steps to get yourself there. Don't back down because it might require a lot of education or training. It is worth it to invest in a career path that you will love.

On a side note: My first choices in career were: Vancouver Canucks player (age 2), Firefighter (age 4).

The Greatest Superpower

Ok, admittedly, my first post wasn't truly inspiring. So here goes...if I could gain the mastery of any superpower in the universe, it would no doubt be the ability to function forever without the necessity of...SLEEP. If I could remain awake on a continual basis I could simply wait until my archnemesis (and all superheroes have one) finally collapsed from exhaustion before I crushed him or her into oblivion. (It wouldn't make for the most exciting movie ending, but it would be effective). Most superheroes suffer premature burnout from all the double identity stress. Look at Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, Peter Parker...the poor guys are trying to save the world after a full day at the office! I, on the otherhand would require no downtime whatsoever. The race car that never has to make a pit stop would no doubt win the race! I would also add approximately 6-7 hours out of everyday to the time that I am actually awake and experiencing life. Over a lifetime, that adds up to a signficant amount of opportunity to accomplish things.

Testing...

Here is my very inspiring first blog entry.