In the book Divergent, written by Veronica Roth, the protagonist Tris Prior goes through a lot of change from the beginning to the end of the book, to the middle of the second book, Insurgent, which is where I am at currently. Insurgent is my coming of age novel, the one that I am reading and studying in school, though Divergent does express great points to relate to coming of age, as Tris grows as a character and a human being.
Throughout the books Tris has had plenty of struggles, in Divergent, her main struggle in the beginning was hiding her Divergence. The whole plot of Divergent is that there are five factions, and Tris was a born-in Abnegation, but when she was 16, she took an aptitude test that told her what faction she fits best in, so when she choses whether to switch factions or not the next day, she will have a better vision on her decision. But, during Tris' aptitude test, her results come out inconclusive, which means that she isn't only best fitted for on faction, but three, which is a special case, considering most Divergent people only get two factions. Tris was matched with Abnegation, Erudite and Dauntless. Tris is warned to keep her divergence a secret, even after the Choosing Ceremony, for reasons she doesn't know why at first. Keeping her divergence from her family and friends is a struggle because Tris, being a very curious person, only wants to know why it would be so bad to tell, and she can't figure that out without telling anybody.
Another struggle that Tris faced in the beginning of the book Divergent was choosing whether or not to leave her family in Abnegation. Growing up a born-in Abnegation, being taught to be selfless all her life, is now faced with a very important decision. Tris never considered Erudite, the knowledgable faction, so it's down to Dauntless and Abnegation. Two factions, one that teaches selflessness, and another that teaches fearlessness. In the book, Tris notes how choosing Dauntless would be selfish, while choosing Abnegation would be cowardice. Choosing Abnegation would be selfless, yet choosing Dauntless would be brave. I also noticed how selflessness and bravery aren't that different, how they both include self sacrifice and require you to be willing to give up another thing for the other. You need to be brave to be selfless, yet you need to be selfless to be brave. It was clear to me that Tris realized this point to, right before she made her final decision, Dauntless. She cut the skin of her palm open, and dripped her blood on the Dauntless stones, symbolizing her new dedication to her new faction.
As Tris was walking out, she looked back to take the last look at her parents that she would get in a long time, and saw they hurt look on her father's face, and proud look on her mothers. She blames herself for leaving them. She blames herself for her father being so hurt. She blames herself for being so selfish and not caring about how her father would feel, and she blames herself for taking advantage of her mothers purely selfless heart.
As Tris leaves with her new faction, she walks outside and takes a deep breath of not only the cold air, but freedom. She is expecting a new life of impulsive decisions and being answered whenever she takes her curiosity into her own hands. Yet, in Dauntless she still thinks about her parents. Still wonders if her father hates her. Wonders why her mother didn't side with her father, and expressed the same painful expression on her face as was on her fathers. She wonders how lonely they feel that she betrayed them and left them for another family, a new group of people that would provide for her for the rest of her life. She thinks about them, about her father. And then she takes a deep breath and realizes that it's just something she will have to face and then get over, because her faction choice is permanent, and even though she will be away from her parents for long, it will never be the same again. But, I guess that's what coming of age is all about, adjusting to change and living with the past still in your heart while you're still open for new experiences.
And Tris has a lot of adjusting to do in her new faction...
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
DON'T PLAGIARIZE! IT'S A CRIME!
What did the student do wrong? What could he/she have done to include the source correctly?
The student could have cited the source or at least put the text in quotations, but instead the student did not. This student plagiarized and claimed the text as their own.
Write a sentence using the original source correctly; use a quotation or paraphrase. Also, make sure to cite correctly. Consult my post on citing sources.
"There is a peaceful essence flowing from the structures. Perhaps the cool dark colors and the fiery windows spark memories of our own warm childhood years filled with imagination of what exists in the night and dark starry skies. The center point of the town is the tall steeple of the church, reigning largely over the smaller buildings. This steeple casts down a sense of stability onto the town, and also creates a sense of size and seclusion.To the left of the painting there is a massive dark structure that develops an even greater sense of size and isolation." (A Brief Understanding of the Starry Night Paintings, unknown author). If the student had cited their source like this, they would've gotten full credit on the assignment.
What are at least three ways to avoid plagiarizing?
1. Writing in your own words.
2. Reading the text and then putting it away as you paraphrase to avoid any exact copies.
3. Adding in quotations or a correct citation.
The student could have cited the source or at least put the text in quotations, but instead the student did not. This student plagiarized and claimed the text as their own.
Write a sentence using the original source correctly; use a quotation or paraphrase. Also, make sure to cite correctly. Consult my post on citing sources.
"There is a peaceful essence flowing from the structures. Perhaps the cool dark colors and the fiery windows spark memories of our own warm childhood years filled with imagination of what exists in the night and dark starry skies. The center point of the town is the tall steeple of the church, reigning largely over the smaller buildings. This steeple casts down a sense of stability onto the town, and also creates a sense of size and seclusion.To the left of the painting there is a massive dark structure that develops an even greater sense of size and isolation." (A Brief Understanding of the Starry Night Paintings, unknown author). If the student had cited their source like this, they would've gotten full credit on the assignment.
What are at least three ways to avoid plagiarizing?
1. Writing in your own words.
2. Reading the text and then putting it away as you paraphrase to avoid any exact copies.
3. Adding in quotations or a correct citation.
Spring Break Post #1
On blog post that I really loved a lot off of Ms. Galang's Student Blog Post list was Ruby Ranson's response on It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini. I really appreciated the way that she began her post. At first it made me laugh, because her saying she might as well just forget about that post and get a zero, and I thought in my head, 'that's so Ruby,' because it is. But, also, it's so eight grade student, and since I am one, I knew that I could relate to that feeling easily. It made me want to keep reading her response to see where she was going with it. When I kept reading she connected her feelings about procrastination and Craig's feelings, the main character in the book, about how he would always just stack up his feelings until he felt them overflow. It really did make a lot of sense because it made you realize how muh you could relate to a character indirectly. In the end, Ruby related the way that Craig came out to the way that she never wants to be, which was left with out faith or drive to get anything done or do anything productive. I know, I know, it's not like she'll ever actually be like that, but generally speaking, it's easy to give up, and just not care and stop. Be done. But all in all, it makes sense. I really do love the way that Ruby did that, and also how she connected herself to most other people saying that she knows a lot of people who has those days where they just feel so stressed and want to let it all go. I understand that, I even feel like that sometimes to, so it made me feel so involved in her response.
Another blog post that I really enjoyed from Ms. Galang's Student Blog Post list was Joyce Lau's post about the Hunger Games. well, to begin, I love the Hunger Games, so it goes without saying that I'd already be attached to what she might have to say about the book. But then, she's comparing Peeta and Gale, which, oh my gosh, is something that I argue with my friends about all the time. Team Peeta is definitely the side that I choose, and for the same reasons why Joyce chose Peeta. He loved Katniss from the very beginning and he goes out of his way multiple times in the book for her life. It wasn't hard for me to get attached to Joyce's post.
By reading these two posts I did learn a few ways and techniques that I might find useful in the future. From Ruby's post I learned that starting off with a totally catchy yet unexpected lead really does help attach the reader and I also learned that it reads so much more smooth and so nicely when you bring it all together and make the reader feel really attached to the post. From Joyce's post, she reminded me about the importance of a trending topic. It's no doubt about Hunger Games being something on a lot of people's minds, with the movie just coming out and all. So her post is definitely something that anybody just scrolling down would stop to read.
Another blog post that I really enjoyed from Ms. Galang's Student Blog Post list was Joyce Lau's post about the Hunger Games. well, to begin, I love the Hunger Games, so it goes without saying that I'd already be attached to what she might have to say about the book. But then, she's comparing Peeta and Gale, which, oh my gosh, is something that I argue with my friends about all the time. Team Peeta is definitely the side that I choose, and for the same reasons why Joyce chose Peeta. He loved Katniss from the very beginning and he goes out of his way multiple times in the book for her life. It wasn't hard for me to get attached to Joyce's post.
By reading these two posts I did learn a few ways and techniques that I might find useful in the future. From Ruby's post I learned that starting off with a totally catchy yet unexpected lead really does help attach the reader and I also learned that it reads so much more smooth and so nicely when you bring it all together and make the reader feel really attached to the post. From Joyce's post, she reminded me about the importance of a trending topic. It's no doubt about Hunger Games being something on a lot of people's minds, with the movie just coming out and all. So her post is definitely something that anybody just scrolling down would stop to read.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Garbage is Garbage ...Unless it Can Play Music... (Spring Break Essay)
While reading the article, 'Reduce, Reuse, Replay' written by Kelli Plasket, I realized that people can recycle and have fun at the same time. In the article there is a band called The Garbage-Men, and they play their own homemade instruments, made out of garbage, in the streets and in public places to advertise fun ways to recycle.The purpose of this article is to show that there are ways to have fun while recycling and this article is important because it helps advertise more fun and creative ways to reuse old items.
This article is important because it is an example of people saving the earth and having fun with it at the same time, also encouraging other people to join them in coming up with new ways to recycle. Five boys come together to form a band called The Garbage-Men and play in places like farmers markets, festivals, and community fundraisers. While they are playing, one of the band member's little brother passes out fliers about the importance of recycling, and finding new and artistic ways to recycle. That is one reason why this article is important.
Another reason why this article is important is because when the band, The Garbage-Men, plays a gig, they collect tips. When the band makes their tips they always donate it to organizations that help improve recycling throughout the earth. They have raised almost 2,500 dollars for the Heifer International. “It’s a good, sustainable-development charity,” Jack, one of the band member's says. “By donating one animal, you help an entire community.” This shows that this band is benefiting people in a way that isn't just spreading a positive word, but also raising money for communities. That is another reason why this article is important.
So while I read this article, I did realize that there is a lot more that I could do to recycle and many more ways, even with having fun with it. Altogether, I realized that this article is very important, and impacting.
http://www.timeforkids.com/news/reduce-reuse-replay/35851
This article is important because it is an example of people saving the earth and having fun with it at the same time, also encouraging other people to join them in coming up with new ways to recycle. Five boys come together to form a band called The Garbage-Men and play in places like farmers markets, festivals, and community fundraisers. While they are playing, one of the band member's little brother passes out fliers about the importance of recycling, and finding new and artistic ways to recycle. That is one reason why this article is important.
Another reason why this article is important is because when the band, The Garbage-Men, plays a gig, they collect tips. When the band makes their tips they always donate it to organizations that help improve recycling throughout the earth. They have raised almost 2,500 dollars for the Heifer International. “It’s a good, sustainable-development charity,” Jack, one of the band member's says. “By donating one animal, you help an entire community.” This shows that this band is benefiting people in a way that isn't just spreading a positive word, but also raising money for communities. That is another reason why this article is important.
So while I read this article, I did realize that there is a lot more that I could do to recycle and many more ways, even with having fun with it. Altogether, I realized that this article is very important, and impacting.
http://www.timeforkids.com/news/reduce-reuse-replay/35851
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Mockingjay (Symbolism)
I just finished reading Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, and I have to say it was amazing. Just the way that she made everything so detailed within it's purpose and importance, made everything stand out so well. There were great turns and surprises and I would definitely recommend this to anybody, adding along with the first two books. The thing that really stood out to me was the symbolism in this book, the artwork and the words went along together so well, and the whole symbol of the Mockingjay made so much sense with the story.
I couldn't help but notice that on the cover of each book is a mocking jay pin. But, on the first book is a picture of the pin, and on the pin the mockingjay is sort of laying on this circle that it's attached to by the pin. This circle I feel sort of represents the limitation of the power of the mockingjay in the first book, The Hunger Games. Katniss is only a tribute wearing a pin. The mockingjay still symbolizes power, but not for Katniss, only for the district. It's a silent threat to the Capitol, showing nothing to threatening, but still up showing their power. It really does grasp how Katniss must be feeling throughout the first book. She secretly hates the Capitol, but she knows how much trouble she could get in for sharing her hatred directly, so the mockingjay is like a silent symbol of her hate. Trapped onto this circle keeping it sound on the pin, there's no escape and many limitations.
But, then on the cover of the second book, the picture of the Mocking jay is more clear. Before, it was just a gold pin, but now it has more detail, which I see symbolizes the meaning of the mockingjay. It shows that it's there and it's real and you can see it's getting ready to fly. It is no longer stuck to a bow anymore, which shows how Katniss is now more than just a girl who can shoot a bow. Also, it's lit up inside the bow, which is a great way of showing how the mockingjay is way more importantin this book and how it's growing to mean more to the characters.
Eventually, by the time of the third book cover, the mockingjay is flying. Which is a great representation of the meaning of the mockingjay in the third book. This is the book of the rebellion, the book of where the mocking is the hope to all the districts that they could actually win against the Capitol. Katniss, in the third book, is the mockingjay, and with the rebellion, she's taking all of her anger against the capitol and she's showing it, she isn't afraid to hide. She's flying. Nobody can try to hold her down onto the circle anymore because if you notice, in the background, there is no circle anymore, its all broken into bits. It's also a great symbol of the rebellion because in the first rebellion, the one that caused the Hunger Games, the mockingjay was used as a weapon, and now in this rebellion, the mockingjay is used as a symbol of hope.
I couldn't help but notice that on the cover of each book is a mocking jay pin. But, on the first book is a picture of the pin, and on the pin the mockingjay is sort of laying on this circle that it's attached to by the pin. This circle I feel sort of represents the limitation of the power of the mockingjay in the first book, The Hunger Games. Katniss is only a tribute wearing a pin. The mockingjay still symbolizes power, but not for Katniss, only for the district. It's a silent threat to the Capitol, showing nothing to threatening, but still up showing their power. It really does grasp how Katniss must be feeling throughout the first book. She secretly hates the Capitol, but she knows how much trouble she could get in for sharing her hatred directly, so the mockingjay is like a silent symbol of her hate. Trapped onto this circle keeping it sound on the pin, there's no escape and many limitations.
But, then on the cover of the second book, the picture of the Mocking jay is more clear. Before, it was just a gold pin, but now it has more detail, which I see symbolizes the meaning of the mockingjay. It shows that it's there and it's real and you can see it's getting ready to fly. It is no longer stuck to a bow anymore, which shows how Katniss is now more than just a girl who can shoot a bow. Also, it's lit up inside the bow, which is a great way of showing how the mockingjay is way more importantin this book and how it's growing to mean more to the characters.
Eventually, by the time of the third book cover, the mockingjay is flying. Which is a great representation of the meaning of the mockingjay in the third book. This is the book of the rebellion, the book of where the mocking is the hope to all the districts that they could actually win against the Capitol. Katniss, in the third book, is the mockingjay, and with the rebellion, she's taking all of her anger against the capitol and she's showing it, she isn't afraid to hide. She's flying. Nobody can try to hold her down onto the circle anymore because if you notice, in the background, there is no circle anymore, its all broken into bits. It's also a great symbol of the rebellion because in the first rebellion, the one that caused the Hunger Games, the mockingjay was used as a weapon, and now in this rebellion, the mockingjay is used as a symbol of hope.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
My Favourite Character in Romeo & Juliet
Right now I'm readin Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespear and so far it's really good. A little bit confusing, but really good and really sweet. I do have to say that my favourite character is Romeo. There have been some characters that I didn't like so much and some that I actually did like, but I do have to say that Romeo is by far my favourite of them all. I just feel like everything that he feels towards Rosaline in the beginning and Juliet towards the middle, how he changes it up and how it switches is really realistic and understandable. I can really see something like that happening in real life.
In the beginning, Romeo tries not to let Mercutio tell him how to love and how to look at love. IN the beginning his eyes were set on Rosaline and only Rosaline. I can see how he didn't want Mercutio to tell him how to love because it seemed like he was in real love with her, and that seems like something he would do when he is in love with her. I really like that about his character, it shows this genuineness about him that I really like.
Another reason why I really like Romeo as a character is because even though he tells Mercutio that he doesn't want to broaden his eyes and look at other girls besides Rosaline, he ends up doing it anyway, which is understandable and something that I should have expected because naturally he is going to look at other people, it's not like he was married to Rosaline, it's something that somebody today would do also, if they were in that type of position.
Romeo is also very brave and courageous. He knows what positions his and Juliet's families are in and their differences and what they intend, and he stills tries to pursue his love for her. it's so sweet and loving yet so mighty and, like I said, brave. The way that he tried to change everybody's mind about it, even Tybalt, about him and Juliet being together is so sweet. it shows how much he really loves her. it does make me question if somebody in our time would do something like this, I'm sure maybe they would try to keep that love going, but I don't know if they would try to convince their families, I'm so sure why I think this, I just do.
In the beginning, Romeo tries not to let Mercutio tell him how to love and how to look at love. IN the beginning his eyes were set on Rosaline and only Rosaline. I can see how he didn't want Mercutio to tell him how to love because it seemed like he was in real love with her, and that seems like something he would do when he is in love with her. I really like that about his character, it shows this genuineness about him that I really like.
Another reason why I really like Romeo as a character is because even though he tells Mercutio that he doesn't want to broaden his eyes and look at other girls besides Rosaline, he ends up doing it anyway, which is understandable and something that I should have expected because naturally he is going to look at other people, it's not like he was married to Rosaline, it's something that somebody today would do also, if they were in that type of position.
Romeo is also very brave and courageous. He knows what positions his and Juliet's families are in and their differences and what they intend, and he stills tries to pursue his love for her. it's so sweet and loving yet so mighty and, like I said, brave. The way that he tried to change everybody's mind about it, even Tybalt, about him and Juliet being together is so sweet. it shows how much he really loves her. it does make me question if somebody in our time would do something like this, I'm sure maybe they would try to keep that love going, but I don't know if they would try to convince their families, I'm so sure why I think this, I just do.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Dear Best Friend,
So, right now I'm just starting to read Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespear, and so fa it's really good. I can honestly say that it does take a few tries and rereads to fully understand and grasp each line, but once you get it, it has a great use of literary devices and plot. William Shakespear uses puns and metaphors and many other literary devices that might not be as easily seen because of it's complex language, but it is still used. Over all, it's so far a really great book to read.
So far, there are the Montegues and the Capulets, and i really don't understand why they're holding such strong grudges over each other. They never actually tell you about the starting of this long hate between the two groups, but it must have been something big because it seems like there's no going back. It does confuse me a little bit, because from the outside, all I see are two families that hate each other, but I do sort of get a sense of why they might hate each other. It becomes pretty clear, their differences and everything. How they are basically opposite. The Capulets are rich and traditional, while the Monetgues are poor and basically live as they go. It doesn't seem so surprising why they might not like each other.
The actual text itself is sort of difficult to understand. Like I said, it might take you a few reads to actually get the concept clear in your head. Mostly because WIlliam Shakespear uses this old time English that was used during that time, so you can't actually blame him. But, times have changed and language is really different. The have slang and terms that share the same meaning, but just seem more old, and slightly more clever. Using coil instead of garbage and coilers instead of garbagemen is really different, mostly because now a days there aren't any coilers, it's just not something we do now.
The book Romeo and Juliet is already really hooking, even though I can barely understand half of what it is saying. But already I can see myself wanting to know what happens in between and how it gets to Romeo and Juliet killing themselves. It makes me curious, also I feel so much smarter reading in old English Language. :)
Well, I guess I'll talk to you later,
Siena:)
So far, there are the Montegues and the Capulets, and i really don't understand why they're holding such strong grudges over each other. They never actually tell you about the starting of this long hate between the two groups, but it must have been something big because it seems like there's no going back. It does confuse me a little bit, because from the outside, all I see are two families that hate each other, but I do sort of get a sense of why they might hate each other. It becomes pretty clear, their differences and everything. How they are basically opposite. The Capulets are rich and traditional, while the Monetgues are poor and basically live as they go. It doesn't seem so surprising why they might not like each other.
The actual text itself is sort of difficult to understand. Like I said, it might take you a few reads to actually get the concept clear in your head. Mostly because WIlliam Shakespear uses this old time English that was used during that time, so you can't actually blame him. But, times have changed and language is really different. The have slang and terms that share the same meaning, but just seem more old, and slightly more clever. Using coil instead of garbage and coilers instead of garbagemen is really different, mostly because now a days there aren't any coilers, it's just not something we do now.
The book Romeo and Juliet is already really hooking, even though I can barely understand half of what it is saying. But already I can see myself wanting to know what happens in between and how it gets to Romeo and Juliet killing themselves. It makes me curious, also I feel so much smarter reading in old English Language. :)
Well, I guess I'll talk to you later,
Siena:)
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