Keepin' it REAL discussion

For this journal post and response, please do the following:
1. Remember that you need to use 3 vocabulary words in this journal post. Please bold.

2. Initially, write the title of the book with link and the number of pages covered for this journal: i.e. pages 1-45.

3. In 100 words, answer the first part of the journal prompt using the sentence stems under “Writing Comments/Questions.” (Paragraph 1) You need to use a different sentence stem than the one you used in Journal #1.

4. In 100 words, answer the second part of the journal prompt using the sentence stems under “Writing Observations about your Reading Process.” (Paragraph 2) You need to use a different sentence stem than the one you used in Journal #1.

5. In 100 words, define the following and then analyze in relation to your text. (Paragraph 3)
Allusion (CRS: 266)
Special Effects (CRS: 267)

6. In 4 to 5 sentences, respond to another group member’s posting.

The Gunslinger by Stephen King. Pages 80-225.

I began to think of myself in Roland's shoes some more. I began to think if I was in his shoes, if were to make the same decisions he did and in which order I were to make them in. Was there enough SUBSTANTIVE evidence for me to justify my actions in Roland's shoes? I know the feelings Roland experiences throughout his journey from town to town and from person to person. Feelings of MISANTHROPY must be flooding Roland's mind when time after time, the only traces of civilizations are less than civilized. I suppose that from what Roland has experienced, none of us could empathize or fathom what feelings of DISDAIN he may have but the way his story is narrated, it sure makes it easier to comprehend and experience along side him. I didn’t really understand why Roland is so conservative most of the time. It seems as if he is more capable than he gives himself credit for but chooses not to show it. He chooses to be more cautious until the moment actually calls for it. I guess until we have experienced what Roland has and have gone through the certain teachings he has, we can only hope to understand his tactics. After all, it has worked for him thus far in great lengths.

I figured out very quickly that even though Roland’s story is enticing enough for you to get lost in, I realized that if you lose your focus on the story for even a second, you may lose track of Roland’s thought process and intentions. Roland, through his journey from town to town, meeting many interesting people, and making many difficult decisions, can have his intentions quite skewed amongst the views of the general public. From time to time I would stop and reflect on the readings I have done. Not because I needed a break or felt like I have read enough, but because I wanted to think more on what I have just read. I wanted to revisit the great action scene where Roland shot the possessed eleven year old boy in the shin and his bone stuck out into the ground and flung the rest of his body into another girl running next to him. I wanted to revisit the moral just realized by the deep conversations made between Roland and Jake and revisit the epiphany that was just made. Stopping to reflect on your reading does not necessarily interrupt your readings but may enhance them. It’s surprising how quickly time passes when you are so engaged and enticed in a story which in time, turns into more than a story but an experience you shared or a journey you went on.

An allusion is a reference to something outside of a text to illuminate or enhance the subject or text. Allusions can be from history, mythology, religious texts, popular culture, music, movies, and songs. Allusions can be very effective in writing. When trying to make your points clear, one would usually make a comparison to something or allude to something more common to bring that point to light. This is where allusions become present. Throughout Roland’s journey, many allusions are made throughout history. Faint references to the song “Hey Jude” are made to enhance the setting and timeframe of Roland’s journey and the scarcity of civilization. Many religious allusions are made to enhance the absence of it in the post apocalyptic world. Roland’s journey is actually based on a poem called “Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came” and many allusions are made to its literature. Special stylistic effects are also used to enhance the story but in a different way. These “special effects” include understatements, hyperboles, alliteration’s and repetition. Repeating certain phrase for impact or understating an obviously powerful scene to make the reader, in his/her mind, think more of the situation so it will better absorb.

Glass 175-349
I don’t see why Kristina is doing all of this. I understand that she is having a hard time grasping the concept of motherhood, but is this really the only way to get on board with it. In my opinion, it only will make it worse. Kristina met a boy when she went to visit her friend Robben and is now using him to UNDERGRID her addiction to glass. Her eighteenth birthday has just passed and her dad came down for a visit. With that not sitting to well with her mother and stepfather, she has been using her birthday money to SCAFFOLD her usage and get away. She has been spending a lot of time with this boy and is trying to ENCOMPASS herself in his love and affection. She has just woken up after blacking out and doesn’t really remember what happened the night before. All she knows is that she hears children in the background and that she stayed the night with Brendan.
I started to think about the fact that Kristina is only a senior in high school, and she doesn’t really understand that when you have a child it is not about you anymore. I realized that this may not have been the choice that I would have made, but in most cases this is what happens. I would not want my mother to be taking care of my child all the time, but when a teenager gets pregnant it seems the grandparents raise the child. Parents need to teach their children to take responsibility for their actions, and step up. It isn’t always all about them.
Allusion: a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication. Special effects: unusual visual and sound effects beyond the range of normal photography or recording, as simulated fires or earthquakes, explosions, thunder and lightning, miniaturized or enlarged images, or other optical or electronic distortions. In this book, Kristina doesn’t really use any special effects. Kristina uses the allusion that everything is okay, but in reality, she is tumbling down a dark path and needs all the help she can get. I believe her mother is starting to suspect that something is up, but wants to trust her daughter, when she says everything is okay.

Bijan: It is good that you can relate to your book. One suggestion i have for you is to read only a little at a time, and sum it up. If you sum it up and write it down, use that as your bookmark and you shouldn't get to lost. Other than that your book sounds really interesting.

Graceling pg 100-250

Kasta and Po are becoming good friends, you can tell that later on in the story they are going to fall in love, ect. but i enjoy that the author has started them off as very good friends because to me that just seems to be more realistic. I was really enjoying the part where Po was talking about his brothers, and for whatever reason i want to know more about the brothers. I really like the way the author describes the cities/kingdoms. I was really surprise to find out that someone else was "in love" with Katsa, because of the way Giddon acted, it seemed like they didn't even consider each other friends. You can see how Kasta struggles against her uncle, since her grace is killing, her uncle uses that for his own personal need. I was so proud of her when she refused to follow her uncles's order. Then I was surprised when Giddon, proposed to her. Katsa comes to the conclusion the Po is not only graced with fighting but also with mind reading and this ticks her off because mind readers scare her. This cause Katsa to feel betrayed by Po. But after talking to each other, they come to an understanding. Then Katsa is found out by her uncle that she did not follow his orders, so she decides that she is going to leave the court because she is sick of being around her uncle.

I figured dout that Giddon, was going to propose to Katsa because his servants were treating her like the lady of the house, even though they were scared of her and her grace. It was confused about how Katsa takes orders from her uncle, but she doesn't like to do it. It made me think, "if you don't like something, then don't do it" I was glad the Po was able to get this across, because i understand that her uncle is the king, but still she should not do something she's against. I got a bit stuck when Katsa realizes that Po is also a mind reader, I did not see that come, I thought that he was just able understand what she was think. Though it took me a while to completely understand how his mind reading powers work.

Allusions: a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication. Example: an allusion to Shakespeare.When using an allusion, it would be like quoting something, but not as direct as that. Somethings you don't eve realize there is an allusion. Authors then to use allusions from popular ideas, like famous stories, songs, and religions, that why there is a higher chance that the reader is going to catch the allusion. i have not found any allusions in my story, that maybe because there is none or if there is it maybe an allusion to something i do not know or i don't see the allusion. Special Effects include understatements, hyperboles, alliteration’s and repetition. Alliterations is when most of the words in the sentence begin with the same word, Like Shelly sells seashells by the sea shore. Hyperboles is when something is exaggerated, this is too bring focus to that point. I think that there may be been some hyperboles, when talking about how many times Katse has gone off to do work for her uncle

Bijan wrote: "The Gunslinger by Stephen King. Pages 80-225.

I began to think of myself in Roland's shoes some more. I began to think if I was in his shoes, if were to make the same decisions he did..."

Bijan, nice job with allusion analysis.

Jessica wrote: "Glass 175-349
I don’t see why Kristina is doing all of this. I understand that she is having a hard time grasping the concept of motherhood, but is this really the only way to get o..."

Good details in first section. Please add a space between sections to aid reading. Thanks

Katie wrote: "Graceling pg 100-170

Kasta and Po are becoming good friends, you can tell that later on in the story they are going to fall in love, ect. but i enjoy that the author has started the..."

Don't forget the vocab and response to other's post.