"This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona"
In this story Thomas and Victor are older; their characters are more defined and not as likeable.
Thomas is described as a storyteller no one wants to listen to. In the film the girls and Suzy asked him for a story and seem to enjoy listening to him. The story Thomas told about the fire and Victor’s father saving him was also left out and I feel this took away from the discovery of the story that unfolded in the film.
In this version of the story Victor seems less self assured he says he wants to be a warrior, in the film he was all about what it took to be Indian, in his mind at least.
In the film version Victor and Thomas met Suzy, she was a vital part of the story filling in some of the missing pieces of the puzzle that was Victors life. In this story Victor is willing to go into the trailer and look through his fathers belongings, in the film this was a traumatic point for him, a struggle. Victor’s memories were bittersweet and kept him from moving forward.
In this story there is no fire, no saving of Thomas by Victor’s father and no retelling of Victor’s fathers leaving. For me there is no real connection between Victor and Thomas. These three main characters seemed flat, one dimensional at best. Film was, in my opinion, a much better medium for the telling of this story. The film ending was also different. The questions poised by Thomas and the emotions shared by Victor gave the story meaning and a sense of closure. I feel the film gave the story much more credibility and as an avid reader I usually feel print fills in the details that make a story more credible.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Smoke Signals the movie Dialogue
Smoke Signals, the movie dialogue
I really liked this movie the images of the poverty on the reservation, the scenery and the trailer where Victor’s father lived brought the story to life.
Victor and Thomas had a unique relationship almost family like, not quite friends they were joined together by tribal kinship and tragedy. When Victor’s father saved Thomas from the fire it brought the families closer. Living on the reservation there was a connection between the boys even though they seemed to be opposites.
Victor was rough and assertive while Thomas was more scholarly. Thomas seemed to be wise for his years, a storyteller and a deep thinker. Victor seems more quick tempered and rough around the edges. The boys were bound together from childhood and at the end of the story Victor seemed to learn a powerful lesson from Thomas, forgiveness.
They had a tolerance for each other and a give and take that was mutual. Victor and Thomas would not have seemed likely candidates for friendship but they were true friends. Each of them was true to who they where while being there for each other.
I really liked this movie the images of the poverty on the reservation, the scenery and the trailer where Victor’s father lived brought the story to life.
Victor and Thomas had a unique relationship almost family like, not quite friends they were joined together by tribal kinship and tragedy. When Victor’s father saved Thomas from the fire it brought the families closer. Living on the reservation there was a connection between the boys even though they seemed to be opposites.
Victor was rough and assertive while Thomas was more scholarly. Thomas seemed to be wise for his years, a storyteller and a deep thinker. Victor seems more quick tempered and rough around the edges. The boys were bound together from childhood and at the end of the story Victor seemed to learn a powerful lesson from Thomas, forgiveness.
They had a tolerance for each other and a give and take that was mutual. Victor and Thomas would not have seemed likely candidates for friendship but they were true friends. Each of them was true to who they where while being there for each other.
Writing Topic Chapter TBD(32-33)
Rules for Writers Chapter 32/33 Punctuation (commas)
I have trouble with punctuation so that is why I picked these two chapters. Commas are a pet peeve of mine.
Comas were invented to help readers. They are used to prevent confusion. Commas should be used before a coordinating conjunction joining independent causes, after an introductory clause or phrase and between all items in a series. Grammar checkers do not always flag missing or misused commas so knowing where they belong is important.
A comma is used between coordinate adjectives not joined with and. You do not need a comma between cumulative adjectives. Commas are used to set off non restrictive elements, transitional and parenthetical expressions, absolute phrases and elements expressing contrast. Commas are used with dates, addresses, titles and numbers. They are also used to set off direct quotations.
Often writers use unnecessary commas, because they don’t know the grammar rules. Commas are not needed before the first or after the last item in a series; they are not needed between cumulative adjectives, between an adjective and a noun, or between an adverb and an adjective. Commas are not used to set off restrictive elements or separate a verb verb form its subject or object. Other places where commas are not used are after a coordinating conjunction, after such as like, before than, after although, before a parenthesis, to set off an indirect quotation or with a question mark or exclamation point.
There are many rules involved with the use or non use of commas, for me they are confusing so this text will be a valuable tool with my writing.
I have trouble with punctuation so that is why I picked these two chapters. Commas are a pet peeve of mine.
Comas were invented to help readers. They are used to prevent confusion. Commas should be used before a coordinating conjunction joining independent causes, after an introductory clause or phrase and between all items in a series. Grammar checkers do not always flag missing or misused commas so knowing where they belong is important.
A comma is used between coordinate adjectives not joined with and. You do not need a comma between cumulative adjectives. Commas are used to set off non restrictive elements, transitional and parenthetical expressions, absolute phrases and elements expressing contrast. Commas are used with dates, addresses, titles and numbers. They are also used to set off direct quotations.
Often writers use unnecessary commas, because they don’t know the grammar rules. Commas are not needed before the first or after the last item in a series; they are not needed between cumulative adjectives, between an adjective and a noun, or between an adverb and an adjective. Commas are not used to set off restrictive elements or separate a verb verb form its subject or object. Other places where commas are not used are after a coordinating conjunction, after such as like, before than, after although, before a parenthesis, to set off an indirect quotation or with a question mark or exclamation point.
There are many rules involved with the use or non use of commas, for me they are confusing so this text will be a valuable tool with my writing.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
"Happy Endings", "Obituary" and "Oompah Loompah"
“Happy Endings”
Lovey is a little girl who wants to be just like Shirley Temple with blond curls, pink cheeks, pouting lips, bright eyes, just perfect in Lovey’s eyes. She could not be so different than Shirley in her own mind. Lovey feels Shirley is the perfect, most acceptable little girl, she has ever seen. In “Happy Endings” Lovey is a little girl who likes happy endings. She has a very active imagination. Lovey and Jerry are friends who imagine things together, things that involve the TV shows they watch. On the “The Checkers and Pogo Show” Lovey really likes the “Merry Unbirthday” celebration where the child picked got to keep handfuls of pennies. Even though the children knew that that wasn’t a lot of money they thought to be picked would be exciting. Jerry and Lovey liked to pretend they were part of the show, Lovey really wanted to go to the show for real and be the unbirthday child. Jerry and Lovey believed in happy endings to the stories they played.
Shirley Temple movies were on TV during this time period and Love enjoyed watching them. She liked the way Shirley Temple “sob-talked”. Lovey felt that to have real happy endings to your stories you needed someone to watch you cry over them. Lovey thought Shirley was the best crier ever.
Lovey is a little girl who wants to be just like Shirley Temple with blond curls, pink cheeks, pouting lips, bright eyes, just perfect in Lovey’s eyes. She could not be so different than Shirley in her own mind. Lovey feels Shirley is the perfect, most acceptable little girl, she has ever seen. In “Happy Endings” Lovey is a little girl who likes happy endings. She has a very active imagination. Lovey and Jerry are friends who imagine things together, things that involve the TV shows they watch. On the “The Checkers and Pogo Show” Lovey really likes the “Merry Unbirthday” celebration where the child picked got to keep handfuls of pennies. Even though the children knew that that wasn’t a lot of money they thought to be picked would be exciting. Jerry and Lovey liked to pretend they were part of the show, Lovey really wanted to go to the show for real and be the unbirthday child. Jerry and Lovey believed in happy endings to the stories they played.
Shirley Temple movies were on TV during this time period and Love enjoyed watching them. She liked the way Shirley Temple “sob-talked”. Lovey felt that to have real happy endings to your stories you needed someone to watch you cry over them. Lovey thought Shirley was the best crier ever.
Writing Topic: Rules for Writers Chapter 48
Chapter # 48
Evaluating Arguments Summary
To start evaluating arguments you need to distinguish between true and false tactics. These include fallacies, generalizations and stereotyping. Using inductive reasoning ask yourself is the evidence sufficient, is it representative and is it relevant? After considering these things you should be able to reach a probable truth. For the writer inductive reasoning includes drawing analogies, tracing cause and effect, weighing options and sometimes making assumptions.
Deductive reasoning can also be structured into an argument. This involves three steps the major premise, the minor premise and the conclusion. When making an argument the writer must make decisions between making a legitimate appeal or an unfair emotional appeal.
The way the writer deals with opposing views lets the readers in on who they are as a writer. Describing the views of others can weaken them or strengthen them; a good writer can just state the view given factually. Quoting opposing views must be kept to the facts, to keep some level of fairness and accuracy. When quoting a writer you should not paraphrase.
I had not realized that you should state the opposing views when writing a paper. The information about trying to answer questions your opposing audience may bring up is also helpful.
Evaluating Arguments Summary
To start evaluating arguments you need to distinguish between true and false tactics. These include fallacies, generalizations and stereotyping. Using inductive reasoning ask yourself is the evidence sufficient, is it representative and is it relevant? After considering these things you should be able to reach a probable truth. For the writer inductive reasoning includes drawing analogies, tracing cause and effect, weighing options and sometimes making assumptions.
Deductive reasoning can also be structured into an argument. This involves three steps the major premise, the minor premise and the conclusion. When making an argument the writer must make decisions between making a legitimate appeal or an unfair emotional appeal.
The way the writer deals with opposing views lets the readers in on who they are as a writer. Describing the views of others can weaken them or strengthen them; a good writer can just state the view given factually. Quoting opposing views must be kept to the facts, to keep some level of fairness and accuracy. When quoting a writer you should not paraphrase.
I had not realized that you should state the opposing views when writing a paper. The information about trying to answer questions your opposing audience may bring up is also helpful.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Rules for Writers Chapter 47
Chapter 47 Rules for Writers
Constructing Reasonable Arguments
Writing an argument means taking a stand on a debatable issue. The goal is to explain and support your point of view, not to win or have the last word. Your readers will examine your point of view, look at your support and decide if you are right or wrong. Sometimes your readers may share your interest, sometimes not. You will need to use you introduction to establish your credibility, state your position and if possible build common ground with your audience. Building common ground by sharing your audience’s concerns help them to acknowledge your arguments point.
Your next step is to support your view with specific evidence; you can use facts and statistics, examples and illustrations and site expert opinions. Do not expect your audience to agree with you. You need to anticipate objections and be able to explain them accurately and fairly.
When evaluating arguments you need to be logical and fair. Some pitfalls to be aware of include generalizations, false analogies and stereotyping.
I have not written to many papers which are arguments. I find it hard to hold my ground in a conversation, this is a big task for me so writing an argument paper may be challenging. However, with a firm point of view and proper support I think I can learn to write this type of paper. I felt the section about seeing both sides and addressing objections helpful.
Constructing Reasonable Arguments
Writing an argument means taking a stand on a debatable issue. The goal is to explain and support your point of view, not to win or have the last word. Your readers will examine your point of view, look at your support and decide if you are right or wrong. Sometimes your readers may share your interest, sometimes not. You will need to use you introduction to establish your credibility, state your position and if possible build common ground with your audience. Building common ground by sharing your audience’s concerns help them to acknowledge your arguments point.
Your next step is to support your view with specific evidence; you can use facts and statistics, examples and illustrations and site expert opinions. Do not expect your audience to agree with you. You need to anticipate objections and be able to explain them accurately and fairly.
When evaluating arguments you need to be logical and fair. Some pitfalls to be aware of include generalizations, false analogies and stereotyping.
I have not written to many papers which are arguments. I find it hard to hold my ground in a conversation, this is a big task for me so writing an argument paper may be challenging. However, with a firm point of view and proper support I think I can learn to write this type of paper. I felt the section about seeing both sides and addressing objections helpful.
Writing about fiction
Writing about fiction:
When reading fiction you need to look for interwoven meaning and the complexity of the theme. Several methods can be used to track fiction these include highlighting, using the margin for notes, keeping a notebook about questions and main points and looking back over the reading. These techniques can help you when you start your summary.
When writing a summary you need to not just retell the story or over generalize it. To develop a thesis about fiction you need to read the information carefully. Choose an idea that can be supported by the material.
Drafting your essay is a process. When starting a draft the writer can use a number of helpful techniques these include free writing about the material, reviewing what you have read to identify important evidence, researching what others think about your topic and evaluating the materials you have gathered.
Quoting, to make a particular point and paraphrasing in your introduction and conclusion are additional techniques writers use.
I liked the points made about the complexities of fiction. The plots are often interwoven and it is important to makes notes about the different characters so that you can fully understand who they are and their relationship to the whole work.
When reading fiction you need to look for interwoven meaning and the complexity of the theme. Several methods can be used to track fiction these include highlighting, using the margin for notes, keeping a notebook about questions and main points and looking back over the reading. These techniques can help you when you start your summary.
When writing a summary you need to not just retell the story or over generalize it. To develop a thesis about fiction you need to read the information carefully. Choose an idea that can be supported by the material.
Drafting your essay is a process. When starting a draft the writer can use a number of helpful techniques these include free writing about the material, reviewing what you have read to identify important evidence, researching what others think about your topic and evaluating the materials you have gathered.
Quoting, to make a particular point and paraphrasing in your introduction and conclusion are additional techniques writers use.
I liked the points made about the complexities of fiction. The plots are often interwoven and it is important to makes notes about the different characters so that you can fully understand who they are and their relationship to the whole work.
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