What will the story of "The Utterly Perfect Murder" about?
- I think the story of "The Utterly Perfect Murder" will be about a killing or a murder through revenge. Or, I think it might also be a story about the feeling about the revenge of the main character on the other character who had done something very deceiving. I also think that this could be a detective novel with a crime scene.
Describe a time that you wanted revenge on someone.
- I especially had a feeling of revenge when THE PERSON provoked me in front of many people. THE PERSON made me embarrassed in front of many people. This was occurred in TCIS. This KID did also snickered me all the time when I first came to this school during 7th grade. Lots of classes I had with this KID, he provoked me, almost making me to explode. Eventually I didn't explode though. Right now, we are quite close friends. So, when I look back to the things the PERSON has done, I feel like if I want to REVENGE!!! And I want to provoke him BACK!!!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Warm-Up Your Blog!!!
*Have you ever had a read a book and felt you connected with a character in it? Or found a book where a character is a lot like you? Describe whether it is important to make personal connection.
- My personal connection to a character would be to Victor Frankenstein where I was very, very curious in science; interested in many things, especially life. Victor Frankenstein was especially curious before he made the wrong experiment. Before he made Frankenstein, Victor was especially interested in life because of his home background.
- It is not necessary to make a personal connection in your life to a character of a literature, but it would be somewhat good if you do. It would be good if you make a connection because you will be able to reflect on yourself how you relate to the character in the story. Also, to connect with the character in the story, you will have to look back through your experience to find what things are similar or that are like to each other. So, mainly it is important because you are able to reflect back on what you did.
- My personal connection to a character would be to Victor Frankenstein where I was very, very curious in science; interested in many things, especially life. Victor Frankenstein was especially curious before he made the wrong experiment. Before he made Frankenstein, Victor was especially interested in life because of his home background.
- It is not necessary to make a personal connection in your life to a character of a literature, but it would be somewhat good if you do. It would be good if you make a connection because you will be able to reflect on yourself how you relate to the character in the story. Also, to connect with the character in the story, you will have to look back through your experience to find what things are similar or that are like to each other. So, mainly it is important because you are able to reflect back on what you did.
Clue 2
Q#1) Please draw a picture of a plot graph, using a mountain as your central image. Label all parts and get creative (add a mountain goat or two!).
- Exposition: In the exposition, usually the character and the setting is introduced in the exposition part of the plot. Also, the main conflict might be introduced here as well. It is mainly the beginning part of the story.
- Rising Action: In this section, or the part of the plot, the story begins to develop conflicts. The story also builds of suspense and interest.
- Climax: This is the part where the main character or characters come to face to face with the main conflict. In the climax, the character will also change in some way. This is the turning part of the story; or the main part.
- Falling Action: The conflicts are all taken care of; the situation and the story begins to settle down.
- Resolution: The story comes to an ending that is reasonable.
Q#2) Why do stories need to be structured? What does this reveal about our need, as humans, to construct understanding?
- The stories we write need to be structured and that is for sure. The stories are constructed by Exposition - Rising Action - Climax - Falling Action - Resolution. The story needs to be structured so that our writing will be heading a way to a one united resolution. If the story is not structured, the story's ideas and details will flow away in many and variety of directions. And eventually, the story won't make sense. It is basic stuff; if a group of people are constructing a building, they have to unite their thoughts into one idea; constructing a building. Also, the construction needs to be in a order and process or else, things will go bad. First of all, people need to unite their thoughts because if not, the building will have many missing fragments that needs to be filled in. If there are missing fragments, the building will eventually crash. Also, if the construction is not in a process, you won't be able to build a proper building. You can't build the 5th floor if there aren't 1,2,3,4 floors beneath. This is same for writing stories. If you don't unite thoughts and write in a structured process, the story will eventually be a mess. We always need process and united thoughts.
Q#3) After you looked at the plot graph and structure of "Marigolds", what new things did you see in the story that you didn't see before?
- I was basically able to see how the story flowed; how the story began by Lizabeth introducing that her memory was in fragments, and to the end where now she plants marigolds for Miss Lottie. It was very easier for me to understand the story after I wrote down the plot graph. I was also able to see why Lizabeth ran to ruin the marigolds and why she now plants marigolds for Miss Lottie. I also understood that Miss Lottie had her verve in the marigolds. One other thing I found out was that the story did come to an end with a reasonable solution; Lizabeth plants marigolds for Miss Lottie. Lastly, the story was easier to understand as I said earlier.
Q#4) What is the theme of Marigolds and how does the structure of the story make that theme evident?
- Just like other stories, this story too has a theme. A theme is pretty much how stories exist. The story is there to communicate the idea or the theme that the author is trying to say to the audience or the readers. In this story, Marigolds, the author is trying to say that as we live our lives, we will eventually face a moment where we will make terrible decisions because of our emotional movement. The story also talks about growing in poverty. In the story, Lizabeth comes to a age when her families' struggles become real to her. She realizes how poverty can drag down people. Through this, she also does a unforgivable thing to Miss Lottie. However, she later on realizes what she has done after the maturity.
- Exposition: In the exposition, usually the character and the setting is introduced in the exposition part of the plot. Also, the main conflict might be introduced here as well. It is mainly the beginning part of the story.
- Rising Action: In this section, or the part of the plot, the story begins to develop conflicts. The story also builds of suspense and interest.
- Climax: This is the part where the main character or characters come to face to face with the main conflict. In the climax, the character will also change in some way. This is the turning part of the story; or the main part.
- Falling Action: The conflicts are all taken care of; the situation and the story begins to settle down.
- Resolution: The story comes to an ending that is reasonable.
Q#2) Why do stories need to be structured? What does this reveal about our need, as humans, to construct understanding?
- The stories we write need to be structured and that is for sure. The stories are constructed by Exposition - Rising Action - Climax - Falling Action - Resolution. The story needs to be structured so that our writing will be heading a way to a one united resolution. If the story is not structured, the story's ideas and details will flow away in many and variety of directions. And eventually, the story won't make sense. It is basic stuff; if a group of people are constructing a building, they have to unite their thoughts into one idea; constructing a building. Also, the construction needs to be in a order and process or else, things will go bad. First of all, people need to unite their thoughts because if not, the building will have many missing fragments that needs to be filled in. If there are missing fragments, the building will eventually crash. Also, if the construction is not in a process, you won't be able to build a proper building. You can't build the 5th floor if there aren't 1,2,3,4 floors beneath. This is same for writing stories. If you don't unite thoughts and write in a structured process, the story will eventually be a mess. We always need process and united thoughts.
Q#3) After you looked at the plot graph and structure of "Marigolds", what new things did you see in the story that you didn't see before?
- I was basically able to see how the story flowed; how the story began by Lizabeth introducing that her memory was in fragments, and to the end where now she plants marigolds for Miss Lottie. It was very easier for me to understand the story after I wrote down the plot graph. I was also able to see why Lizabeth ran to ruin the marigolds and why she now plants marigolds for Miss Lottie. I also understood that Miss Lottie had her verve in the marigolds. One other thing I found out was that the story did come to an end with a reasonable solution; Lizabeth plants marigolds for Miss Lottie. Lastly, the story was easier to understand as I said earlier.
Q#4) What is the theme of Marigolds and how does the structure of the story make that theme evident?
- Just like other stories, this story too has a theme. A theme is pretty much how stories exist. The story is there to communicate the idea or the theme that the author is trying to say to the audience or the readers. In this story, Marigolds, the author is trying to say that as we live our lives, we will eventually face a moment where we will make terrible decisions because of our emotional movement. The story also talks about growing in poverty. In the story, Lizabeth comes to a age when her families' struggles become real to her. She realizes how poverty can drag down people. Through this, she also does a unforgivable thing to Miss Lottie. However, she later on realizes what she has done after the maturity.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Clue 2
Bible: John 1:1-18 (NIV)
Jesus Christ was sent from God to Earth.
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
- He was with God in the beginning. Jesus was with God.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it.
6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.[b]
- The light is Jesus Christ. It was thought that John was the light, but actually Jesus was.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent,[c] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
- The world wouldn't accept that Jesus was God, Messiah, and the light.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- Jesus is our father.
15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,[e][f]who is at the Father's side, has made him known.
*Jesus is the light of our world
Jesus Christ was sent from God to Earth.
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
- He was with God in the beginning. Jesus was with God.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it.
6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.[b]
- The light is Jesus Christ. It was thought that John was the light, but actually Jesus was.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent,[c] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
- The world wouldn't accept that Jesus was God, Messiah, and the light.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- Jesus is our father.
15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,[e][f]who is at the Father's side, has made him known.
*Jesus is the light of our world
Monday, August 24, 2009
Personal Connections
My first personal connection would be found on the first paragraph, that I too can remember only quite a few chunks of memories even though I am still young. I can barely remember the things I used to do when I was in kindergarten. Just like me, Lizabeth can only remember chunks of memories, and find her memories somewhat missing.
The second paragraph shows that Lizabeth gets different kinds of emotions when looking at an object or a living creature; I do too. When I was younger and more childish, I used to be very emotional with all the things around me. In fact, too emotional that the things around me was very important. I could say I always needed something around me. The paragraph tells us that when Lizabeth sees a marigold, a strange nostalgia comes with it and remains long. For me, when I see for example, a fan, a piece of memory comes to my mind where I caught my finger in the fan. It is painful, but...It is just the way it was.
On the fourth paragraph as well, I could find myself somewhat similar to Lizabeth in a way because I too was very unaware of the poverty around myself. Korea was in a situation of the IMF, where quite a lot of poverty was occurring around Korea when I was in kindergarten to elementary. That time, I didn't even notice whether our country was poor.
Also, in the part where Lizabeth and Joey gets tired of the same formlessness of their summer days, I too usually get tired of my summer break, even though it is a break for me to rest. I usually don't rest, but get bored or either have to study. Also, just as Lizabeth was desperate to fill up the midday hours during summer, I too would usually wander trying to figure out a way to fill up my summer times.
Just like Lizabeth and the others chose to do something not right, disturbing, bothering, and hurting other, I too had some situations where I was too bored or got with the naughty kids and did something bad. When these kids chose to bother Miss Lottie, me and my friends done something bad in the basement parking lot. We used to shoot BB guns in their, which wasn't allowed.
Here, Lizabeth tells us that she had a moment where she lost her mind and became mad that she did something she didn't realize. I had this moment as well. Once, I was too tired, that I lost my mind a bit and said something quite wrong to others. I wasn't able to control myself in saying what I needed to say and what I needed to prevent from saying. I eventually hurt that person.
Additionally, Lizabeth says that she doesn't like to be ashamed after she insulted Miss Lottie. I too hate to be ashamed, especially in front of lots of people. Being ashamed makes you feel quite bad, frustrating, embarassing, and ashaming. I used get ashamed all the time after doing quite simple mistakes and bad things.
Later on, Lizabeth finds out that her dad could cry; her strong, firm dad could cry. I had a similar situation when I was young. I saw my dad cry as well when I was in elementary. However, it wasn't shocking as Lizabeth, because I was used to seeing people cry. After all, I used to cry a lot as well.
In the end, Lizabeth does something that she couldn't be forgiven to Miss Lottie, I too had done some things I can't really remember specifically, because I was so young, but then the unforgivable things were eventually dealt by older people and sooner or later, they just forget about it because, they realize you can't do anything about it. This was when I found out that I should never do anything stupid.
Lizabeth wakes her brother Joey, during the night because she was scared; I had the exact moment when I was in elementary, where I was scared at night after a nightmare, I made all of my family wake up. I got in a quite a big trouble after that occasion.
The second paragraph shows that Lizabeth gets different kinds of emotions when looking at an object or a living creature; I do too. When I was younger and more childish, I used to be very emotional with all the things around me. In fact, too emotional that the things around me was very important. I could say I always needed something around me. The paragraph tells us that when Lizabeth sees a marigold, a strange nostalgia comes with it and remains long. For me, when I see for example, a fan, a piece of memory comes to my mind where I caught my finger in the fan. It is painful, but...It is just the way it was.
On the fourth paragraph as well, I could find myself somewhat similar to Lizabeth in a way because I too was very unaware of the poverty around myself. Korea was in a situation of the IMF, where quite a lot of poverty was occurring around Korea when I was in kindergarten to elementary. That time, I didn't even notice whether our country was poor.
Also, in the part where Lizabeth and Joey gets tired of the same formlessness of their summer days, I too usually get tired of my summer break, even though it is a break for me to rest. I usually don't rest, but get bored or either have to study. Also, just as Lizabeth was desperate to fill up the midday hours during summer, I too would usually wander trying to figure out a way to fill up my summer times.
Just like Lizabeth and the others chose to do something not right, disturbing, bothering, and hurting other, I too had some situations where I was too bored or got with the naughty kids and did something bad. When these kids chose to bother Miss Lottie, me and my friends done something bad in the basement parking lot. We used to shoot BB guns in their, which wasn't allowed.
Here, Lizabeth tells us that she had a moment where she lost her mind and became mad that she did something she didn't realize. I had this moment as well. Once, I was too tired, that I lost my mind a bit and said something quite wrong to others. I wasn't able to control myself in saying what I needed to say and what I needed to prevent from saying. I eventually hurt that person.
Additionally, Lizabeth says that she doesn't like to be ashamed after she insulted Miss Lottie. I too hate to be ashamed, especially in front of lots of people. Being ashamed makes you feel quite bad, frustrating, embarassing, and ashaming. I used get ashamed all the time after doing quite simple mistakes and bad things.
Later on, Lizabeth finds out that her dad could cry; her strong, firm dad could cry. I had a similar situation when I was young. I saw my dad cry as well when I was in elementary. However, it wasn't shocking as Lizabeth, because I was used to seeing people cry. After all, I used to cry a lot as well.
In the end, Lizabeth does something that she couldn't be forgiven to Miss Lottie, I too had done some things I can't really remember specifically, because I was so young, but then the unforgivable things were eventually dealt by older people and sooner or later, they just forget about it because, they realize you can't do anything about it. This was when I found out that I should never do anything stupid.
Lizabeth wakes her brother Joey, during the night because she was scared; I had the exact moment when I was in elementary, where I was scared at night after a nightmare, I made all of my family wake up. I got in a quite a big trouble after that occasion.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Short Story Assignment...!!!
Exposition:
I used to be a horrible swimmer; actually I don't think I was even able to swim when I was young. I used to be afraid of the water when I was in 2nd grade. Once, I even drowned in a stream when I was a kindergartener.--;;; It was very hard for me to get along in the water. I had spend my days being afraid of the water till I went into my first year of school. After my first year of school, I had to move to America, because of my father, who was a professor, he had to go to Texas to work and to meet his teacher.
I used to be a horrible swimmer; actually I don't think I was even able to swim when I was young. I used to be afraid of the water when I was in 2nd grade. Once, I even drowned in a stream when I was a kindergartener.--;;; It was very hard for me to get along in the water. I had spend my days being afraid of the water till I went into my first year of school. After my first year of school, I had to move to America, because of my father, who was a professor, he had to go to Texas to work and to meet his teacher.
Rising Action:
When I came to Texas in America when I was 1st grade, I somehow needed to learn to swim because in Texas, swimming was one of the main things in the state because the weather was always hot and dry. I could say that everyone in the states, even young kids, really young kids could swim in the water. To me, it was an amazing thing. Getting along with the kids wasn't a real problem with the kids after I learned how to speak in English, but as soon as the swimming part came I always had trouble.
Climax:
One day, before I learned to swim, I went to the pool to try, at least try something in the water.The result was, I drowned. On the 2nd year in America, my family finally decided to make me learn how to swim. Since I had tried a bit of drowning, I was quite used to the water. In fact, I was too used to drowning, I didn't care if I drowned or not. Anyway, I went to YMCA for my first learning of swimming. I began with how to get along in the water. It was public, so I couldn't exactly show that I was afraid of the water, so that wasn't really a problem. Now came the real problem. When I first learned to do freestyle stroke, I couldn't exactly float on the water to do my strokes. I had quite a few days struggling. One day, my brother and I were playing in the swimming pool, and of course I was practicing. Just for fun, I tried to act like a dead body, and I floated on the water. I floated. I floated and floated. Yes, I floated.
Falling Action:
My brother then told me to just do my strokes and my kicks on the water, and it worked perfectly. I was able to swim! And then for about 3 years I learned swimming.
Resolution:
Finally, before I went back to Korea, I was able to do many kinds of strokes except the butterfly. I was not afraid of the water now! I actually loved the water after I learned to swim. And I do still now.
The End =]
Conflict:
I was afraid of the water
Friday, August 14, 2009
Myself As A Reader
I personally think that reading is a very interesting thing to do...It is enjoyable most of the times... if you choose a good book.
Beowulf
Author: Unknown
Sherlock Holmes Series
Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Frankenstein
Author: Mary Shelley
The Odyssey
Author: Homer
I personally like to read science- fiction books or suspense, mystery books. It is not that I have a specific reason to like these kinds of books, but it is just because these kinds of genre catches more of my attention. Authors could be Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and many more.
My Reading Habits:
I just need a book and a place quiet to read. I don't really need like a specific sofa, bed, or a chair to read. All I really need is a book. But sometimes, I move around to look for more comfortable place for my reading. And usually when I finish reading for the day, I find myself at the bed or the sofa.
Do you think that books should be made into movies? Why or why not?
-I think books could be made into movies, if the author allows it to happen. However, for the viewers or for the readers, I think it would be best to read the book first rather than just watching the movie, because usually the book is more entertaining with more detail than movies.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
First Stab at Essential Questions
QW#1:
1. What are my current reading skills?
- My current reading skills can be scanning the text, skimming through the text, and detailed reading. Scanning is a skill which I and many people use to find particular words or phrases that they need to find. Skimming however, is quite different. It is a kind of skill which people use to preview the text's detail or background. Detailed reading is to extract information accurately so that you can understand it. People often use this when reading texts.
2. How can I improve and grow as a reader?
- A good way I think to improve or grow as a reader is to keep reading continuely. Just as you need to keep working out in sports to get better, you need to keep reading so that your mind can get used to reading in many different skills. Also, reading harder levels might allow you to improve your reading skills because you will learn harder levels of words, grammar, structure, etc.
3. What purpose can literature serve in my life?
- Literature can help me communicate my thoughts in many different ways other than just using your mouth, face expression, body language, etc. For some people like me who really don't like to take a speech in front of lots of people would have an easier moment communicating. Also, literature may allow us to gain new knowledge that others didn't know.
4. What resources can I find in the library that will help me in this course and other courses?
- Online resources, books, librarians, internet, and many more things can help us in this course and other courses. Not only using on source, but using a variety of resources might help you gain more information and different kinds of perspectives.
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