Blogging Assesment #1

Post:
http://eric1a.blogspot.com/2014/04/fahrenheit-451-final-thoughts.html

    My post called Fahrenheit 451 Final Thoughts is probably my best blog post yet. My use of elevated diction throughout the piece and other advanced writing techniques contribute to a strong voice being displayed in my post.
    Elevated diction was used throughout my post about Fahrenheit 451. One example of elevated diction is when I used the term "pondering". "Pondering" creates a much more formal and intelligent tone rather than just using a word like "thinking". Another use of elevated diction is the word "intrigued". To be intrigued by something means to be pulled in and wanting to learn more about a given topic. It is much more advanced than simply saying something like "I want to learn more about...".
    Two strong writing techniques that I utilized in Fahrenheit 451 Final Thoughts is the use of both the "Rule of 3" and using small questions that leave the reader thinking. "Where is Clarisse? Is she really dead? Who survived the bombing?" This line demonstrates a variety of writing techniques within it. Using the rule of 3 and asking three questions in a row creates a feeling of mystery. It makes the reader take a minute to stop and think about what is happening in the story. The use of short sentence length throughout that phrase also creates voice in my post. It quickly makes the reader think about different things over a short period of time, and that is something that I do a lot. I commonly spend a little bit of time on something before switching over and thinking about something else. That is what I am forcing the reader to do when I use that certain writers craft technique.

The Woods: What I've Read So Far

Although I haven't read a lot of my book so far, (only 40 pages or so), I am really enjoying it. After Paul Copeland almost giving up on ever finding his sister that went missing in the woods one night during a camp-out, a sudden change occurs. The boy that she went missing with is found by police, dead. This sparks an adventure inside of him, and he is trying to find leads on to where his sister could be. I can tell already that he is determined, and nothing can get in his way. His sisters absence has troubled him for years and years. Every day he wakes up and falls asleep thinking about his sister. All of that could change in the next pages that I am about to read. I can't wait to see what happens next in The Woods.

Krista Ramsey

I really enjoy Krista Ramsey's columns. After being used to always reading about sports in small columns and articles my whole life, it is cool to see someone who writes about different things. I admire all of the hard work that Ramsey puts into finding her stories and making sure she gets the highest quality stories available. I all of her articles, Ramsey tells you an inspiring story of someone who doesn't normally get their story hears, and incorporates a life lesson within the column, inspiring you to be more like the people that she writes about.

Cover Quote

"On his deathbed, my father takes my hand. "Paul," my father says to me, "We still need to find her".

That is the quote that is on the front cover of my book, The Woods by Harlan Coben. In this post, I will once again be talking about how intriguing this book is to read after picking it up for the first time. That quote creates a strong emotional appeal to the reader. The first thing that you ask yourself after reading the quote is who the girl is. You can tell by just those few sentences that the girl mentioned will probably be the main focus of the story line. The girl is probable dead or missing, and after reading a little into the book, I found out that the girl that the father was talking about is most likely the main character/narrator's sister, who has indeed been missing for years and years. I can tell by what I have read so far that this book is going to be filled with lots of mystery and suspense. It is going to leave me thinking what will happen next as I go to sleep at night. I am very excited to read more of the book and see how the plot-line unravels.

The cover of The Woods after I took off the paper covering to my book.

Captain Beatty

I envision Captain Beatty as a stocky young man. He is probably in his late 20's or early 30's, and around 6'1". I'd say hes probably around 195 pounds, but it is hard to tell because he is always wearing a thick black fireman suit and a yellow helmet with a visor. He is always trying to deepen his voice to make himself sound powerful. Beatty is a very by-the-rules man, and he barely even has emotions. He would be the type of guy who always yells at innocent people, and shows no emotion.

"The Woods" Hook

Throughout all of my years of writing, I have always been told that the hook to a story is perhaps the most important part. In my book, The Woods, I immediately wanted to read the entire book after reading the first two or three pages of the novel. "I was sitting in an elementary school gymnasium, watching my six-year-old daughter, Cara, nervously navigate across a balance beam that hovered maybe four inches off the floor, but in less than an hour, I would be looking at the face of a a man who'd been viciously murdered," (Coben, 4). (The quote was on page four because that is where the book actually started). After reading this at Half Price Books, I walked straight to the counter and purchased the novel. The hook leaves you many questions to ponder about and creates lots of tension within the writing right off the bat. Is he the one who killed the man? You will only find out if you read on. And I couldn't have gone home without that book not knowing who committed the crime.

Fahrenheit 451 Final Thoughts

As much as everyone hates every class book that we are ever forced to read, I actually didn't mind Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I will be honest that it got off to quite a slow start, and I may have slacked off a little on my reading at first. But when I actually started reading it deeply, I was very intrigued by the story line of the book. It is not a fast-paced book, but it is one that always keeps you guessing, and makes you feel nervous to find out if Montags crazy plans will end up working out. I also enjoyed how the book left you hanging with many questions in the end. Where is Clarisse? Is she really dead? Who survived the bombing? All questions that leave you pondering after you close the book for the final time, and even though there is not a sequel to this book, it seems like there should be. However, I am actually kind of glad that the book leaves you hanging like this, because it almost lets you create your own ending for the book. I enjoy doing this because I have a big imagination, and I don't like it to be limited.

I picture the character shown in this image as Captain Beatty, because as the fire is burning in the background, it looks like the fireman has no regrets.

"Lindy's Pro Football Draft" Magazine Review

    Over spring break, I did not buy any novels, but I DID find a magazine which I read on my entire flight to Charlotte. The magazine was full of predictions for this years NFL Draft, as well as ratings for all of the prospects coming out of college this year. I thought the magazine was really interesting because I am intrigued by the NFL Draft and I love reading about it.
    I am a HUGE Vikings fan, and I am mixed on who I want them to draft this year. In a perfect world we would get UCF Quarterback Blake Bortles, but I don't think he will be available at the 8th pick. I think the most realistic option would be trading down to get Derek Carr. To someone who doesn't know about the draft, all of this talk probably sounds like a bunch of gibberish. But to a true NFL fan, LOTS of discussion and debate could be formed out of this post.

Fresno State Quarterback Derek Carr in game ready to throw a pass