Thursday, April 5, 2012
Question 11
There was only one shortcoming of this book: it's length. I wish the book was longer because I really enjoyed it. I'm not sure how the author could have made the book longer, maybe add more details about Mitch Albom and Morrie's college experiences. To add to the length of this book the author could have described more events that happened in Morrie's life that shaped him.
Question 10
Morrie's perspective on life is praiseworthy. His viewpoints on life challenge yours and make you think-they made me think differently. I think that the messages you get from this book are praiseworthy.
Question 9
The theme of this book is life. Living your life for you. Morrie talks about acceptance through detachment, love, the media, and self created values. Morrie believes detachment is to accept stressful situations by removing yourself from stressful situations. By doing this you gain a different perspective of what's going on. Love. Love is aspect of life, more so, a state of mind. Throughout the book Morrie would reference this quote "love each or die". He believes that people need to feel fulfilled. "You can't substitute material things for love", pg. 125. This means that nothing can take the place of love. The media tries to dedicate what people want and who they become. The media influence's people. This is when people should steer away from the media, and do what they want and what is the best for them. Self created values come from staying away from the media. The media tries to make people believe certain things are what they're 'looking for' like a new car, etc. Self created values satisfy people's need to feel fulfilled.
Question 8
The last book I read was "Team of Rivals", by Doris Kearns Goodwin. This was a biography about Abraham Lincoln and his quest to become the president. It was a fantastic book, as was "Tuesdays with Morrie", by Mitch Albom. These books are both similar because you become familiar with the main character, and the main characters' are real. You learn more from "Tuesdays with Morrie", because you can apply some of Morrie's teachings with Albom to everyday life. You can incorporate Morrie's perspective on life into yours-it will make you think differently. They are both equally good books. "Team of Rivals", is a lot longer than the other book. For a simple read someone should read "Tuesdays with Morrie".
Question 7
Three major incidents that happened in the book are: when Mitch Albom sees the interview of Morrie with Ted Kroppel, when Morrie talks about Albom's little brother, and when Morrie dies. One night Albom was flipping through tv channels and he saw an interview of Morrie. This interview made Albom get back in touch with Morrie. If he didn't see this, the book would've never happened. After a few Tuesdays, they talked about family. Morrie brought up Albom's little brother-which he hadn't talked to for quite some time because his little brother didn't want to feel pitied because he had cancer. So, Albom didn't try to talk to his brother. After this Tuesday, though, he started talking to his brother again because of Morrie. Without Morrie, Albom and his brother could not have started talking again. When Morrie dies this concludes the book. It was expected but not wanted. By the end of the book Albom's views on life change because of Morrie.
Question 6
The most important element is the dialogue. Everything else isn't as important because it doesn't stand out. The majority of this book takes place in Morrie's house, so nothing unorthodox happens. The dialogue determines the mood, if Morrie and Mitch Albom are talking about death or Morrie's crippling disease the mood will be sad. Some of the events also contribute to the mood-but not as much as the dialogue aspect of the book. Some events that depict Morrie's loss of independence is shown in different events; when he has other people position his head for him because he is too weak.
Question 5
The 'prevailing' mood is somber. The mood changes throughout the book, though. At times it is lighthearted and positive reflecting Morrie's personality. The prevailing mood is somber or solemn because we know from the very first page Morrie is going to die. Which this is not positive-but Morrie makes light of his foretold death, and the memories that Morrie and Mitch Albom shared contribute to a more positive mood.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Question 4
I think the author is a greedy, callous, and caring person; all wrapped into one personality which makes him Mitch Albom-if that makes any sense. He shows all these characteristics. Before Albom and Morrie got back in touch Albom "I had been, for much of my life since graduation, pursuing these very things...bigger toys, nicer house," pg 127. Albom was wanting frivolous things. He is a callous person because he doesn't show his true emotions-but he has great sympathy for Morrie and cares for him deeply. Morrie says to Albom: "I'm gonna loosen you up. One day, I'm gonna show you it's okay to cry," pg. 51. Albom is a caring person because he would always bring food to Morrie's house because they would always have lunch together during Albom's college days. Also, Albom is worried about Morrie: "I had to do something," he was aware of Morrie's time running out, and he didn't want to miss out and neglect Morrie.
Question 3
The author's purpose of writing this book was to express, and more significantly help pay for Morrie's medical bills. At first the book was just an idea to express the author's experiences with Morrie. It was Mitch Albom's last classes with Morrie. Then it evolved into an idea. Albom wanted to repay Morrie because of all the things Morrie taught him. "I was trying to help Morrie pay his medical bills, " pg. 94.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
"Life As We Knew It", Evaluation.
FCA's
1. Identify a position (5)
2. Explain your criteria, application, reasoning for your position with quoted evidence as support. Please indicate the page number of your quote in parenthesis following the quote. (10)
3. Explain the position of the opposition and provide counterargument. (10)
"Life As We Knew It", (LAWKI), is being added to school curriculum's everywhere and more students as well as book enthusiasts are picking up this book. LAWKI is science fiction, it has gotten more and more popular. This book has won awards such as: Best Books For Young Adults by the American Library Association, and placed seventh in Top Teen's vote by the American Library Association. But why, is this book becoming a phenomenon there is no real educational value to it, it's not a timeless piece of literature. One Book One School should make high school students read something that is a classic or will make them question certain things-a book that will pose a challenge for the student.
This book is in the form of a diary which makes it seem colloquial, this makes the book easier to read. Not only is the world ending but Miranda is an average teenage girl. The author is not, she is 63 years old, how can she relate to a teenager? Of course she was a teen once, but those times are way behind her. Also, Miranda has a love interest: Dan. How does the author know of love, when her love interest is her cat, Scooter. One Book One School should raise their standards for books, this book poses no challenge for the reader. This book could be easily read in someone's free time. One Book One School, is a program for students so shouldn't the students read something more difficult? Everything a high school does prepares students for college. Students should analyze classic literature, which is like Shakespeare. Shakespeare's works are timeless. Books that convey a universal message or literary devices that helps the author illuminate an impression that they want their readers to get out of their work. A universal message is something that is relevant.
Some people may argue and say that LAWKI is a suitable book for One Book One School, because it is easier to read and enjoyable. It's easier for students to comprehend than Shakespeare or Emerson. In LAWKI, Miranda eats so many cookies she says: "I couldn't stop eating them. I knew I was making myself sick." (pg. 193), for One Book One School the content of the book be confined to dimwitted context. No one cares if Miranda feels sick, this sentence is just simply to fill up the page. Also, in on part of the book Miranda deems one day as: "Crazy Shopping day." (pg. 192), in any post apocalyptic book there is always similar events; like stocking up on food. This book is predictable, it should be read for pleasure-instead of being a part of a school's curriculum.
1. Identify a position (5)
2. Explain your criteria, application, reasoning for your position with quoted evidence as support. Please indicate the page number of your quote in parenthesis following the quote. (10)
3. Explain the position of the opposition and provide counterargument. (10)
"Life As We Knew It", (LAWKI), is being added to school curriculum's everywhere and more students as well as book enthusiasts are picking up this book. LAWKI is science fiction, it has gotten more and more popular. This book has won awards such as: Best Books For Young Adults by the American Library Association, and placed seventh in Top Teen's vote by the American Library Association. But why, is this book becoming a phenomenon there is no real educational value to it, it's not a timeless piece of literature. One Book One School should make high school students read something that is a classic or will make them question certain things-a book that will pose a challenge for the student.
This book is in the form of a diary which makes it seem colloquial, this makes the book easier to read. Not only is the world ending but Miranda is an average teenage girl. The author is not, she is 63 years old, how can she relate to a teenager? Of course she was a teen once, but those times are way behind her. Also, Miranda has a love interest: Dan. How does the author know of love, when her love interest is her cat, Scooter. One Book One School should raise their standards for books, this book poses no challenge for the reader. This book could be easily read in someone's free time. One Book One School, is a program for students so shouldn't the students read something more difficult? Everything a high school does prepares students for college. Students should analyze classic literature, which is like Shakespeare. Shakespeare's works are timeless. Books that convey a universal message or literary devices that helps the author illuminate an impression that they want their readers to get out of their work. A universal message is something that is relevant.
Some people may argue and say that LAWKI is a suitable book for One Book One School, because it is easier to read and enjoyable. It's easier for students to comprehend than Shakespeare or Emerson. In LAWKI, Miranda eats so many cookies she says: "I couldn't stop eating them. I knew I was making myself sick." (pg. 193), for One Book One School the content of the book be confined to dimwitted context. No one cares if Miranda feels sick, this sentence is just simply to fill up the page. Also, in on part of the book Miranda deems one day as: "Crazy Shopping day." (pg. 192), in any post apocalyptic book there is always similar events; like stocking up on food. This book is predictable, it should be read for pleasure-instead of being a part of a school's curriculum.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Persuassive Essay
The State of the Union is an annual address presented by the President
of the United States. The address reports on the condition of the
nation, and allows the president to outline his legislative agenda.
President Barack Obama presented problems as well as solutions, to the
United States Congress. Education is imperative for one’s future.
Teachers are needed-but states have laid off thousands of teachers.
Being a teacher is a demanding profession, and they have a modest pay,
not only do they prepare their students for a brighter future-but for
the world. A teacher’s impact lasts beyond the classroom.
Obama said, “Other countries are doubling down on education.” Why can’t America, is education not relevant? Students are the future of America. While other countries are putting more effort and time into education-America isn’t. Obama also said this “...tight budgets have forced states to lay off thousands of teachers”; why does this happen when teachers are working “tirelessly”,as Obama eloquently put it, if this is the case why are we repaying teachers with pink slips. Obama proposed granting schools flexibility by replacing teachers who just are not helping kids learn. How would someone judge if a teacher is not doing their job, is it by what the class average is or their teaching style. Every teacher brings something to the table. What makes one teacher better than the next?
Education is more than going to school for a few hours, as Obama said it’s “an escape from poverty to the child who dreams beyond his circumstance”. Schools provide more opportunities for students who take it seriously. For some children school is all they have. As for teachers the same principle goes, this is their job; without it they would have nothing. They guide students to be the best they can be.
According to Obama, he has convinced every state in the country to “raise their
standards for teaching and learning-the first time that’s happened in a generation.” This should already have been every states top priority, it should not have been the first time to be addressed in a generation. For being proud Americans we should constantly be trying to better this country, we should already have high standards and not be reminded to install these ethics into Americans.
Many people would agree with Obama’s argument saying we should raise standards for teaching-but America should have already been working on it without it being addressed. Also, it’s very hypocritical of him to say this because the comprehension level of his speeches are of an 8th graders intellectual capabilities. It’s a contradiction because in the past other president’s speeches had a higher comprehension level for their speeches, now it has went down. Some people would he is trying to reach his audience-but if Obama is for raising the standards of education, he would not be as colloquial. His speeches would have a more dignified tone. So, why say one thing but not go through with it.
Obama said, “Other countries are doubling down on education.” Why can’t America, is education not relevant? Students are the future of America. While other countries are putting more effort and time into education-America isn’t. Obama also said this “...tight budgets have forced states to lay off thousands of teachers”; why does this happen when teachers are working “tirelessly”,as Obama eloquently put it, if this is the case why are we repaying teachers with pink slips. Obama proposed granting schools flexibility by replacing teachers who just are not helping kids learn. How would someone judge if a teacher is not doing their job, is it by what the class average is or their teaching style. Every teacher brings something to the table. What makes one teacher better than the next?
Education is more than going to school for a few hours, as Obama said it’s “an escape from poverty to the child who dreams beyond his circumstance”. Schools provide more opportunities for students who take it seriously. For some children school is all they have. As for teachers the same principle goes, this is their job; without it they would have nothing. They guide students to be the best they can be.
According to Obama, he has convinced every state in the country to “raise their
standards for teaching and learning-the first time that’s happened in a generation.” This should already have been every states top priority, it should not have been the first time to be addressed in a generation. For being proud Americans we should constantly be trying to better this country, we should already have high standards and not be reminded to install these ethics into Americans.
Many people would agree with Obama’s argument saying we should raise standards for teaching-but America should have already been working on it without it being addressed. Also, it’s very hypocritical of him to say this because the comprehension level of his speeches are of an 8th graders intellectual capabilities. It’s a contradiction because in the past other president’s speeches had a higher comprehension level for their speeches, now it has went down. Some people would he is trying to reach his audience-but if Obama is for raising the standards of education, he would not be as colloquial. His speeches would have a more dignified tone. So, why say one thing but not go through with it.
Book Evaluation,question 2
Originally, I was going to choose a book about Abraham Lincoln-but that would've been the second book project I have done on Abraham Lincoln. So I decided to choose "Tuesdays with Morrie", because it is something different. Also I have heard numerous good things about this book from my past teachers, and from some of my friends. Either way any book catches my interest, so I never have a difficult time choosing a book.
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