Friday, October 19, 2007

Discovering Fiction: Paragraph Assignment

Post your completed paragraph here by Monday midnight.

Posted by Brad at 10/19/2007 03:55:00 PM

17 comments:

Brad said...

Catherine: I've moved your work here. Thanks for letting me know I'd forgotten to make a post!

Catherine said . . .

Enjoy Reading Harry Potter

Somebody may think that J.K.Rowling’s Harry Potter series is not the best novel or a “real literature,” but I love it. The magical world is as same as our real life—Harry Potter and Professor Dumbledore represent love and justice; Voldmort and his supporters represent hate and villainy who always trying to seek the highest power to control the whole word—just like our human aspire after nuclear weapon. Many children especially boys begin to read because of this story. It is also the first time I experienced the joy of reading English book because I don’t have to read it with a dictionary. I have been attracted to read it and my English reading achievement has been markedly improved in the past five years. In addition, I became a “bosom friend” of my nephew and step-daughter because I am a fan of Harry Potter, too. —146 words

October 19, 2007 at 3:57 PM
Valentina said...

“The Secret Heiress,” by Judith Gould is a fiction with mix of glamour, wealth and intrigue. Separated at birth by a tyrannical father, twin identical sisters with only their beauty in common grew up apart without knowing about each other’s existence. Their rich father believes that twin heiresses are a curse – one of them is evil. But it seems he picks the wrong sister. Nikoletta , raised in luxury, inherits immense power, wealth and international prominence. However, she has no sense of right and wrong; she is capable of any cruelty; her actions are a threat for global environment. Ariadne is adopted by a childless couple, and she is a sweet kind girl. Thanks to a generous allowance, she has the best education in economics. When it’s time to switch places with her twin sister, Ariadne can’t even imagine being compared with her. She needs a valid reason to replace Nikoletta – something more than money and power.
Reading this novel, I learned that being beautiful, wealthy and accomplished is not enough to be completely happy. You have to have something else like kindness and sympathy for other people. As Donald Hall, I discovered that authors of fictions have a gift of bringing the period and characters to life. Without noticing, you are involved into all components that a good fiction has: plot, setting and complex characters. And all scenes sensitively tug at your heart.

October 21, 2007 at 5:32 PM
larry said...

Fear Street: Seniors is a juvenile series by R.L.Stine. It includes 12 episodes that tell a horror story happened in a senior class at Shadyside High. The class is doomed, and in each episode there will be some classmates are killed by vampires. With the classmates are getting less and less, this 12-books series brings horror after horror. The reader can’t help wondering who will be the next, and anyone will reach the graduation day alive. It’s my daughter’s book. I used to dislike very much the kind of fiction about vampires; meanwhile, I used to think that the juvenile books were nothing but garbage. However, after read this book, I surprisingly realize that not all of vampires are as disgusting as what I thought. Some of them are kind-hearted but their character, need blood to survive, decides that they have to kill the human. They are often tortured with such kind of painful feelings. On the other hand, I have to admit that juvenile books can bring a lot of knowledge, entertainments and new concepts to adult.

171 words

October 22, 2007 at 2:36 PM
Natalia said...

Although Ray Bradbury belongs to the science fiction writers, his “Dandelion Vine” is rather a fantasy - a wonderful mixture of imagination and real world where readers can discover their own childhood memories. While reading about twelve-year old Douglas Spaulding’s adventures, I am remembering my own childhood revelations about life and death. Following Bradbury’s brilliant fantasies, I can easily recall memories of happiness of being young and running fast in a pair of new tennis shoes on a summer sunny day, or a feeling of pain of parting with the best friend that went far away, or a fear before the ravine that every town has. Kaleidoscope of events that happened to imaginative people in the novel urges me to think once again about the eternal philosophical questions, such as what the essence of happiness is, or how to overcome fear of death. Reading Bradbury’s enchanting writing is akin to drinking a glass of delicious dandelion vine. Being spoilt by reading good literature, I can only second Donald Hall’s opinion that good literature “ruined me for light reading.”

180 words

October 22, 2007 at 8:16 PM
Natalia said...

Sorry,I forgot a title.
Drinking Dandelion Vine

October 22, 2007 at 8:19 PM
Rahel said...

"Then We Came to the End" by Joshua Ferris is a very funny, and impressive fictional novel. The primary characters are revealed as "broad types" in this story. Rumors are spread quickly as if a snarky co-worker's first day at the office. "We would listen with only one ear, and with one eye over our shoulders". At times the characters faced difficult situations both in large and small matters within eachother. In that case, they'd be extra cautious in their surroundings, in fear of being laid-off. In this modern world, frustration, gossip and jealousy is easily developed working in an office based environment. We all try to compete within one another in reaching the top, never wanting to fail into satisfaction. Instead we shift our feelings and thoughts, while turning our backs on eachother. This book was interesting because everyone's character was unique and verified the commom humanity characteristics in the real world. The people whom we spend the most time with, are the ones we know more. I enjoy engaging in reading fiction books. It enlarges our minds greatly. We realize what is out there in comparision with our lives, and become more aware of our atmosphere.

-202 words

October 22, 2007 at 8:45 PM
Lydia said...

“White Fang” is my favourite novel even though I cannot remember the author’ name. It’s a story about the friendship between a yang man and a wild wolf. The story evidently changed my attitude towards life, especially towards friendship. I didn’t believe in friendship before, and I have faith in a Chinese motto, which says there is no friendship among people, and interests are the only important thing for them. After reading this novel, I realized that friendship can be established between a person and a wolf, it must exist among people. From then on, I try my best to be nice and helpful to the other people surrounding me. I also have gotten lots of payback from them, and the most important thing is that I have gotten friendship and happy life.

October 22, 2007 at 10:33 PM
Young In said...

This fiction “A Good Woman” written by Gong Ji Young, Korean writer gave a chance to me think about the words like good person and nice person. The main character, Jung In is so good and so nice. Whenever she meets a man, she is hurt by the man. However, she never blames the men because she is a nice person. I am educated to become a good person and a nice person by my parents. However, while I was reading this fiction, I changed my mind. I don’t want to be just a good person. I want to be a good person but with wisdom and calm judgment. Sometime people impose on someone’s good nature. By reading many fictions, my understanding of human being’s feeling and behaviors is extended, and my fixed and narrow thoughts have been changed through the authors’ various imagination and expressions. Furthermore, literature gives a chance to taste the beauty of emotional and sensitive expressions that don’t be used in a daily dialogue.

October 22, 2007 at 10:55 PM
Vincent said...

Reading a fiction can nourish a person’s mind. I always believe people get more thinking during their reading. “The Kite Runner,” by Khaled Hosseini, is an example which I have read. The story not only expresses the author’s feeling and his viewpoint but also let readers know more historical and cultural knowledge. A story can push readers to think and imagine pictures in their mind, and through that readers nourish their imagination. Through authors’ observation and creation, readers gain different experiences and lives emotions. Furthermore, people usually enjoy the story and absorb the cultural knowledge from the story background. People lives in imagination and dream, and fictions provide the place where we can think. Fictions are the best nourishment for human beings. 122 words

October 23, 2007 at 12:00 AM
max said...

I have not read any fiction for more than 20 years, but I still remember some plots and dialogue of the novels I read at my childhood. “The Making of a Hero” is one of them. Written by Ostrovsky, Aleksandr Nikolayerich, the story describes a hero Paul. The World War II made him be a disability, however, he overcomes all kinds of difficulties and becomes successful. At that time, we adored heroes and learned from them. Paul influences my life and my value. I thought that the party and the country were supreme, and I should sacrifice myself for them. At meanwhile, I gained the courage to challenge the fate. I agree with Hall ;the fiction is from the real life, so it recalls your thoughts and feelings; you seem to find yourself in it. Nevertheless, it “enlarges our minds” and sets an example to us, who “ teaches us enduring truth about life.”
-154 words

October 23, 2007 at 2:13 AM
Ruth said...

“The Flight of the Snowbird” by Jean Lively is a beautiful and meaningful tragedy which is about how a boy miraculously revives his love to his younger sister after an incredible accident in skating. Before the disaster, the brother thinks his sister being “nothing,” but “a barrier between him and his mother.” After the tragedy happens, he hugs his sister closer to him and prays anxiously for her eyes to open. In terms of Donald Hall’s claims in “To Read Fiction,” I have three points to share with. Primarily, the story alters and enlarges my mind. I’m encouraged and reminded to have positive thoughts and attitudes to others in my life. Treating others with favour would be happy. Also, the story alters and enlarges the connection with each other past and present. Regretting about the past can’t change outcomes in the present. Only a changed insight from regret could change the life in the present. The present should be healed not ruined by the past. In addition, the story alters and enlarges our understanding of our own feelings. From the brother’s change of his feelings to his sister, I recognize that something is precious might not be sensed until losing it. To cherish what I owe without taking them for granted is the vital attitude to my life, which could keep me from a regrettable tragedy.
-225 words

October 23, 2007 at 3:13 AM
Kaisa said...

“Prey” by Michael Crichton, is an imaginative yet informative fiction novel that I enjoyed reading and learning from. I don’t particularly like reading but I found by a couple chapters in I had a hard time putting this book down. It is able to explore the world of nanotechnology in a fun and suspenseful manner. Tiny dust particles controlled by the government that control the world and essentially take over. While reading it, I couldn’t stop thinking about how it would be if it were real. Could nanotechnology to this extent really happen? The story examines how easily the science of nanotechnology can go horribly wrong, by the virus essentially killing everything in its path and nothing can stop it. By reading this fiction, I was able to learn about the science of nanotechnology, and how we have to be careful as it can easily go painstakingly wrong. Before reading this fiction I had never heard of nanotechnology but after reading this fiction I am able to understand to an extent what it is all about.

October 23, 2007 at 8:13 AM
Brad said...

A paragraph from Tien:

Reading Fiction

We may understand more about our own life by reading fiction about the lives and challenges of other
people. Imagine how different life would be if there are no stories, poems, and novels. Life without
literature likes food without taste and nutrition. I enjoy reading some Jane Austen novels and Agatha Christie's "An Autobiography" these years, and I also read many short stories, such as ,"The Sound of Summer Running", "After Twenty Years", "A Just Judge", all of them are so impressive. The fictions I read help me comprehending life, both in joy and sorrow. In fact, many tragics in life can be prevented; for example, reckless driving and bad choice of life style are the
consequences of the tagedies. Life is fun and full of hope; therefore, the more I read fiction the more I appreciate life.

October 23, 2007 at 8:46 AM
Tinali said...

I love to read “Memoirs of A Geisha”. Interestingly, the author Arthur Golden is a westerner, not a Japanese. A westerner’s point of view makes the story pretty unique. I immerse myself in it-sometimes I am worried about Sayuri’s miserable life, other times I delight for her happy time with her man. I can experience how hard Sayuri fights for achieving her dancing goals. I can experience how tough to be trained as a geisha. I also can experience how beautiful the geisha performance is. I love to buy books like this and see how westerners view Asian culture differently. I think the author opens a door for westerners to look at Japanese culture and brings a fresh air to western culture. As a new immigrant, I have to confront many struggles and challenges. I know I and my family deserve to have a brilliant future in Canada. When I have difficulties, think about this fiction which inspired me a lot. 160 words

October 23, 2007 at 10:06 PM
Lien said...

James Joyce’s, “Eveline”, telling an Irish woman, Eveline wants to escape paeriarphal and mysoginistic home land. In a war time, in Ireland, females greatly outnumber males, more than half of the marriageable women are unmarried. Women have limited education and jobs. Eveline is one of a victim who isn’t respected by men, even her father; he used to yell and complain that he has to take care of her because of her dead mother’ sake. Her brother also says that it wastes to help and give her money. In her depression, she meets Frank, very kind, manly, and open-hearted, comes from Buenos Ayres, she wants to be his wife, and follows him to his home in order to be treated well. Through “Eveline”, I feel that it is close to most Vietnamese women before and after liberation, they have to be housewives. A man is a head of family. Most women hope to marry to an open-hearted and nice man or vanish the country. When Eveline sees Frank, she is so happy, and likes him because she has felt respectful. This also alters and enlarges my mind that I stand up for myself to get free, and stay away from a person who believes in mysoginistic. I see that there is still some kind men treat me better. It isn’t the end road.

October 23, 2007 at 11:57 PM
Anonymous said...

I believe reading literature or fiction is more pleasurable, entertaining and educational than watching countless hours of TV or movies. In this day and age, We continuo to pursue ways to entertain our selves more rather than educating. Educating and learning about literature has become history. More and more people seek to inform them selves through mass media that is dominating our culture these days. True education that has everlasting affect through our life can only be gained by reading literature, fiction or any kind of reading that challenges our way of thinking and lifestyle. It is tragic that watching TV has become number one priority in our life instead of picking a book from a library shelf on our way from work. I recently purchased a fiction book from a book store with fraction of the cost compare to renting expensive movies these days. After reading it, I Looked back in my life to see if there was any TV program, movie or any thing else that could be identified with the benefits that I received by reading the book . I was entertained, educated and most of all greatly challenged thoughtfully by the content of the book, but I found none.

October 25, 2007 at 10:52 PM
Amanda said...

i love to read biographies. My favorite biography is one writen by Mick Foley. He was a wrestler for the WWE. Before i read this book i had no appriecation for WWE i thought it was fake and stupid. After reading his bio i found out that even though the matches are stage they are some what real and people do get hurt. Mick in the beginning of the book taked about one of his first matches in Japan. He got his ear torn off completly by a metal corner of the ring. He also has a picture of him self on the back of the book that shows all the things and places he has injured. he has been like seriosly injured of 200 times and a lot of those were life threating. He wreastled for so many years if stuff that happened to him happened to me i would of quit a long time ago. it does show he has true passion for his job though. So read this and you will have a new apperciation for the world of wreastling.

January 11, 2008 at 11:43 AM

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