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February 24, 2007

Do you love books?

Lemire (skim Ch 2-7) -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

"Again, that may sound obvious--until you appreciate that the kinds of books you encounter as a student are a slim fraction of the kinds of books published in America every day."

In the two years that I have been at Seton Hill, I have seen people come and go in the English program. One freshman who was in one of my classes last semester was an English major for the first two weeks of school before she realized that English wasn't all that she thought it would be. I think this is a really good book for Englsh majors at any stage in their education. However, I think it's a REALLY good idea to read something like this before you get to college and take classes. It has a lot of useful information and Lemire does a really good job at kind of playing the devil's advocate and getting you to look at all sides of the issues. The fact that you like books does not mean that you should be an author. Sometimes you need someone to be straightforward with you, and Lemire did that for me.

Posted by CheraPupi at 1:14 PM | Comments (1)

Saying Goodbye!

Lemire (skim Ch 2-7) -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

"As a teacher your job is to care about your students, and yet, within a year or a few months, those young people wiill have moved on. You may never hear from them again, you have no way of knowing if what you taught them sank in or meant the least bit of difference in their lives."

I know that I want to teach. There's nothing that anyone can say to make me change my mind. It's what I've always wanted to do. This is something that I think I'm going to have a hard time with. How is it possible to keep your emotional distance from students when you see them everyday, for 180 days of the year, and have meaningful discussions in class and truly get to know them? I suppose I would get used to it over the years, but I definately think it will be difficult.

"Even if you think you are, by nature, a patient person, I guarentee that your patience has never been tested like it is tested teacher-style."

I'm very sure that Lemire is right here. I remember how my class was in high school, and I think that there's a good way to deal with this: laughter. I've talked to a lot of teachers over the past 2 years with practicums and observation. The two things that they ALWAYS tell me are most important, are flexibility and a sense of humor. Sometimes you just have to laugh with students. It'll make your life MUCH easier!

Posted by CheraPupi at 11:37 AM | Comments (3)

February 23, 2007

Can I do that?

Jerz, ''Poetry is for the Ear'' -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

"...that's not all that Frost is doing with that line. Say it out loud, and pay attention to how the predominant "e", "i" sounds feel -- they tighten up your mouth, creating a bit of tension in your face."

Here's the thing, I DO kind of get what you're trying to say here Dr. Jerz, however, I would have NEVER, ever picked that up on my own. Should I have picked up on that by myself? I just think it's amazing that poets can do these things with words. I just don't think that I'd ever be able to do these things. I really don't even know where to begin. It's quite an overwhelming process.

Posted by CheraPupi at 10:48 PM | Comments (2)

Hepta what? Oh. I get it!

Hamilton, Essential Literary Terms (198-225) -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

"In describing a poem's meter, one needs to name the prevailing metrical foot and to specify the number of feet in each line."

Have I yet mentioned that I hate poetry? Well I do. But I'm going to be honest. This is the first time EVER that I really think I actually am starting to get meter. I have always had a hard time with it, but through reading this, and I think through the workshop today, I'm starting to understand a little better. I have of course heard of the different meters, but I never saw examples of each one spelled out for me. I'm definately going to need to use this book as a reference when it comes time to write our own poems, but I'm starting to gain a little more confidence.

Posted by CheraPupi at 10:37 PM | Comments (1)

I still hate poetry!

Jerz, ''Poems: Short but Effective'' -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold

I still hate poetry. I did enjoy these though. I totally didn't recognize the sarcasm in this poem until I read it over a few times. At first, I was really annoyed at reading about plums. Now, it's kind of funny. "Forgive me for eating your breakfast. It was sooo good. You have NO idea!" It reminds me of a cheesy scenario from a sitcom like Boy Meets World or Full House (my 2 favs).

Posted by CheraPupi at 1:06 PM | Comments (4)

February 22, 2007

I hate poetry!

Poetry Selections -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

"A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray."

I HATE poetry! Honestly, I hate poetry. I never understand it or get what others get out of it. I know that poetry is supposed to be interpruted on an individual basis. I LOVE this poem though! It's so cute. I understand it and think that the lines are so basic, yet the language is still really pretty. These lines were my favorite. I never thought of a tree this way, but it's a great way to explain reason trees branches.

Posted by CheraPupi at 9:03 PM | Comments (0)

February 20, 2007

One speaker per paragraph!

Kennedy, ''Short Stories: 10 Tips'' -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

"Each speaker gets his/her own paragraph, and the paragraph includes whatever you wish to say about what the character is doing when speaking."

I didn't realize this when I wrote my presubmission. I did realize as I was writing that my dialogue seemed a little awkward, but I didn't think to give each speaker their own paragraph. Does that mean that I should indent each time someone talks? On the short story tips page, it doesn't look like the new dialogue is being indented. However, I would think if it's a new paragraph, it should be indented. Any ideas guys?

Posted by CheraPupi at 10:37 AM | Comments (1)

February 19, 2007

Cover Entry-Blogging Portfolio 1

For those of you who aren't familiar with a blogging portfolio, I have compiled the following list of entries that I thought were important to my blogging development. They date from January 22, 2007 to February 19, 2007.

This is my first blog entry since last year. I commented on Lemire's, I'm an English Major: Now What? This entry is an example of coverage, timelieness, and depth.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/01/what_about_me.html

This entry is about a newspaper article based on SHU's blogging community. It is an example of coverage, discussions,and timeliness.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/01/blogging_as_an_1.html

I commented on the "feminine qualities" in "Bernice Bobs Her Hair." This entry is an example of coverage, timeliness, interaction, depth, and discussions.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/01/fitzgeraldpopul.html

This entry is in response to Foster's section on quests. This entry is an example of coverage, timeliness, depth, interaction, and discussion.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/01/wow_i_didnt_kno.html

I was a little confused about this poem that we read and used my blog to ask a question to my peers for further understanding. This entry is an example of coverage, depth, timeliness,interaction, and discussions.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/01/help_whats_haml.html

This entry is in response to Foster's section on symbolism. This entry is an example of coverage, discussions, and timeliness.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/01/symbol_what_sym.html

I applied what I learned in Foster to A Good Man is Hard to Find. This entry is an example of coverage, depth, discussions, and timeliness.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/01/i_know_her.html

This entry is a response to the biblical allusions section of Foster. This entry is an example of coverage, depth, discussion, and timeliness.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/01/i_know_her.html

This entry is about satire. It is an example of coverage, interaction, and timeliness.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/02/who_knew.html

This entry is about a basic concept that the author was able to explain thoroughly. I also used my blog as a tool to get a better understanding of the reading by asking a question. It is an example of coverage, interaction, discussions, and timeliness.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/02/ideas_near_and_1.html

This entry is about intrusive narrators. It is an example of coverage, interaction, discussions, and timeliness.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/02/how_intrusive.html

This entry is about the language in a particular quote I liked in "Everyman." It is an example of coverage and timeliness.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/02/the_heavenly_sp.html

This entry is on rhetorical strategies. It is an example of coverage, interaction, discussions, and timeliness.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/02/rhetorical_stra.html

This entry is in response to 2nd person narration. It is an example of coverage.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/02/you_who_me.html

I really liked how the dog's instinct was more successful than the man's intelligence. This entry is an example of coverage.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/02/you_who_me.html

This entry is a response to the literary term, "understatement." It is an example of coverage, timeliness, discussions, and interaction.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/02/thats_and_under.html

"Trifles" is one of my favorite plays. This entry sparked quite a conversation and is an example of coverage, depth, interaction, discussions, and timeliness.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/01/go_mrs_hale.html

I commented on the nature vs. nurture issue that Foster mentions. This entry is an example of coverage, depth, interaction, discussions, and timeliness.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CheraPupi/2007/01/go_mrs_hale.html

I had Comment Primo twice on Jennifer's blog, twice on Derek's blog, once on Sean's blog, once on Lorin's blog, three times on Matt's blog, once on Maggie's blog, once on Bethany M.'s blog, and once on Bethany B's blog.

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/JenniferPrex/2007/01/know_who_we_are_1.html#more
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/JenniferPrex/2007/01/right_or_wrong_1.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/DerekTickle/2007/01/people_change_with_time.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/DerekTickle/2007/01/what_are_humans_capable_of.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/SeanRunt/2007/01/the_slight_thud.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/LorinSchumacher/2007/02/the_narrator_is.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MatthewHenderson/2007/01/god_or_the_devil_is_in_the_det.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MatthewHenderson/2007/01/god_or_the_devil_is_in_the_det.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MatthewHenderson/2007/01/anti_christ_figure.html#more
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MargaretJones/2007/01/the_double_standard.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/BethanyBouchard/2007/01/the_ups_and_downs_of_a_canarys.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/BethanyMerryman/2007/01/thats_right_women_and_their_tr.html#comments

Comment Grande on Bethany B.'s, Bethany M.'s, and Jennifer's blogs..

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/BethanyBouchard/2007/01/the_ups_and_downs_of_a_canarys.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/BethanyMerryman/2007/01/thats_right_women_and_their_tr.html#comments
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/JenniferPrex/2007/01/right_or_wrong_1.html

Posted by CheraPupi at 3:42 PM | Comments (0)

February 18, 2007

Instinct above intelligence

London, ''To Build a Fire'' -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

Then it turned and trotted up the trail in the direction of the camp it knew, where were the other food-providers and fire-providers.

I'm kind of undecided as to how I feel about this story. I do however, like the fact the dog survives and the man doesn't. All along, the man tries to rely on his intelligence using matches to make fires and uses temperature readings and a map to figure out his location. The dog, on the other hand, has nothing but his instinct. He is able to smell death and able to pick up the scent of another camp. His instincts tell it when the man is trying to kill him and he snarles and backs away from him. I just found it really interesting that he instictively knows to go to the other camp because there's food and fire there. That's why I love dogs! haha...

Posted by CheraPupi at 10:42 PM | Comments (0)

February 16, 2007

That's and understatement!

Hamilton, Essential Literary Terms (32-67) -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

"Understatement is a form of irony in which a point is deliberately expressed as less, in magnitude, value, or importance, than it actually is."

I had NO idea that understatement was a literary term let alone a form of irony. Of course I have seen it used in literature and on TV, and even hear it on a daily basis in real life. I just had no idea that it was a "literary" kind of thing. I do see now how it is a form of irony, but I wouldn't have made the connection had I not read this.

Posted by CheraPupi at 9:00 PM | Comments (2)

You. Who me?

Hamilton, Essential Literary Terms (98-111; 150-166) -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

"The third major point of view is the second-person, in which the narrator addresses the audience directly using the pronoun "you," and assumes that the audience is experiencing the events along with the narrator."

When I first saw the heading "Second-Person" I was really confused for a second. I was thinking, "Wait, what is second-person point of view?" I realized that the reason I had a momentary lapse is because second-person is so rarely talked about because it's used the least of the three points of view. I don't like reading something in which the author is addressing me as "you." I question if he's really talking to ME or another character and I end up reading it over and over to understand fully what the purpose is.

Posted by CheraPupi at 9:56 AM | Comments (1)

February 13, 2007

The Heavenly Sphere

Anonymous, ''Everyman'' -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

Death: Yea, certainly. Though have forget him here, He thinketh on thee in the heavenly sphere...

I really like this line. First of all, I love the language, "the heavenly sphere." But it also makes me think. Even when we forget about him, and act according to what we want for ourselves, God's still thinking about us in heaven. He never forgets us and constantly wants us to improve our lives.

I also took a special note as I was reading for poetic diction. It's used so often that I now realize why a specific term for these words has been formed.

Posted by CheraPupi at 2:13 PM | Comments (1)

Rhetorical Strategies are WHAT? Ohhh...

Hamilton, Essential Literary Terms (68-97) -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

"Rhetorical strategy is a loose term for techniques that help to shape or enhance a literary work."

I had no idea that this was what a rhetorical strategy is. I knew that diction was a rhetorical strategy, but I wasn't aware that allusions, analogies, imagery, smbolism, and atmosphere were also strategies. I also didn't know that there was a "poetic diction." Of course I always noticed antiquated words in poetry, but I didn't know that they had a specific name for the type of diction.

Posted by CheraPupi at 10:08 AM | Comments (4)

February 10, 2007

How intrusive!

Hamilton, Essential Literary Terms (112-149) -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

"An omniscient narrator who offers philosophical or moral commentary on the characters and the events he depicts is called an intrusive narrator."

Most of the terms on pages 112-149 were familar to me. I don't think that I have ever heard the term "intrusive narrator." I can think of a lot of times I have read novels with intrusive narrators though, I just didn't know the term existed. I think I would have just classified this narrator as omniscient. It seems like when there is an intrusive narrator in a story, that it's kind of biased. I'm not an author, and I don't ever want to be one, but I think I would avoid using an intrusive narrator in a story that I want to seem realistic and non-biased, as if I the narrator was just re-telling the events of a story.

Posted by CheraPupi at 1:59 PM | Comments (5)

Ideas near and far!

Forster, ''The Machine Stops'' -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

"You know that we have lost the sense of space...I determined to recover it...Up and down, until I was tired, and so did capture the meaning of 'Near' and 'Far'. 'Near' is a place to which I can get quickly on my feet, not a place to which the train or the air-ship will take me quickly. 'Far is a place to which I cannot get quickly on my feet; the vomitory is 'far', though I could be there in thirty-eight seconds by summoning the train
."

I think that Forster is an absolutely brilliant author. This quote, for example, is unbelievable. He was able to capture something so basic to every individual, and put it into the perfect words to convey the true meaning of near and far. Often times, it's more difficult to explain something basic, that is used everyday, than something much more complex. The concept of a sense of space is one that I can honestly say I have never thought about before.

Also, can anyone explain the whole "ideas" concept? Is it literally "ideas" that the characters are trying to get, or are ideas something else? I'm not sure if I missed some type of explanation or what.

Posted by CheraPupi at 1:37 PM | Comments (5)

Ideas near and far!

Forster, ''The Machine Stops'' -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

"You know that we have lost the sense of space...I determined to recover it...Up and down, until I was tired, and so did capture the meaning of 'Near' and 'Far'. 'Near' is a place to which I can get quickly on my feet, not a place to which the train or the air-ship will take me quickly. 'Far is a place to which I cannot get quickly on my feet; the vomitory is 'far', though I could be there in thirty-eight seconds by summoning the train
."

I think that Forster is an absolutely brilliant author. This quote, for example, is unbelievable. He was able to capture something so basic to every individual, and put it into the perfect words to convey the true meaning of near and far. Often times, it's more difficult to explain something basic, that is used everyday, than something much more complex. The concept of a sense of space is one that I can honestly say I have never thought about before.

Also, can anyone explain the whole "ideas" concept? Is it literally "ideas" that the characters are trying to get, or are ideas something else? I'm not sure if I missed some type of explanation or what.

Posted by CheraPupi at 1:37 PM | Comments (0)

February 3, 2007

Who knew?

Hamilton, Essential Literary Terms (1-31) -- Jerz: EL150 (Intro to Literary Study)

"Although satire began with the plays of Aristophanes, the main founders of the form were two Roman poets, Horace and Juvenal."

I love satire. I think it's one of those little things that makes certain author's works brilliant. I could be wrong because I've learned so much over the years, but I don't think that I knew there were different kinds of satire. I think it's really cool that we can trace back the use of satire to these two individuals. Thinking back on all of the satire in works that I've read, I do see a difference between Horatian satire and Juvenalian satire. I just didn't know that there were categories. I thought satire was satire.

Posted by CheraPupi at 8:17 PM | Comments (3)