Michael Phelps

1.You're as hyper as a spider monkey on Mountain Dew. (This is a common saying in my house :] ) 

2. The noise sounded like a dying goat giving birth to Michael Phelps. 

3. He was as exhausted as a fat kid on a treadmill.

4. They we're in love like Romeo and Juliet.

The Winner

Tying my shoe was as hard as eating a taco in the dark.

I was hanging from a cliff like a drop of water ready to fall from a turned-off showerhead faucet.
 
Nobody is as awesome as Jim Caviezel.

Free Sports Car!

The title was just to grab your attention.


The plan was simple, like my cousin, Bob. However, unlike Bob, this plan would work.


The download bar was moving as quickly as a nest of baby turtles running through peanut butter.


When my father walked through the front door of our house, we all suddenly became ecstatic, like lost puppies finding their way home.

BAM

Im just gonna say some these similes are as nasty as Alabama is going to look after playing LSU.

Similes

The pizza was as big as the moon.

The pig was as wild as a little boy with sugar.

Her eyes sparkled like the stars.

WRITE YOUR SIMILE

You will not be able to compete in the contest if you didn't write your own simile. I'm giving you until Wednesday to edit your post if you misunderstood that, but after that I'll assume you were cheating.

Similes as bad as Auburn

Poetic:
1.  The siren was as loud as the tornado that ripped apart the town.

Creative:
2.  His accuracy was as bad as Shaq shooting a free throw.

Random:
3.  His car was as jacked up as the cast of Jersey shore.

Most likely to be said while hanging off a cliff:
4.  The sunset was as colorful as a kindergartners finger painting.

Similes!!

            Similes-   
     
    -Creative/Poetic ( you can decide. )

* The spiders legs were like the strings of cheese you see when you pull apart a cheese sandwich.

* The football fans were as obnoxious as that brat kid you're always stuck babysitting.

* The unwanted puppies were like the burnt potato chips at the bottom of the bag.

*The soap opera was as nauseating as a bowl of lard with cashews.

*The dessert was as nasty as cherry cough syrup.

*The drifter went from town to town like a tumbleweed.

    -Most likely said while hanging from a cliff.

* This is as exhilerating as a roller coaster with the exeption that my life is at terrible risk. ( and you have to pay for a roller coaster ride! )

* This view is as lovely as a butterfly from a distance. Because up close, butterflies are actually quite ugly.

~Sensational Similes~

Most creative~

• The new mother looked after her child like a monkey carefully picks bugs off its brethren.
• Love is like the Krazy Glue that holds a marriage together.
• The oatmeal was as runny as a kid's nose during flu season.
• The poodle sucked cereal off bits off the floor like a vacuum cleaner.
• The pomeranian was as gentle as a rabid one-eyed, mangey, three-legged koala.

Most poetic~

• The sunset exhibited a vibrant orange color that was like a blazing fire.
• The flowers on the fragrant meadow were like sprinkles on nature's perfect cupcake.
• The rage stifled deep within her burned like an uncontrollable fire.

Thing Most Likely Said While Hanging Off of a Cliff~

• There's pirahnas with teeth as sharp as razors down there!!
• Just tell my puppy that I loved him like he was my own son!
• Good gracious, my shoes are untied! The laces are wiggling around like angel hair pasta!

Similes

Similes:

   - His hat flew off his head like it was being chased by Christy McMahon.

   

   - If only I could fly like superman. Then I wouldn't be stuck.

You'll be dumb with wonderment

Euphemisms-

"Oh my daughter is so cute." " Why yes, she's so charming and definitely big boned."

Hitler participated heavily in ethnic cleansing.

Parallel structure:

 Bruce Wayne enjoys donning his Batman costume, answering the Commissioner's phone calls, and saving
Gotham City from cruel villains like the Penguin.

Everyone hates to be ostracized, to be shunned, to be pathetic.

Similes-

Most Creative-

Mall Cops are as useful as a urine flavored lollipop.

Most poetic-

The burned leaves fell from the blackened tree, twirling and twisting through the air like little dancers before they kissed the ground, never to be admired.

Most likely to be said while hanging from a cliff-

I want a harness like Nickelback wants fans.

Simile contest, parallel structures, euphemisms

Similes

Most creative

1.       "down like four flat tires"

2.       Most poetic 

          "Her eyes sparkled like the Hope diamond in the sunlight"

3.       Most likely to be said while hanging off a cliff

          "I didn't expect to finish reading a book on a cliff hanger while hanging off a cliff, Ironic huh?"

Parallel Structures

1.    The reflection of the mirror showed her beauty, cascading hair, her smile, but not her pain, defeat, her disappointment 

2.    Her cat was light on it's feet when it softly launched from the table, soared through the air, and gracefully plopped to the ground       

Euphemisms

1.  "There is a "pointe" to ballet"

2.   "go the whole 9 yards"

Winning All Day Long!

Euphemisms: "that was pitchy" and "not the sharpest tool in the shed"

Parallel: He killed, ate and slept. "I came, I saw, I conquered"

contest:

Hanging on to the side of a cliff:
"Man the second hunger games had a unexpected cliffhanger ending! It was like I was actually hanging on a cliff."
or
"man this is easy I feel as strong as Darrel Williams!"

Poetic\Creative: 

poet: "angel you look like you just fell from heaven"

girl: "SLAP"

Merchant of Venice 5 BONUS POINTS

My school's English department is performing the Merchant of Venice this weekend and tickets are free!
This is a message from Anna Rhodes, a homeschool graduate from Fairhope!

"It will be on Nov 1-3 at 6:30 (that's this Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights) and Sunday at 2:00. The play is, in my opinion one of Shakespeare's best. It's most poignant theme is about mercy and grace. Admissions is free and to get tickets call Jeremy Crews at 256 282 1400 or email him at jcrews80@rams.umobile.edu"

I am giving 5 bonus points if you go and show me your ticket, and I think you'll really enjoy it. I'm going on Thursday night if anyone wants to go when I'm going/ needs directions!

S, P, & E

Similes:
1. The boy's manners were as developed as a caveman's.
2. Love is like a red, red rose.

Parallel Structured Sentences:
3. Autumn is a cool, crisp, and cozy season.
4. The ripe watermelon is juicy and colorful.

Euphemism Sentences:
5. Usually, women who play basketball are big boned.
6. After my dog was diagnosed with heart worms, the vet had to put him to sleep.

Homework this week

1.Finish paper- bring to class for grade.
2. Create/find 2 examples of parallel structures and euphemisms
3. Blog: The Simile Contest
 create 2 examples of similes. The Categories are Most Creative, Most Poetic, Most likely to be said while hanging from a cliff. (I changed that last category from what we discussed in class, because I feel like you'll have more fun with this)
Comment- Vote on your favorite in each category. Your comment should look like this-
"Vote- Most poetic''
Have fun! Winner gets a prize!

Clincher.

What is the importance of a clincher? A clincher is essential in any type of writing. Stories, literary analysis essays, research reports. Let's face it, they all need clinchers. A clincher is basically revisiting the thesis statement. However, it is of great importance to avoid restating it. Without a clincher, a paper would be incomplete. It would leave the reader feeling aggravated at the lack of resolution. A clincher is crucial because it completes the story.

The Importance of the Thesis Statement

One of the essential elements of a sound essay is having an excellent thesis statement. The Windows to the World book defines a thesis as “the controlling idea of your essay.” which essentially means using the statement to set the direction and tone of the essay. This all important sentence allows the reader to understand where the paper will go, in a way, similar to a synopsis of your essay. Also the thesis sets the overall mood for the rest of the work. Basically the thesis statement is your entire essay condensed into one sentence. 

The Adventure of the Speckled Band

In the adventure of the speckled band the author uses, as he always does, slow revelation of details to create frustration. He puts in things like "'it was the band. The speckled band.'" to make the reader curious and apprehensive. This style is vary unique to the stories of Sherlock Holmes. Wherein Sherlock Holmes has the habit of with holding his deductions making the story vary suspenseful.

The Topic Sentence

A topic sentence is the most important part in a paragraph. It is the first literary technique used, and its general effect is 'slow revelation of action'.The topic sentence is what sets the tone for the paper, and lets the reader know what it is going to be about. If your paper is going to have a list of ideas of techniques in it, the topic sentence will introduce them. In order to form a topic sentence the writer can ask himself: how does slowly unfolding the action produce suspense?

"Thesis Statement"

 

Why is a thesis statement important? Well without a thesis statement your essay would fall apart, and most likely make no sense what so ever. If you cannot sum up what you want to talk about in your easy in 1 to 2 sentences than you probably do not know clearly what you are going to talk about. Without clarity in your essay your reader will easily get confused. A Thesis statement should sum up what you want to talk about in 1 to 2 sentences, and be in order how you are going to write about it.

Forming a Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is one of the most important parts of an essay because it begins the essay. It also gives the idea of the essay to your reader. The thesis statement should also bring focus to your essay. Thinking about essays without the thesis statement would be like trying to make a point in a sentence without having the words to say it. Thesis statements provides form and structure to your essay.

Proof

I have selected the element "proof" to elaborate upon. Without proof in a literary essay, one's opinions are completely invalid. You cannot suggest that a character enjoys the color purple, unless you have quotes and passages from the text that state that the character enjoys purple. Even in the text does not explicitly say that the character likes purple, it might hint in some way. If this is the case, even more proof in necessary. Hints are something that can also be interpreted differently. Someone else may look at the same passage and interpret that the character likes blue. Either way, if these two people were to write literary essays, they would need proof to defend their ideas and statements.

Topic is Topic

     Topic sentences are an important element to a paragraph because it has the job of hooking the reader, introducing the chronological order of the paragraph, and striking interest with the reader.  The topic sentence is the most important part of a paragraph "to me".  The reason it is so important is because the topic sentence has the job of hooking the reader.  If you have a bad topic sentence than you will most likely end up with a mediocre paragraph.  It also announces the chronological order that the paragraph is going to be in "Once you have announced the order its important to stick with it"(55).  The last thing about the topic sentence is it cant be to boring. If you have a boring topic sentence than you will end up with a bored reader.  Hooking the reader, introducing the paragraph, and interesting readers are all necessary elements that will either make your topic sentence rock or flop.

Detective Morgan

 Quoting a story is a vital part of the construction of a literary essay. If you have all of this information on how an author portrays a story and no cold hard proof, you can leave the reader with a lot of questions that in many ways are hard to answer
For example: If you are a detective at a crime scene and someone is telling you that a certain person committed the crime, you have to ask for clear evidence that this person obviously committed the crime. If you don't have evidence, you could be "putting the wrong person in jail."
It's the same thing with an essay, you have to give evidence on why you feel a certain way in order for it to be believable. if you give an exact quote add a page number, the reader can go to that exact quote and clearly understand your opinion.

Thesis statement

     The thesis statement sets the stage for the entire essay.  It reveals what topics the essay will cover.  The thesis statement "provides focus to your essay" (50) and "provides form and structure to your argument" (50).  It is crucial to keep your essay in line with the thesis statement, otherwise the essay would be rendered unstable.  Readers would be left confused and mislead. Staying consistent with the thesis statement is one of the key elements to a clear essay.

-Commentary-

     Commentary is a key element, if not the most important part of a literary analysis essay. It is described as "the heart of literary analysis" (59). Without commentary, the essay would only consist of quotes and facts as found in the assertion, anchor and proof. Instead, it proves how they answer a prompt. "Commentary builds on and extends the story's ideas" (60). By doing so, the commentary allows you to share your thoughts about the story with the reader, provoking thought and discussion on the topic.

Cheeseburger

    Most people will probably write about commentaries, but without a thesis paragraph to map your essay, the paper will start with someone jabbering about their own opinions.  This could confuse readers and leave them wandering what point the author was trying to make.  The thesis has the imperative task of grabbing the reader’s attention.  A paragraph starting with someone’s complaints about a McDonald’s cheeseburger would not interest anyone to read further.  If one were to start their paragraph with a thesis describing the lethal qualities of a quarter-pounder cheeseburger, it would certainly make one want to read more of what the author has to say.  Commentaries are necessary, but most people only glance at the beginning to decide if it’s worth getting to the heart of the essay where the commentaries reside.

Clincher

Imagine reading a pamphlet on the many uses of Nutella. It says at the beginning that it has healing properties, it can boost brain function and it's beneficial to ingest. Well, the author goes on a million different aspects, facets and rabbit trails, and by the time you reach the end of the pamphlet, you have no idea what you were even reading about and what the purpose was. It's like a jar without a bottom in it. You  have to have a clincher to reflect and remind the reader on your beginning topic and arguments. The clincher/conclusion should revisit your thesis, open up new ideas and ultimately, make your reader feel like they're reading a condensed thought. Not a bunch of words smeared on a paper with a common idea! Tie it together. That's why I think the clincher is the most important.

Commentary.

Commentary is a vital piece of an essay. Although it is the most challenging to write, it's what makes the reader enthusiastic, eager to argue his opinion with the writer's. Since commentary is a product of one's thoughts, he really has to dig deep and ponder the story as a whole. However, it is just a brief comment, or summary, of what was read so keep it simple yet sophisticated. After all, commentary is the meat of the entire essay, so make it juicy.

The Most Important Part

     Most people will probably write about the thesis or proof, but the heart of a literary analysis is really about the opinion of the writer, so this will be on the commentary."Commentary builds on and extends the story's ideas. It explains how or why your proof answers the prompt..." Commentary explains the proof! Without commentary a literary analysis would just be a quote, topic sentence, and clincher with no real understanding of how the proof has anything to do with the prompt. If this blog did not have the commentary, which the reader is reading now, then they would not understand why commentary is important. It is the most important part of an literary analysis.



by Liam Searcy

Homework for this week

Side note- you will this weekend, be recieving your grades from the last 2 weeks of blog posts. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you!

Homework

Blog
Pick one element of the outline (Thesis, Topic sentence, first assertion, proof, commentary, clencher) and explain its purpose in the context of the essay. Defend your opinion with the text. I am not looking for you to just copy the book- I'm looking for proof that you understand it and you see the value in this aspect of the essay.

Comment
Comment on someone's blog who discussed a different aspect of the outline. I want to try to move away from comments such as "wow! Good job!" and ones like  "are you sure you're not shakespeare?" as flattering as it is for the blog writer, it doesn't SPECIFICALLY encourage them or discourage them. I want to see specific things you like, didn't like, or didn't understand. If you want to tell them they did a great job, go for it- but tell them why they did a great job. That way they know they can do that same techinque again. What in the blog struck you as the most interesting?

Assignments

Write NEW essay paragraphs, using outline pgs 65-66. Make sure you write a new thesis as well. Type and bring to class. Remember, this is still on the Most Dangerous Game and you'll probably need to read the story again in order to get fresh insight to write a different essay.
If you're sick of the story, I suggest going to a quiet place with a cup of tea and just reading the story all the way through and seeing what strikes you. There's plenty of material in it, and I'd like to see some of  you get creative  and write on different techniques. I know it's easy to pick things like foreshadowing and metaphor, but if you find examples of short sentences, or repitition and you want to use it- take that risk! We will all get the chance to learn something new and I won't have to grade 15 papers on the same literary device. Make it your own.

The Most Dangrous Game

                In the exciting story the most dangerous games, the author Richard Connell uses a variety of literary techniques among some of my favorite would be foreshadowing and alliteration/repetition used to create suspense in the readers mind.

                The most used literary devise that Connell uses would be foreshadowing. In the very beginning of the story Connell stated that someone “fired 3 gun shots” (15) which resembles the 3 days that Rainsford would be hunted. In another case where Connell uses foreshadowing to create suspense would be where the general says “I eventually had to use the dogs” (19). This foreshadows Rainsford being chased by the dogs these are examples that definitely kept me second guessing what was going to happen.

                Another example of literary technique used is repetition. When Rainsford states “I must keep my nerve I must keep my nerve” through tight teeth, (21) Connell is using repetition/alliteration to create a suspenseful setting. Connell also writes that Rainsford says “nerve nerve nerve (23) before he jumps from the cliff, making you nervous and leaving you wandering what would happen next.

                Even though he mostly used foreshadowing he also used many other literary devises in the story. I don’t even think I found all of them. Connell has definitely written one of my favorite short stories of all time. And I definitely enjoyed pulling apart at this story.

The Most Dangerous Game

In The Most Dangerous Game Richard Connell applies many different literary techniques to enhance his writing. Even from the first few lines it is clear what an outstanding author Connell is and this continues on for the rest of the work. Even though this tale is nearly 90 years old it remains an outstanding story. The writer utilizes foreshadowing and alliteration to create suspense.   

The most apparent literary technique employed be the author throughout the story is foreshadowing. In the very beginning of the story its clear that the island is a dark place  when Whitney comments “Sailors have a curious dread of the place.” (15). Later on when Rainsford is having dinner and finds the General an “affable host” (17) except for how he would always be staring at Rainsford whenever he looked up. Both of these examples later prove to have major significances when Rainsford is being hunted. 

Another technique used that is less apparent but has equally stirring effect on the reader is alliteration. “‘I must keep my nerve,’ he said through tight teeth.” (21) Is an excellent example of how Connell uses certain techniques to stir emotion in the reader. In one of the most climatic scenes of the story the author uses alliteration to make the read far more entertaining with “Desperately he struck out with strong strokes”. Throughout this short story alliteration is used to make the read very enthralling. 

Connell shows absolute writing prowess in every part of The Most Dangerous Game. In fact, he uses nearly every single literary technique in this simple yet captivating short story. However, the techniques that he truly harnesses are foreshadowing and alliteration. Overall this is an excellent example of many different literary techniques. 

The. Most. Dangerous. Game.

               Imagery draws the reader into another world, and keeps their mind on the possible realistic side of a story. In “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Conell, the use of expressive imagery pulls the reader in and keeps them on the edge of their seat throughout the story. The vivid words and carefully constructed sentences give the reader insight on the character’s thoughts and feelings.

                Conell uses imagery to make the characters more believable and life like. While Rainsford is on the boat, smoking his pipe, he hears gunfire coming from far out in the darkness of the night. He jumps upon the railing of the vessel to try to see clearer, but instead loses his balance and plunges into the water below. With vivid imagery, Conell describes Rainsford’s helpless situation as, “A short hoarse cry comes from his lips,” and “was pinched off short as the blood warm waters of the Caribbean Sea closed over his head” (15). Readers, just like Rainsford, do not expect this to happen and experience the same feeling of surprise as their stomach drops with Rainsford beneath the waves of the sea. Due to the author’s intense wording, they are glued to every word.

                The way a sentence is constructed can also be used as imagery, to give readers a closer look at how the characters feel. As Rainsford begins his wild chase through the island’s forest with the general hot on his trail, the audience is put inside his head as his thoughts allow them to feel his anxiety and tension. “Rainsford had fought his way through the bush for two hours. ‘I must keep my nerve. I must keep my nerve,’ He said through tight teeth.” (21). The skillful author Conell has depicted and constructed these few sentences to give the reader insight on how Rainsford feels- stressed, nervous, anxious, determined, and possibly even angry. The audience reads his words through ‘tight teeth’.

                By giving the readers a grasp on how the characters feel, the narrator creates vivid imagery in “The Most Dangerous Game”. Conell’s descriptive words allow the reader to push their way through the black & white ink on the pages and into a world where there is a ‘Most Dangerous Game’.      

My Take on The Most Dangerous Game

         Richard Conneell applies foreshadowing to generate a tone of suspense. While he uses suspense in the beginning and throughout the story. he uses various techniques to keep his readers engaged in the life threatening action.
         He set the stage be using foreshadowing in the conversation between Rainsford and Whitney on the boat to give us an eery feeling. When Whitney say "(there are two classes in this world), the hunters and the huntees, Luckily you and I are the hunters."(15) Obviously, We can tell that this statement will be compromised in the later part of the story. We are left wondering what will happen; will something happen to Rainsford? What could this sentence link to?
          When we meet General Zarrof, the narrator uses imagery very well to give us a sense that this is not a normal island and this is not a normal man; hower, we don't know why. When Jarroff implies he need to "invent a new animal to hunt" (18) a chill is sent up our spine when he says he wants to hunt man and of this moment that man is, Rainsford. We are on the edge our seats when he is thrown into this game. The narrator makes us feel Rainsford's fear with the repetition of the word "nerve 'nerve, nerve, nerve!" and sentences like "trying ot hold onto his nerve" (23)
          Rainsford cleverly avoids Rainsford with his impresive traps and bids Zarrof a permanent fairwell, This story was wonderfully filled with suspense that made the reader want to keep reading and reading!

      

Metaphor

            The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connel is a fascinating and scary short story. It leaves the reader siting on the edge of the seat. It accomplishes all this through the intriguing ways the author uses literary devices. Metaphor is used at many different points to create the feeling of shock hopelessness and many others.

            The author of this story utilizes metaphor in many passages of  The Most Dangerous Game. Richard Connel creates metaphor when the character Rainsford is waiting for his enemy to hunt him again, "the cat was coming again to play with the mouse" (22). This metaphor plants the idea in the readers head that there is no escape and that Rainsford is in the horrible General Zardoff's control. He is powerless.When a cat goes after a mouse it doesn't just kill it, the cat "play(s)"with it until death. The feeling of helplessness is frightening and the writer creates that feeling with great skill.

            The writer also creates a feeling of hopelessness and shock through metaphor. When Rainsford first falls out of the boat, onto the island, and watches the yacht sail away, metaphor is used "the lights of the yacht became faint and ever vanishing fireflies" (16).  The yachts lights slip into darkness and away from him just like the short-lived bugs that slip into darkness making them hard to catch. In this section the reader has the realization and shock that Rainsford is stuck on the scary "ship trap Island" (15). The dim lights fading away bring a sad mood and a sense of hopelessness. Richard Connel captures the readers attention with his metaphor.

     The Most Dangerous Game is filled with literary devices like metaphor and is an exciting short story. It gives the air of helplessness and fright. Richard connel uses metaphor to create a suspense filled story.

by Liam Searcy

In TMDG....

In The Most Dangerous Game, the author creates suspense by carefully placing elements of
foreshadowing throughout the story. Littering the tale, foreshadowing is helpful in creating the
 sense of irony and suspense that is pleasant in conveying reality to the reader and makes the
experience more enjoyable. Connell executes this technique perfectly. As Rainsford and
Whitney discuss the island, Whitney claims that "There are two classes of people, the hunters
 and the huntees, luckily you and I are the hunters." (15) This point is ironically emphasized later
 in the story, thus creating a suspenseful situation with its strange placing and word choices so
 early in the story. Accordingly, more suspense is added in the form of uncertainty and apprehension
 as Zaroff explains he and Ivan to Rainsford, carelessly commenting "...like all his race a bit Savage...[He's] Cossack, so am I." (17) a stark contrast to the lush surroundings, fine wine and clothing that
Zaroff keeps pristine. This conversation puts doubt about Zaroff into the reader's mind when
 they thought that he wasn't that formidable an adversary. In The Most Dangerous Game,
 foreshadowing is introduced to us early on, becoming a general theme in the story and presenting
 to us suspense in it's most basic form. As the story unravels we get a taste of the grisly irony that
 it holds for us when the strange sentences and the like comes clean to our understanding. This foreshadowing is reiterated redundantly throughout the story paired with bizarre placing and
word choice thus creating gripping suspense which makes us bit our nails and continue to read on.



This was really really hard for me.

The Most Dangerous Game

     Creating excitement and anticipation  foreshadowing i a very popular plot device which is used in several stories  There are many plot devices used in The Most Dangerous Game but foreshadowing is used more than others. It makes the story sharp. The writer of The Most Dangerous Game constructs foreshadowing to increase apprehension.

     Because of ll the plot devices which Richard Connell incorporates in his story The Most Dangerous Game, it is very exciting and easy to read. Though there are several plot devices  foreshadowing is is used more than the others. In Connell's writing, the main character is a big game hunter from New York who's name is Rainsford. He finds a secluded island after he falls off his yacht. There he meets a Cossack Aristocrat named General Zaroff. While Rainsford and Whitney are on the yacht talking, Rainsford tells Whitney "The world is made up of two classes-the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are the hunters."(15) Though Rainsford does claim that he and Whitney are the hunters, later on in the story Rainsford becomes the huntee. Following Rainsford's comment, he and Whitney begin discussing Ship Trap Island. Whitney states, "The place has a reputation-a bad one." Rainsford replies "Cannibals?" (15) What Rainsford does not know is that he is correct. General Zaroff, who lives on Ship Trap Island, traps the ships traveling by, and then hunts the humans.

     Going a bit further in the story when Rainsford is on the island enjoying dinner with General Zaroff there is another example of foreshadowing. While discussing big hunting game, Zaroff exclaims "No your wrong sir. The Cape Buffalo is not the most dangerous big game. ...I hunt more dangerous game."(17) This makes the reader wonder what Zaroff hunts. Soon following Zaroff mentions "I had to invent a new animal t hunt. ...it must have courage, cunning, and above all, it must be able to reason."(18) Obviously Zaroff is referring to human here. But the way he words it makes the reader very anxious.

     Apprehension and anxiety are created by using foreshadowing in stories. Several other plot devices are in the short story of Richard Connell's, but foreshadowing is the main one. The story would have been dull if Connell had not included foreshadowing.

Uncertainty

     Richard Connell uses different techniques such as supense in "The Most Dangerous Game." By adding suspense to his story, Connell keeps the reader on edge. The author utilizes uncertainty to increase tension.
     Connell uses uncertainty to build suspense by placing the main character, Rainsford, in precarious situations. During the hunt against Rainsford, Zaroff creeps up to the tree where Rainsford is hiding causing the reader to become apprehensive. As the general's eyes travel "inch by inch up the tree" (21) they realize that Rainsford is no longer safe. The readers can only hope that Zaroff will spare him.
     Additionally, at the climax of the story, Zaroff's hounds chase Rainsford through the forest when he confronts a new problem. He continues to be pursued by the hounds when "a blue gap showed between the trees dead ahead" (23). He is faced with a difficult choice. Behind him are the vicious hounds while all that lies ahead is a twenty-foot plunge into the sea. In an effort to save himself, Rainsford jumps into the roaring sea. The reader is left in the dark wondering if he endured the fall. It is not until the end however that their questions are finally answered.
     By placing Rainsford in unstable situations, the audience cannot be sure of his survival. The unapparent outcome builds tension, causing the reader to become anxious. However, the reader's anxiety will only increase until they can be confident of Rainsford's safety.

Sensation Expressed in Words

     Suspense is created in a variety of ways to make the story come alive to the reader.  This can be achieved through foreshadowing, short sentences, helplessness, or imagery, to name a few.  "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell uses desperation for survival as a source for suspense and drama.  Descriptive words enrich the reader's perspective on the character's perilous situations.  The writer applies dramatic imagery to generate a feeling of sensation.
     Connell employs imagery to set a mood or tone for the story.  As Rainsford converses with Whitney about that night, the narrator vividly describes the environment around them.  Rainsford tries to "peer through the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its warm blackness upon the yacht" (15).  The audience can sense a sinister aura about the scene.  Tension rises as the readers feel the seizing, muggy darkness felt by the characters in the story.
     Next, Rainsford falls victim to the sea as he reaches out too far for his pipe.  His "cry was pinched off short as the blood-warm waters of the Caribbean Sea closed over his head" (15).  By this point, the readers are taking a deep breath.  The words "blood-warm waters" create an eerie ambience.  Rainsford's cry described as being "pinched off" adds to the dismal tone of the story.  Anxiety increases as the readers wait for Rainsford to break the surface of the sea.  The author utilizes the preceding examples of imagery to emphasize a dark mood for the story.
     Rainsford encounters many hazardous situations.  It is the author's challenge to make those situations meaningful and real to his audience.  The readers must be able to feel what the character is going through to be engaged in the story.  Connell successfully absorbs the reader's attention through the use of expressive words.  The readers feel the moist, thick air as well as a sense of danger.  Imagery ignites readers' interests and emphasizes suspense with embellishing words and captivating sensory descriptions.

The essay : MDG

     Connell employs foreshadowing to increase anxiety. If you're a sucker for suspenseful stories you will highly appreciate Connell's ability to use foreshadowing excessively, yet it continues to do its job. The Most Dangerous Game contains a vast amount of the foreshadowing technique to nurture its emphasized element of suspense.
  
     After Rainsford stumbles upon a secluded island, he meets General Zaroff. At first Rainsford is delighted to know that he isn't alone, then he begins to feel eerie. Yes, friendliness is appealing, but in this case General Zaroff pushes it past its limit interrupting his own train of thought saying, "'Come,' he said, 'we should be chatting here. We can talk later. Now you want clothes, food, rest. You shall have them. This is a most-restful spot'" (17). Not only is Connell foreshadowing how life at his mansion will not be, he's using sarcasm to hint to the reader that Rainsford will not feel rested while at Zaroff's house. Especially because the General will force Rainsford to play the game with his "new sensation"(18). Such sarcasm leads the reader asking himself, "what will happen to Rainsford these next few days?" Likewise, the author continues to use foreshadowing to urge the reader to ponder the outcome. General Zaroff kept stating that his hunting skills were too mature to be used on animals, he was past hunting such things, but would not tell Rainsford what it is that he hunted now. The only feedback the General would give Rainsford was that he "had to invent a new animal to hunt" (18). Now, it is not possible for Zaroff to create a new animal from the ground.This implies that he took something that was not an animal and transformed it, in his mind, to be an animal. Whatever this new creature is, Zaroff demands it "must have courage, cunning, and above all it must be able to reason" (19). Foreshadowing is an ideal technique to create and maintain suspense throughout a story.

     Moreover, The Most Dangerous Game's foreshadowing frenzy prolongs! General Zaroff tells Rainsford about how he hunts men, which leaves Rainsford appalled. Rainsford places the spotlight on Zaroff, who then attempts to make his game seem better than it really is: "I treat these visitors with every consideration. They get plenty of food and exercise. They get into splendid physical condition. You shall see for yourself tomorrow" (19). There is not an aspect of Zaroff's game that is fun for his opponent. Rainsford is not impressed with General Zaroff and believes he is insane. Lastly, foreshadowing extends a bit further to provide a hint which is aimed at the end of the story. Rainsford knows that if he chooses not to hunt he will be killed immediately and realizes his chances of surviving against General Zaroff are high. Simply, Rainsford asks,"and if they [referring to Zaroff's opponent] win?" (19). This question is so subtle and seems unnecessary, until the closing when Rainsford returns to the mansion and kills Zaroff. Rainsford then decides "he had never slept in a better bed" (23).

     Connell presents many cases of utilizing foreshadowing, which guarantees a reader to be on edge throughout the entire story. Even though The Most Dangerous Game possesses an immense amount of foreshadowing, it still stirs apprehensive feelings within the reader. Richard Connell definitely succeeded in applying foreshadowing to make the reader feel anxious about the most dangerous game.

    
    

The Most Dangerous Game

               Connell utilizes imagery and rapid pacing to generate tension.  One could not read through “The Most Dangerous Game” without being disturbed by a character’s action or an action they take.  A rapid succession of such actions provides for a tense story.

                Connell fabricates provocative imagery to provoke tension in readers.  After conversing, General Zaroff invites Rainsford to see his “’new collection of heads’” (20).  With General Zaroff collecting human heads, an arousing emotion develops while reading about Rainsford’s struggle for survival during the game.  One receives a horrible mental picture of what would happen to Rainsford if he were to lose to General Zaroff.  Further, there is no option for Rainsford not to play the game.  After asking what the penalty is for not playing, Rainsford receives a blood chilling answer from General Zaroff, who subtly implies that gruesome torture will be dealt.  One inwardly pleads for Rainsford to flee from the tower until they remember “’the dogs’” (19).  The reader’s heart begins to throb as their protagonist has no option but to face a nerve-spiking game that could lead to his death.  Such moments of helplessness evoke heart wrenching tension that compels readers to read the story to the end.

                As the purpose of the island is slowly revealed, events begin to occur at gut-hacking pace to create suspense.  General Zaroff’s motives gradually unravel, and the island’s secret is unveiled to create a startling realization for both Rainsford and the reader.  Finding out that General Zaroff prefers hunting humans because they “’have courage, cunning, and, above all …reason’” ( 19) and that General Zaroff uses the island for this pleasure, readers shudder as they find Rainsford becoming a part of the island’s secret.  One wishes that Rainsford had never smoked on his yacht so he would not have fallen into the water only to find the island.  Now the readers deal with the reality that Rainsford will have to try to survive his uncanny predicament.  Tense situations begin to rapidly unfold as Rainsford constructs various traps and unsuccessfully hides in a tree.  The word “’nerve, nerve, nerve’” (23) is repeated at the last moment when Rainsford desperately flees with nothing for defense from General Zaroff and his hounds.  For the readers, hope seems to be lost.  The peak of suspense has been reached, and a craving for discovering the conclusion is fierce.  The rapid succession of events provides for a suspenseful story that taunts the readers to read more. 

                As the story winds to a finish, the readers breathe deeply.  It takes several moments to recover from the tension provided through provocative imagery and rapid pacing.  Based on these techniques used to write the story, it feels like you are actually running alongside Rainsford during his dramatic adventure.      

homework for this week

The Essay

1.Thesis
2. Outline
3. essay
4. Post Essay as blog
5. Peer reviews
6. Bring copy of essay to class

Remember, the essay should look something like this;
A.Intro paragraph (3-4 sentences)
B.follow outline in the back of chapter 5, as discussed in class. should be 2 paragraphs.
C. conclusion paragraph (3-4) sentences.

All the information on intro and conclusion paragraphs are found in chapter 5.

Don't be afraid to use your book as a reference! Your book is your new best friend.

Peer Reviews;
be Constructive and Specific
-give specific examples of things you like and things they could improve on.


Sapere Aude.

Literary Analysis vs. Book Report

The difference between literary analysis essays and book reports are as follows.

Book reports are "summarize[ing] the story's action." (48)

Where as "literary analysis is an argument about meaning" (48) proven by fact.

I personally think literary analysis essays are easier because you are making an argument which I would say I am good at, due to experience.
This experience comes from living in a family of nine children and to parents all of which have there own opinion and think that everyone should believe there opinion.
I also believe that I am an analytical type person which means I would be better at analyzing facts instead of putting personal thoughts on paper.

Two Very Different Things

Book reports and literary analysis essays are two very different things. Book reports summarize the story, and describes the characters, while literary analysis essays are your argument about the story's meaning or purpose. In book reports, facts are stated. In literary analysis essays, your opinions and how you see the story is given. Personally, I prefer writing a literary analysis essay. For the past five years, I.E.W (Institute for Excellence in Writing) has been implanted into my education. Therefore, that style of writing comes more naturally.

A Literary Analysis. Not. A Book Report.

A literary analysis is an argument about a meaning. As our book Windows to the World states, "It is not a book report, a literary review, or another report that summarizes the plot. It is always an argument." It is a report that answers a question of a subjective prompt. This is almost the exact opposite of a book report! A book report summarizes a book or story's main action or plot. In a book report, the writer implies their personal opinion. Such as who their favorite character is or what the best part of the book was. Along with whether they recommend the story for other readers to read. 

        Both the literary analysis and the book report are required to learn in order for student to complete a high school education, but personally, I would prefer writing neither one. (;  

        

Literary Analysis vs. Book Report

Many differences separate a book report from a literary analysis paper. In a book report you are essentially retelling the story but in a more condensed way. On the other hand, with a literary analysis paper you are dissecting apart the paper to see what techniques are used within the work by the author. Also in an analysis you are not retelling the story because the reader is suppose to have already read the original story. In a report however, you are simple condensing the story as if you were retelling it to someone who is not familiar with the work already. in the end, these are both quite different but effective at achieving their separate purposes. 

Les Désaccord

There are some key differences between a literary analysis and a book report. First, A literary analysis is a paper telling "how a story is crafted, how they produce meaning, and how they combine literary devices or tools to produce a greater enjoyment of future stories". It is also be an argument about the meaning of a story. A book report, however tells a story like it is. It lists a few characters and tells a little bit of the story (it does not reveal the ending), then it might recommend or not recommend the book. In conclusion, a literary analysis is more than an advanced book report.


P.S. The title means "The difference" in French

Double P.S. I do not speak French. It was completely arbitrary. 

Big Difference

There are many thing that separate literary analysis from book reports. One, book reports re-tell the story summarized in your own words. Whereas, a literary analysis discuses and argues the points on which the author is trying to make. Next, when writing a literary analysis it is assumed that the readers you are writing to have already read the story you are discussing. In a book report certain areas are left out, including the ending , so the reader is not spoiled by the ending being told to them because it is assumed in a book report that the reader has not read the story.  Also, when writing a book report you are sharing your thought and opposition and like I said  re-telling the story with no source of a writing structure. In a literary analysis you have the thesis statement, the introducing, the topic sentence, the body, and finally the conclusion. Finally, the biggest difference between these two very well used types of writings is that a literary analysis is a formal discussion of a story and a book report is a non-formal way of re-wording or re-telling a story in your own words. 

Everything is changing!

     At first glance, you may think that a literary analysis is the same as a book report.  But in reality a book report is just a summery of a book while a literary analysis is a dissection of the book and usually is answering a prompt.  Whenever I wrote a book report it took me all of five minutes, I would sit down and just think "What happened in this book?" but I don't think that will pass with a literary analysis.  A literary analysis seems to need to be pre-meditated and take lots of hard work from writing the outline to finishing the introduction ( because you write that last ).  Which one do I prefer? Well its hard to say, I've never done a literary analysis but from what I can tell its much harder to do a literary analysis than a book report.  So I'll have to go with a book report ( for now ).

Literary Analysis Vs. Book Report

To main difference between a Literary Analysis Essay and a Book Report is that a literary analysis is about what the story means. And a book report is when you tell back the story in a summary and add your opinion to it. There are other differences too. Such as, literary analysis is always an argument, always answers a question about meaning and purpose. While a book report is mainly just a summary of the stories actions. I personally prefer book because of its easiness. 

Fun Stuff

   There is a distinction between a literary analysis and a book report.  A book report broadly encompasses a literary work and answers objective questions concerning plot, characterization, and setting.  However, a literary analysis answers subjective questions about the literary work concerning meaning or purpose.  A literary analysis opens the door for different viewpoints and debate.  Writing book reports is straightforward and arguably does not require as much thinking, but writing blogs weekly has given the practice needed for dissecting literature and finding its meaning.  I would find it more comfortable writing a literary analysis rather than a book report right now.  

P.S.
May I have a free taco for writing the 100th post?