Peyton's English Reflection Blog

I believe my The 5th Wave: Theories (http://peytonshighschoolreadingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-5th-wave-theories.html) was the best example of my ability to cite strong textual and real world evidence to support my claims. In this post, I ponder how the existence of The Others came to be in The 5th Wave and how this can relate to today's society. One of my favorite and strongest pieces of evidence is, "This implantation of the Others in The 5th Wave, reminds me of the Cuban Missile Crisis. While the U.S. was worrying about foreign affairs in Europe, the Russians sneaked in nuclear missiles into communist Cuba." This proves that I am able to relate real world experiences and support claims I make about a novel. Another good habit I have developed is formulating even more questions about my novel, while trying to solve my claim. Some examples of this are,"I wonder if there are secretive groups in society controlling us without our knowledge. Or if there is an underground group of terrorists waiting for a time to strike. With all these advances of technology happening, are they making us blind from what is right in front of us?"  With all these elements of good analysis, I can prove to you that I can in fact support and cite strong textual and real world evidence.

For my second paragraph, I chose Choice #1. I want to set higher expectations for reading and writing for next year. I was happy with my progress that I have made this year, but sometimes I lacked reading every once and a while. With writing, I can never just write about anything on the spot. I take too much time to think before I write. I also need a topic that I have researched thoroughly. I plan to read more next year, even when I am really busy with school and all. I would also like to push myself to be a better writer by being able to write on the spot and do it well. If I can accomplish these goals, I will surely be prepared for the road ahead of me in high school.

The 5th Wave: Beginnings

Welcome back once again! I hope you all had a wonderful spring break. Back to my novel here. The 5th Wave takes an odd turn. Similar to the book Allegiant, The 5th Wave is a multi perspective book. 

After Cassie's encounter at the local gas station, we switch to the view of a teenage boy. He is in a hospital bed. He can not recall his name or where he is. He is painfully sick. He glimpses a mirror. He looks horribly pale and has lost much weight. Suddenly, a military man walks into the boy's facility. That man begins to tend to the boy's wounds. The medic is held at gunpoint. An officer of higher rank takes the boy and the medic to an execution room. The medic has been identified as an Outsider, according to the higher ranked officer, the one's responsible for the destruction of humanity itself. The boy presses a button, and the Outsider no longer belongs on Earth.

We switch to a hunter in the hills outside of Cincinnati. He is watching his prey through his rifile's scope. On the highway, an image appears. It is a teenage girl. She is so clueless he thinks. He focuses in in the girl, anxiously waiting to pull the trigger. She'll be just like the other 5 he shot earlier that day. With the world being so desolate and empty, no one will hear her scream.

The 5th Wave: Theories

While reading The 5th Wave, many interesting theories arise as to how the Others descended onto Earth. Some say they implanted themselves onto a human brain, using us as a host. Maybe they have been living among us since the dawn of humans. Or they are so technologically advanced we can't see them. All these theories got me thinking; what is growing under our noses in today's society?

This implantation of the Others in The 5th Wave, reminds me of the Cuban Missile Crisis. While the U.S. was worrying about foreign affairs in Europe, the Russians sneaked in nuclear missiles into communist Cuba. Without even batting an eye at our own sector of the world, we were held at gunpoint by the Russians. It seemed as if the world might possibly end. But we are still here today.

I wonder if there are secretive groups in society controlling us without our knowledge. Or if there is an underground group of terrorists waiting for a time to strike. With all these advances of technology happening, are they making us blind from what is right in front of us? I'm still thinking and not sure what to make of this situation. Goodbye for now, let me know what you think.

The 5th Wave: Morals

Welcome back to my blog! It has been such a long time since we last talked about independent reading. The topic of this week's post: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey. Rick Yancey's book is of the science fiction genre. 

We start off on a girl. She is all alone. This girl believes she is the last human alive on Earth. We go through backstory as to how the Others have destroyed humanity. We don't know what the others look like and where they come from. They have supposedly have been living amongst the human race for thousands of years. The girl has recently lost her brother and father a while back. She explains the rules of surviving the apocalypse. #1: Trust no one. #2: Kill or be killed. #3: Never break these rules. 

Later we are told the girl's name is Cassie. She is leaving her campsite of all her supplies to go look for more. Bringing her M16, she hikes to a nearby gas station. She finds it ironic that when the world is ending, lottery tickets and flashy items are pillaged, but not tons of cases of water essential for survival. Cassie senses a disturbance as she enters the gas station. In the back room is a bleeding solider asking for mercy. BANG! In his hand was a crucifix. 

The 5th Wave brings me to this point: If society was ever thrown into chaos, would humans give up the morals that make us who we are? I agree that if D-Day ever comes that it is survival of the fittest, but would I be willing to turn on my own kind in a heartbeat? What happened to a house divided will not stand? Shouldn't Cassie be banding up with whoever she finds? I still can't make sense of this book. Til next time. Goodbye! 

Satire Blog Post

In the above cartoon, a donkey is firing a cannon labeled "Taxes" at one of two targets. The idea here is that the Democrats are increasing taxes, which will hit the Middle Class much harder than the rich. This cartoon is an example of Juvenalian Satire. I know this because I has a pessimistic attitude has anger driven towards the Democrats. I also know this is a satire as there caricatures; or physical exaggerations of these groups. The donkey looks ugly and lazy, the apple is small and shining and the middle class is the biggest and is very nervous. 

Krista Ramsey Analysis

Krista Ramsey talks about the respect she has for the Indianapolis Colt's wide receiver, T.Y. Hilton. Recently becoming a father of a baby girl, Hilton showed his joy of fatherhood in his post-game press conference. Among the NFL's domestic abuse problems, Ramsey highlights that Hilton's outlook is something everyone can be a fan of.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/columnists/krista-ramsey/2014/11/27/krista-ramsey-ty-hilton/19581307/

"So a player who rushes to be with his wife for their child's birth – who stays by her side, then spends hours on his feet simply holding his baby, knowing he has a game to play in four hours, then cries openly at the joy of fatherhood – reawakens our respect for the game."

The line above demonstrates Krista Ramsey's powerful writing. It tells us what elements we should take from her column. Here, it is the wonder of fatherhood. Ramsey uses syntax to incorporate two ideas into one sentence. The hyphens separate the moral into to two parts, and fill the gap with the emotion felt by T.Y. Hilton. This creates a spectacular image reinforced by deep rooted wording.

An aspect of Ramsey's writing is present in all three columns I have read. She creates amazing conclusions to her writing. The have a good message and usually involve a witty comparison. Several text examples are,  

"'What all kids need is more training in three dimensions,' Clark says. 'Life is not two-dimensional.'"

"If we need inspiration, we have only to watch Wilson or Manning as they board the plane to head home from the Super Bowl. Whatever the score of the game, they'll both look like winners."

"You don't have to be a Colts fan. You don't have to be a football fan. You just have to be a fan of good dads and good men." (Krista Ramsey)

These pieces of text evidence showcase Ramsey's style of writing. Well crafted, thought out and featuring a voice of opinion.

If I could ask Ramsey three questions they would be: Why did you retire? Where you you get your inspiration from? What topics do you write about mostly?

Prodigy: Theme Statement

The action packed, sci-fi thriller, Prodigy, succeeds Legend very well. Marie Lu has brought us back to the amazing story of Day and June. Over the past two weeks, I have read and finished Prodigy. I would love to give you all the details on this story, but this is my last blog post before the new year. Therefore, I will give you a short synopsis and analysis of the theme. Without further a due, we will begin.

Day and June are leading new lives. One with a new home, nationality and beliefs. Working with the Patriots, the duo scheme to release Eden and earn a safe haven in the Colonies. Only one task needs to be completed: assassinate the new Elector. Amid the recent death of Elector Primo, the Republic is weak and vulnerable.  The Colonies see this as a chance to finally the war. Day and June see that the Aden is  much different than Elector Primo. As fates intertwine, who will they trust?

The theme statement for Prodigy is knowing who your true friends are in life. In Legend, Day and June think Kaede is a dirty, good for nothing Patriot. As time progresses, they realize that she helps them in times of need and will always be there for them. In Prodigy, the plot revolves around this. Their Patriot general, Razor, begins with good impressions. As the book progresses, we realize he is a ruthless back stabber. Elector Aden, the original bad guy, has a better view for the Republic compared to his father. He wants to end the war among the two nations.

I suggest Prodigy to anyone who reads this. It's a great book worth your time. See ya in 2015!