I commented on the following student's blogs:
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Readers' Choice: From A Student's Perspective
The course Readers' Choice has enabled me to read numerous novels that I probably would not have the opportunity to do so on my own. All of the novels I have read during this course have instantly become some of my favorite novels of all time. Having the ability to choose what I want to read, has allowed me to venture into various genres of literature. The students of Readers' Choice are not forced to read specific novels, as a result students choose the genres that interest them the most. By allowing students to pick their own readings, the course "English" is being both modernized and revolutionized. Students are excelling in English nowadays simply because they have a say in what they are going to read in class.
News Article Revealing the Success in Allowing Students to Pick The Novels They Enjoy:
The workload included in taking Readers' Choice is a hefty amount, however I honestly believe it is a fair amount. That being said, at times I feel overwhelmed with the amount of projects and assignments I have to complete. However, the teachers do give a sufficient amount of time to get tasks completed and submitted. Essentially, the projects and assignments are necessary to prove that an individual has completed their reading. Most of the assessments have a creative aspect to them, which is something I truly appreciate. I am a very artsy and creative individual, so any assessment that allows me to be handson is usually something that I will enjoy. Additionally, a lot of the assignments are very easy to do and there are always helpful instructions to help guide you along the way.
In my lifetime I do not think that I will have another opportunity to become a member of a glorified book club. With that notion in mind I am extremely elated that I chose Readers' Choice as my English selective. This course offers a little bit of everything some examples include book talks, writing essays, and analyzing text. Through taking the course Readers' Choice I was able to improve my reading, writing, and speaking skills. This is the first English course that I have ever taken where I felt that my opinion truly mattered. And, not only did my opinion matter, but it played an integral role to the classroom's dynamic.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Are eReaders Truly Better Than The Original?
The first time I was exposed to using an eReader was in my Readers' Choice class this year. Initially, I thought my nook tablet was the coolest thing ever, because it integrated two things I love; reading and technology. However, I quickly realized that I preferred reading from actual novels than from my eReader. After using the nook tablet for half a semester, I truly missed holding an actual novel. Additionally, there are just certain characteristics that are irreplaceable when it comes to reading from an actual novel. For the duration of the course I made the switch to reading from actual novels, instead of my eReader. I would have to say that it was the best choice I made because now whenever I finish a novel I feel very satisfied, and also I always have a new addition to add to my on-growing collection.
Although I prefer reading from actual novels I would have to admit reading from an eReader definitely has its advantages. It is a lot easier to carry my nook tablet around with me because it contains numerous novels within it. Whereas, if I was reading more than one novel at a time I would have to carry a heavy load of novels with me. My eReader allows me to change the size of the text, which is a nice feature to have. Sometimes when I am reading from an actual novel the size of the text is so small that I have to squint my eyes just so I can read the words. Another convenient feature my nook tablet has is that it allows me to highlight the text. Whenever, I come across an imperative quote I highlight it, and refer to it later.
Conversely, eReaders also have their fair share of disadvantages. If I don't constantly keep my nook tablet fully charged, the battery dies and I can no longer read it. Additionally, the page numbers of the eReader does not always correlate with the page numbers of the actual novel. This dilemma can become extremely frustrating whenever I have to cite something or read in class. Also, eReaders are very touch sensitive, sometimes when I try to change the page the eReader will jump several pages ahead from where I want it to be. This problem can become annoying because then I have to flip backwards and try to remember where I left off reading. Even though I prefer reading from actual novels, I do recommend that everyone should try reading from an eReader, and then formulate a decision for themselves.
Here's a link talking about the Pros and Cons of eReaders vs. Novels:
Monday, May 20, 2013
Why Choose Dystopian Literature?
A majority of the novels I have read this semester have consisted of the popular subgenre dystopia. For the most part, dystopian literature is targeted towards a teenage audience. From my perspective I believe this subgenre has a strong appeal towards young adults simply because of its fanaticism. Numerous dystopian literatures usually contain adventure, a repress form of government and sometimes even a love interest. Dystopian novels have the ability to teleport the reader alongside the protagonist, as a result the reader feels as if he or she is on the same journey as the protagonist.
For my first independent reading selection I decided to read Divergent, written by Veronica Roth. Prior to reading this novel I knew that it fell under the the subgenre dystopia. Shortly after finishing the first chapter I became entranced with the novel's story plot, and felt the need to continue reading. I read Divergent simply because of a friend's recommendation and now I recommend everyone to read it. Roth crafts such an innovative and one of a kind story that is simply a must read! For my next independent reading selection I wanted to find out what happens next in the Divergent series, so I read Roth's second novel Insurgent. Overall, I was happy with my decision because all of the unanswered questions I had from reading Divergent were finally answered. Both novels contain a cliffhanger, however the cliffhanger in Insurgent practically made my jaw drop. I look forward to reading the third installment of this series, Convergent which is set to debut in October 2013.
Dystopian literature contains several facets that makes it extremely interesting to read. That being said it is very difficult not to enjoy reading this particular subgenre. Whenever I want to read a new novel I immediately search for one that falls under dystopia. So the next time you decide to read a novel, pick up a dystopia one, and allow your mind to journey into the unknown.
News Article Discussing Why Dystopian Literature is so Popular Among Young Adults:
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