Who Needs Structure?

I find it ironic how throughout my highschool english career, I have had the rigid structure of formal literature shoved at me from every possible direction. The introduction containing the hook and thesis, followed by three body paragraphs detailing your arguments, always to be complemented by a conclusion summarizing your arguments, re-stating your thesis, and leaving the reader deep in thought.

This year though, we were handed an essay to read, and I did so. As I read, I noticed the extreme lack of “structure” (or what I have always been told structure is to be). After discovering that the thesis could not be found in the first paragraph, I felt myself break out into a cold sweat as the room suddenly went cold. I was confused, I was shocked, I didn’t know what was going on… the regime that had been written and re-written across the chalkboard so many times of how to write an essay had just been broken – and they actually expected me to continue reading this horrific excuse of an essay?

The words on the pages seemed to stretch on forever, with no realistic logical separation between thoughts and ideas. I found no “firstly, secondly, and thirdly” leaving me uneasy about the whole thing… that is until after the class discussed the essay after reading.

My hand was one of the first to shoot up, “this is not an essay,” I stated pointedly. The reaction I got was one of both confusion and disbelief – the teacher’s reply was simply a blank stare…. she didn’t seem to understand what I was saying. I went on to explain that the essay had no structure, it had no order; no thesis followed by a body summarized with a conclusion, it was just wrong, it was just wrong.

It was at that particular moment that three years of highschool english classes came crashing down around me… I was told that structure in literature is not meant to be rigid. It is not meant to be a set of 10 commandments which must not be broken for fear of failure, all along the thing called “structure” was really just a set of vague guidelines to help us out…. seriously?

If this is indeed the case then why do english teachers spend so long forcing strict rules at us and ducking marks for failure to comply… should an english education not be more about the writing itself than how it must be organized, categorized and structured? Who needs a set regime of regulations when all along it was all just really about filling up 120 hours of class time for three years?

Maybe it is time that the curriculum had a change of heart. Perhaps an enlightenment of sorts that would actually allow students the freedom to be creative, to use english as a tool rather than just a pen they pull out when they’re forced to – because really, who needs structure?

-Matt H.

A Modest Blog

Satire has always been an effective and amusing way of getting an opinion across, this much is obvious. There are numerous TV personalities who have made their living providing satire on the news; Rick Mercer, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, each of them offer a humorous commentary of the events of the world. But are they really helping anything?

A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift is a satirical essay that is very well written and gets its point across clearly. But some readers are left to wonder the real point of the essay, whether it is for entertainment, or whether there is a deeper meaning to satire and sarcastic commentaries on real, pressing events. One could easily say the purpose is to poke fun at a serious event, make it a little lighter, perhaps easier to cope with. But I think it is evident in Swift’s essay and in almost all satire that there is a point behind it beyond entertainment.

When you look at television satire, the bias of the host is quite evident. Even Colbert, who expresses an extremely republican view broadcasts his real feelings on political issues by the sheer ridiculousness of what he is saying (suggesting that his real view point is the often the opposite of what it is he is saying.) With A Modest Proposal it is no different. Swift’s suggestion to eat babies to solve the Irish Potato Famine is obviously absurd, however that’s not really what he is suggesting. What he is showing is that the ideas being put forth so far are inadequate, and in fact eating babies is starting to sound like a decent solution to the problem, and if that is the case then people better start thinking of some better solutions soon. He is pressing the population and the people in power to think harder, and to consider the solutions of the unexpected people, by poking fun at the problem, he is at the same time unearthing another problem; that there is no solutions being put forth.

With our own essays this was evident as well. The absurdity of the problem was equaled by, and often exceeded by the absudity of the solution. This expressed different things for each one of us, but all in all they communicated how real solutions need to be considered for these problems, and implemented quickly, because some of the ridiculous solutions are starting to sound real good.

Satire is meant for entertainment, it is a great way of talking about difficult topics because it makes them lighter and easier to deal with, but it also has heavy meaning. It is meant to express the real nature of the problems it is addressing and stir the people to make an impact and start thinking.

Ryan Forneri

Break-Up Bible?

At the beginning of December I was lurking the stores at the Penn Centre, and came across one of my favourite stores… Coles. As I walked in, I immediatley went to the TEENS section. When coming across new books by my favourite authors such as Rachel Hawthorne, or Meg Cabot. I was waiting for a new seasonly book by one of them to come out to read during the Christmas break. Unfortunatly, there was none there. I looked and looked for winter romances, but no such luck.

I came across a book that my best friend had read, I remember her telling me that it was a very well written book. The pink hard cover caught my eye with the gold heart on the cover. Not to mean to judge a book by its cover- but it certainly was a nice cover! Anyways, I stepped up to the cash register, and bought “The Break up Bible” by Melissa Kantor.

I started reading my book the next Friday in English Class. The Break up Bible started off by catching my attention fast, and I couldn’t stop reading it once I got into it.

Anyways, as the Christmas Break arrived I had finished my book with a delight taste of how much it hurts to go through a heartache, but how everything will turn out fine in the end.

I love this book and I highly reccomand it to all of those romance readers out there!

Kellieeee

Do 1401 things piss you off?

Today as I was looking at my sister’s grade 10 notes for some of her study sheets, I came across a book thats called, “1401 things that piss you off” I opened it to a random page and came across some funny actually true things that REALLY do piss you off.

As inappropriate as this maybe for English Class, I thought it would be different and unique from everybody elses books.
An example of 1 of the 1408 things that piss you off was, “When people say there going to call you back, and they never do.” This fact is definetly true!

Anywho, this book is really pointless but I believe it is a good amusment read. If you have nothing better to do, might as well read “1401 things that piss you off”.

My books during the semester!

All throughout this semester, i read 3 fantastic books! These included Harry Potter 6 and 7, (both approx 650 pages a piece) and also one of my new favourites, “the serpents egg” Since so many of you have read these Harry Potter books, and these were the books i wrote about in my reading journal all semester, i have decided to focus on the Serpents egg!

 Where to begin, where to begin…….

Miranda (main character) is a girl who lives in Ottawa, and following a couple of conflicts with a girl named Penelope and her evil dog Muffy, a weird man breaks into her house unexpectedly! Fortunately, this ends up being a helpful Druid named “Naim”, who tells Miranda that she is in great danger and that she must flee with him to a magical world where she can be protected! So on they proceed to the beginning of their adventure, up the canal, through the forests … then they reach the parliment buildings! This was where Naim truly showed his magical powers, fighting the evil demons, hellhags and Hate herself (the dragon attempting to kill Miranda)

At this point, Miranda is terrified watching her close wizard friend in battle, feeling lonely and scared. This was where her best friends came raging in, Nick and Arabella, claiming that they had been following her this whole time! The druid ends up winning his fierce battles, and grudgingly allows Miranda friends to accompany them on the dark and dangerous journey that lies ahead…

The magical world they enter is full of danger, intrigue, scary creatures, and conflict, but also good friends and last-minute rescues allows them all to stay away from harm. On this journey, Miranda also finds out why she was being chased and what her importance might be for this magical land. Miranda is the only descendant of the long-dead King and she is the only one who can capture the Serpent’s Egg and defeat the Demon Hate. Her attempts at finding this egg don’t go unnoticed, as she is constantly fighting off the evil creatures of death in her path, fighting to remain alive, alongside her loyal friends.

As i do strongly reccomend this book to all, i will not ruin the ending by giving away what happens to Miranda and her friends on their action-packed quest to freedom! But i will say this; through all there twists and turns, Miranda displays some of the greatest acts of courage ever imaginable!

The Serpents Egg is a must read, and after reading this blog, wouldnt you have to agree?

 Anthony Vacca

Julius Caesar !

Although i didnt give this book much of a chance at the beginning of our reading sessions, it really did inspire me come the end! As i began to understand Shakespeares great use of grammar and punctuation i also began to catch the humour, action, and realize just how good the book really was! The complex preparation and disloyalty contributing to Caesars death really gave this book that spin i was looking for!Although the main theme of the book was honour, some of the characters displayed no honour whatsoever, including Cassius who manipulated Brutus into killing Caesar for his own personal benefit. This really disgusted me, as his selfishness interfered with what could have made him a kind, honourable man! Brutus, however did what he thought was best for Rome, and even though he made a giant mistake, his caring and thoughtfulness behind the decision cannot go unnoticed. This is why i believe Brutus to be somewhat of a hero in the play.

 Finally, Mark Antony was the hero in this play, with his careful choice of words at the funeral, combined with his honesty, loyalty and humbleness he truly was an honourable character! We can’t forget that he was the one who ultimately stuck up for his friend Caesar, and driving the evil Cassius and conspirators away from Rome for good!

 Way to go Antony, and way to go Shakespeare on writing yet another fantastic, dramtic play! It was a fun, enjoyable semester!

 Anthony Vacca

Harry Potter

So, looking for a good book to read, I recently started to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling again. And even more recently….I finished it.

     Once again, I have proven to myself that I truely love reading the Harry Potter series. After only a handful of night times by flashlight, I completed the book feeling truely magical. I just wanted to tell all the non-Potter fans out there not to judge. Although the books are very fantasy-oriented, they still contained a brilliant plot, writing style, etc. and I’m not even a fantasy lover.

     Although my love for the book grew even stronger, I was amazed at how abrupt the conclusion really is. One minute they’re fighting in the Entrance Hall, the next Harry is sending off his kids to Hogwarts. And finally the best line of all (hint of sarcasm) “All was well”. Honestly, whats with that?!?! In my opinion, it doesnt work effectively as a good ending but merely a downer after a great book…..or maybe I’m just in a bad mood. Either way  

Shutter Island

Not continuing where I left off….

     Slowly, things became more and more different aroun Ashecliff. People began to disappear (including Chuck) and there didnt seem to be any answer to it, until Teddy found the REAL Rachel Solando. While traveling along a cliff line, close to shore, Teddy came across a cave with her inside. It truns out that Rachel usd to be a doctor, not a patient, and had been on the run ever since. She also informed Teddy of the drugs that they had most likely been feeding him. But in the morning, Rachel was already gone, looking for another place to hide.

     Teddy’s only chance was to get off of the Island, and quick. He survived the next few days and managed to get into hiding. However, on the day of the ferry, there were several guards watching the dock. He was able to create a diversion but still was unable to get away. Finally, he made his way up to the lighthouse, where Dr. Cawley was waiting for him, to get some answers.

     Now, drawing near to the books close, things became a little unclear. It turns out, that Teddy himself is a patient at the hospital, and was a marshal over two years ago. He has been living this lie over and over in his head several times. The many twists and turns left me technically with answers, but actually with few.The book ends with Teddy admiting who he is, but takes an odd twist when one doctor calls over Dr. Cawley to take him away. It leaves you wondering whether or not Teddy has in fact gotten better or whether not he is reoccurring and is to be taken away to the hospital.

ps. To add the list of pet peeves:

- forgeting names in a book: Actually in the story, Teddy learns of his actual name, along with his wifes and childrens. Unfortuantely I have already turned in the book and have left myself dying here thinking of the answers. Therefore, sorry if my summary is a little…..foggy.    

Out On A Whim

Out On A Whim is a Christian comedy book by Dave Meurer that I have been reading. This book is absolutely awesome! Dave is one of the funniest people to ever have written a book. He is just so good at taking a regular everyday subject, such as gender neutrality,  and making you laugh at all of it’s flaws and silly little things like that.

If you have never read a book so funny it actually hurts to read it and/or, makes you laugh so hard you get an excellent ab workout, then this book is a definite recommendation.

 P.S.-Don’t worry, it’s a good kind of hurt.    

The Wars

Robert Ross has now joined the army and he is on his wayt to Britain. There has not been any action so far but the drama in this book is just amazing. When I read the wars it seemed like these characters are just facing troubles of a normal day person. Now that i have read further they are very abnormal. I hope robert ross does not get killed because then what will be the fun in reading the end. robert’s dad was just fired from his job at the machinery because he accidently left a piece of metal on the roller belt and it jammed into the machine. Roberts mom is having a hard time at home ever since Robs sister had died. She blames herself for her death but there was nothing they could do.

Is there anything crazy in your books?

Mark .D.