Thursday, February 20, 2014

Final Blog Reflection

In this blog post, I think I did a really good job incorporating voice. Some examples of this are when I said, “Divergent is a good book. Great even. And there are many things I like about it!” (Paragraph One), “If that is not a cliffhanger I don't know what is.” (Paragraph 5), and “(Or Christina, really.)” (Paragraph 7). These three are just examples. There were many other words or phrases that show my voice as well. These showcase my personality as a writer because I am an enthusiastic and somewhat sarcastic writer. In the first quote, not only did I let you know that divergent is great; I told you how great it was and how passionate I am about it. The reader can learn about me through those words and know that I really am enthusiastic. When I explained that it was a cliffhanger in quote three, I didn't just say; that was a cliffhanger. I infused that sentence with my own voice. I made it extremely clear that the example I gave was definitely a cliffhanger, and that I was completely positive of it. Not only did it tell the reader how sure of myself I was, it feels like you are having a conversation with me. In a blog post, people don’t want to read extremely high or elevated diction because we won’t feel like we will relate to the author. As readers, we like to gain a relationship to the author through their book, column, or blog. Lastly, in the third quote, I poked fun at the story. The reader can learn that I am a somewhat humorous, sarcastic, and not to be taken too seriously. In all of the types of literature we read, we learn about the writer, whether subconsciously or not. I think I made it clear what type of writer I am through my voice in my blog posts.


My choices of diction and syntax were not incidental. I did them on purpose. For example, I used the word, “boring” in my last paragraph. This is low or informal diction. I chose to use boring instead of dull, monotonous, or tedious because I wanted a word that everyone could understand. I don’t know anyone who hasn't at some time or another said: School is boring. I’m bored. And etc. Everyone knows how it feels to be bored. If there was an extremely educated person and an extremely under educated person reading my blog, they would both understand it! That’s exactly what I want to happen. In the last paragraph, I ask a rhetorical question. This creates a relationship between my reader and I and makes them feel like I am talking directly to them. Another syntax technique I used was unique punctuation. Several times, I would interrupt myself with a short phrase or sentence that either contributed to the voice in my blog, or added to my point. One of these times is when I said, “(Of course you turn the page. You can’t just end on that!)” in the fifth paragraph. I think using parenthesis to do this is an excellent way to interject and let the reader know that this snippet of text is an addition to my writing. Also, I chose to structure my blog in smaller paragraphs because I think it is much easier to read that way. These are just a few of the examples, and I’m sure if you read my blog, you could find even more!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Best Thing about Divergent: Cliffhanger

Divergent is a great book. Great even. And there are many things I like about it! But my absolute favorite is how suspenseful it is. At the end of every page and chapter, there is almost always a cliffhanger that keeps the pages turning. A cliffhanger is, "A plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction." (Danielle 1). Or, to put it simply, it is something authors put in their books to keep it interesting.

An example of this is at the end of chapter nine:

"She drops to the ground."

Christina had been hanging off an extremely high railing and since they live in dauntless no one could help her up. She had to use her own strength, and obviously it wasn't enough.

If that is not a cliffhanger I don't know what it is. This is literally a life or death moment and as you turn the page (of course you turn the page. You can't just end on that!) you find yourself asking questions. Does she die? Does she just get hurt? And if you are like me, you'll find yourself pleading with the author, as if you can do anything to change it. Please don't let her die! I like Christina!

No matter how emotional you get when you read, you will find that if an author uses a cliffhanger, it will be extremely hard to put the book down.


I really like cliffhangers in books because I like when the plot is really eventful. I think books are boring when nothing really happens. When authors just leave me hanging (Or Christina, really) it keeps my thoughts from drifting away, and isn't the whole point of this book to entertain? It wouldn't be doing it's job if it wasn't intriguing.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

What I Want to Read Next

I know that I am still reading Divergent, but I would like to take a second and talk about the next two books.  You can probably tell I'm excited for them! See the links below for more information. Have any of you read them? Leave me a comment whether you liked them or not in the comment section below!

Insurgent and Allegiant:

Insurgent (Divergent, #2)
Allegiant (Divergent, #3)

These books are the second and third in the Divergent Series. I want to read these next because I really enjoyed the first book in their series. Honestly, I don't know anyone who didn't like them. I also love Veronica Roth's writing style. I wonder how they will be different from Divergent. From the summary for Insurgent (see below for the link) I can tell that it will be very suspenseful. It mentions shocking choices and sacrifices. How could she sacrifice more? She has already abandoned her family and been physically beaten! I predict that she will run away because that would be a huge sacrifice. She would be leaving her new friends, childhood, and family. I think she will have to do this because she is in danger because she has a divergent mind. The first thing I notices about Allegiant's  cover is how different it is. The first two have the same basic set up whereas it it much more modern. I believe this book will wrap up any loose ends of the first two as well as have it's own conflict and plot line. Mrs. Bross has told me that she didn't like it as much as the others because Veronica Roth rushed it. I'm hoping I will still enjoy it, anyways.


Here is the Goodreads summary for Insurgent.
Here is the Goodreads summary for Allegiant.