Sunday 24 February 2013

What is the what: progress

Progress on what is the what.
So far I am finding what is the what a bit confusing, and hard to focus on. I find myself skimming through some parts and do not think that I am really catching on to the plot most of the time. The last I read was up to the very beginning of book two, and I haven't really picked up the book since about a week ago. Before that I was constantly reading a little a night and although I was falling often behind slightly I found myself able to keep up with most of the class' discussions on the book.
For me it's hard to determine a specific aspect of the book that I enjoy the most, but I do know that I mostly tune out a bit when reading when the book is constantly changing perspectives and when the story jumps from present to past. I often find myself having to just stop reading and think for a bit, or rest my mind and let it catch up with the book.
Despite all this I am often fine with reading more challenging books and think of myself as a relatively strong reader, although this book appears to be one of the exceptions. Maybe this has something to do with the fact that lately I have began to read less and less, last year I would read either every or every second night in bed, however this year my reading habits seem to have changed.

Sunday 3 February 2013

Blogging Pop Quiz

Blogging is not a useful component for English classes, because in my experience these classes are more designated to writing and reading, instead of blogging online. Students seem to get more out of reading and writing stories rather than blogging, and although blogging does have useful lessons to do with respect, space, and identity, it does not belong as a component in an English classroom. However, teachers, feel free to promote blogging but I cannot see any more benefit in practicing in class over outside of school. If anything, with less pressure and stress students will be more likely to blog about more, and also personalize their sites without the judgement and mentality of teachers constantly reading their blogs. English classes should be more focused on other components, while students are left to explore blogging more by themselves.

Writing about England


Make sure the name of the book is either deep, witty, or generally confusing (or all of the above), while the cover of the book should have anything from a Union Jack, to a concrete jungle, to a King Charles spaniel. Of course there is always the silhouetted man against the city approach. You will need a thought-provoking quote or line somewhere on the cover.
The traditional characters of a book about England would be: A tall man in an elegant suit or tuxedo 24/7; a detective who never goes anywhere without his pipe; a troubled old man with a felt cap and a woolen coat. No matter the character, they must curse and drink a lot to be more authentic.
Content depends on whereabouts you would like to set your book. In London, moustaches, top hats, pipes, and monocles should be included with major roles. In the country, farmhouses, sheep, and sheepdogs are all advised to be included in the story. However tea and biscuits should always be acknowledged.
The storyline must be dramatic and dark with many plot twists and alternate paths.