Non-Fiction Critical Analysis- Are we running out of chocolate?

The article “Are We Running Out Of Chocolate?” by Kathy Wilmore  is focused on how the worlds population is consuming more chocolate than can be grown. 77,000 tons of chocolate is consumed every year. In the article, the author uses interesting vocabulary as well as structural techniques to get the main idea across as well as making the reader think and feel certain things as they read the article.

In the article, the author includes small sections about related topics such as “Slaves to chocolate” Which discusses the hard labor of children and poor families  that goes into harvesting cocoa beans for chocolate. “A brief history of chocolate” discusses the history and past of chocolate and its discovery and consumption over many centuries. Having these small sections in the article really helps bring light to some of the important issues while still focusing on the main idea of the article.

In the article, the author wants us to think and feel a certain way as we read the article. One way the author does this is by discussing serious issues like slave labor. By taking about these issues, it makes the article more complex, thought-provoking and factual. The author also includes small facts throughout the article more interesting and overall appealing.

In my opinion, this article was definitely compelling and engaging. The author did a remarkable job touching on some serious topics and still making the article fun and attention-grabbing. Overall, I think this was a very well written article that left a lasting impression.

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

The book "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" is about the journey of 16 year old Jacob. After the traumatic death of his grandfather, Jacob travels to a remote island off the coast of Wales where his grandfather spent his childhood living in a children's home for "peculiar" children. While on the island, Jacob makes several shocking discoveries about his grandfather's past. Throughout the story, the setting is very important to the plot and overall development of the story.

In the story, the island of Cairnholm is extremely important to the story. Jacobs entire adventure takes place there. While Jacob is there, he notices how different Cairnholm is from his home town. It is very rustic and old and in no way is modern which helps Jacob connect to a time when his grandfather lived there. One example of this is, "I soon discovered that almost no one in Cairnholm even had a phone. I found only one number for the entire island." This shows how the island hasn't changed a lot and is still very outdated. Another example is, "it was my grandfathers island... As I gazed up at its sheer cliffs, tops disappearing in a reef of ghostly clouds , the idea that this was a magical place didn't seem so ridiculous." This shows how even just seeing the island reminds Jacob of his grandfather and the stories he used to tell.

Cairnholm is also very important to the story because it helps Jacob uncover his grandfather's past and secrets. One example of this is, "' what the hell for?' He growled when I told him where I wanted to go... I explained about my grandfather and the children's home." This shows how the island for Jacob, is the door to his grandfather's past.

The book " Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" uses setting heavily to help develop the plot. Without the setting, the story would be completely different. The setting in this book is what makes it interesting and exciting.

Literary Essay

There are many books that use symbolism, but the book “Looking for Alaska” by john green uses symbolism in a way that helps the plot unfold. Throughout the story,the cigarettes are a recurring idea and are a big part of the story-line. The cigarettes symbolize self-loathing, stress, and peer pressure.

Cigarettes in the book, are frequently used to represent the self loathing of characters, whether its hidden, or out in the open. An example of the self-loathing displayed by the characters is, “ Y’all smoke to enjoy it. I smoke to die.” This quote shows how within many of the characters, there is always a hint of doubt or self-destruction. Alaska has had a lot of tragedy and hardship in her life which gives her even more misgivings and troubles. She hides many of her problems from her friends which then leads to more serious issues.

In many parts of the story, cigarettes are also used when the characters are under a lot of stress. In the book, whenever there is a stressful time, there are always cigarettes to help relieve the stress. One example of this is, " Oh, God, I need to smoke. I need to smoke, but I can't reek when I see Sara's parents. " this shows how when the Colonel was stressed out about meeting his girlfriend's parents, smoking became his way of calming himself down. In the book the characters commonly become stressed so  they smoke to help them relax.  

Throughout the story, cigarettes are also commonly used to symbolize peer-pressure. When Miles (pudge) gets to Culver Creek, he is instantly influenced by his new friends and is pressured into smoking to impress them. One example of this is, “ then lit a cigarette and handed it to me. I inhaled. Coughed. Wheezed. Gasped for breath. Coughed again… ‘smoke much?’” This shows how being around people who smoke regularly starts to pressure Miles into thinking he should too. He is not used to smoking but when he is in an atmosphere where people are, he feels like he has to as well to fit in.

Symbolism is heavily used in this book both obviously and subtly. The use of cigarettes to me is one of the most important uses of symbolism in the book because it shows the emotions and personalities of the characters. I also think its very important because it deals with common teen issues that many people can easily connect to.

An Abundance of Katherines

The book "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green is about soon to be collage freshman and prodigy, Colin Singleton. Colin has a strange obsession with only dating girls named Katherine and has recently been dumped by his nineteenth Katherine. After his breakup with Katherine XIX, Colin was in a state of sadness and despair and felt as thought his life might as well be over. Luckily for him, his friend Hassan decides to drag Colin on a road trip that would give the two of them a break from reality.

            I have so far enjoyed this book (even though I am not very far in) because it takes a different approach on the cliché breakup. Instead of having the stereotypical girl sitting in her room eating cartons of chocolate ice cream while listening to every sad song she owns, here we have a high school graduate trying to get over a previous girlfriend by going on a road trip and creating a formula to find out who will dump who in any relationship. To me, this makes the overall plot of the book far more interesting and exciting.

            Another reason why I am enjoying this book is because it has subtle comedy. Sometimes authors add to much comedy, which distracts from the meaning of the story. Having no comedy on the other hand, can make the story boring and less enjoyable. In this book, John Green succeeded in having the story be truly funny while still embracing the plot.

             Overall I think this book is very well written. I have found that the story is very simple and yet is very complex, and this is what makes you want to keep reading.

Blog Review

http://natashasbookblog26.blogspot.com/

I read Natasha’s blog post on “13 little envelopes” and I loved it. She gives a wonderful summery at the beginning of the post that shares a bit of her opinion but is also very informative and really sells the book. Although I have not read the book, reading her post, has interested me and made me want to read it in the future.

I found it very interesting how she wove craft and opinion together. Throughout her post, she expresses her opinions and then explains her thoughts through quotes and elaboration. This in my opinion, makes the post more personal to her and her ideas. She also explained what she thought what was done well and what could have been done better and made it clear why she thought so.

Out of all of Natasha’s blog posts that I have read, I think that this one really stands out. I think this because she really shares her opinions, which makes the post more relatable and engaging. I think she also discusses and includes the plot of the story in a way that helps the reader understand what she is talking about even if they haven’t read the book. By doing this, she helps the reader connect and understand what is being said.

I really like how this post is written because she stayed on track in all her paragraphs and didn’t stray from her main ideas.  I also like how she connected all of her paragraphs to each other, by doing this, she made her post more organized and well structured. I think her post is extremely engaging and interesting because she informs you about the book it self and its plot as well as her feelings and impressions toward it. In the future, I hope to try to connect my opinions to the book more clearly and obviously like what is done in this post.

Global Warming Critical Analysis

In the article “How Global Warming is Changing the Wild Kingdom” by Ker Than, wants readers to know what global warming is and how it affects people, as well as how it affects animals and how it can be slowed down. One example of this is that, by the end of the next century, the earth’s average temperature may rise up to 10 degrees. Because of this, the polar ice caps will melt and cause seas to rise, which may threaten many coastal communities.  The author also discusses how many of the changes of the earth may lead to endangerment and even extinction of many animals.

The author wants the reader to feel surprised and uneasy by the data and statistics that are being presented on the subject. One way the author does this is by adding shocking and horrifying facts. Because the author uses real facts instead of opinions, it makes the reader more interested and may be more convincing. The author also adds several quotes and opinions from experts on the subject, which adds to the level reliability.

After reading this article, I think that people need to start raising awareness on the subject of global warming. This is because of its many effects on not only people but also plants and animals. Overall, I think that people should be educated on the issue because it will one day affect us all.

Social Action Inquiry Question-The Help

In the book “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett, one of the main characters, Skeeter Phelan, is the one who brings justice to her town by bringing awareness to the issue of racism.

In the book, Skeeter gives up her social life and friends as well as risking her family's trust in her by standing up to her best friends in the hope of making a change. One of Skeeters best friends, Hilly Holbrook attempts to create even more racism and segregation in the town so, Skeeter decides to take a stand in order to make a change in her home town of Jackson Mississippi while making some new friends along the way.

When skeeter gets fed up with the situation of racism in her town, she enlists the help of her friends maids to write a book of true stories about what its like to be a black maid working for a white family. She includes many humiliating stories concerning her “Friends” even though doing this could have many harmful affects. She knew that she could be putting not only herself in dangure but her friends as well from people who had strong opinions on segregation like the K.K.K. or other organizations similar to it and yet she kept going.

I like how Skeeter brought justice in the book because she stood up for what she believed in and in the end she did make a change. She brought down the level of authority from Hilly Holbrook and she raised awareness on the situation, which people actually listened to no matter what the consequences.