Hello All,
For this blog, read (at least) one of the following profiles:
Streets of Sorrow (about Hollywood)
California Dreamin' (about Big Sur)
Desert Byways (about Death Valley)
Eliza Grace, the Mojave, and Me (about Death Valley)
Then, describe one writing technique the author does especially well.
Make sure not to duplicate another student's post.
I read "Streets of Sorrow" (about Hollywood). David Rakoff was very imaginative with his descriptions throughout his writing. One of my favorites was his description of the "five-pointed star, is a cloud of darker red, like a bruise or the small beating heart of a tiny creature." I thought his choice of words are clever and entertaining. Also, his transitions are very well worded. I like how he ends up passing Dan Avey's star at the end, which brings the story together.
ReplyDeleteThu Writes....
ReplyDeleteFor this post, I read "California Dreamin" (about Big Sur). California Dreamin' by Amy Wilentz, was very well written. The one writing technique the author does especially well was being able to describe Big Sur in a way that readers could actually imagine what it is like there. Amy Wilentz demonstrated strong descriptions in her writing. In Wilentz opening sentence, she stated "the sun is setting over the Pacific. It does this, amazingly, every evening, and no one is surprised. These ten or so astronomical minutes are witnessed by millions of people once a day as they drive along the coastal roads, or set up barbecues in their backyards, or head home on the freeways in Marin, or walk their dogs in Malibu—witnessed with, usually, no great emotion and little intensity of observation, even though we are all spinning eastward away from the sunset at about seven hundred miles per hour". I felt that this sentence was well structured and very descriptive. Readers can almost feel that radiant warm feeling as they are reading this sentence, as if they are actually at the Big Sur
Kimberley...
ReplyDeleteI read "Streets of Sorrow" (about Hollywood) by David Rakoff. This article was written very well. One writing technique that the author does very well is uses humorous descriptions to create an image in the readers mind that makes them feel as if they were really there. One description that stood out to me was one where he describes a tour that was being given. "We are led outside and up the outdoor escalator of the minimall/theater complex to the adjoining Mann Chinese 6 theater. We are now being given a tour of a multiplex built in 2001. My underpants are older than the Mann Chinese 6. A greasy usher opens the door for us on the second floor. "Welcome to the VIP area," he says with a leer. (Okay, he's not that greasy and not really leering, but there is a smoke-and-mirrors shadiness to the "value-added" aspect of this leg of the tour, and, let me reiterate, we don't have to be here! Grauman's by itself is sublime and sufficient!)" He not only describes what the situation was but he also explains his wrong description. I believe that this helps keep the reader interested in the article. This article makes me want to take a trip to Hollywood and see all of these wonderful sites.
Alberto Panchi
ReplyDeleteI read “Eliza Grace, the Mojave, and Me (about Death Valley)” by Guy Martin. During the reading I encounter myself with three writing techniques that the author seemed to introduce in his story. The tree writhing techniques that I found throughout the story were Narration, Description, and Exposition.
Narration seems to be the technique most often used by the author. This article is a story. A story basically has characters, a setting, a time, a problem and a solution. The story I read includes two main characters, in this case being the narrator and his daughter. The narrator introduces the dessert as the setting of the story. The story happens during the day and night. The problem is that he wants his nine-teen year old daughter to become tougher that way she won’t be scared whenever she sees a wild animal, and the solution is that he learns a big lesson at the end of the story. He learns that he needs to spend more time with his daughter, because time does not wait, and if he only worries about what his daughter needs to learn in order to live, he will miss out on all the small things during his and her life.
Another technique used was description. The author has the ability to describe the place in a tremendous way, he has the ability to project the reader into the story and make the reader feel as if he/she is part of the story. The writer uses visual imagery to describe the place and things that happen throughout the story. He describes senses of feeling, seeing, hearing, smelling, and tasting. For example as when the writer says, “The sky's clear, and the wind is gone, as if somebody (an extremely big somebody) walked over behind the mountains and shut off a great valve” (Martin). By using description, the writer makes it more easily for the reader to understand the story; also the reader is more likely to understand the people and the places that are being described.
One last technique used by the writer is exposition. The writer seems to be explaining his ideas and thoughts, which at the same time makes it easier for the reader to understand the thoughts of the writer. One example on how the narrator shares his ideas is when he says, “She'll take my argument "under advisement." In my experience of Eliza, this is code. I'll find out what's really happening when she tells me sheÕs booked a ticket for Tunis or Casablanca or Fez” (Martin). When the writer uses this type of technique, he allows the reader to be part of the conversation. The article is really good; it made me feel like I was character in the story.
I read Eliza Grace, the Mojave, and Me. I think this story was very effective in drawing in the reader. What worked for me the most effectively was the writing technique of using dialog. There is a flow of dialog used throughout the entire story. It words successfully because the story is primarily given the interpretation from the narrator, so when there is narration from the daughter is gives a bigger picture from others too, not just from the narrator. It breaks up the story too in a way that reminds us of what is going on too, as the narrator vividly describes their thoughts, and their own perception of the woods. It makes the reader feel as if they are their personally with them, and are able to listen to their conversation and what they are saying. It gives a perspective from Eliza’s point of view at times too which leads the story along, it works much more efficiently than “she said this….. then she said that”.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia: Desert Byways by Peter Garrison
ReplyDeleteGarrison writing makes the reader feel like you are there. Even though it’s the desert he makes it sounds so unique, by taking you through it. Peter Garrison writes about all the attractions that it consists of. He uses visual imagery to describe the place and the traveling. “As I glide north along the eastern edge of the valley at a near-silent 70 miles per hour, the remarkable new Range Rover is my box seat to the unfolding of a most bizarre geology: Cliffs of yellow and ocher, blackened domes, phallic mounds, and eroded bluffs resembling the paws of giant animals materialize along undulating Highway 190.” This was part of the introduction, and he describes the feel and the imagery. His transitionings are very clear and his writing is very deep and imaginative. Overall he made a very thorough description of the desert and all the surroundings.
http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/5473?all=yes
Desert Byways describes Death Valley by using many metaphors to capture the audience and draw them to this particular place.
ReplyDeleteUsing expressive diction allows the writer to express different scenes by comparing them with outrageous circumstances. "The ground will become so hot that it will still be sautéing sandals come midnight" the authors use of bringing a vision to a landscape creates a scene in the readers head of where they may visit. Great metaphorical use by the writer allows the reader to imagine a place where heat and coolness meet at separate times.
The use of metaphors throughout his writing allow him to compare his experience to things the reader may see every day for instance a hole to the size of a car and breeze as cold as an air conditioner. The author portrays intense images in order to relate to the audience and draw them into a place they may have never been to before.
Metaphors are a way to relate to something and to understand one thing in regards to another. The author of this article does a great job at depicting an image for the viewer to relate to by his many uses of metaphors.
Sasha Velasquez
ReplyDeleteI read "California Dreamin" (about Big Sur) by Amy Wilentz. This article is very well written, Wilentz does a great job with the description of Big Sur. She hooks the reader's attention in the beginning giving a description of the sun set, giving the reader the feeling of being there. The description she gives of the view from the restaurant gives the reader a perfect visual of what it looks like in person. Not only does she use description to describe Big Sur, she gives the history as well. Knowing the history allows the readers to have a connection with this place.
In the article, "California Dreamin'" the writer does an excellent job of describing the scenery of Big Sur. "Tonight, the sun sinks quickly through the blue fog break that runs along the horizon, and plunges down, in one fast, fiery explosion, into the water." This is only one example of how the author describes the sun as it sets over the ocean. Anyone, no matter what part of the world you are in, would be able to create a mental picture of this beautiful sunset. This article also has many explanations of surrounding areas and locations in Big Sur. Such as the explanation of an Inn that has a Native American history behind it.
ReplyDeleteI read “Desert Byways” (about Desert Valley). Peter Garrison wrote this article in a very good way that really grabbed me and put me in his shoes or right next to him. His syntax and choice of words were carefully and chosen and very descriptive. His choice of words and the way he described Desert Valley was amazing. I have never seen or been to Desert Valley, but reading this article put me in the passenger seat of Garrison’s range rover as he maneuvered through rocks, boulders and cliffs. Garrison also, introduced some humor in his article, which made it fun to read and keeps a reader a wanting to keep reading. Reading this article a reader learns how Desert Valley looks and the names of places associated with Desert Valley. This article makes me want to visit Desert Valley and at the same time it makes me feel like I already visited Desert Valley and experienced it from the seat of my home.
ReplyDeletePeter Garrison described the california desert in a creative fashion. It made one feel as if one is there. He used many descriptive words and synthax. One can imagine the bumby ride in the Range Rover he described through the desert. Even though it was a desert he made it seem it was an adventurous experience.
ReplyDeleteGaia Yarber
ReplyDeleteI read "Streets of Sorrow" (about Hollywood) Rakoff uses a great sense of personifcation in his writing. The use of description adds to his ideals that his personfication leaves to the reader. Rakoff tells of the superman, the devil, and even the Roosevelt by adding all the descriptive words it shows that the personalities of the town that come together to form a whole. If you havent been to Hollywood then you have this magical picture of streets paved with gold and wishes come true at every street corner, which actually isnt. The personifcation he gives throughout the piece is true to Hollywood with scarcasism dripped inbetween each new i9dea that is given.
I read Streets of Sorrow (about Hollywood), by David Rakoff. The writing technique that I was able to immediately see in this writing, is the writers use of descriptive words. In the writing, the writer describes the scene very well, to the point that you visually in your mind go there. It forces you to use your imagination to see the scene.
ReplyDeleteNiesha
Peter Garrison’s traveling article California:Desert Byways, was a well structured short story, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. His article followed a narrative strategy leading his reader through his personal experience of Death Valley making them feel as though they are experiencing it with him. Garrison achieves this by appealing to the reader’s senses and utilizing metaphors throughout the article such as “the dawn comes up like thunder over China cross the bay,” in order to effectively promote visiting Death Valley and experience all it has to offer.
ReplyDeleteI read "California Dreamin'" by Amy Wilentz. This is a very well written article. The author does an amazing job of introducing each point she wants to write about. The introduction grasps the attention of the reader and eases them into the main topic. Her topic sentences are very clear and clever, which not only gives the reader what she will talk about but also paints a bigger picture by comparing Big Sur to other well-known places. Lastly,she uses many sensual words that makes the reader feel like they are in Big Sur.
ReplyDeleteI read "Streets of Sorrow"by David Rakoff. The first thing that jumps out to me is the way that he describes what is in Hollywood without plainly saying "This is in Hollywood." His very first sentence, "Superman has taken the morning off" will speak to anyone who has ever been on the Streets of Hollywood, because we all know that people like to dress up in costumes of famous people to try to earn tips on Hollywood Blvd. His type of writing is very lighthearted, which makes it easy to read and even easier to enjoy. I also like the information he provides. Those who have been there can relate to the information and let out a chuckle here and there, but for those who have never been the information provided gives good insight (and preparation) for when they do decide to visit.
ReplyDelete-Berkley
I read "California Dreamin" (about Big Sur)by Amy Wilentz. This was a well written essay about Big Sur. The technique that the author used was profound and interesting. She expressed vividly how the roads were paved out and other descriptions helped me imagine the town as if I was there. She also explains of the rich history and how it is significant with the town. Her vocabulary and language also gave the reading a more lively feel and it was all well together written nicely.
ReplyDeleteStreets of Sorrow was a great article profile of the streets of Hollywood. David Rakoff used description writing right from the opening hook when he decribes in detail the scene set out on the street of Hollywood Boulevard. The hook is flawless. It immediately gives the reader a vivid picure of the setting and grabs the attention of the audience from this very first sentence. He uses descriptive language through out the article to take the reader on a stroll through Hollywood. He demonstrates this in such an excellent way it plays a movie in the mind of the reader as they walk along the streets taking in the sights of the restaurants, the stores, the people and the famous Walk of Fame. He draws the reader in through his detailed description to the location of Tinsel Town just as if the reader were there themselves.
ReplyDeleteIn the article, Streets of Sorrow by David Rakoff, he uses imagery to strike the readers senses, specifically sight and hearing. For those whom have never visited Hollywood, the author takes you there by striking the readers imagination with the descriptive details of the famous Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and the people who dress up in superhero costumes to attract the tourist and get your photo taken with them in addition to make some change off them. Rakoff describes his tour of Grauman’s Chinese Theater and gives details on the role it played in history. He also takes you down the road of what historical meaning Hollywood had as opposed to what the present Hollywood symbolizes which is the Streets of Sorrow, referring to the hobos in costumes and the stars on the sidewalks known as the Walk of Fame with names of unknown actors. This article allowed me to see Hollywood in a way I had never before. To be famous, Hollywood was where you wanted to be. Now, the overcrowding of tourist and the poverty make the Hollywood scene appear somewhat pitiful.
ReplyDeleteAraceli Ramirez
California Dreamin written by Amy Wilentz is written with delicate prose of description and emotion. Wilentz, writing techinquie works around what she is vizualizing and takes it to the next level. Bringing in colorfull array of language and situtuations that help to color her palate in a way to make the reader want to experience the Big Sur way of life for themselves. All this written while looking at a sunset over a meal. Anyone who has gone to Big Sur can surley agree with Wilentz. Big Sur is not only a beautiful place and temporate weather, but could be understood as a spiritual experience. The autors attempt at caputing the mood and her personal experince lends to the overall picture that she paints with her amazing vocabulary. We all have much to learn from the writing style of Amy Wilentz. Val Lewis
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