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How well did you meet your reading goals?

Admittedly, I didn't reach my reading goals to the extent I'd have liked to. I did read Canadian short stories, and analyze several (all of which I thoroughly enjoyed), but I really didn't get to reading a non-fiction, practical book. As well as that, I didn't get into C.S Lewis' The Space Trilogy. Personally, I do count Animal Farm as at least a slightly practical read, as it works as a great informer for the implications of communism. Though, instead of focusing in on practical books, I got caught up in a fictional series once again on my Kindle... none of which were worth making the Padlet. Overall, I believe I did a decent job at reaching my goals, but not a great one.

Which questions did you answer well and completely?

I believe I answered the question "What sentences make you stop and think, pause and consider or linger upon reread?" very well. The Painted Door by Sinclair Ross was the perfect book for a question like this, as it is an absolutely heartwrenching story filled with unsettling sentences.

As well as that, I believed I answered the question about an authors use of vocabulary as well, using Stephen King's On Writing memoir. I was able to explain just how well he uses his simple, concise, writing style in combination with wacky, complex vocabulary to enlight the audience on his life.

What have you learned about yourself as a reader?

I've learned several things about myself as a reader. First, is that I absolutely need to designate time to read, especially now that I'm busier than ever before. Last year and years previous to that, I would always read on my own time, as I enjoy it. This semester, as I've been busy. Instead of reading for an hour or two before bed, I just would go to bed. Scheduling time to read was the only way I got through the books I did this semester. I also learned that taking notes as I go through a book drastically improves my overall understanding. Sure, just reading a book front to back is better than not reading it, but when I took the time to go chapter by chapter, taking notes, I was significantly more capable of writing accurately about it in reflection.

Where do you go next as a reader (future)?

I see myself making more scheduled time for reading, focusing on my previous goal of reading a practical, non-fiction book. The older I get, the more important it becomes to understand things like taxes, economics, and politics. For this reason, I see myself educating myself in the future through books like that. In addition to that, I do plan on getting more into short stories, as they are so packed with metaphor and deeper meanings that they are perfect foor-for-thought.

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What do you notice about the words that work and why?

What do you notice about where we can hear the rhythm in the sentences?

George Orwell's writing in Animal Farm explains perfectly the dangers of communism through the analogy of quite literally, an animal farm. One of the main things he does to explain this is by using repetition. Orwell repeats specific key words and slogans throughout to affirm the connection to communism. Examples of this come in the animals' slogan "four legs good, two legs bad" (29), and "Napolean is always right" (61). These aren't individual words, but they 'work' as perfect repetitions throughout the book. These quotes show that words 'work' best in the novel when they suppress critical thinking and reinforce authority - just like in actual communism. This repetition also connects to the rhythm of Orwells writings. Simple, consistent phrasing works as a great reference throughout to the root of each animals' mindset. Because of these factors, Animal Farm by George Orwell is an extremely easy, and important read.

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(Specifically The Painted Door by Sinclair Ross)

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What sentences make you stop and think, pause and consider or linger upon reread?

As The Painted Door by Ross is a short story, Ross has to be concise with his storytelling, and that he is. there are several sentences that stand out, and made me pause. One of my favourite examples - while it is a series of sentences - comes in the form of the main characters' conversation: "In such a gesture, however futile, there was a graciousness not to be shattered lightly. 'John,' she would begin sometimes, 'you're doing too much. Get a man to help you—just for a

month—' but smiling down at her he would answer simply, 'I don't mind. Look at the hands on me. They're made for

work.' While in his voice there would be a stalwart ring to tell her that by her thoughtfulness she had made him only the

more resolved to serve her, to prove his devotion and fidelity" (2).

So much emotion is conveyed in such a short exchange of conversation. It's clear that John (the protagonist) is a simple, devoted man... his wife not so much. The mention of John's fidelity foreshadows a particular lack in that trait for the wife, which later comes out tragically.

Which sentences are unsettling?

The Painted Door by Sinclair Ross reveals how a lack of communication, even in the most devoted individuals - the wife for example - , can lead to disloyalty, distrust, and rebellion. The wife serves her husband John for seven years. John, a simple man, was off in a blizzard, helping the elderly, when the wife finally let go of him: "She who, in the long,

wind-creaked silence, had emerged from the increment of codes and loyalties to her real, unfettered self" (5).

This sentence, as a committed reader, is completely unsettling. John is presented as a truly good man, and to hear that his dear wife wasn't loyal to him while he served the community in dire times admittedly filled me with dismay.

Overall, while being just a 7 page story, Sinclair Ross communicated emotions effectively and poetically, leading the reader through a short, tragic, story.

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What do you notice about the way the writer conveys their ideas?

Stephen King emphasizes promptly, upon beginning his memoir, what his goals were for communicating his ideas. "This is a short book because most books are filled with bulshit" (ix, King). He clarifies shortly after this abrupt beginning that he will make his best attempt to eliminate unnecessary words and communicate his ideas in the most concise way possible.

One thing King does that stands out to me is his use of vocabulary. He creates simple sentences and assists them with words that, taken in context, can be understood by someone with the vocabulary of a 12th grader (me). He is utterly concise with his words, using extensive vocabulary without it feeling wordy or over-the-top. As he says: "One of the worst things you can do to your writing is to dress up the vocabulary, looking for long words because you're afraid of your short ones" (117). Despite this, he still incoprates phrases like "cozening raconteur" (115) and "insalubrious dilthyramb" (115) on the same page while sounding authentic.

Overall, Stephen King in On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft expertly communicates his ideas using concise and still complex writing. It's evident throughout how much work King has put into refining the craft of writing, and its a gift that he is willing to share his studies on the craft in this book.

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What do you notice about the way the writer structures, organizes and presents the writing?

What do you notice about the way the writer uses words and punctuation?

What do you notice about how the writer conveys their ideas?

What do you notice about where we can hear, and sense the writer's voice?

What do you notice about the words that work, and why?

What do you notice about where we can hear the rhythm in the sentences?

Which sentences make you stop and think, pause and consider or linger upon and reread?

Which sentences stop you in your tracks? Which ones are particularly beautiful?

Which ones are unsettling?

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Reading has always been a way for me to learn who I am and who I want to be at each stage of my life. I am a character,  as all people are. For me, books have played a significant role in shaping that character. Today, I am an avid reader. I enjoy nearly all types of books but prefer easy-to-read fictional books. I love the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Recently, my reading style has morphed into a slower style, trying to get more out of the blocks of text I'd previously avoided. I'm learning to be a thorough reader, one that will always look up a word that I'm not sure about.

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1. Read a book that isn't just fun but actually informative. I want to non-fiction book that leaves me more informed about the world of economics than before.

2. Don't shy away from long, descriptive novels. Finally get to reading The Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis.

3. Read and analyze at least 5 different classic Canadian Short stories.