My Favorite Column

Hola! So in English, we're studying a topic I'm actually really enjoying for once. Just kidding. But seriously I love the columnist unit. I like reading opinionated pieces because they allow me to relate to what the author is saying, or completely disagree with him/her. I like arguing with people - I hope that isn't a bad thing - so naturally when we started this unit I was intrigued.

My favorite column that we've read so far is "The mother of all parties" by Dave Barry. This guy is SO FUNNY. When I was reading this column, I thought it was so funny that I called my mom over to read it with me. I really liked how the author used a lot of allusions because I could easily picture what he was trying to get me to visualize. For example, at one point, when talking about some parties his wife has thrown for his daughter, Barry writes:

"Last year, our theme was ``The Wizard of Oz,'' and my wife decided that, among many other touches, we needed to transform our front walkway into a Yellow Brick Road by covering it with a roll of yellow plastic that she bought from the House of Really Slippery Surfaces (...) Her feeling was, yes, there could be injuries, even deaths, BUT WE WILL HAVE A YELLOW RICK ROAD. And so we did."

I could clearly picture his wife laying down yellow plastic on their walkway and people slipping on their way in, which made me laugh really hard for some reason.

I think it is really important to include references to outside sources so your audience can easily connect to your piece.

If you're interested in finding some more of Dave Barry's work, here is the link to his website:
Dave Barry's Site

Fahrenheit 451 Theme Assignment

Fahrenheit 451 Theme Hand-Out

Theme Statement: People should take action rather than watch a society falter and possibly crumble.

Timeline:

Part 1:

“Is it true that long ago firemen put fires out instead of going to start them?” (Bradbury 12).

“Montag hesitated. “Was--was it always like this? The firehouse, our work? I mean, well, once upon a time…” (Bradbury 38).

“You weren’t there, you didn’t see,” he said. “There must be something in books, things we can’t imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don’t stay for nothing” (Bradbury 54-55).

Part 2:

“This afternoon I thought that if it turned out that books were worthwhile. We might get a press and print some extra copies--”(Bradbury 81).

“Go home and think how it all happened and what did you ever do to stop it? Go home, go home!” (Bradbury 98).

Part 3:

“And then he was a shrieking blaze...no longer human or known, all writhing flame” (Bradbury 113).

“We all made the right kind of mistakes, or we wouldn’t be here...You want to join us, Montag?’

‘Yes” (Bradbury 143).

How the theme improves understanding of story:

Throughout the story, Montag displays his self-willed nature, by questioning society at first, which later progresses to him taking an active stance against the government, and acting out against their laws in an attempt to fight for what he believes in.

How the theme connects to modern day society:

In a society in which there are injustices present, the only way change can be brought about is through individuals standing up for what they think is right, and many cases in  modern day show that society, those who take action are the ones who ensure that society won’t deteriorate to a worse state.