Task Three: Home Defense

Task Three: Home Defense

In Max Brooks's article entitled The Zombie Survival Guide, he states ways to prepare your house for a zombie apocalypse. The author supports his claim by telling the reader ways they can modify their homes, the supplies they’ll need, and survival attacks. Then, the author goes through will what supplies will be needed for your home and what type of weapons should be used. Finally the author stats that having the right equipment and supplies will help you live longer through a zombie apocalypse. Brook says, “There is no telling how long it will take for help to arrive. There is no telling if help ever will. Always be prepare for a long siege” (Brooks).

Task Two: Know Your Zombie

In Voytek's non-fiction entitled, "How to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse Using Science", he states strategies on ways to survive during a zombie apocalypse. The author supports his claim by attaching a pamphlet to his article informing the reader ways to survive during a zombie apocalypse. The author next states that a fellow neuroscientist by the name of, Timothy Verstynen, and himself established that zombies suffered from Consciousness Deficit Hypoactivity Disorder (CDHD). The pamphlet explains "what not to do" as well as "what to do" if a person ever comes across a zombie. "USE YOUR HEAD; CUT OFF THERES!" says Voytek in the pamphlet. 

Basic Survival Skills: Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse

In Ali S. Khan’s non-fiction entitled, “Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse”, she states how people should prepare for a zombie apocalypse and a real emergency. The author supports her claim by informing the reader what should be needed, such as an emergency kit that contains: water, medicine, tools, supplies etc … The author next explains  how its important for a person to have an emergency plan and have two places where they can meet with others. Finally, the author states that the CDC will investigate the disease and will help assist those in need. Khan says, “When zombies are hungry they won’t stop until they get food. Khan’s purpose of this article was to inform people how to prepare for a zombie apocalypse and real emergencies. 

Literature Analysis #2

Cristal Espindola

December 3, 2013

English 2

Mr. Ostini

Literature Analysis #2

1. Exposition: In Pelzer’s real life story entitled A Child Called “It” he tells a story about a boy who was beaten and starved by his alcoholic mother. David Pelzer was the son of Catherine Roerva and Stephen Pelzer. He lived with his parents and four brothers Richard, Ron, Stephen, and Kevin. David has a great life but it slowly starts changing.

Rising Action: David and his family take trips every summer. David plays with his brother and he stays up too watch cartoons with them. There a happy family who get along with each other and are very close; however, things start to change. David’s mother starts slowly singling him out and starts punishing him.

Climax: David was practically the family’s slave. Only David got treated like this not his brothers. David’s mother decided that David wasn’t doing his job right so she stabbed him. She made David continue his chores and acted as if nothing had happened.

Falling Action: David continues to get tortured and not feed by his mother. He starts stealing food at school because he doesn’t get any at home. This led him to moving schools. David got picked on by his classmates and was bullied. Things were only getting worse for him.

Resolution: He continues to get beaten and tortured. Is there hope for David? Will things get better? Does he end up dying? Find out by reading this amazing book.

2. The theme of this book is neglect and survival. I say its neglect because his mother says, “You are a nobody! An It! You are nonexistent! You are a bastard child! I hate you and I wish you were dead! (Pelzer.140) It’s also survival because David says, “Mother can beat me all she wants, but I haven’t let her take away my will to somehow survive” (Pelzer.4) David Pelzer wrote this book to let the reader see a different perspective on how life is for children who are abused. He also wrote it to show that after many downfalls and living in a dark place, there is still hope for a better tomorrow.

3. I chose to read this book because my best friend told me she loved it. The title of the book made me question was it was entitled that, so I chose to read it. I continued reading it because I was curious to find out why David was tortured and if he did anything to stop it.

4. This book is realistic; it’s the life of the author, David Pelzer. I didn’t make connections to how David was tortured by his mother; however, I made connections to the way he was feeling. While reading the book I felt as if I was there with him because the language used in this book was powerful. David Pelzer did an amazing job expressing himself.

5. The tone in A Child Called “It”, is wisdom, anger, and worried. A tone I chose was wisdom because David says, “As a small child, I probably had a voice that carried farther than others. I also had the unfortunate luck of getting caught at mischief, even though my brothers and I were often committing the same ‘crime’” (Pelzer. 29). This explains how David knew what was going around him and he also found out ways to avoid his mother at times. Another tone I chose was anger, I chose this because David Mother says, “You have made my life a living hell … Now it’s time I showed you what living hell is like!” (Pelzer. 41). David’s Mother has a lot of hate toward David, the same way David has a lot of hate toward her. The last tone I chose was worried because David says, “She told me that if I didn’t do the dishes on time, she . . . shed kill me” (Pelzer. 89). David never knew what his mother was going to do next to torture him, he was always worried.

6. Imagery: “SMACK! Mother hits me in the face, and I topple to the floor (Pelzer.3).

Imagery: “Another blow pushes my head against the tile counter top” (Pelzer.4).

Imagery: “I visualized every inch of the hamburger. The meat dripped with grease, and thick slices of chesse bubbled on top. Condiments oozed between the lettuce and tomato” (Pelzer. 48).

Flashback:”In the years before I was abused, my family was the “Brady Bunch” of the 1960s” (Pelzer. 17).

Flashback: “Back then our house was full of pets-cats, dogs, aquarium filled with exotic fish and gopher tortoise named “Thor”” (Pelzer. 20).

Flashback: “We lived in a modest two-bedroom house…I can remember looking out of our living room bay window on a clear day…”(Pelzer.17).

Irony: “Mother was as solid as a rock” (Pelzer. 50).

Metaphor: “The garage was colder than a winter night” (Pelzer. 76).

Simile: “My stomach was growling at me like a animal” (Pelzer.81)

Personification: “It felt like all the merchandise on the self was talking to me at once telling me to steal them” (Pelzer. 68)

Characterization 

1. Direct: “I knew she was going to kill me, if not today, tomorrow. That day I wished my mother would have mercy and kill me quickly” (Pelzer. 153).  Direct: “I knew if I wanted to stay alive. I would have to think ahead. I could no longer cry like a helpless baby” (Pelzer. 43).
Indirect: David’s mother says, “You are a nobody! An It! You are nonexistent! You are a bastard child I hate you and I wish you were dead! Dead! Do you hear me? Dead!” (Pelzer. 140).Indirect: David’s mother says, “You are all mine now. Too bad your father’s not here to protect you” (Pelzer. 152).

       2.   The author’s syntax didn’t change when he referred to the character.
3. David is the protagonist, in the book, A Child Called “It”. David is a static and       round character because throughout the book he stays the same. He’s always scared of his mom and is worried in what way he’d get torture next. David is a round character because the book is first-person, so the reader knows a lot about him.
4. After reading the book, I felt as if I met the character. Not only as if I met him, but while reading the book I felt that I was there with David. The author of this book, David Pelzer, did an amazing job and had a way with his words that made me feel as if I were there with David going through the struggles. It honestly made me cry.
Enduring Memory
I will always remember when David’s mother told him, “You are a nobody! An It! You are nonexistent! You are a bastard child I hate you and I wish you were dead! Dead! Do you hear me? Dead!” (Pelzer. 140). This is important because I think for a kid to hear this, it would scar him forever. With this quote David Pelzer made me have hate toward his mom, so it was very powerful. Another quote is “Childhood should be carefree, playing in the sun; not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul” (Pelzer. 98). Pelzer’s childhood was very dark and negative. This quote is my favorite. 

Persepolis Argumentative Essay

Cristal Espindola

November 18, 2013

Mr. Ostini

English 2

Block 2

                                   Persepolis Argumentative Essay   

        Persepolis is a graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi. This novel is about Marjane's life from the ages of 10 to 24. Her childhood takes place in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution, a time where her country was at war.  Johan Bennett, chief executive officer, believes the novel should be banned. Despite this, Persepolis shouldn’t be banned because the reader sees new perspective in a different country, learns valuable lessons, and understands why Marjane is a good role model.  

          One reason Persepolis shouldn’t be banned is because the reader gets to see all the advantages and disadvantages on how life is in a different country. For example, it became obligatory to wear the veil (3.3). This is important because the reader see’s how their freedom was taken away. In 1980, had to dress a certain way and couldn’t express themselves the way they’d like too. (75.1-2). People in Iran wanted freedom, religion, and peace. It’s clear it was very difficult to live in Iran during those times. The reader not only gets to go on a journey with Marjane, but they also get to learn about Islamic culture and history.

          ​Throughout this novel, Marjane learns valuable lessons. Marjane says, “I spent my first night on the street. They were plenty of others...” (237.7). This is important because it’s a downfall in Marjane’s life. She also tried to commit suicide, but failed at it. (273.1-8). She realized it wasn’t for her. She says,"From now on I’m taking myself in hand” (273.8). There are people around the world going through situations like Marjane and by reading this book they'll learn how to overcome them. This novel is perfect for teenagers to read because it has many valuable lessons and it shows that a person shouldn’t take their life for granted.   

​           Johan Bennett states that the novel has graphic violence. It’s true that it has graphic violence; however, teenagers aalready exposed to that. There might be disturbing images, but that’s Iranian history. Those images are what make this book so powerful; the reader sees how life was during the Islamic war. 
Teenagers are also exposed to graphic violence when it comes to taking History class. For example, when high school students have to learn about Hitler and the Holocaust. Therefore, this book shouldn’t be banned because it opens the reader up to new perspectives.

          My final reason Persepolis  novel shouldn't be banned is Marjane is a good role model to teenagers. For example,  Marjane says,"For a revolution to succeed, the entire population must support it"(17.3). Marjane is being a leader and is apart of her community and stands up for what she believes in. Another example is when Marjane gets into university (283.1). Marjane has always put her education first and is always interested in learning new things. One of her teachers tells her,"..Thanks to people like you, I still have hope for the future of Iran"(330.5). Marjane shows teenagers that after downfalls, you can still be successful and rise to the top. Marjane is a strong independent woman. Teenagers are going to be able to relate and connect to this book. They're going to see the similarities and differences from their lives to hers.

          ​In conclusion, Persepolis is a great book to discuss in a   world literature class. This is more than just a book; it’s a journey through cultural and religious times in the life of Iranians in the 1980’s. This book lets the reader see a new perspective of life, it has valuable lessons, and it lets the reader see why Marjane is a 

good role model.  Overall, Persepolis shouldn't be  banned from schools.

Vocabulary #11

1. Perturb- to upset
ex:

2. Ludicrous- ridiculous
ex:
3. Cordial- polite; friendly
ex:
4. Predicament- tough situation
ex:
5. Descend- to move downward
ex:
6. Demure- shy
ex:
7. Repugnant- awful; sickening
ex:
8. Ponder- to think about something
ex:

Vocabulary Definitions and Sentences #10

1. Bemoan(V): complain about

Ex: The girl bemoaned when the teacher gave her three packets of homework.

2. Pensive(A): deep in thought

Ex: During church, the girl was pensive.

3. Devoid(A): entirely without

Ex: After the girls lost there soccer game, they were devoid of happiness. 

4. Melancholy(A): sad/emo

Ex: Marji was very melancholy after her breakup.

5. Mollify(V): to calm someone

Ex: The mother mollified her daughter at night because she was scared of a ghost.

6. Memento(N): a keepsake or souvenir

Ex: Mu mother brought me back a memento from her trip to Paris.

7. Illicit:(A): illegal

Ex: It is illicit to sell alcohol to people under the age of 21.

8. Ascend(V): to climb/ to go up

Ex: The girl began to cry as her ballon ascended.