Blogpost 7: An Indtuctive Leap too far

"Inductive Reasoning and Logic | BlazingTruth.com." Blazing Truth. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2012. <http://www.blazingtruth.com/problem-of-induction/>.


      In the book, "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins, an inductive leap too far occurs right at the end of the novel. While Katniss and Peeta fight over which one is going to die in order to save the other, the team pulls together a plan to take out the remaining tributes who are not their allies. Beetee comes up with a plan to electrocute the arena with his coil of wire. (THIS IS THE INDUCTIVE LEAP) The group gets separated while their putting the plan into action, and soon the entire arena is in chaos. Katniss is brutally wounded, but still remembers a significant part of Beetee's plan. She winds the wire around her arrow and shoots it into the force field. "I finally see Beetee's knife with clear eyes. My shaking hands slide the wire from the hilt, wind it around the arrow just above the feathers, and secure it with a knot picked up in training." (Collins, Catching Fire, 196) Then, the arena explodes. "Everything seems to erupt at once. The earth explodes into showers of dirt and plant matter. Trees burst into flames. Even the sky fills with brightly colored blossoms of light." (Collins, Catching Fire, 197) Katniss becomes unconcious, and when she wakes up she is in an aircraft with Haymitch, Plutarch, Finnick and Beetee. She learns that this was part of a master plot, and that there is a group of rebels, from District 13, working to take down the Capitol. She learns that all of the effort in the Quell was to protect her, because she's the "mocking jay". Peeta however did not make it out of the arena, and the capital has him. “ 'Where is Peeta?' I hiss at him. 'He was picked up by the Capitol along with Johanna and Enobaria,' says Haymitch." (Collins, Catching Fire, 200) In conclusion, the illogical plan to blow up the arena in order to survive, caused katniss and the others to have many severe injuries. The plan also caused the team to seperate, which in the end made it difficult to rescue them all, and caused them to not be able to get to Peeta in time. However, without this inductive leap, the entire plot of the following book, "Mocking Jay", would be changed and there would be no main problem. The capitol would not have captured Peeta or infected him with tracker jacker venom, and the rebels would not be trying to save him while also trying to destroy the capitol at the same time. The inductive leap also creates a character change in Katniss, while she agrees to be the "mocking jay"; "The one that survived despite the Capitol's plans. The symbol of the rebellion" (Collins, Catching Fire, 200) and puts her life at risk, she realizes that she does not love Gale and that she wants to be with Peeta. Although the inductive leap too far creates many negative situations and hadn't worked out as planned, it is still a significant part of the book, and without it the story would be completely different.

Collins, Suzanne, and Suzanne Collins. Catching fire. New York: Scholastic Press, 2009. Print.

Collins, Suzanne. Mocking Jay. HC. ed. Toronto ON: Scholastic Press, 2010. Print.

Blogpost 6: Style

      I am currently reading the book, The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins.Throughout the book i have found that there is a very good use of metaphor and simile. The difference between a metaphor and simile is that a metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action and is not literally applicable, where as a simile directly compares two different things, usually using the words like or as. 


          "I’ve ridden the elevator a couple of times in the Justice Building back in District 12. Once to receive the medal for my father’s death and then yesterday to say my final goodbyes to my friends and family. But that’s a dark and creaky thing that moves like a snail and smells of sour milk.  The walls of this elevator are made of crystal so that you can watch the people on the ground floor shrink to ants as you shoot up into the air."  (Collins, The Hunger Games, 43)

 "As we step into the cool, windy evening air, I catch my breath at the view. The Capitol twinkles like a vast field of fireflies. Electricity in District 12 comes and goes, usually we only have it a few hours a day."  (Collins, The Hunger Games, 46)


 "All I can think is how unjust the whole thing is, the Hunger Games. Why am I hopping around like some trained dog trying to please people I hate? The longer the interview goes on, the more my fury seems to rise to the surface, until I’m literally spitting out answers at him." (Collins, The Hunger Games, 65)

"I am not pretty. I am not beautiful. I am as radiant as the sun." Collins, The Hunger Games, 67)

"I lean back against the trunk of my tree, one finger gingerly stroking the sandpaper surface of my tongue, as I assess my options. How can I get water?" (Collins, The Hunger Games, 91)

"I feel like an old piece of leather, drying and cracking in the heat. every step is an effort, but I refuse to stop." (Collins, The Hunger Games, 92)

"The world begins to bend in alarming ways. A butterfly balloons to the size of a house then shatters into a million stars. Trees transform to blood and splash down over my boots."  (Collins, The Hunger Games, 106)

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press. 2008. Print.

The use of metaphor and simile in this novel is important to the story, because they help the reader understand the situations more clearly. By using comparisons through metaphor and similes, you can relate how someone or something is feeling, or what they see, by relating it to something more familiar with the reader. For example, "But thats a dark and creaky thing that moves like a snail and smells of sour milk." (The Hunger Games, Collins, 43) The author is using simile to explain how the elevator runs, and how it smells. When they say "moves like a snail" they are suggesting that the elevator moves very slowly, just like a snail does. Metaphors are less direct, and are not as easy to recognize. For example "the walls of this elevator are made of crystal so that you can watch the people on the ground floor shrink to ants as you shoot up into the air." (The Hunger Games, Collins, 43) The author does not mean that the people are literally shrinking into ants, but they are explaining how small the people look on the ground floor as the elevator gets higher. In conclusion, metaphors and smiles can be a very important device used in books, including The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, and can help the reader get a more clear understanding of what is going on and make them more engaged in the story itself. 

Blogpost 5: Social Issues

    In the novel that I just recently finished, Ruthless, by Sara Shepard, the social issues of bullying and crime are present.
 
   First, bullying is demonstrated by somebody named A, who is cyber bullying and harassing Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily. Throughout the story A sends them a number of threatening anonymous messages which effect all four of the girls futures in different ways. In the book, A is ruining four innocent girl's lives and making their town turn against them, and in reality they are an example of who not to be. "Theres only so much you can bury, emily. I'm not done with you yet. xo. -A" (Shepard, Ruthless, 55) Instead, A should be minding their own business and not trying to ruin other people's lives simply for their own amusement. That is not how our society should be acting and not the type of person that somebody should want to be.

    Next, crime is also present in the book, Ruthless. All four of the girls are involved with some sort of crime. For example, Spencer is selling pills called "Easy A" and would have been sent to juvie if Hanna hadn't broken into a girl named Kelsey's apartment and framed her. Also, Hanna steals ten thousand dollars from her father's safe and blames it on a man who is working for him. One of the biggest crimes that the girls commit is the murder of a girl who they thought was Alison DiLaurentis, but ended up being an innocent girl named Tabitha. The four girls are willing to do anything in order for A to keep their secrets safe from the rest of Rosewood, even if it means committing crimes and other dangerous acts that put each one of their lives and futures at risk. In the novel, instead of going to the police about the threatening messages they have been receiving, the girls are obeying what A says and committing illegal crimes and completing many dangerous tasks. "Somebody knew. Somehow, Somebody saw what happened in Jamaica. And now they were going to ruin their lives, just like they ruined Tabithas." (Shepard, Ruthless, 69) In reality the law is the law, and it should not be broken no matter what the circumstance, and sometimes trying to get yourself out of a particular situation can actually dig your hole deeper and get you into even more trouble.

   Both of these social issues are significant to the book because they are not only important to the storyline, but also extends on the idea of how social issues such as bullying and crime can effect a person or society. The author has included hidden messages that are not only interesting to read, but can also teach the reader important life lessons.

Shepard, Sara. Ruthless. New York: Alloy Entertainment. 2011. Print.

Blogpost 4: Significance of...

       Two significant items in the book that I am currently reading, Ruthless, include a character and an event. The character that I have decided is significant to the story is A, and the event that I have chosen is Hanna's dad's comercial campaign.

        These two items are significant in different ways. First, A is a very significant character throughout not only Ruthless, but also the rest of the Pretty Little Liars series. A contributes meaningfully to the plot, because if A wasn't in the story many events would not occur. For example, without A, the girls would not be receiving threatening and anonymous messages. The main idea of the series is about how Aria, Emily, Spencer, and Hanna are known as the "pretty little liars" because they are always having to lie and put their lives in danger in order to stop A from spreading their secrets and ruining their future. "Why was this happening to her? Doesn't she have enough to worry about without A interfering with her life? Sometimes Spencer wonders how her life would be without A trying to ruin it every chance they got." (Shepard, Ruthless, 67) A is very important to the plot of the story, and even though the girls wish that A did not exist, there would be no story without them.

       Next, the event that Hanna's father is holding for his campaign is also very significant to the book. This event is significant in many ways, because it helps the audience understand the character's motivation, and reveals further understanding of the relationship between characters. Hanna's motivation is revealed through this event, because when A is threatening to post embarrassing pictures of her all over the internet and ruin her father's campaign unless she comes up with ten thousand dollars in the next few days, she is left with no other choice but to steal the money from her father's safe. Hanna shows her motivation in order to stop A from ruining both her and her father's future. This event also reveals further understanding of the relationship between Hanna and her father. Hanna used to be really close with her father until he got re-married and now he has no time for Hanna and seems to love his new stepdaughter, Kate, more. After Hanna steals the money from her dad, she ends up confessing that she took it a few days later. Surprisingly, her father doesn't freak out like Hanna expected, and instead they talk about how they need to spend more time together. "And suddenly, stealing the money didn't feel like such a bad crime." (Shepard, Ruthless, 49) Without this event, the relationship between Hanna and her father might not have been fixed. In conclusion, the event of Hanna's father's campaign has been significant to the story through these two ways.

Shepard, Sara. Ruthless. New York: Alloy Entertainment. 2011. Print.

Blog Post 3: Define and Describe a Character

Spencer: Throughout "Ruthless", Spencer shows many characteristics such as determined, selfish, and confused.

Determined: The act of coming to a decision or solution, or settling a purpose. Two synonyms include; compulsive, driven. Two antonyms include; undetermined, careless.

Selfish: Devoted to or caring only for one's self, concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, etc., regardless of others. Two synonyms include; self seeking, greedy. Two antonyms include; caring, generous.

Confused: To perplex or bewilder, and be unclear or indistinct of a certain situation. Two synonyms include; puzzled, unsure. Two Antonyms include; understanding, clear.   

Determined- Spencer shows determination throughout this novel in many ways. The author shows Spencer's determinative personality throughout the book both directly, and indirectly. An example of how Sara Shepard indirectly shows Spencer's drive is expressed through this quotation from the book: "Spencer couldn't believe that she and her friends were yet again faced with the task of figuring out who A might be, but she had her mind made up to stop them before they ruined their lives for good."(Shepard, Ruthless 30) This quotation from the book reveals Spencer's willingness to solve the situation she is in.  The author also reveals Spencer's compulsive personality throughout other situations in the book. For example, she is also determined about getting into Princeton University. She knows that she has to work very hard in order to pull her marks up and be accepted, but she is willing to do whatever it takes to get in. Secondly, she shows determination to finding out who "A" is, and why they are sending her, Aria, Emily, and Hanna threatening messages.  Another way Spencer is determined is by not letting her older sister, Melissa, get all the attention. Ever since Spencer was little her sister seemed to be the centre of attention, and Spencer is doing everything she can to please her parents and make them proud of her as well.

Selfish- Spencer shows selfishness at the beginning of "Ruthless" while she is in jail. Instead of taking the blame for selling pills with her friend Kelsey, Spencer calls Hanna while the police leave the room and gets Hanna to go to Kelsey's apartment and place pills under her pillow. The police find the pills in Kelsey's room, and Spencer tells them that it was all Kelsey and she had nothing to do with it. Sara Shepard reveals Spencer's self-seeking personality both indirectly and directly. An example of how the author reveals Spencer's selfishness is shown in the following statement: "her decision was a good one. She had to look out for herself. And with Hanna on her way, She'd get away with this scot-free."(Shepard, Ruthless 13) This section of the book directly states that spencer is satisfied with her decision of only lookng out for herself. Spencer is only worried about herself, because she doesn't want to go to juvie, or else she won't be able to go to University and her entire life will be ruined. Instead of taking responsibility for her actions, she blames the whole situation on Kelsey, and she gets away with it.

Confused- Spencer shows confusion in a few ways. First, she thinks that this boy named Zach really likes her, they spend a lot of time together and he flirts with her non-stop. One day when Spencer decided to kiss Zach, he pulls away. Spencer is confused and asks him what's wrong, and this is when he admits to Spencer that is is gay. Also, Spencer is of course confused about who is sending her and her friends threatening messages about secrets only one person knew about; her dead friend Alison. Lastly,  Spencer is confused when she receives a letter from Princeton, the university that finally accepted her last month. The letter states that there has been a mistake, and that she might not be attending Stanford this year. "Spencer read over the letter three times until the school's crest at the top of the page looked like a Rorschach blob. This couldn't be right. She had gotten into Princeton. This was done. Two minutes ago, her future was secure. Now she was poised to lose it all." (Shepard, Ruthless 34) This quotation from the book reveals Spencer's unsureness about what is happening in an indirect way. The author doesn't specifically say that she is confused, but by the way the author explains the way Spencer is feeling, we are able to determine and relate to Spencer's puzzled thoughts. Spencer is confused because she was so happy that she got accepted after all her hard work and dedication, so how could this be happening to her?

                             Shepard, Sara. Ruthless. New York: Alloy Entertainment. 2011. Print.

Blog Post 2: Identifying and Sorting

Five main elements of my novel  are:
1. Conflict
2. Suspense
3. No unnecessary detail
4. Few characters
5. Trap or obstacle

           Conflict is the most important element to me because it keeps the story interesting. In my novel that i just finished, Twisted, conflict is used in a way that captures your attention and is used throughout the entire book. The four main characters in my book Aria, Spencer, Emily, and Hanna are very different, and ever since their other best friend Alison was murdered, the four girls haven't been very close. While all of the girls are receiving anonymous messages from somebody know as A, they are reunited in trying to find out who is sending them these threatening messages. Conflict is created while they try to work together and stop the messages. The only problem is, that the messages that they are receiving contain secrets about the girls that only one person knew about.. Alison, but how could she be messaging them when she's dead? All of the girls have to put there differences aside and stay together if they want to stop this anonymous person from ruining their lives, and with that comes tones of conflict! An example of conflict created in this series is shown in the following quotation: "Hanna looks at her phone, surprised to see Spencer's name. She had barely talked to Spencer since the incident that happened between the two of them, along with Aria and Emily, in Jamaica last summer." (Shepard, Ruthless 9)

Shepard, Sara. Twisted. New York: Alloy Entertainment. 2011. Print.

Blog Post 1: Identify

          Three qualities i expect from 'a good book' are suspense, detail, and unpredictable. Suspense makes a book exciting and leaves you wanting to read more. Detail helps me imagine the scene or part of the book in my head. I like readinng books that are unpredictable because you never know what is going to happen next and it keeps you interested!

            The book i am reading right now is called Twisted and it is the 9th book of the Pretty Little Liars Series by Sara Shepard. This Book contains all three of the qualities that i look for in a book. Suspenense is created by ending each chapter with a note from A. The four main characters in the story are four girls who recieve annonymous notes and messages signed "A", and by ending the chapters with the notes from A there is a lot of suspense created and makes you want to read on and see what happens next between the four girls. Detail is used throughout this book, and the author does a really good job at explaining scenes and different situations and you can create a clear image in your head of the scenarios and sometimes you feel like your actually in the book! The book is also unpredictable, because the author makes you think something is going to happen, but there are always surprises awaiting as you read on! All of these qualities make Twisted a great book to read.

Shepard, Sara. Twisted. New York: Alloy Entertainment. 2011. Print.