Most recent public comments by Arif Bacchus https://nowcomment.com/users/10891 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25279?scroll_to=330627 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25279?scroll_to=330627 Again, the word is used because it comes from an outside source. It is the author telling you that these is not his words, and that it is coming from somewhere else. Thu, 26 Mar 2015 10:37:08 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25279?scroll_to=330625 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25279?scroll_to=330625 They add secondary details that would have been hard to find otherwise. In this case, this source is being used here to describe someone that visited Sylvia. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:51 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25279?scroll_to=330623 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25279?scroll_to=330623 It is creative a play on words. Like the others have pointed out, Plath finally found the house she was looking for and in the end it was her destiny to end he life here. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:50 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25279?scroll_to=330621 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25279?scroll_to=330621 Here the quotes give the reader an inside view of Plath's thoughts. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:50 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=326035 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=326035 An inspiration of her career, of what she wants to do in her life. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:44 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324407 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324407 Synthesis is a written discussion that draws on one or more sources. The ideals of Halliburton and Poe are being synthesized to define Sontag's inspiration. Here Richard Halliburton is used to mention the inspiration of roaming the world and taking what you want from it, and Poe is used to mention that literature is way of learning about other worlds. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:44 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324403 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324403 It turns Marie Curie into her inspiration. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:44 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324402 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324402 This is a terrific title, given that a desert is a lonely place where living conditions are bad. It mirrors the experience of her childhood of her being cared for by nannies, relatives, and grandparents instead of her parents. It also is pun on the word deserted. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:44 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324401 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324401 That there is more to the story, that perhaps there is something she does not wan't to tell us as well. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:46 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324399 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324399 This might be an off topic question, but what was it like writing this with someone else? How does the process work? Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:52 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324395 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324395 It introduces the theme of dramatic change. Susan is getting a new father, and she is moving, something that can leave a prolonged dramatic effect on an adolescent. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:44 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324385 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324385 She is only four, so It informs the reader that the "remembering" she does can possibly be skewed or not true. If I am correct words are sometimes put in quotes for this purpose? Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:44 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324378 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=324378 It shows that Sotang is a curious child. She right away questions what she hears, in this case being the word "high-stung." It also shows that for her age she is smart, as she uses the word "interesting" in her thoughts. Usually, the average four year old does not have that word in their vocabulary yet! Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:43 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=323336 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=323336 Again, difference in culture. This sort of language is not professional and has been dead in America for a long time now. The Conductor in America would probably just say "Good Day" or "Safe Travels" or something else. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:41 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=323335 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=323335 Perhaps it is because of the values of English society? It shows the difference in culture. The English respect their train system so they do not want drunkards riding it. Or maybe it is just a cultural thing? Too many drunks riding the trains, so there must be a rule against it? Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:41 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=323333 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=323333 I think it is interesting how actual biographical facts about Sylvia Plath get weaved into the entry. Usually diaries are more personal, but here you can see the author giving the reader facts through this entry as well. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:39 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=323332 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=323332 It establishes where the author is from (New York!) It also offers a comparison between BL and the NY Public Library. It also offers the social commentary on how the author views NY, as they think it is a "feee for all" kind of city Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:39 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=323330 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=323330 Its not exactly grammatically correct, especially that beginning sentence, it is brief, and a collection of thoughts. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:38 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30622?scroll_to=321628 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30622?scroll_to=321628 A unreliable and informal story. If you want me to call you Ishmael, then that right away makes me doubt what your real name is and makes things seem informal. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:33 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30622?scroll_to=321627 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30622?scroll_to=321627 I was impressed at how much information this short excerpt gives us. Like my classmates pointed out there is so much that has been introduced to the reader. I am impressed at how all of this happened in just what? A few hundred words? The ideas of suicide, depression and so on. Fri, 27 Mar 2015 22:55:06 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30622?scroll_to=321626 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30622?scroll_to=321626 Seems like his state of mind is that he is sick of land life, as he says "nothing particular to interest me on shore" Then, as the others have pointed out, this, and the fact that he has no money, is why he goes out to sea. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:33 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30636?scroll_to=317457 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30636?scroll_to=317457 Setting seems to be a good tool of the writer. Should be added to Steven King's toolbox. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:28 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30636?scroll_to=315922 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30636?scroll_to=315922 Hayley already said this, but I get a sense of the setting. I see the library the shelves, the room. I find this strange though because it is not what I expect from a Biography. I would expect to get details about the person instead. But it works though, as it shows the personality of the person because of how they treat the room. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:28 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30636?scroll_to=315919 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30636?scroll_to=315919 As a reader it makes me believe that there is more to the biography, a piece that the biographer can't find or is still pondering on. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:25 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30636?scroll_to=315905 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30636?scroll_to=315905 This seems to be a hard process. Does this process take skill to do? With modern technology and mass media, this makes me ask, can the average person (say someone in our class for instance) write a non conventional biography? Fri, 13 Feb 2015 11:27:24 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30619?scroll_to=315681 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30619?scroll_to=315681 That is what I thought as well. I think that starting with a setting is a great technique because it leaves a sense of mystery, I wonder what will happen in this perfect place that is being described to me. Thu, 12 Feb 2015 13:19:28 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30619?scroll_to=314613 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30619?scroll_to=314613 I think it is an allusion. I believe that perhaps the author of this piece means to compare the Vale of Tempe to Thule. Thule at the time was basically considered the fringe of the known world, around modern Iceland to be exact. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:20 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30619?scroll_to=314244 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30619?scroll_to=314244 This got my attention. Is this a medieval literary reference to Antonius Diogenes' Wonders Beyond Thule? Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:20 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30619?scroll_to=314242 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30619?scroll_to=314242 This beginning paragraph really gives a sense of the setting. I noticed this in William Faulkner piece we read in class as well. That makes me ask---Is it common to start a piece by describing or leading into a setting? Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:20 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30619?scroll_to=314241 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30619?scroll_to=314241 From just reading the title (before even reading) and based on the word native, it seems to give the impression of someone returning to an old place after a prolonged journey or absence. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:20 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30612?scroll_to=312382 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30612?scroll_to=312382 As a seasoned writer yourself, who do you think affects how you make changes to your writing the most? Is it what the editors tell you or what the publisher think of the work? Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:15 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30612?scroll_to=312194 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30612?scroll_to=312194 Hayley, I agree with you. This is a very good rule. Characters are very important. I say this because on page 77 of the reading we had to do this weekend Stephen King scrapped his idea for "Carrie" just because he didn't like his lead character. Sat, 31 Jan 2015 09:45:05 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30612?scroll_to=312082 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30612?scroll_to=312082 I also really agree with this one. When writing for yourself, your writing becomes unique. Everyone in this world is different, so if everyone writes for themselves, we get different works and styles of literature. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:18 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30612?scroll_to=312081 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30612?scroll_to=312081 This made me laugh, but it seems important. It goes back to the rule I added. To me, when you write, you need to be focused. Having the TV around while writing is just a distraction. You don't want something you see on TV to become part of your writing. That kills originality! Fri, 30 Jan 2015 12:07:21 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30612?scroll_to=312080 https://nowcomment.com/documents/30612?scroll_to=312080 I think that the rule to add is to write early drafts and outlines of a work by hand instead of electronically. When writing by hand, there are less distractions around you, and the quality of your writing and brain storming would possibly reflect that. I say this because King seems to be anti-distraction, especially with rules #13, 9, and 8. To me the rules should be ranked like this: 1)Don't use passive voice 2)Write for yourself 3)Read, read, read 4)Don't worry about making other people happy 5)Stick to your own style 6) One word at a time 7) Eliminate distraction. 8) Turn off the TV 9)Leave out the boring parts. 10)The research shouldn't overshadow the story 11)You become a writer simply by reading and writing 12)Avoid Adverbs 13)Avoid adverbs after he said she said. 14)Don't obsess over perfect grammar 15)You have three months 16)The magic is in you 17)Two secrets to success 18)Writing is not about getting happy. 19)Dig 20)Take a break I put the material things like getting rid of distractions and style first. The grammar and other stuff is important, but when writing early on can slow down progress. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:19 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=293059 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=293059 Now that you mention that, Power could have dual meaning? On one side The couple can be out for power or have power. Then on the other side the public can just view them as a powerful couple regardless of what they do? Like the Obamas are a powerful couple because they are political.. But then the Gates are just powerful because the public respects what they do as philanthropists. One is more celebrity and the other is more serious. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:08 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=292481 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=292481 I think Stacey did a good job of answering your question about the Power Couples. I had quite a few in mind before she answered--- including the Obamas, the Kennedys, De Blasios, Gates, etc. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:07 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291255 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291255 She tried to be pleasing, and she cared for him...something his other members of the family tree were not doing. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:07 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291252 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291252 Interesting title because there have been many power couples in American HIstory. If I didn't have to read this for an assignment and just saw this title in a paper, I would have read on to see which one the author was referring to. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:06 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291240 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25273?scroll_to=291240 It shows the reader a background of the biographer and reasserts the biographer's reputation. It also shows the reader that the biographer has deep experience in writing about a wide range of subjects. As for the subjects, the subjects range from all over the place---from Australian novelist Christina Stead, African novelist Richard Wright, or Philosopher jean Paul Sarttre. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:06 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=290452 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=290452 Seems like in this case it is more of an observation based on a general statment. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:05 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=289294 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=289294 You know your stuff. That is some deep background information you give there. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:04 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=289293 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=289293 Based on what is said in the paragraph I think that the credibility of the unauthorized biographer, and then the evidence that the biographer gives is what makes the biography convincing. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:04 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=288399 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=288399 Should have explained in my original comment. I find Bay to be a good active and lively word. It sort of paints a picture, because when I think of Bay I think of big and open. Makes me read on, why does McCarthy put biographers in this big open bay? Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:07 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=287760 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=287760 Bay is such an interesting word to use in the title. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:07 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=287759 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=287759 In interpreting something you have to prove it with a fact, it cant be just a wild claim. I see this in the 11th Paragraph where the writer makes the claim that Mr. Carlin has a knack for setting a scene. The claim is made then the fact, about the reporting on the encounter with the Beatles is given to prove it. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:05 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=287758 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25272?scroll_to=287758 Because it is about him after all. And in reviews you should try in part to at least give both sides of the story. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:03 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=284470 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=284470 I really like this paragraph. It wraps things up nicely and ends with a nice bang mentioning enemies and friends. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:56 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=284469 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=284469 The word choice- justice, liberty, loyalty- that the author chooses makes her almost seem like a hero who was not afraid to defend her own views- or as the author says "what she represented most staunchly was herself." Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:01 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=284467 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25204?scroll_to=284467 At least to me it grabs my attention. It makes her seem interesting and keeps me reading to find out more. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:56 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25199?scroll_to=271748 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25199?scroll_to=271748 According to the dictionary, Boilerplate means writing that is cliché and expresses general opinion and beliefs. It also could mean a standardized piece of text. Very interesting word to use I may say. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:49 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25199?scroll_to=271747 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25199?scroll_to=271747 ISIS has another meaning beyond the one that is being used in the media today. I like the title because what Sylvia did (embrace culture in her writing) makes her an almost goddess of literature (the other meaning of ISIS is Greek goddess of fertility.) Interesting play with words. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:49 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25199?scroll_to=271746 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25199?scroll_to=271746 It is setting up the reader to a time period of Plath, and giving the reader some general background info on who Plath is and what is occurring. (I assume most people would not know who Sylvia Plath is) Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:51 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25198?scroll_to=269240 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25198?scroll_to=269240 I am glad you caught that Shakespeare reference, I also thought that "dark lady" was a referral to Shakespeare. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:44 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25198?scroll_to=267738 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25198?scroll_to=267738 To me it doesn't throw the reader off. Usually (at least I do) the reader likes to look for positive things. By starting with the positive, then moving to the negative, it gives the reader a better feel for things. No one usually wants to read a review that is all negative thoughts. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:51 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25198?scroll_to=267737 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25198?scroll_to=267737 I love this statement. It is bold and really gets the opinion across well. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:44 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=263110 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=263110 Maybe this is not really related, but I myself read some of Faulkerner's work last semester and I agree. Faulkner has his own unique style that sometimes is hard to understand to those not familiar with him. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:40 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=263075 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=263075 I agree with that Irina says, the quote helps the reader understand the material... However, I have a question for Professor Rollyson regarding his response. He said to paraphrase unless the quote if its not really good. Isn't paraphrasing dangerous in reviews? I always thought paraphrasing would mislead the reader and put words to the work that isn't necessarily there, giving readers a bad vibe. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:40 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=261393 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=261393 Since you used it here, I wont shy away from using quotes in that style anymore. Like you said, it does a lot of work for you. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:39 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=258084 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=258084 To me this functions to explain your opening thought, and perhaps even support and explain what Faulknerian is. It also helps to bring an aspect of the book into the review without bombarding your reader with a boring quotation. It's also a stylistic method, as you said in class today to have variable lengths in the paragraphs. Having the quote there all alone stands out off the page and appeals to my eye too. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:38 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=258083 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25186?scroll_to=258083 I find this interesting. In traditional Journalism we often shy away from starting with questions. I find that starting off of this review with a question is very fitting, it grabs my attention and keeps me reading, especially with that word "Faulknerian." Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:46 -0800