Spelling Bee Movie (Spellbound)

Questions I chose to answer:

1. Write down five words that you did not know how to spell until seeing them in Spellbound.
2. Do you have something in your life like the National Spelling Bee? Describe some of the pressure you feel.

My Answers:

1.In my life, I face many pressures that relate to these kids and the National Spelling Bee.  I have been swimming competitively since I was 7, and I have been attending the National swim meets since I was 10.  When I reached that point, I felt much more pressure than ever before.  I didn't know how good were the people I was competing with, and how I compared to the best swimmers in the nation.  It takes a lot of practice, dedication, and perseverance in order to succeed in swimming as well as in the spelling bees. 

2. Some words I learned how to spell from the movie are the following:

Angstroms 

ossicular

permeability 

epitome 

diskotek 

I didn't even now these words existed, and from watching Spellbound I could acknowledge their existence and learn how to spell them. Although we are celebrating our conclusion with spelling quizzes, we can still learn to spell new words every day!

The Art of Persuasion- Posters

This is a poster of the movie Slumdog Millionaire. Here we can see an example of ethos for persuasion. Ethos uses the technique of authority to make the audience believe they are professional and thus get persuaded to see it. Ethos is present in this poster in various ways. Firstly, it shows a quote from a famous magazine about how good it is. Also, at the top, all the prizes the movie has won are displayed. These include the Academy Awards, which are the biggest recognitions in the move industry. It effectively uses ethos, and is a great movie.

    This is a poster of the famous fast food restaurant, McDonalds. It uses the persuasion technique of pathos. Pathos approaches the emotional part of the audience. The poster of McDonalds may be seen while someone is driving down the highway, because it indicates that McDonals is 'Left at 5th Light'. When someone is driving down a highway, they may be tired and hungry. The poster displays McDonalds french fries trying to appeal to the hunger of the driver. This encourages many people to go to McDonalds and eat there. It uses pathos in a very effective way. I want to go to McDonalds now!!     

Lastly, I displayed another movie poster. It also uses ethos similarly as the first poster doesl, but with different techniques (both ways work in an effective way). The poster is filled up with quotes from various magazines and critiques that are experts in the movie industry. They show all the good things that are said about the movie to show the audience that they are a great movie and persuade them to go watch it. It also uses ethos effectively, because many people rely on these sources. So, if these sources say it's a great film, then the people will believe them and go watch it. I also loved this movie!
 

Opinion Response-Pakistani Activist Shot

     

This article talks about a Pakistani girl with a blog who changed the minds of many. She lives in a small town where the Taliban militants have taken over. These people are militants who have changed rules and control lives of many Pakistani citizens. This girl underwent a difficult time as these people ordered the banning of women attending school, and thus preventing them from receiving an education. They believed no one would ever find out, but Malala Yousafzai is an exception.

As she realized that bad things were happening, she started recording whatever happened in her ‘Swat’ in a blog where she wrote with another name. These records were for the BBC Urdu, who noted everything that was taking place in Pakistan. I admire Malala’s r desire for change. If the Taliban ever found out (which they did) about her diary, they would have killed her. It takes courage to write about something when knowing that it could take your life. I am impressed by the fact that she still wants to pursue her dreams by creating a political party mainly for education. Malala has received numerous prizes and recognitions because of all the things she has done. I believe everyone should follow this Pakistani girl’s actions, because she has proved to the world that she will stand up for her education and her future.

Malala continued writing her blog anonymously until all the interviews and prizes she received revealed her identity. Last Tuesday, Malala was shot in the head and in the neck by a Taliban militant. She was immediately taken to the hospital. I believe it is a miracle for her to still be alive and with chances of getting better. The authorities aren’t sure what happened, but BBC has a clear idea of what occurred. Malala was leaving school and getting into the bus when someone suddenly shot her. I had predicted something like that happening to Malala as I read the article before this one. This girl was letting the world know about everything these people were doing, and they would eventually find out.

She knew that there was a high chance something bad would happen to her. But, despite the risk, she still stood up for all the women in Pakistan and in the world. She couldn’t tolerate the idea that she wouldn’t be able to receive an education because she was a woman. I can relate to this girl because I am also a girl, and sometimes I feel as if I am seen inferior because of my sex. I hope she recovers and can continue doing magical things that will help this world become a better place.

Opinion Response-Portrait of the Girl Blogger

The news article about Malala was impacting. I learned a vast amount about the Pakistani culture by reading about the life of a girl who lives in Mingora, a town in the northwest region of the country. She lives under the rule of the Taliban, who have changed the laws of the country for worse. The main idea of BBC writing an article about Malala is to show the world that there is people who stand up for what they believe is right with no fear of what may happen.

She starts writing a blog through the BBC Urdu about her life and what happens to people like her in Pakistan. At first, the brave girl talks about her daily life, and how she feels coming back from school and listening to people threatening others. But, right before leaving for winter break, Malala faces a difficult moment because she doesn’t know if she’ll ever come to school again. As she predicted, the Taliban demands for education to not be offered for women anymore. At that moment, in her blog, she writes about what these people do to her ‘Swat’ and the decision they have taken that have affected her future. She is considered the first girl to stand up and have a voice about her situation.

I believe she took a bold step by doing something she thought was right: Education for women. When she started writing more and reveals actions that Taliban is taking, she becomes worldly known and receives many interviews. In one of those she tells BBC that when she grows up she will create a political party that will have education as a main focus. I believe that if she can stand up for her education, she will be able to create a political party for the advantage of the citizens. Everyone of us should admire this young girl and her decisions. She has won various peace awards and has had one named after her. I was impressed by this girl’s actions, thinking that no one I know would ever be as brave to do such thing.

Everyone who gets to know her story would be impressed and honored to have this type of people living in our planet. As I reached the end of the article, I read something that emotionally destroyed me. “Malala is now recovering in hospital after being shot in the head and neck by a Taliban militant on Tuesday.”-BBC News. I was shocked. One of the few young girls who stood up for her rights was shot and had a long way to recover. If her god is with her, everything will hopefully turn out fine. No matter the consequences, people should always take the right actions and stand up for what they believe. 

Persepolis-Reading Blog:The Dowry

This is the last chapter of the comic book Persepolis. It finalizes very unexpectedly, almost unresolved. She is expelled from her school and soon placed in a new one. But, after discussing between her parents and the teenager, they decide to send her abroad. They believe it is best for her to leave the country, and even though she is doubtful at first, she eventually ends up leaving. In the final reading response, I will answer all the question I asked throughout previous chapters. This story takes place some time around the 20th century. The fact that she wants to be the prophet doesn't show up as the book continues; in fact, she becomes a very rebellious teenager and is even expelled from her school. This comic book talks about the religion, and the experiences of the war against Iraq. As a little girl, she had many 'meetings' with God at night, and one point in the book these stop. I believe she leaves behind the prophet dreams and the chats with God because she becomes a big girl. To finalize, I would like to say that this comic book turned out to be better than I imagined. Even though some parts were odd, and the finale was very exciting, it was fantastic. I would totally recommend this book. 

Persepolis-Reading Blog:The Sheep

The Sheep is one of the longest and most emotional chapters so far. Anoosh creates a strong bond with the little girl. He always takes care of her, and defends her from her parents. But, one evening after school, Anoosh isn't home. Her parents tell the girl that he had to go back to Moscow, but the finally tell her the truth about him being send to jail. She is very sad, but gets the opportunity to go visit him for a while. He is then executed, and the little girl realizes this is real beginning of a long war. By al the many occurrences that take place in this chapter, I have a lot of connections. To start with, one very important character is introduced some chapters before this one. I can connect Anoosh to Sirious Black from Harry Potter. Both the main character and the little girl haven't meet one familiar that was previously in prison. But, as soon as the meet, they feel a strong connection. Then, in the book, Anoosh teaches the little girl about his life, and starts becoming very close to her. In the book/movie saga, Harry learns from Sirius, and also generates a strong bond. At the end of the chapter, when Anoosh is sent to prison and then executed, the little girl suffers a lot. Harry Potter lives through the same sadness when Sirius dies. Both supposedly criminals are the favorite familiars of these two characters. 

Persepolis-Reading Blog:The Passport

As the main character decides to step out of childhood and become a grown up, the situation in Iran and within her family gets worse. Taher, a 59 year old man, had suffered two heart strokes from the pressure and stress of sending his son away. He was only 14 years old, and had been send to study abroad in a country were he didn't speak the language. Soon after the girls family talked to him, a tragedy occurred. There was a grenade thrown close to their apartment, which caused Taher to have another heart attack. He was sent to the hospital, but because he needed open heart surgery, nothing could be done without equipment. While trying to get a passport to send him to England, Taher passed away. If I could write a personal response to the family, it would go like this: 

Dear characters, 

Even though you lost a dear familiar, make the fact that you almost made a passport to see his son count. Many people have died throughout this book, and sadly a close member of your family has been chosen. He will go to heaven, where he will be warmly welcomed by God. This bloody war will bring lots of deaths, and the only thing one can do is move on. Take time to be thankful that all of you are still alive and healthy. Stay strong.

Sincerely,

Camila Toro. 

Persepolis-Reading Blog:Persepolis

The chapter Persepolis has the same name as the whole book, but there are no clues to why the author has chosen that title. I had a lot of confusion throughout this chapter, but then I was able to connect many of the final occurrences to my personal life. The little girl is trying to get a chance to talk to her grandmother about her grandpa, and how he ended up in jail. But, her grandmother does nothing but avoid talking about the topic. After a while, the girl's father hasn't arrived. The family starts to worry, and the girl thinks her father is dead. But, thankfully, the girl's dad arrived. He tells the family a story of how, when he was taking pictures of the hospital, he saw many dead bodies. I had many connections that were brought up as I read this the Persepolis chapter. Firstly, I remembered how I used to approach my grandmother when I was young for her to tell me stories about the past as the main character approaches he grandmother to learn about her grandfather. Also,  the little girl listens to the family's converstion about the deaths the father reported and seems confused and annoyed. I can relate to those feelings she felt to what I feel everyday with my family. I am constantly asking myself why adults say such absurd things. I guess the Irani girl and I have a lot in common.

Persepolis-Reading Blog:The Veil

     The first chapter of Persepolis sets the introduction and starts leading the audience to a potential situation that can take place. It starts off by introducing the main character and what she is living through. The chapter closes by showing how the main character desires to become the last prophet of her religion.  This little girl is born in the beginning of the Islamic Revolution. She is obliged to wear a veil over her hair, and is soon separated from her friends at school. Afterwards, she starts thinking of a way to pursue her dream of becoming the last prophet. She has a holy book, and has long talks with God at night. By reading this chapter I came up with several questions, including: What is her name? When does this story take place? Why are the obligated to wear a vail? What does this vail represent? Why does she want to be a prophet when she grows up? When she 'chats' with God at night, is it her imagination or is it really God? Will this book relate to us her experiences with the religion? Due to the fact that it was a short chapter, we couldn't receive a lot of information and therefore I don't have  as many doubts about how the story begins. My last question is, what is going to come up next? 

The Epic Of Gilgamesh-Reading Blog Tablet XI

Tablet XI in the Epic of Gilgamesh is a very long tablet where a true adventure is lived. This adventure is the second one and probably not that last that the epic hero of this book has. He is received by an ex-mortal person who has now become part of the gods. There, Gilgamesh asks how did he ever reach that power, due to the fact that this hero desires to the same. At first, when Utnapishtim starts telling his story to Gilgamesh, reminds me of a religious myth. Noe's arc is almost the same as Utnapishtim's adventure to become a god. In the religion, we are told that Noe built a huge arc for all the animals and living things in the area, in order to save them from a tremendous flood. In the book, Utnapishtim makes a boat where all animals and himself go inside, for the same reason. Also, the god constructs the boat in 7 days, which is the same amount of time that the flood takes place. Number 7 relates to the same topic, but in a different situation. There are 7 days a week, 7th being the religious day. The world was made in 7 days, also. It has a grand variety of places were it connects to this topic. After this storytelling by Utnapishtim, comes another adventure, which also relates to other works. Gilgamesh is sent to be cleaned and show his beautiful side, and to go look for a thorn plant that will make him young. In beauty and the beast, something similar takes place. The beast becomes more beautiful (or less ugly) when he falls in love with Belle. Also, a thorny plant (the rose) is the one that makes the beast a beast. Therefore, the beauty and the thorny plant take place in both stories. As we reach the end of the Epic, I hope we will see how the main character gets what he wants!

What Happens To Us When We Die?

This is my representation to what occurs when we die. (This is a painting representing the stairway to Heaven).

The Epic of Gilgamesh-Reading Blog Tablets VI-VII

The Epic of Gilgamesh has once again proved to me that it contains much more than what the perceiver expects, turning and running up and down through each page. The tablets 6 and 7 were ones of the longest, but also ones of the greatest. The story passes through the forest, and faces more issues that these two companions face. My prior questions regarding the 'forest adventure' remained unanswered except the one of the death of Huwawa. At the beginning of tablet six, it is said that Gilgamesh cleans his sword of blood, so the author implies that he cut the guardian up, thus taking his head off. This time, I can relate how Enkidu knows his end is near to a personal event of my family. Enkidu has been told by the gods and by various dreams that he has to die, because of the killing of Huwawa and the Bull of Heaven. In my case, my grandmother had been diagnosed with cancer and had been told she would not last. These two events show how by knowing their end is near, they start to decay and feel depressed. Enkidu was desperate as the days went by, and my grandma started caring less about life, instead of applying Carpe Diem to their last moments. The tablet seven finishes by making the reader anxious to continue, because it leaves us in a point where we are uncertain about Enkidu's life. Is he, or will he, be gone forever?

The Epic of Gilgamesh-Reading Blog Tablets IV-V

As I continue to read through this amazing 'rock book', I realize how the story processes, while I encounter many events that I never thought would happen. These two tablets answer most of the questions I firstly asked in the three previous ones, by leading us with the two main characters into the forest, to destroy Huwawa. It made very nervous, and therefore connected to the story. But, throughout this long chapter, I also asked myself many things. Whereas it was a small detail or a whole page, the questions stayed hanging on my mind. This caused me to be more into the book, just to figure out the answer to my interrogations. I asked myself, why would they ever go to sleep against the wind current? Is there any special thing or tradition that makes them want to sleep like this? Why, in the majority of cases, does the author tend to repeat the exact same thing over and over? Is there any writing technique that makes the author do this? How does Gilgamesh end up killing Huwawa? These are some of the questions I thought about as I continued lecturing myself with the words on the pages. Hopefully, most of them will be uncovered as I get deeper into the book.

Epic of Gilgamesh-Reading Blog Tablets I-III

The first three tablets of the Epic of Gilgamesh set up a scenario of adventure, risk, and courage. Two men (Enkidu and Gilgamesh) set off into an unknown forest where they will risk their lives to find and fight Huwawa in the Cedar forest. This part of the book reminds me to the movie and book of The Hunger Games. When Katniss volunteers as a tribute to participate in the annual Hunger Games, reminds me of when everyone starts telling Gilgamesh that Enkidu should go first. In both situations, Katniss and Enkidu are being put into a deathly adventure. Also, the simple fact that these two brave men are going into an adventure with someone else they depend on, connects these two creations of art. Therefore, I become anxious of what will happen, where will they go, and if they will accomplish their mission as I did while I watched Hunger Games in the movies. I can also infer that the rest of the book will be about the adventures in the Cedar Forest as it did with the competition of the kids from different districts. I know that in The Hunger Games both Katniss and Peeta survived, but will these two kill Huwawa and be prideful forever? Let us continue reading and figure out!

                                           INFERRING ABOUT FAVORITE PICTURE

                           
     The picture presented above is of my idol, Michael Phelps. By observing this picture, we can see that the photographer intended to take a picture of the 'Baltimore Shark' as he won. I can infer he just became a champion because he is raising his hand up high. From personal knowledge, I can know that sometimes winners rise their hands as a sign of success. Also, I can see that he is a swimmer, because of the pool lanes. These red lanes are used in major championships, and there is also advertisement around the pool. By this signs, I can infer he is a competitive swimmer, maybe even a pro. Finally, by acknowledging his fit body, it is inferred he is not a newby in the pool, but has been training and exercising for a long time. He has also shaved his arm pitts and his beard, so it shows he is swimming an important meet. I can infer this because swimmers that are competing on serious meets shave themselves all over their body. They do to allow water pass through their body in a faster way, therefore gaining more speed. This may be just a picture, but  tells a lot about this swimmer.