Enhanced Vocabulary In "Divrgent"

                I am reading the book “Divergent” by Veronica Roth. I have really enjoyed the book so far and I can’t put it down. The thing that I have enjoyed the most about this book is the elevated diction and vocabulary that Roth uses. The vocabulary used in this book really enhances the imagery. The reader is able to picture what is going on in their head much easier. In this post I will be showing some examples of how the elevated vocabulary enhances the imagery in the book.

                One example of elevated vocabulary is, “I grin at the sight of Uriah’s disheveled hair… (Roth, 215)” The elevated vocabulary in this sentence is “Disheveled.” This word really enhances the imagery in the sentence and the reader is able to picture Uriah’s hair. Another example of elevated vocabulary is, “… touching the horizon, devoid of life (Roth, 217).” The word “devoid” in this sentence really helps to enhance the imagery by showing the reader the emotion that is being felt by the characters at that time. You can catch the readers attention, you can keep them interested, you can paint an image in their head, you can make them feel emotion, and you can make your writing more enjoyable.

                The use of elevated vocabulary helps to enhance your writing and should always be used in books, and blogs, and narratives, and articles, and columns, and pretty much any writing you can think of. I hope to use this strategy in my own writing that way I can intrigue the reader and enhance my imagery. I left an article about ennhancing vocabulary below:

http://www.ascd.org/research-a-topic/building-academic-vocabulary-2.aspx

This link gives many useful tips in enhancing your vocabulary and how enhancing your vocabulary can help you. There are several links within this link that will take you to web pages that can help.

Authors Writing Techniques: Suspense

         

I am reading “Divergent” by Veronica Roth and I am very pleased with what I have read so far. Roth uses many good strategies to engage the reader in the story. But by far the most prevalent of these is suspense. Roth includes a lot of suspense in order to engage the reader and keep them reading. At the end of every chapter there is a line that makes you want to keep reading on. This works on me and I find myself not being able to put the book down. I just want to find out what will happen next.

            

http://www.divergentfans.com/photo/dauntless-1?context=user

          One example of how Roth uses suspense at the end of a chapter is in chapter seventeen when she says, “It’s the first time I have been really eager to be one of them. Which means I have to survive the next stage of initiation (Roth226).” So at first when you read the first sentence your like, OK, she wants to be Dauntless, but then when you read the last line, a bunch of questions pop up in your head. Like: What’s that supposed to mean? What is the next stage of initiation? Will she survive? What will happen next? Will people find out she is divergent? All of the questions make the reader want to keep reading the story to find out what happens next.

            

          This is a very good strategy and I hope to use it in my writing. I know that I struggle sometimes at intriguing the reader and I really think that a little bit of suspense might fix my problem I encourage everyone who is writing a story or narrative to build suspense and leave cliffhangers at the end of chapters/paragraphs. I will keep everyone updated on more suspenseful things that if find throughout the book, and how the keep the reader intrigued and asking for more.

Most Important Line in Chapter 15

            As you probably know, I am reading “Divergent” by Veronica Roth. I have read 180 pages and I am really enjoying it. The plot moves very fast, and a lot of things happen in a short period of time. This is a problem for me because I am one of those people that will just read focused for a long period of time, and then as soon as I put the book down, I cant even remember what I read. That is why I have decided to write down some of the most important lines from each chapter.

            The most important lines from the most recent chapter that I read (Chapter 15) are actually the last three lines in the chapter, they say (SPOILERS), “I stand alone in the blue light coming from the lamp above me, and I understand: She has been to the compound before. She remembered this hallway. She knows about the initiation process. My mother was dauntless (Roth188).” These lines contribute to the movement of the plot because one of the main characters true identities is revealed. This is a huge plot element, and it only takes up four lines. As you can see, this book is very fast paced, which is what I like about it.

            I would have to say after just a short period of time reading this book; Veronica Roth’s writing style is definitely my favorite. I don’t find myself bored, and begging for more. I am always satisfied at the end of every chapter. I will have to start incorporating this fast paced style into my own writing to make it more interesting, and I encourage you to do the same.

            I left a link that will take you to an article about making your own writing more interesting: http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/?p=2165

     

Krista Ramsey: Vandalism

     http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/columnists/krista-ramsey/2014/04/12/krista-ramsey-vandalism/7659161/

     The article that I read was about Krista's experience with vandalism at the Opening day parade. She says that the way you treat the world, and environment, is a reflection of who you are. And that it will rub off on people, especial your children. Is that really how you want your children to act? 
     
     The most well written line in this article is in the last paragraph when she says, "So I’m writing this column to say here’s your chance. At the end of the day, you – me, all of us – might do well to pause a minute and consider the view of the world we claim for ourselves and, in getting it, the view of ourselves we leave behind." This line makes the reader stop and think about whether or not they leave behind a positive view of themselves. The author uses good syntax in this line by including dashes to show that it is not just the man who vandalized the flowers that has to think about this, it is everyone that must think about their view of the world, and the world's view of them. The author's use of casual diction really shows her thought on the topic and makes it more believable. Rather than it seeming fake and forced, it flows like it is a conversation and appeals to the readers emotions.

Some questions that I have:
1. Where do you get you inspiration for writing columns about you daily life?
2. What is your experience with education and how has it affected your writing?
3. Why write this article when you know that there is a good chance the man will never see it?

Analysis of Characters Actions

I am reading Divergent by Veronica Roth and I am on page 136. Throughout the entire book I have noticed that the author says a lot about how each character behaves. Each character has a certain quality that contributes to the story in a major way. I find it very interesting how different each character is, and also it is very cool to see each character’s faction coming through in there characterization. Like Triss’s selfless-ness from abnegation. I am able to see that in everything she does, even though she is now part of dauntless.

Factions

            Each of the five factions has something special about them, and the author really emphasizes that in the book by inserting actions, comments, attitudes, personalities, and thoughts made by each character. Each character in the book behaves differently based on what faction they came from. Triss acts with selflessness because she is from Abnegation. Christina acts with honesty because she is from Candor. Peter acts with intelligence and smugness because he is from Erudite. Eric acts with force and relentlessness because he is Dauntless-born.

            As you can see, each character has their own special traits that play a role in how they act throughout the book. I find it very cool how Roth uses each character’s back round to influence their personalities in the story. I find this as a very important lesson that everyone needs to take into consideration. I feel that creating a back round for each character and then characterizing that character based on that back round can really enhance the story. I will keep you updated as I continue to read.

Divergent: Setting Description

Chicago Skyline

     I have read about fifty pages of the book “Divergent” by Veronica Roth and I am enjoying it very much. One of the most interesting things I have found through my reading is the author’s description of the setting. “Divergent” takes place in a post war Chicago. The people that inhabit it and split into five separate “Factions” based on what those people caused the war. That way everyone would live separately and get along, but still function as a society.

            One example is when Beatrice and her brother Caleb ride to school on the bus and she says, “The building that was once called the Sears Tower- we call it the hub- emerges from the fog, a black pillar in the skyline. The bus passes under the elevated tracks. (Roth4)” I think its so cool how in a fictional story; the author put the setting in a real city and even uses the allusion of the Sears Tower. This really helps the reader imagine what the city looks like and also lets the reader make connections between the book and the outside world. Sometimes I feel like the setting I picture in my head is not accurate with the setting that the author has created in the book, but since the author makes the story take place in Chicago, I am able to picture exactly what the author wants me to picture. I don't feel like I am missing something.

            Overall I think the Veronica Roth did an excellent job with choosing a great setting as well as describing it. There is a good balance between complexity and simplicity. If the author makes the setting too complex, I feel that I would take away from the complexity and originality of the faction system, and would leave the reader confused. I am very excited to read on and learn more about this “Chicago” society.

New Book: Divergent

            I am going to start reading a new book called Divergent by Veronica Roth. This novel recently intrigued me when I attended the movie “Divergent”. I found the storyline as well as the main character , “Tris", and her struggles in the separated society. Unfortunately I saw the movie before laying my hands on the book and so I already know what happens in the end. But I am still very excited to read the book and continue on through the series.

            I was searching online for facts about the author, Veronica Ross, and came across this website: http://bestsellers.about.com/od/authorprofilesaz/p/Veronica-Roth-Bio.htm. You should be able to find everything you want to know about her there. I am going to share some of the things that I found most interesting. She attended Carleton College in Minnesota for one year but then quickly switched over to Northwestern University, in Chicago and obtained a degree in creative writing. She then went on to publish a best seller (Divergent) at the age of 22. She is a Christian and sometimes writes about her beliefs on her personal blog. She often encourages aspiring writers and gives advice. She struggles with anxiety and has no problem getting help.

            She became a known author at a very young age and even had one of her books made into a movie. It is easy to tell why she has made it so far in her career just based on the movie. I can’t wait to obtain the book and dive in. I will be posting weekly, updating things that I find cool, important, or educational.