“One year later, Boston Marathon stakes higher” By Jimmy Golen Article Review - Interest in Article

Recently for in class assignments and leisurely reading articles written by Jimmy Golen, a writer from the Cincinnati Enquirer. I have read a few of his pieces and I found the following to be very informative, emotional and respectful. I was interested in this piece because I remember every detail of the Boston Marathon and how it affected the runners, the families, the bystanders,people who live nearby and even me. I found Jimmy Golen's recognition of the runners to be very respectful because he recognized each one and not about their athleticism, but by their emotions towards this new race and how they weren't participating, in full, to win but to support those who had been met by the tragedy that happened last year.

In addition to being respectful, I found this piece to be informative as it gives the reader clear and up to date information on the Boston Marathon's runners, reactions towards the races and recent achievements made by current day runners. In addition, Mr. Golen provides accurate information and proves that he is adept in the field that he is addressing and can be found reliable and genuine. Finally, I found his writing to be emotional through how he described the feelings runners had toward this event and how most had wanted to run it as they would any race, but have trouble choking down the thought of this being, much different then "just some race". Also he goes on to say the emotion of winning the races to support the entire country, as no American has won since 1985, which would bring pride to many runners and locals.




You can read this non-fiction writing yourself, right here. (Or you can use the link right here: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/2014/04/20/one-year-boston-marathon-stakes-higher/7951023/)

Free Car-Care Clinic Helps Save Jobs: Column Review

Summary: In this column the author describes how a local church volunteers their time to help improve the quality of people's cars who can't afford to get them checked themselves. They go on to discuss that many people don't know anything about their cars, which posts hazards on the road, in addition to the cost of maintaining that car.


To read the whole column at Cincinnati.com click here or follow the link here: 
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/columnists/krista-ramsey/2014/04/03/krista-ramsey-samaritan-car-care-clinic/7283631/


“'I get the feeling that 15 years ago, people wrote a check. Now people want to use their skills to help someone else,'...He says the four hours of volunteering have left him with a better understanding of other people’s needs and a stronger sense of gratitude."

The line above impacts the reader very strongly because it shows how even though some people drift off in the world and only think of themselves, there are other people who choose to spend their time and energy to help others and improve their lifestyles. This also could impact the reader to act out and help in organizations like these or even make their own. The diction used in this excerpt is mostly low and concrete, displaying a straight-forward and literal message that is easier for readers to understand. The syntax in this excerpt is fluctuating where the author makes sure to use different patterns and usually refrains to repeating words unless it is to revisit a the theme of the article or to emphasize a certain word.

Ramsey's writing style is one of concern, care and awareness and is to the point and clear. I found this because of the three articles all of them displayed her showing her awareness in society and her concern of the people who are in need or that need to be warned of dangers and important info. a few examples of her showing these traits in her writing are:

"Whatever magnificent things Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson do on the field Sunday at the Super Bowl, some of us appreciate what the two quarterbacks have done off the field all year. That is, helping to bring back the art of dressing " - This quote shows her awareness in society

You see it all the time. Your teenager at the dinner table, waiting for his checkup at the orthodontist’s office, sauntering to his car – continually hunched over his smartphone or iPad.
You can’t help but worry what all that screen time is doing to his posture, social skills and grades. - This quote shows how she cares for our society.

After losing her job as a pastry chef in 2011, losing everything she owned in an apartment fire the next year and losing her unemployment benefits this year, Tammy no longer takes things like windshield wiper blades or air filters for granted. - This quote shows her concern of our society.

Questions:

1. Where do you go to get the information and topics for your articles?
2. Where did you go to get the educational experience to write for the website?
3. How do you incorporate your voice into your writing?

The Fellowship of the Ring: Setting

•           Describe the setting of the novel.  Include details about the time and place as well as lines from the book that include good imagery.

In the Fellowship of the Ring as you follow the companions, across the massive world created by J.R.R. Tolkien, called Middle-Earth. In the beginning you are introduced to the plain, yet simple land of the Shire, here is where the hobbits dwell and is often described as out of the way, which contributes to the lack of knowledge about anything outside the Shire. During this journey, being in a separate world from our own we don't know the time or year the story is placed in but is presumed to be in medieval times, due to the structure of constructs and the tools used by smiths and soldiers.  As the journey continued from Hobbiton, where the four hobbits lived, they managed their way out of the Shire and into Crickhollow.

Crickhollow was visited for a short time, and was a refuge from the Black Riders. Another location addressed in the novel was Bree, which was described as, "...the chief village of the Bree-land, a small inhabited region, like an island in the empty lands round about...Lying round Bree-hill and the villages was a small country of fields and tamed woodland only a few miles broad." (Tolkien, 146). This description helped me understand the lay of the land along with the map provided. Overall I believe Tolkien has provided a great setting and continues to provide clear locations.

              (This is one of the maps used to represent the world of Middle-Earth.)

The Fellowship of the Ring - Chapter Review

•         The most important line from a chapter is…  (and explain why it is important and how the plot develops from that line)

"'You are very mysterious! What are you afraid of?' (asked Frodo). 'I am not certain, so I will say no more. I may be able to tell you something when I come back. I am going off at once: so this is good-bye for the present (said Gandalf).'" (Tolkien, 40)

     In the first chapter you encounter the many characters of The Shire and also multiple main characters such as Frodo, Gandalf and Sam. In the beginning, the story emits a sense of joy and happiness to the vocabulary and setting due to the celebrations occurring. Throughout the text so far, little disturbance had occurred besides a few spells and tricks. What I found so important about this line was the urgency of the tone and how through one chapter the outlook can be obscured slightly.  This brought me to realize that this was the first event leading to the rising action in the book.

     Another reason I found this line of the story so important was because it displays Gandalf, who is known to be knowledgeable in multiple fields of learning, to be confused, distraught and uneasy about Bilbo's ring. This also leaves Frodo bewildered, as to being blind of the conversation that occurred between the wizard and his uncle, and the situation concerning the party in general. This also leads to a long disappearance made by Gandalf and a lot of questioning left unanswered. 

To read more reviews on The Fellowship of the Ring visit Goodreads.com.