Paragraph 1 Assignment

Mr. Laven

English 10 Novel Study: Paragraph  1 Blog - section 1 of the novel!

Oct. 21 - Due Oct. 28 

While reading the novel select one quotation which “strikes” you and write it down. Include a proper reference to the quotation you select. 

“To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation.”   (Martel, Life of Pi, p.28)

The reason for selecting a specific quotation should be because it… 

Annoys you…
Angers you…
Inspires you…
Frustrates you…
Makes you think…
Confuses you…
Reminds you…

Etc.

1. Copy verbatim the quotation and reference accordingly. State which of the above apply to the selected quotation.
2. Tie the quotation to the story in such a way as to give a bit of background to it.
3. In a clearly structured paragraph respond to the quotation with an explanation about why the quotation addresses one of the above concerns. (topic sentence, developing sentences and concluding sentence)
4. POST your paragraph in your blog!

EXAMPLE 

“To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation.”   (Martel, Life of Pi, p.28) is a quotation that greatly inspires me because of its inherent message about agnosticism. Pi is a young boy in India who is searching for his spiritual beliefs and he samples Hindustani, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. He also ponders agnosticism which is the state of being unsure about whether there is a god. When Pi compares agnosticism as a religious option to standing still as a means of movement I'm inspired by both the wit and the humour. Wit, because he is playing with analogies to make a point about a belief system and humour, because the comparison leaves me with the images of a doubtful person trying to believe something and a stationary person trying to get somewhere. Martel is a master of the story because he is able to inspire his readers with thoughtful and funny images that his character conjures up in the telling of his story. In this novel the narrator/hero maintains deep religious convictions which are explored throughout the novel.