Journal 4

Descriptive Writing Assignment

I sat down with my family and prepared for dinner. The smell of hickory smoke filled the air as my dad lifted the grill lid and took off a few grilled chicken breasts. I took a piece and set it on my plate along with a soft, white roll and a pile of mashed potatoes. I gently set the chicken breast in the roll and spread a dab of mayonnaise on top. The roll was as soft and fluffy as a pillow. It was lightly dusted with flower. I took a bite and my taste buds were immediately assaulted by the rich, creamy flavor of the mayo combined with the juicy, char grilled flavor of the chicken breast. The chicken was perfectly done. It was slightly charred and cooked to a perfect shade of white. It was delicious!

Then, I picked up my spoon and scooped up a portion of mashed potatoes. They were freshly cook and the steam still rolled off there summit. It took a bite. The mashed potatoes were creamy and smooth, with a hint of butter. I could taste a light salty flavor along with a subtle taste of chives. I picked up my sandwich again and took another bite. This time I could also taste a lite peppery tang along with the juicy flavor of the chicken. I happily finished the rest of my meal and was stuffed.

Journal 3

Ann Hodgman

1. Cite three specific examples of Hodgman’s descriptive imagery that you find to be particularly effective.

“The cheese chews like fresh play-doh, whereas the meat chews like play-doh that’s been sitting on a rug for a couple of hours” (p. 78)

“When I pulled open the container, juice spurted all over my hand, and the first chunk I speared was trailing a long grey vein” (p. 79)

“The mock marrow inside was a bit more problematic: in addition to looking like the sludge that collects in treads of my running shows, it was bursting with tiny hairs” (p. 81)

2. What do you think Hodgman’s purpose was in writing this essay? What overall message/meaning do you take from the essay?

I think that the overall purpose was to gross out the reader. She is showing us how gross the food is that we give to our dogs. The overall message is that he shouldn’t be duped by dog food companies into buying their food. They focus on marketing the food so that people want to buy it for their dogs and not so that dogs will eat healthier. She is investigating the marketing claims that people don’t usually look into. Also, dogs can’t tell us what they think of the food. The food is filled with strange ingredients and byproducts that aren’t healthy. Why should we feed this disgusting food to our dogs if we wouldn’t want to eat it ourselves? The essay is a satire and not meant to be serious.

Journal 2

Annie Dillard

1.The moths in the opening of the essay are hollow shells wrapped in a spider cocoon. The moths are in the corner of the bathroom at the beginning and are like dust on the floor. The moth at the campsite it burned by the candle and glows like a light bulb in the fire. The moths in the beginning represent wasting away and not living life to the fullest. The moth in the campsite is representing being consumed by ambition like being a writer consumes you. The moth jumps right into the fire without hesitation.

2.Dillard wanted to know how many of her students would be willing to give up their lives to be writers. She tells her students that being a writer will consume you. You must go at your life with a broadax and remove all distractions. You have to give everything you have to be successful.

3. The fire references include; the book The Day on Fire, the candle at the campsite, the cat’s tail catching on fire, and the three candles that the author leaves on in here home. People light candles for remembrance and prayer, so a candle represents the prayer. The larger significance of fire is that it consumes things. Fire is dangerous and can be harmful. It is like how being a writer takes all of you. You can’t be devoted to anything else. Fire is destructive but also enchanting and beautiful.

4. a.The London quote is similar to the comparison of the two moths. The one moth became dust on the floor. The other moth was consumed by fire and became ashes. Dillard would rather go out in a brilliant flash than wither and waste away. The moth in fire was consumed just like being a writer consumes your life. London doesn’t want you to waste your life. London explains this through comparison of magnificent and boring things.

b.The Yeats quote is about how educating students is not just pouring more information into their heads, it is about igniting the passion that is already locked inside them. The fuel for this fire is already inside students and it just needs the spark. This also goes back to how being a writer consumes you like a fire. Filling a pail is boring and lighting a fire is more passionate.

c. The Kafka quote is about how a book breaks through the frozen sea inside us like an ax would. This goes back to how the Dillard says you need to go at your life with a broadax. They are both meant to make your travel easier. You need to clear a path and remove distractions.

Journal 1

Narrative: October Fear

It was a brisk October afternoon back in 2005. James stepped outside of his rural home and shivered as the cool wind ruffled his blue mesh jacket. He was tall, thin, and broad-shouldered. His light brown hair was cut short and he was clean shaven. He was in his twenties and had a slight build. James was preparing to step outside with his eighty pound German Shepherd, Caesar. James hooked on the leather dog leash and the duo set out for an evening stroll. James had noticed that Caesar was acting high-strung and was constantly tugging at his lead. As they walked along, the wind whistled through the maple trees causing them to drop golden leaves on the damp road side. A shiver traveled down James’ spine as he looked up at the shaking trees; their branches dancing in the cool air as a thunderstorm rumbled in the distance.

Suddenly, Caesar stopped in his tracks. His ears pointed straight up and turned in as if he was trying to focus on a sound. Due to the growing darkness, James strained to see what Caesar was locked on to. The shadows seemed to be descending from the trees and wrapping around them. James asked, “What is it, Boy?” The Only light came from a distant car cresting the top of a hill, half a mile away.

Caesar stared intently into the darkness; his muscles tensed and his lips drew back into a snarl. Caesar let out a low growl and took a tentative step forward. James jumped back as a bat flew overhead; its wings fluttering through the crisp air. James yanked the leash, “Caesar let’s go!” Caesar didn’t move a muscle. He stood resolute as if he was a stone statue.

To James’ growing unease, he began hearing rustling in the field across the road. At first, James was curious but this curiosity soon turned into horror as a large black shape reared up not more than forty yards away. Caesar began barking, not his normal bark but a low deep bellow. The dark shape moved closer and closer. The hair on the back of James’ neck stood up as he was frozen in fear. Then all of the sudden, the tall figure slinked out of the shadows. “Boo,” shouted the figure as it jumped out. To James’ relief it was a person not an animal. “Luke, your scared me half to death,” exclaimed James. “What are you doing out here anyway?” Caesar jumped up and licked Luke in the face. “Hey Caesar…cut it out,” said Luke. Luke was a neighbor and a good friend. “I thought I would give you a scare,” Luke said. “Did it work?” James glared at him. “That wasn’t funny,” He said. “You shouldn’t play tricks like that on people. You really had me worried!” “Sorry,” Luke Said. “I didn’t think you would freak out that much!”