Dave’s Comments (group member since Jan 26, 2014)

Dave’s comments from the Patterson Readers group.

The number one rule for storytelling is that a character (usually the main character) must undergo a change from the beginning of the book to the end of the book. Think of one of the books you have read since we began our independent reading unit. Explain how a character changed over the course of the book and analyze whether that change was for the better or worse. Note: this does not need to be the main character of your book.

Your response should be 7-10 sentences in length and should cite specific (BS!) moments in the book to illustrate that you read for deeper meaning.

Please explain a prevailing theme in one of your current independent reading books. Remember, a theme cannot be summed up in one word. A theme is the main idea the author is trying to communicate to the reader. For example, in Of Mice and Men, one theme Steinbeck is trying to communicate is that the economic system in place during the Great Depression did not allow migrant farmers to ever get out of poverty.

Please write a seven sentence paragraph explaining the theme in your book.

For a heck of a long time, people have been breaking conflicts in literature into a few small groups. Surprisingly, this practice seems to work out all right for humanity. Here's the breakdown of the practice, the conflicts are viewed as thus: (Wo)Man vs. _________. The blank is often filled in with the words 'Society,' 'Self,' 'Evil,' 'Nature,' '(Wo)Man,' etc. In this discussion, please explain how your conflict fits into one of these categories. B.S., please!

In this discussion space, write about the aspects of your book that hypnotize and enthrall you. You can discuss characters, conflicts, writing style, dialogue, etc.