Papercut discussion

For this journal post and response, please do the following:
1. Remember that you need to use 3 vocabulary words in this journal post. Please bold.

2. Initially, write the title of the book with link and the number of pages covered for this journal: i.e. pages 1-45.

3. In 100 words, answer the first part of the journal prompt using the sentence stems under “Writing Comments/Questions.” (Paragraph 1) You need to use a different sentence stem than the one you used in Journal #1.

4. In 100 words, answer the second part of the journal prompt using the sentence stems under “Writing Observations about your Reading Process.” (Paragraph 2) You need to use a different sentence stem than the one you used in Journal #1.

5. In 100 words, define the following and then analyze in relation to your text. (Paragraph 3)
Allusion (CRS: 266)
Special Effects (CRS: 267)

6. In 4 to 5 sentences, respond to another group member’s posting.

2. Act of Treason, pages 1-111
3. When I read this book, I begin to wonder if such an event where FEASABLIE. The introduction of the book focuses on the TEMERITY of poltical candidates that will go to any length to win an election. In this case, a candidate blows up a motorcade that is occupied by his running mate's wife. By framing the act on Islamic extremists, the duo jumps up in the polls and thus wins an election. The lengths that people will go to achieve power is staggering, and while such a thing is unlikley to have occured in the United States, one can never be sure that it won't in the future.
4. I lost track of my reading due to the number of "bad guys" who were in on the fake terrorist attack. The poltical candidates did not have the means to carry out the attack themselves and therfore had to rely on a number of people to achieve their ends. It was difficult to keep track each individuals motivations and backgrounds. The loose-moraled banker who introduces the candidate to the exiled billionaire who has a Russian gangster friend who puts them in touch with a triggerman that relies on his VISCERAL rreactions. Very confusing.
5. An allusion is a passing or casual reference. Special affects include hyperbole or exageration, repetition, alliteration and understatment. Hyperbole is the most prevelant example in "Act of Treason." The horrific events that surround the destruction of a predidental motorcade was paramount to the setup of the story. Without this act of violence, a reader my not be comfortable with the methods and lengths that the fictional US goverment will go to catch the killers.

Survivor Pages 276-250

I wonder what happens later in the book that made Tender Branson hijack a plane. So far, this character follows a daily planner accordingly and seriously because his employer wants to be able to know where he is all the time. I predict the hijacking will have something to do with his employer since he already gives him a long list of chores to do around his house. That includes silly things like cooking a lobster and exemplifying how to eat it. This is because Branson's employer is ambiguous around social events where he has to eat food with proper etiquette. I didn't really understand what Tender Branson's job is exactly, but I'm assuming he's some sort of house maid for someone.

I got confused when began talking about flowers and being in some gallery, but it turned out he was collecting flowers for the house where he works at. It must have been something else on his list. I stopped because he also mentioned somebody who he killed, but then I started to think about the beginning of the book and how he takes calls from people considering suicide. I lost track of my reading because he was talking about flowers and dead people but the author weaved in that missing information once again by including the fact that he was in a memorial mausoleum stealing the flowers.

The author uses many allusions in his writing. Every so often he includes a small verse from the bible to allude the way Tender Branson is thinking at that moment. He also uses many special effects. The character Tender Branson continually repeats several key phrases including, "go ahead, ask me." I believe that's to emphasize how familiar the character is with what he's talking about. He also uses the special effect understatement when he downplays death, suicide, and how to take blood stains out of various things.

Executive Power, Pages 1 – 28
I predict that later in the story there will be a situation where the main character’s wife will be at risk. So far in the book she has been made to seem like the perfect wife as they are on their honeymoon. I know the author decided to give her so much attention and detail for a reason, and the ambiguity is exciting. I feel as though the author is foreshadowing that something will come and make the protagonists “perfect little world” take a twist for the worse.

The time went quickly because I always imagine myself in the protagonist’s shoes. I began to think what life would be like if I was doing the things that are taking place in the book. The author (Vince Flynn) is remarkably descriptive and uses imagery so much that it is extremely easy to just allow his words to permeate through my mind and truly picture his vivid panoramas and scenarios. I often find myself using my own imagination and exploring the environments the author has described. It sounds complex, but it keeps me reading.

An example of allusion the author used was when he was describing Anna’s giddiness about her recently obtained wedding ring (She is on her honeymoon). We can all relate to and imagine the excitement one must feel after becoming “just married”. Girls are even rumored to daydream about it. The author also uses understatements when mentioned the protagonist’s amount of skill. The author is very modest. I was pleasantly surprised to learn how talented the protagonist was in action.

Steve wrote: "2. Act of Treason, pages 1-111
3. When I read this book, I begin to wonder if such an event where FEASABLIE. The introduction of the book focuses on the TEMERITY of poltical candidates that will ..."

This sounds like a really interesting book.

Fernando wrote: "Survivor Pages 276-250

I wonder what happens later in the book that made Tender Branson hijack a plane. So far, this character follows a daily planner accordingly and seriously becaus..."

Good job with this post.

Kevin wrote: "Executive Power, Pages 1 – 28
I predict that later in the story there will be a situation where the main character’s wife will be at risk. So far in the book she has been made to seem like the pe..."

Kevin, you write well. I am glad that you are enjoying your book. You guys all need to reply to posts for full credit.