Justine’s Comments (group member since Aug 23, 2009)

Justine’s comments from the Ms. J's Class L group.

Good start - but if you wrote this on the Regents you would score in the 1/2 category, because you do not use evidence from either text. Be careful!

Interesting, Hector! What you're talking about is called an "inference," which means that you can assume/guess/feel that you know something based on a piece of evidence that suggests it. For example, if you're frowning I can infer (make an inference) that you are upset or confused. If I see orange crumbs on the ground, I can infer (make an inference) that someone was there.

Making inferences is a great thing to do when reading, too - can you infer why the character who said this citation felt the need to say it?

Katherine,
What is the context in which the father is saying this? Did something happen to provoke him, and make him feel the need to say all of these protective things about his daughter? And how did his daughter feel when she heard her father say these things? I would imagine a young woman to feel either embarrassed, or proud - what do you think?

That certainly is a "juicy" citation! What book are you reading that this citation came from?

Katherine, what kinds of religions are discussed in your book? Mariame, Hermy, and Maria - sounds like you're really interested in this theme of religion. Do you like reading about religions? What kinds of things do you like to read to learn about "how god is"?

Mariame - it sounds like maybe your two books aren't that different at all. In a book about two friends becoming enemy, is there no mention of struggle? It sounds like there must be some conflict and struggle betwee the two of them if their friendship ends and turns to hatred... what do you think? Am I very off?

let us know!

- Ms. J

I agree with Jamtex - you bring up a very interesting idea and I want to know more! Does diversity cause conflict, or problems, in the lives of your characters? How does it affect their lives, or their situations?

This is the book I'm reading. I chose it because a friend recommended it to me. It took me six months to start reading it because it is 900 pages long- I've never read such a big book! But it is actually wonderful. So far the main character has escaped from jail, traveled to India, worked for a gang, learned three new languages, worked as a doctor in a slum, fallen in love, and is now fighting a holy war in Afghanistan. Makes my life seem pretty boring!