Telling True Stories reading

After our assigned reading of certain sections of Telling True Stories I feel much more comfortable writing my profile drafts. One point that particularly stood out to me was the explanation of the use of quotations. You do not want to use a whole lot because it should not manipulate your story, but enhance it. Learning when to use quotations is a skill that must be mastered in order to tell an effective story.

Book Club

I am excited to read The Working Poor, it seems like it will be an eye opening experience that will make me think like I never have before. The book is about uncovering the harsh reality that is the everyday working man. It uncovers the truth behind the black, asian and latino men and women that live in the slums of the city and are trapped near the poverty lines. Any mistake can mean life or death for them. This book shows the cruel reality that is the forced work at low wages due to people haven no choice but to work for their life.

Zepps Last Stand

Reading Zepps last stand brought out a lot of emotion. Madeline Blais did such an amazing job of describing Zepp. You felt as if you knew the old man after just reading a page of her essay. She made the reader feel as if they were pulling for Zepp to win, and that any wrong done against him was personal for the reader. Giving him such a descriptive description and vivid memories, it felt like it was my grandfather telling me his old stories. Which really made me feel a close connection the essay. The effectiveness of the article is brought by Madeline Blais staying in chronological order, except for the few flashbacks that Zepp has. This essay was primarily effective because of Madeline Blais' ability make us have a connection with Zepp.

Mrs Kelley's Monster

This particular essay was extremely descriptive and Jon Franklin was able to use amazing detail to help set the scene and incite emotion from the reader. You couldn't help but feel horrible for Mrs. Kelley when you heard what she was going through, and the doctors decision whether to operate or not. Jon Franklin did an awesome setting an unbelievably vivid setting when he was in the operation room. It got to the point where you felt as if you were watching one of those doctor shows. Franklin using such tense and pressure situations leaves us the reader wanting more and we can't help but keep reading to see what is going to happen with Mrs. Kelley. He had a way of using really powerful quotes to get his message across and bring emotion to the story. When Mrs. Kelley says "I'm not afraid to die," it really makes you understand just how far Mrs. Kelley has come and that she just wants to feel better or be done with "the monster".

Essay 1 Possible Topics

1. Rob Lotito- Rob is a man that I coached football with last year in New Hampshire. A year before I met him he was diagnosed with cancer, he missed an entire football season but was able to make a full recovery. I believe he would make a great story and interview.

2. Joe Shebertes- Joe was a kid that I graduated with quiet a few family problems that he had to go through throughout his high school years. He by all means had all the reasons in the world to just give up and not want to go to college or anything, but he is now playing baseball at UMASS Boston and has made great strides. He is someone that I was not very close with during school, but has been someone that I have kept in contact with every once in a while.

3. George Swanson- George is a distant friend of the families who I rarely am in contact with, I only hear about him when something bad happens. He is 20 years old and has been arrested multiple times for DUI and has had a rough child hood going through divorce and living with a single mother. He had tough times in the past 3-4 years, but for the last year he has been going to AA meetings and has been working to straighten out his life. He has a great story and is good person who made mistakes.