Narrative and Graphics My Connections

First, let me start off by stating the definitions of narrative and graphics.

Definition of a narrative novel:
1. A story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or fictitious.

2. A book, literary work, etc., containing such a story.

Definition of a graphic novel:
1. A graphic novel may be classified as a picture book, but graphic novels employ some other elements that distinguish them. In particular, they use sequential frames of pictures, with or without written text, to tell a story. Predominant sequences of panels and gutters throughout a narrative indicate that the text is a graphic novel.

In my opinion, both narrative and graphics are similar in a way that they both can tell a story. A narrative appears to have all the information. Thus, we may not be able to form our own ideas. The reader will not have a chance to view the story in his own way. However, in graphics, there are no words and just pictures. This "forces" the reader to interpret what the pictures are actually trying to show. Some readers will like this as this allows them to find out what the story really is about themselves.

I think that the only connection between both narrative and graphics is the fact that they both tell a story. Other than that, they don't seem to have any other things in common.

For graphic novels, different people will come up with different interpretations of the pictures. This explains why there is this famous phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words".

My preferred learning habits:

1. Logical (Number Smart)

2. Intrapersonal (Myself Smart)

3. Interpersonal (People Smart)

My Reading Habits

I read a wide variety of books from magazines to novels and of course newspapers. A typical day in my school usually starts off with a solid 20-minute reading period. This reading period is considered sacred. We read the day's newspapers, allowing ourselves to keep up with the world news. During recess if I have time, I will read the month's issue of "Reader's Digest". After school it is just homework, homework and homework so as you can see I really have no time to even sit down for an hour to do some reading.

However, when the weekends come, it is rest and relax. I am able to settle comfortably in my sofa, grab any book that gets my attention and savour it. The books can range from IT magazines to sports magazines to any book I buy from the bookshop. Sometimes I even read story books that goes like this " One fine day, little pig went out to play and he saw a............" Yes, it is childish but guess who I read it to? I read it to my toddler sister of course! She loves to listen to stories. Although she has yet to learn to talk properly, she seems to understand the story.

I really miss the good old days in Primary school when we had more time to spare for leisure reading. I remember reading picture books and stories about animals. Well, those times are now history. We should make do with whatever little time we have now and cultivate a love for books.

Want to check out some of the books I have read?

Go to the link below.

http://weread.com/profile/Sean/845E661B-BB16-40D0-9A85-ACE693290BD0?con_sandbox=booksiread&container_type=booksiread

My New Spike Shoes

Last Friday I went to buy new spike shoes. All my track seniors who wore the same shoe gave good comments about it.

This shoe uses "Christmas Tree" spikes. I don't know why the spikes are called "Christmas Tree" spikes but they do look like "Christmas Trees". There are other types of spikes out there.

A review from http://www.eastbay.com/ :

The ASICS Turbo Phantom is an elite track spike for events from 200
to 800 metres, including 110/300/400 metre hurdles. The synthetic
leather and mesh upper is specifically designed to assist and support
the athlete's foot on the turn. Hook-and-loop closure adds a
customized supportive fit. Polymetric monodensity spike plate with
removable spikes offers a stiff platform for sprint efficiency. A
SharkDuo® heel outsole provides traction for hurdling.
This shoe is an ideal 400/800 metre shoe due to its lightweight upper
and soft midsole. It really stands out as a hurdle spike and with its
hook-and-loop strap across the upper forefoot; the Turbo Phantom
offers great stability.

I just cannot wait for my training this Friday so that I can try on my new shoes. Tell me what you think about my shoe.

"Why Did I Do It?"

This blog post is written as a diary entry with me assuming the character, Philip Malloy, after his first day at his new school. This is in reference to "Nothing but the Truth" by Avi.

Today was horrible. I learnt from my new principal that there was no track team in my new school. During Homeroom period my teacher, Miss Rooney, even asked me to lead the class in the singing of the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner". I did not know why, but I burst into tears and told her that I did not know the words. This is really embarrassing and I do not know how to face my teachers and classmates tomorrow. They must be wondering why "America's Number 1 patriot", who made the headlines for being punished, as he was patriotic, does not even know the lyrics for his own national anthem. This is the worst day of my life...