ENGL 1102-01 English Composition 2 - AY2023-T4

ENGL 1102-01 - AY2023-T4 4 May - 10 May Discussion Forum Unit 5

Discussion Forum Unit 5
Due: Wednesday, 10 May 2023, 11:55 PM
To do: Post replies: 4
You read an article and a short story for this week’s reading. Which did you like better? Which
kept your attention? Why? What does this tell you about the power of narrative?

The story that really tickled my fancy was "Fear and Loathing in America" by Hunter S.
Thompson, it was like a breath of fresh air.
As I perused through the article, "Many Sporting Events Called Off or Postponed," I felt as dull
as a dishwater, and midway through my reading, I lost the vividness I had and felt as if the
writer's phrasing fixated on what mattered to him, which was the deferral of games rather than
concentrating on the real calamity that occurred that day. The narrative in the article was as
monotonous as a never-ending desert. On the flip side, I relished devouring Hunter S.
Thompson's short story like a ravenous wolf, and it sent shivers down my spine like a frigid
winter breeze, intensifying my fondness for it.
"Fear and Loathing in America" seized my interest like a hook catching a fish, as the author
painted a vivid picture that stirred up emotions like a stormy sea at the outset of the tale. His
forum was as focused on sports as a lion is on its prey. He made it clear that he wasn't interested
in discussing world news or wars, but the devastation and destruction pouring out of New York
on TV made football seem as insignificant as a grain of sand in a vast desert. It hit me like a ton
of bricks, stirring up a well of compassion and sorrow that flowed through me like a river. The
intensity of those feelings was like a magnet, drawing my focus in completely.
I was as curious as a cat, and that sensation of anticipation kept me hooked like a fish on a line as
the author painted a picture of the savagery of such a catastrophic occurrence. As the author's
words danced in my mind, I couldn't help but feel that they were as perplexing as a maze to those
who lacked knowledge of the true events. When he brought up the non-culpable elements, it was
like throwing a wrench in people's understanding, causing them to feel as lost as a sailor in a
storm. And when confusion sets in, it's like a fire that ignites the desire to unravel the mystery,
like a detective on a case, piecing together the what, why, how, and who.
The author's words were like a match that ignited the atmosphere in the story with action, much
like how a spark sets off a firework. It's crucial to consider this when pondering a momentous
occasion such as the World Trade Center crash.
In conclusion, the power of narrative is like a permeating force that constructs knowledge,
whether it's as realistic as a photograph or as unrealistic as a unicorn. If the storyline is a mighty
lion, roaring with dominance, then its wording is a sharp claw, ready to shift the balance of
power. The author can manipulate readers like a puppeteer, pulling their strings to create conflict
like a stormy sea, convey passion like a blazing fire, or leave a reader in suspense like a ticking
time bomb.
To seize a reader's emotion, I believe that harnessing the potency of narrative is akin to
unleashing a floodgate of emotions. By crafting a tale or piece that enables the reader to taste,
touch, and breathe in the same air as the characters, it's like a rollercoaster ride that takes you on
a journey of emotions. I reckon that the potency of storytelling is akin to a magnet that attracts
readers from all walks of life, in every conceivable medium.
This can be done through word choice like a painter's brushstrokes, creating a canvas of life-
altering moments that hit like a ton of bricks. Deliberation can be as slow as molasses, while
romance is like a warm embrace on a cold winter's night. Humor can be like a ray of sunshine on
a cloudy day, and dramatic scenes are like a thunderstorm that leaves you breathless. The power
of narratives is like a sturdy framework that can shape a discussion of major issues, much like
how a skeleton supports the body. An author can use their plot or writing technique like a painter
uses their brush strokes, to vividly show a reader specific issues or events being discussed, much
like how a painter brings a canvas to life with their colors.

REFERENCES:
Litsky, F., & Williams, L. (2001, September 12). Many Sporting Events Called Off or
Postponed. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/12/sports/many-sporting-events-called-off-
orpostponed.html
Thompson, H. S. (n.d). Fear & Loathing in America. http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?
id=1250751