Unit Two Activity Three: Active Reading Journal

SHALYN SIMPSON
Cues: Credibility of the
Narrator (Lines/Quotes)
Reactions/ Reflections Conclusion: Do these lines
enhance or detract from
the credibility of the
narrative voice?
"In the spring of 1996, my
second book, a novel, came
out in Canada. It didnt fare
well. [] Then readers
ignored it [] The book did
not move. Books lined the
shelves of bookstores like
kids standing in a row to
play baseball or soccer, and
mind was the gangly,
unathletic kid that no one
wanted on their team. It
vansihed quickly and
quietly." Author's note (V)
-What kind of introduction
does this provide for the
novel?
-What does this have to do
with the story?
-Not a positive start to the
story
These lines detract from the
credibility of the narrative
voice because it seems as if
the author is telling the
reader that his second novel
was not a success but rather
a fail.
"Unfortunately the novel
sputtered, coughed and
died. [] Your story is
emotionally dead, that the
crux of it." Author's Note
-Why is the author talking
about how is novels are not
successes?
-Makes him come off as a
bad writer as he's talking
about how his novels failed
This quote detracts from
the credibility of the
narrative voice because just
like the first example, the
author is focusing on the
negative.
"He showed me the diary he
kept during the events. He
showed me the yellowed
newspaper clippings that
made him briefly, obscurely
famous. He told me his
story. All while I took notes.
Nearly a year later, after
considerable difficulties, I
received a tape and a report
from the Japanese Ministry
of Transport." Author's
Note
-Shows that the author put
some research into the
story and has many sources
to hear the story from
-Makes the author appear
somewhat credible
This quote enhances the
credibility of the narrative
voice because it shows that
the author has heard the
story from many sources to
make it more accurate to
Pi's telling of the story.
"After one year of high
school, I attended the
University of Toronto and
took a double-major
Bachelor's degree. My
-seems like the narrator is
well educated and well
composed
This quote enhances the
credibility of the narrative
voice because it shows that
Pi is very smart and well
educated.
majors were religious
studies and zoology."
Chapter 1
"I was a very good student,
if I may say so myself. I was
tops at St. Michael's College
four years in a row. I got
every possible student
award from the Department
of Zoology."
-enhances the appearance
of intelligence in the
narrator
These lines enhance the
credibility of the narrative
voice because it adds on to
Pi's intelligence, and makes
the reader feel he is a
wonderful, intelligent man.