Feedback Strategies

 The first article I read was Seven characteristics and (Six Tools) That Support Meaningful Feedback. What I liked about this article was that is was similar to the feedback gallery in that it efficiently gave and pointed out tips for giving constructive criticism. The first point that I hadn't thought about when giving feedback is to be constructive. That is, do not just say what is wrong but also suggest solutions for said problem. I also liked the point to not be grade focused. Often times when someone receives criticism they can expect their grade to drop, and as a result they do not try to be as creative. What is nice about not being grade focused is students are not afraid to make mistakes, so they will try new things causing them to learn more. I also liked the point about being specific. Often times when giving constructive criticism someone will be vague. But this is not helpful, because it leads the creator not knowing what to fix often times leading to the problem staying the same.

The next article I read was Giving Creative Feedback - A Guide for Those Who Aren't Creative. What I liked about this article is how the author suggests asking probing questions. I think asking the right questions is the best way for someone to improve in general. This is because it forces the person to really think about what they are doing and to think the process of their decisions. And it is important that these question are probing questions, because if they aren't it just leaves the reader unsure how to proceed or what to think about. I also like the idea of looking for red flags. I think the most important part of creative writing is telling a story that makes sense, because if it leaves the reader confused then it is hard for them to appreciate what you have created the same way you do. And leaving the reader confused doesn't is not the same as leaving the ending up to the interpretation of the reader. It means ensuring that what you want to get across gets across to the reader.

Giving constructive criticism

Topic Research: Downfall of Kings

    I was thinking I would do a portfolio. This way I can have a lot of different stories and I won't be too tied down with having to follow a consistent plot. The theme I was thinking about doing was about leaders who misuse their power and either are redeemed or lose everything.

The first story I was thinking of doing was inspired by Rama's exile in the Ramayana I also want to use more from the Ramayana once I have finished reading it next week. I want to do a story where a leader is exiled/loses everything and has to overcome some trials and save the day.

The second story I was thinking of doing was Vali: The Downfall of  an Arrogant King. In this story I want to have a king who continues to mistreat those that helped him gain power and then be betrayed by the ones that once supported him. However, I'm not sure if the king will win or lose in the end.

The third story I was thinking of doing was inspired by The Crocodile and the Monkey's Heart and my week 2 blog post. I want to have a story where a leader has too much trust, and that trust leads to his eventual downfall.

King in the castle

Week 3: Deadlifting World Champion

 Eli sat in silence waiting for his name to be called. Today was the day he was going to break the deadlifting world record and defeat his rival David once and for all. Suddenly Eli's name was called. It was time for him to go. As he walked out on the stage he thought back three years to when David had broken his deadlifting record and shortly after, David retired. Eli also thought about the last brutal three years of training. Doing two a days six days a week, eating healthy, cardio, and no alcohol. Eli also thought about how he was at the end of his prime and how he did not have much more time if he was wanted to retake his record. This was likely his one last shot.

Eli arrived on stage, and despite all of the pressure, he felt confident. He knew he had done the right things, and he knew he could do it. Eli then stood in front of all 1,105 pounds of weight, he grabbed the bar, and he lifted. The next 15 seconds were a blur, but at the end of it Eli knew he had done it. The crowd erupted in a cheer and everyone was chanting his name. "Eli. Eli Eli." With tears streaming down his face Eli could not do anything but smile.

But suddenly David walked on the stage. "Put on five more pounds, he told the weightlifting official. "I'm about to beat this man's record." Everyone was shocked despite being retired David looked bigger than ever. The weightlifting official obliged, and without hesitation David did not one but two reps of 1,110. Without a belt too. Unbelievable! The crowd couldn't believe it. Not only had David broken Eli's record, but he had crushed it. And it was in this moment Eli realized that David had been toying with him all this time, and that even if he did reclaim the deadlifting world record, David would quickly shatter it.

David warms up to beat Eli

Author's Notes: This story was inspired by Rama Wins Sita from the public domain edition of the Ramayana. In the original story Rama has to show his strength and bend and snap a powerful bow in order to win Sita. I changed the story to a competition between two weightlifting rivals, and added the twist to have the hero of the story succeed only to be undone by his rival.

Bibliography: "Rama Wins Sita" from The Public Domain Edition of The Ramayan by M Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder, 

Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana Part B

 Bharata returned back home and discovered what his mother had done, and he is sad that he no longer has his brother or father. He then vowed to not be king and to bring Rama home so he could be king. Once Bharata found Rama he told him to come home and to become king, but Rama refused because he must obey his late father. This is because Rama believes that what makes a person good is their deeds, and that by ignoring his late father's orders he would be betraying him. I do not agree with Rama's decision though, because once the king died he no longer had power, and Bharata, being the new king, should have the power to right the old king's wrongs. Rama then continues to go deeper into the forest and along the way he meets various sages and battles against the demons. Rama then met a Rakshasi who is Ravana's sister and jokingly suggested she try and seduce his brother. The Rakshasi was angry so she attacked the brothers, but she then ran away. She then went to her brother who said he would take care of Rama and his brother with an army of 14,000 Rakashasa. However, Khara's army was defeated. Ravana then decided to talk with Maricha to decide what he could do, and he was told to leave Rama alone. However, Ravana decided to kidnap Sita. Once kidnapped Ravana tried to get her to become his queen but she stayed strong. Jatayu the vulture then tells Rama what happened and Rama and his brother set out for the ape king.

Jatayu

Bibliography: M Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder, Public Domain Edition of The Ramayana, link

Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana Part A

 Dasharatha had no sons from his wives, so he made sought to make a sacrifice. This can act as the plot device for starting the story he then had four children from his three wives. Ravana is the king of the demons and he is invincible except he can be defeated by apes and humans, so Vishnu became the king's son, Rama so that he can then defeat Ravana. Rama was given celestial weapons after battling demons for the first time, and he was able to summon these weapons by thinking about them. I liked in the chapter Ahalya how it was written as a poem. Vishwamitra acts as Rama's mentor. Rama was able to bend the bow and won Sita from her father. Dasharatha then chose Rama to be king but Kaikeyi was persuaded by Manthara, who hates Rama, to use her favors to stop Rama from being king. Rama then went into exile with Sita and Lakshmana. Dasharatha  then dies a sad death due to his bad karma.

 Bending the bow

Bibliography: M Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder, Public Doman Edition of the Ramayana, link