I gotchu
Explanation:
1. Rhetorical Moves: what type of rhetorical moves does your author make in the first 25% of your book? Describe the language, syntax, or other rhetorical devices that stood out to you:
The language (or tone) is thoughtful and very calm throughout the entirety of the novel. Unfortunately, the mood, whenever there is a threat or a shot is fired, is worrying and makes me anxious, even though I know he is guaranteed to survive through the ordeal (I don’t know why). Some more rhetorical moves that are periodically used, include foreshadowing, when at the beginning Chris said “It was the first time I’d killed anyone while I was on the sniper rifle”, meaning that there would be plenty more killing throughout the novella and allusions, the most evident being Chris alluding to 9/11 every once in a while. There is some imagery, parallelism, synedoches, and (my favorite) personification, “But my legs were screaming the opposite. They hurt like a son of a b.”
2. Messaging: At this point in your IR book, what is the message that is being communicated to the reader? Is it effective, in your opinion?
I believe the message that is being communicated in American Sniper is the importance of remembering who you are, what your job is, and why you’re doing it. (I’ve read a little past the ¼ mark, and I can confidently say that is definitely the message) He echoes this throughout his story (in my opinion) to have the ability to sleep peacefully at night, and especially when he gets home. Killing over 200 people in 4 tours might have an effect on a man, even a decorated soldier such as himself. Knowing that A. you are soldier, B. your job is to take out the enemy in any means necessary, as long as OK’ed by our commander, and C. you’re doing it to protect yourselves and the people at home (also that in your mind, you’re actions are justified and not evil), can help ease the pain and stress that comes with being an American Sniper. As a reader, it is effective, this lets me understand where Chris is coming from and allows me to partially see into his mind. It also allows me to use the same method if I were ever in a similar situation (*hint, hint, possible future Law Enforcement*), which would be very effective if I ever questioned my motives and justification for having to commit similar actions as Chris. (The other possible message is to continue striving and pushing on because you are tasked with a job to do, and people are counting on you).
3. Review: How many stars (5 stars = perfect) would you give this book so far? Why?
I’d rate American Sniper 5 stars so far. The book is so intriguing, every detail about the battles he faced, mental and physical, gets me hooked more into the story. I get so fascinated when he speaks on the training he endured and what it consisted of (he gives little flashbacks of training sometimes). My favorite part of the entire narrative (this why I give it 5 stars ¼ of the through) is the way he describes the battles: the interactions between him and his team, the way he sets up his snipers, and what’s going on in his head and on the battlefield.
