Well written, but the mechanics of the writing need to be polished. The Book
Report of Dear John. I. Summary: “Dear John”, a heart-breaking letter changed a
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新竹高商 謝惠雯
Teacher’s comment: Don’t use “And” at the beginning of a sentence so often. “And” is a conjunction that should be used to connect ideas and phrases inside ONE sentence. It should be used rarely as the start of a new sentence. In this writing, it occurs to often in the beginning of the sentence. More variety in should be used to begin the sentences. The personal experience with the writer’s grandmother is moving and appropriate as a comparison with the story. Well written, but the mechanics of the writing need to be polished. The Book Report of Dear John I. Summary: “Dear John”, a heart‐breaking letter changed a man’s life radically. It is a story about a man whose name is John Tyree. He lived only with his father because his mother left them after he was born. And John’s father likes to collect the coins, but as John growing up, he didn’t like what his father did and even shouted to his father. When he was a teenager he hung out with his friends every day. He even didn’t know what to do with his future, but he still pretended everything was okay. However, after Lucy who has been his girlfriend departed him, he faced the music and thought more about the future. Then, he enlisted in the army. During a furlough, he met Savannah, the girl of his dreams. The attraction is mutual and quickly grows into the kind of love that Savannah vowing to wait for John while he finished his duty. And John was ready to turn over a new leaf. In the meanwhile because of Savannah, the relationship between John and his dad got better. She also found out about the health problems of John’s father, which also made John take better care of his dad. Nonetheless, when Savannah entered the college, there were many arguments that happened between them. These arguments made the relationship between them change. Then, Savannah broke up with him via a letter when John was served in Iraq. John was heartbroken. Seven weeks after taking his father to a good healthcare center, his father died of heart attack. After the funeral, John decided to find Savannah to figure out everything. Then, he learned Savannah had gotten married to Tim, and Tim was dying. Additionally, Tim’s parents died suddenly from a car accident. John was sorry and knew that Tim was a nice guy who loved Savannah much. He knew that the relation among Tim, Savannah and Alan, who was Tim’s mentally challenged brother, was strong and no one could get evolved in it. Even though John was still in
新竹高商 謝惠雯
love with Savannah Tim hoped that John could take care of Savannah after he died. John still didn’t want to transform his love. He made his mind to leave the happy memories with Savannah behind. II. Reflection: After I read this novel, I kept thinking what true love really means. In this big world, many people spent their whole life looking for true love. On the other hand, many people have owned true love never treasure it. In my opinion, I thought John was a sensitive and considerate gentleman. He loved Savannah so much. He always cared about her. He was so tender but because he cared Savannah too much, there were many arguments between them. And the numbers of arguments made their feelings with each other wane. I thought it was so pitiful because they were the soul mates for each other. However, I thought Savannah was a fortunate girl. Wherever she went, there was a man who missed and loved her. In Savannah’s position, I thought she was a little selfish because she used John’s love to ask John to do many things. Even when she got married to Tim, she still depended on John. Maybe John’s choice of country and not to accompany her was unfair to her, but John still loved her even though he encountered so many terrible things. Then, I thought Tim was a good guy because he always supported Savannah to pursue her love because he loved Savannah so much. I thought the greatest love on earth is to be happy when your lover is happy. Among their love, I thought they loved one another so deeply that they didn’t want to hurt anyone. Finally John gave in, because he don’t want Savannah to face a dilemma, he also knew that Tim was an important good friend. He considered that this situation was good for three of them. That makes me learn that maybe true love is this: respecting and supporting what your lover does. You don’t need to say any words. Just stay with him or her silently. It is REALLY TRUE LOVE! I also learned what friendship is. It means significantly to me to tolerate and understand what your friends have done. Considering John’s father, I thought he was a cute man and a great father. Although he isn’t like other people’s father who buy the brand‐new toys, clothes and shoes for their son, his love still overwhelmed all of this. He always tried to give John the best thing. His care was silent but great. He never gave up on John when John rebelled. He always used his love to tolerate whatever John had done. Even when he was dying, he still understood John was busy in the army, so he didn’t ask John to return to be with him. I learned that the parents’ love is selfless. They
新竹高商 謝惠雯
would lead a poor life rather than make their children unhappy. They spent their lifetime on their children so that their children can grow up in happiness. How great are parents! There is nothing noble in being superior to selfless love. In this novel, I was impressed by the sentence that John said to his father when he brought his father to the health care. ” I’m sorry about all the crappy things I put you through, and I’m sorry that I was never here for you enough. You’re the best person I’ve ever known. You’re the only one who never got angry with me, you never judged me, and somehow you taught me more about life than a son could possibly ask. I’m sorry that I can’t be here for you now, and I hate myself for doing this to you. But I’m scared, Dad. I don’t know what else to do.” After I read over this sentence, I couldn’t help crying. The sentence recalled to me the memories with my grandmother. She took good care of me when I was little. And she always forgave and forgot the mistakes I made. Also, she always taught me the right moral lessons and told me to be grateful to my parents. But when I grew up, I was seldom with her. My heart was empty with her passing away. I regretted and hated what I had done to her. I have the same feelings as John, so when I read this part, I was shocked and cried. I learned that the thing we can do is seize every minute with our parents. All in all, true love is valuable. This book inspires me much. The effects are not only from the love of couples but also the love between parents and children. I learned many things about life in this novel. It is really an attractive novel. III. Comments from Lisa Summary 的部分有將故事的重點大致提到,但若能更通順則更好。而 Reflection 的開頭很好,能夠馬上吸引讀者的吸引力,且中間段落分析角 色特徵並加以評論,非常細微地表現出自己對每個角色的感想及觀點。並 且對 Tim, Savannah 和 John 的三角關係發表自己的想法,清楚地表明自己 的立場。 Comments from Elayne 在感想的部分發表自己最喜歡的部分,同時也分享自己的相似經驗,並且 在最後也學習到了許多。淋漓盡致的表達自己對這本小說的想法。 Excellent!!!!!!