The way I introduced my text and its fluidity are the elements that I liked the most about my mid-term writing test. What I liked the least would be my first supporting point, which I find not enough elaborated, and some of my sentences that seem a bit awkward, due to my word order that is not always right. I need to work on spelling, on vocabulary, on the sentence style of my text and also on the content of my text. To improve my vocabulary and my spelling skills, I'll try to read more in English. In that way, I'll slowly increase my word banks and it's proven that the more you read, the more you'll develop your vocabulary and your style. Keeping an eye on the documents that you post on MIO won't be a bad idea too! Also, those documents will be very useful to improve my sentence style. Finally, I'll try to ameliorate the content of my text by exploring the subject carefully to make sure that I chose only the best supporting points and that I didn't forget any little elements.
I'll start to work on that now so I can get a better grade to the next writing test!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Mid-term Writing Test
When Death Means Freedom
In the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century, society was oriented around men authority in the United States. Women were nothing except a kind of tool used to execute the will of their husband. Kate Chopin used this perception of women during that time in many of her stories and novels to write about the quality of life of women and their status. That brings us to one of her short story, "The Story of an Hour", where Chopin's use of irony is very effective and describes well the feelings of all those women repressed by their husband at that time.
Firstly, the ambiguous emotions and the extreme joy that felt the protagonist, Mrs Mallard, when she learned that her husband had died is ironic. The reaction of that woman when she heard about this bad new is quite surprising because you don't anticipate it. When you marry someone, it's a very normal and expected thing to be extremely sad when you learn that your beloved is dead. Well, not for Mrs Mallard it seems. On the contrary, she felt free and, maybe for the first time since her marriage with Brently Mallard, she felt that she would entirely live for herself. In that case, Chopin used irony to describe how repressed and completely possessed were the women at that time.
Secondly, the death of Mrs Mallard in the ending of " The Story of an Hour" is also very ironic. The main character passed by many emotive steps during his short mourning, which ended by a great feeling of freedom and joy. "Free! Body and soul free!" were the words the widow whispered when she realized how huge was and would be the impact of her spouse's death on her life. However, the unexpected return of Mrs Mallard's husband had spoiled all her plans for her sweet years to come. Therefore, she didn't die because she was extremely and happily surprised to see Brently Mallard alive; she died because the reason of her sudden happiness fell apart.
Finally, Kate Chopin used with a great dexterity the irony in "The Story of an Hour" to express the hidden feelings of women stuck into a repressive relationship with their husband. Also, Chopin's use of irony is well supported by the contrastive imagery that is found throughout the story.
Words: 370
In the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century, society was oriented around men authority in the United States. Women were nothing except a kind of tool used to execute the will of their husband. Kate Chopin used this perception of women during that time in many of her stories and novels to write about the quality of life of women and their status. That brings us to one of her short story, "The Story of an Hour", where Chopin's use of irony is very effective and describes well the feelings of all those women repressed by their husband at that time.
Firstly, the ambiguous emotions and the extreme joy that felt the protagonist, Mrs Mallard, when she learned that her husband had died is ironic. The reaction of that woman when she heard about this bad new is quite surprising because you don't anticipate it. When you marry someone, it's a very normal and expected thing to be extremely sad when you learn that your beloved is dead. Well, not for Mrs Mallard it seems. On the contrary, she felt free and, maybe for the first time since her marriage with Brently Mallard, she felt that she would entirely live for herself. In that case, Chopin used irony to describe how repressed and completely possessed were the women at that time.
Secondly, the death of Mrs Mallard in the ending of " The Story of an Hour" is also very ironic. The main character passed by many emotive steps during his short mourning, which ended by a great feeling of freedom and joy. "Free! Body and soul free!" were the words the widow whispered when she realized how huge was and would be the impact of her spouse's death on her life. However, the unexpected return of Mrs Mallard's husband had spoiled all her plans for her sweet years to come. Therefore, she didn't die because she was extremely and happily surprised to see Brently Mallard alive; she died because the reason of her sudden happiness fell apart.
Finally, Kate Chopin used with
Words: 370
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
11 Ways to Introduce a Text
1. Biographical information (Ex: Poe had many psychological problems that affected his writing.)
2. Quotation (from the text itself)
3. Definition (Ex: "Poetic justice" is supposed to mean that virtue is rewarded and evil is punished.)
4. Literary elements (Ex: Imagery is a powerful way to express feelings and emotions.)
5. Life experience of the author (Ex: E. Hemingway had a lot of problems communicating with women.)
6. Plot (Ex: At the beginning of Wilde's "Nightintale" story, the bird's heart is figuratively broken by the student's sorrow. By the end, the bird's heart is literally split by the rose's thorn.)
7. Philosophical/Sociological concept (Ex: Trials involving life and death should be based on legal facts and arguments.)
8. Historical background (Ex: Gothicism was in vogue in the early nineteenth century, delving (exploring) into metaphysical issues and the meaning of death.)
2. Quotation (from the text itself)
3. Definition (Ex: "Poetic justice" is supposed to mean that virtue is rewarded and evil is punished.)
4. Literary elements (Ex: Imagery is a powerful way to express feelings and emotions.)
5. Life experience of the author (Ex: E. Hemingway had a lot of problems communicating with women.)
6. Plot (Ex: At the beginning of Wilde's "Nightintale" story, the bird's heart is figuratively broken by the student's sorrow. By the end, the bird's heart is literally split by the rose's thorn.)
7. Philosophical/Sociological concept (Ex: Trials involving life and death should be based on legal facts and arguments.)
8. Historical background (Ex: Gothicism was in vogue in the early nineteenth century, delving (exploring) into metaphysical issues and the meaning of death.)
Monday, September 5, 2011
Literary Interpretations
1.Tell-Tale Heart
In this short story written by Poe,the use of the First-person narrator and the fact that he's also talking to the reader hook him at the very beginning of the story.
2. The Lady or the Tiger?
The open ending of this Frank Stockton's short story has a strong and very effective impact on the reader, leaving him with numerous questions in his mind.
3. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
Bierce's use of imagery in this short story descibes in a very realistic and sensitive way what is happening to the main character.
In this short story written by Poe,the use of the First-person narrator and the fact that he's also talking to the reader hook him at the very beginning of the story.
2. The Lady or the Tiger?
The open ending of this Frank Stockton's short story has a strong and very effective impact on the reader, leaving him with numerous questions in his mind.
3. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
Bierce's use of imagery in this short story descibes in a very realistic and sensitive way what is happening to the main character.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Wiki Test!
1. Where is Mr. B's office? C-150
2. What percentage of the course is writing and speaking worth? Both 40%
3. How many items are on the "Writing Correction Code"? There are 18 items.
4. What are Mr. B's office hours? Tuesday 11:30-2:30, Wednesday 1:00-2:00 and Thursday 3:00-4:00.
5. What is the 48 hour rule? If we miss an exam or any summative tasks, we have to reach Mr. B within 48 hours.
6. What is the first assignment? Write an essay on the blog that we have created.
7. How many references are made to "thesis statement"? 16
8. How can I reach Mr. B? By MIO, Gmail or by phone.
9. How many short stories are we going to read? We’re going to read three short stories.
10. How many pages on the site refer to "grammar"? 18
11. How many items are listed in the Student Agreement? There are ten items listed.
12. What are the summative writing assignments? Quizzes, one mid-term writing test and one final writing test (a literary essay).
13. Write down two questions you have about the course?
Are the speaking tasks going to be done in the front of the class or in little groups?
Is it a course very concentrate on literary or are we going to learn some grammar tips and increase our language level (our vocabulary)?
Are the speaking tasks going to be done in the front of the class or in little groups?
Is it a course very concentrate on literary or are we going to learn some grammar tips and increase our language level (our vocabulary)?
When Borders Do Not Exist Anymore
As a new student, it's my first year in CEGEP and this is an amazing but stressful step in my life. Meeting new people, making new friends, these are things that I haven't done for four years! Not more than one hour ago, I had my first real chat with a third term student. I was extremely surprised when this young man told me that he has lived on three continents until now, an experience that he's very proud of. Bogdan Anifrani was born in Africa where he passed his first years on earth before leaving for Ukraine. Now, North America is his third house. That can explain why he has such a huge network. He knows the whole planet! I'm just kidding but still, he has family and friends from as far as Asia. After all, with a half Ukranian and Togolese blood, an uncommon mix, why can't he have connections all around the world?
Winner of a Fine art gala in High School twice, he has great skills in drawing and painting. His first notebook page filled with sketches can't be lying, he is a good artist. More than that, he seems to like to be with people; he's the sociable kind. This interest will surely lead him to a career in psychology or in sociology. That's why I wasn't surprised at all when he told me that he was doing a double DEC in Arts and in Social Science. In fact, I wouldn't have seen him in an other program.
Ten minutes isn't very much to know somebody, but it's long enough to understand a bit who the person is. In ten minutes, I had enough time to see that I'll certainly get along with this calm young man easily.
Winner of a Fine art gala in High School twice, he has great skills in drawing and painting. His first notebook page filled with sketches can't be lying, he is a good artist. More than that, he seems to like to be with people; he's the sociable kind. This interest will surely lead him to a career in psychology or in sociology. That's why I wasn't surprised at all when he told me that he was doing a double DEC in Arts and in Social Science. In fact, I wouldn't have seen him in an other program.
Ten minutes isn't very much to know somebody, but it's long enough to understand a bit who the person is. In ten minutes, I had enough time to see that I'll certainly get along with this calm young man easily.
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