"Poetry, Prose and a Farewell."

"Poetry, Prose and a Farewell."

 Poet Starry's Note...

If you are interested in having one of My Photos or Art Poems, go to My Poetry Corner (the Link is at the bottom of this page), and find out how... 

I have been longing for a Summer breeze...

Vacation time and a good break is coming to me. Praise the Lord!
Summer is approaching in my corner of the world. Days are longer and tantalizing for outdoor activities, hiking, doing exercise, or just taking a healthy stroll round beautiful landscapes in mother nature. I really do not have to go too far to do these things. The Rainforest covers many areas, and it indeed has it all, if one knows where to look for the right things to do.
My daughter and grandchildren invited me to fly to New York for a family reunion in the Spring of next year 2013. My dear family will be celebrating my youngest granddaughter's 4th birthday. If my health improves, I'll be so happy to go and stay there forever.
Then, I should get fit and in good shape for our memorable venture which involves preparations ahead of time for the incoming event. My first goal at this point is to get healthier and lose some weight in order to fit my body in one of those small seats on the airplane. Therefore, I shall be ready for what is coming, if that is God's will.  
This is my last post before my break, so I'll share a poem that I wrote a while ago. I call it:

"If tomorrow never comes."

Catching every breath I deeply take
And moving slowly into the rainbow,
I lie beneath the sunset
Watching the foam of sea waves rolling down.
If tomorrow never comes,
I will hold no regrets behind;
I have found everlasting moments
To rest happily on my mind.
New worlds envisage a new freedom
Venturing into gardens with open doors.
I step in the midst of hush
Where the lions roar and the eagles soar.
I spread the wings of my soul
Writing a heartfelt creation.
My soul soars like an eagle
Bringing hope with my inspiration.

Author: Poet Starry Dawn.

Too often we underestimate the power of love, a loving hug, smile, kind words, listening ears, honest compliments, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. Our Earth is crammed with beauty, natural wonders, love, peace and happiness, if we really take a good look around, for there is beauty everywhere in the world. We should be present in all things, show kindness and compassion to others, we can all do small things with great love.

We must protect mother nature for our children, grandchildren, and children yet to be born. We must protect nature for those who can't speak for themselves.

This Poet is Craving for a Better World with Justice for All.

I have been reading and listening to the News about Child Abuse and Domestic Violence.

It just breaks my heart in million pieces.

I could imagine a child, so small, so vulnerable, crying desperately and screaming: "Mom, don't hit me! Mom, don't hurt me, please! Then, mom stops...

But, what happens if she won't stop?

What happens if she will keep on doing it?

What happens if nobody says anything, because they do not want to get involved?

What happens if nobody cares? I wonder...

That child -if she/he is lucky to survive- will grow up and become an adult one day.

There is a proverb that says: "It is easier to build stronger children than to repair broken men."

A broken spirit is difficult to heal. Love from family and true friends will certainly help for the healing process.

I also wonder what happens if the same lonely child, but as an adult, will keep meeting the wrong people who just keep hurting, or even trying to kill her/him...

What do you think about abuse of power? Is it fair or unfair?... 

At times, we are overburdened going through hardships, and the outlook of the tempest pounds in our lives so hard pouring out its most bitter path. As we may row alone in a raging sea of life, or as we may feel trapped inside a tunnel without an end, we surely know that if we trust the Lord with all our hearts, He will embrace us with His loving arms, pick up our falling or weary bodies, and uplift our hearts with the power of His healing love. There is always sunshine after the rain. There is no need to get hurt, for each dawn gives us a new opportunity, a new beginning to deal with the brand new day that God is giving to us as a gift of life. If we look into our hearts, we shall find Him dwelling there with His Almighty care. We ought to find a new turning point after the turmoil that makes us weary, although it's hard to do. We should try our best and find comfort in God's Holy Words. Jesus said: "I am the vine, you are the branches." (John 15:5)

The dazzle of the new daytime brings new hope into my lonely heart and whispers that there will be a much better tomorrow ahead of me. True love recognizes no barriers and penetrates walls to arrive at its destination. Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation as a grown up person. I was reading a poem Online from an Unknown Author.

This poem holds so much wisdom in it that I would love to share these poetical lines with you...

"The will of God will never take you,

Where the grace of God cannot keep you,

Where the arms of God cannot support you,

Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,

Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you,

Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you,

Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,

Where the Army of God cannot protect you,

Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you,

Where the love of God cannot enfold you,

Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,

Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,

Where the comfort of God cannot feed you...

Everything happens for a reason."

Author: Unknown.

"MY MORNING PRAYER."

Dear Lord and Heavenly Father,

I love You and need You. Please, come into my life and heart!

I thank You, Lord for this newborn day, I thank You for my being able to see and hear this morning. I am blessed because You are a forgiving and understanding God. You have done so much for me, and You keep on blessing me. Please, forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing You, Father. I ask now for Your forgiveness. Help me start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind, so that I can hear from You. Please, broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things that I have no control over, and give me the best response when I am pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Please, dear Lord Jesus, continue to use me to do Your will, and only Your will, Father.

I pray for all my sisters and brothers in Christ, for each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, health, love and joy in their homes. I pray that every single eye that reads this morning prayer knows that there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in the Almighty Hands of God to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.

Do not let evil forces break your spirit!

Wear the Armour of God at all times.

In Jesus' most Holly Name, I pray. AMEN.

Dear Readers,

I worked very hard writing and posting interesting themes all these years in the Internet. Therefore, all My Blogs will remain Online as long as Blogger will allow them to stay. You may read my older posts, if you wish. Anyway, I shall continue posting meaningful articles concerning our natural environment whenever time provides. I am a nature lover, animal's lover and advocate. I hope many of you will be interested in reading these kind of topics.

In my heart of hearts, I am also a flower and a tiger at the same time. Both sides of me will eventually develop the plots of all my stories, poems and thoughts...

WELCOME ABOARD!!

The Links are:

My Poetry Corner:

http://www.thanksforthegiftoflife.blogspot.com

My Inspirational Site:

http://www.findthewayinyourlife.blogspot.com

My Journals Entries:

http://www.journeysandjournalsfromourgalaxy.blogspot.com

My Nature Blog:

http://www.theexistenceofournaturalenvironment.blogspot.com

Thank you in advance for reading my posts!

May the Lord sustain you in the palm of His hand!

Have a blessed time!

Until we write again,

POET STARRY DAWN.

The Argumentative Essay. Tales Round the Campfire.

The Argumentative Essay. Tales Round the Campfire.

These topics are one of my favourite compositions, apart from the narrative ones.

The argumentative essay is my last post about writing tips to help writers improve their skills.

An argumentative essay is in many ways similar to an abstract one in that it is concerned almost entirely with ideas. But it differs in one important respect: as you are required to discuss a particular problem, you are not free to interpret a subject in any way you wish. An ability to reason and a capacity for arranging ideas in logical order are the important requirements of an argumentative essay. In addition to this you must draw largely on your general knowledge: what you know is far more important than what you imagine or observe.

AIMS: 1) To argue for or against a proposition without necessarily attempting to persuade the reader to agree with you. Your aim here is simply to present a viewpoint.

2) To argue in such a way as to persuade the reader to agree with you.

3) To attempt to solve a problem.

4) To discuss a problem without necessarily arriving at a solution.

DEFINING AN ATTITUDE. Before attempting to make a plan, you must define your attitude, that is to say that you must decide on the way you intend to argue. Argumentative topics are often deliberately provocative, taking the form of a challenging quotation. For example:

"Do humans have the right to destroy our beautiful natural environment?..."

SUBJECT-MATTER. The ability to write a good argumentative essay depends not only on what you know, but on how well you can use what you know.

Students who have a wide general knowledge should guard against a tendency to write purely factual prose so that their essays read like articles in an encyclopaedia. Facts should provide nothing more than the framework for ideas, speculations, theories, or opinions. The correct presentation of facts is as important as the facts themselves.

When referring to facts you should take great care to be accurate.

TREATMENT. There are two main forms of argument: Inductive and Deductive.

In "inductive" argument, you begin with a general statement and then produce facts to prove it. In "deductive" argument, you infer one statement from another, beginning with a general idea and arriving at a particular one.

Whichever way you choose to argue, you must ensure that your essay is balanced and that you deal with both sides of the argument. This is especially important when you have a definite viewpoint of your own. As a general rule, you should begin by considering the other side of the case first. In this way it is possible to anticipate probable objections to what you have to say. This technique will invariably enable you to present your case in the best way.

Each paragraph should contain a central idea and the sentences should be closely related to each other. Transitions between paragraphs will be smooth if you warn the reader beforehand that you are going to deal with another aspect. Your essay must be a well-organized and balanced whole.

It is easy to understand the function of the Introduction, Development, and Conclusion if you think of an argumentative essay in terms of a geometrical theorem.

You begin with something to prove or to explain; you have a "given" amount of information (facts); using this information, you go on to your "proof" either by using facts to prove one or a number of general statements (induction), or by a process of reasoning: inferring one idea from another (deduction). In this way you arrive at a final conclusion which has evolved from the foregoing argument.

INTRODUCTION. A clear indication of the way you intend to define your attitude should be given to the reader. The whole argument that is to follow will be built on the initial premise which is contained in the introduction.

DEVELOPMENT. Devote the first one or two paragraphs to a consideration of the other side of the case before amplifying your views. From then on, each paragraph you write must add something new and important to your argument.

CONCLUSION. Here you may in some way re-state your initial premise.

ILLUSTRATION. An abstract idea will always become clear if a definite example is given to illustrate it. Supposing, for example, that you are arguing that more progress has been made in Astronomy in the last 100 years than at any other time in History. You could illustrate this idea by referring the findings of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, Einstein, etc. Radio telescopes and radio satellites indicate what have been discovered in our own times. Once you have given an illustration, it is easier to draw a conclusion.

CONTRAST. If you are presenting both ideas of a case, contrast is embodied in the very framework of your essay. The wider the range of reference, the more interesting your essay becomes.

STYLE. Keep your English as simple and direct as possible. A sure way to do this is to write on subjects you are sure you can handle well. If your ideas are vague, muddled and undigested, this will be reflected in your writing: it will soon be apparent to the reader that you do not really know what you want to say. Clear thinking and a knowledge of your subject will enable you to write in a straight forward, readable style. It is best to avoid the first person except in cases where you are specifically asked to give your own opinions.

PLANNING. How you will order your ideas is for you to decide. In any case, it is essential to make out a full plan before attempting to write your essay. You may depart from your original scheme if you have second thoughts in the course of writing. A sound plan will enable you to build up an argument in the most effective way.

Each paragraph-outline should consist of a central thought and a few subsidiary ideas related to it. As you become more and more proficient, it will become less and less necessary to make out a very detailed plan. Then, your ideas will come out more natural when you write.

MY NATURE BLOG is an example of MY ARGUMENTS BASED ON REAL EVIDENCE.

www.theexistenceofournaturalenvironment.blogspot.com

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR READING!

HAVE A BLESSED TIME!

POET STARRY DAWN.

The Reflective Essay.

The Reflective Essay.

I really love to start writing my compositions with striking first lines which may captivate, ignite, fuel or stir up one's emotions. I love writing with a real passion, and I make sure it shows in every page.

When one generates a literary framework, the essay writer should carve into one's brain looking for whatever is stored into one's knowledge, in other words what you know about it. Some students who are unable to produce a well-written paper, they will buy it or copy the essay from another source, instead of doing a personal creation. I call that fact, CHEATING. Teachers certainly know that...

Let's say that I had a written assignment, a paper to write about "FREEDOM", my first lines would read: "Freedom is a worthwhile value, a virtuous essence or an abstract quality, substantially the common good, and the inner nature of all living species."

It'll be a good idea to Go to a Good Bookstore and buy books that provide teaching instructions  HOW TO WRITE ESSAYS, COMPOSITIONS, PAPERS, and so on...

Today's Lesson is about The Reflective Essay.

A reflective essay is an exercise in contemplation on any given subject. It tests your ability to think and describe, to order your ideas and to draw on your experience, imagination, and general knowledge. These writing tips and lessons are taken from my Teacher's Notes.

Types: Though reflective essays cannot be easily classified, there are two distinct groups: those which require a great deal of description as well as reflection which we may call "descriptive-reflective"; and those in which the emphasis is on reasoning rather than description which we may call "abstract."

Descriptive-Reflective: These usually take the form of one-word titles. When writing you should draw conclusions from what you describe. "Gardening", for instance, here you would not only be expected to describe gardening, but also to express your views on it.

Abstract: These may take the form of one-word titles when they refer to abstract qualities, for example, "Truth." In subjects of this kind, purely descriptive writing is of secondary importance. Your ability to reason rather than describe, your own feelings and views about the subject take first place.

Interpreting the subject. It is extremely important for you to understand what is required by the subject before you begin planning your essay. A good essay should be written with at least 800 words, or as many words as your teacher asks you to do.

A reflective essay title may often have a wide number of implications so that it is possible to interpret it in a variety of ways.

Subject-Matter. What you  have to say is quite as important as how you say it. An essay may be well written and well organized, but still lack substance.

Treatment. Two distinct processes are involved in essay-writing: analysis and synthesis. In the first instance, you break down the subject (analysis), and then put it together again (synthesis), so that it forms a complete whole. Nothing irrelevant must be included. Your essay should have unity to the extent that if any single part were excluded, it would spoil the effect of the whole. Like a painting or a piece of music, an essay is a composition.

Your work must be balanced and well proportioned. You can only achieve this if you fully understand the purpose of the paragraph. Each paragraph in your essay is a unit of thought which deals with an aspect of the main theme. In the same way, each sentence must contribute something to the central thought of each paragraph. If an essay can be defined as a group of related paragraphs, a paragraph can be defined as a group of related sentences.

Transitions from one paragraph to another should be smooth. A paragraph may often warn the reader of the approach of a new thought, time, place, or a reference to an idea that has already been considered. Each paragraph should be developed properly: a sentence or two is not enough. From the point of view of the reader, a paragraph is a logical break which allows him to collect his thoughts, as much as it is a physical break which permits him to rest his eyes.

Introduction. This is the most important paragraph in the essay as it is here that you make clear to the reader your interpretation of the subject. In other words, your introduction should lead the reader to expect certain things.

Development. In this part of the essay you should take up the points that were hinted at in the introduction. Each main point must be developed fully in a single paragraph, and all the paragraphs should be related to each other in some way. The fact that you have planned your essay should on no account be obvious to the reader.

Conclusion. This should in some way relate to the introduction and so round the essay off.

Do not end abruptly!

Illustration is especially important when you are dealing with "abstract topics." If, for instance, you are writing about a subject like "Fear", good examples will make your meaning immediately clear to the reader.

Contrast. This gives variety to your writing and makes what you have to say more interesting. If in one paragraph you have given one view of a subject, it is often wise to deal with a completely opposite view in the next. This has the effect of surprising the reader and enabling him to see the subject in a new light.

Humour. A light approach is often highly suitable in reflective essays. You may poke fun at certain beliefs and activities in a way that will not only amuse your readers, but also give them an unsual point of view.

Suitability. The style you adopt for each essay must match your approach to the subject.

The key to good writing is simplicity. It is important to realize that your writing will be simple and clear when you have something meaningful and definite to say and know what you are talking about. If you do Not know the subject, do Not talk about it...

Planning. Like a sound building, a well-constructed essay requires a full and detailed plan. You  may in the course of writing depart from your original plan, but this should be the exception rather than the rule.

FOCUS ON YOUR PLAN, AIM TO THE TARGET, and THEN...

THEN, SHOOT YOUR STORY and AMUSE YOUR READERS...

 

I HOPE YOU HAVE FUN LEARNING HOW TO WRITE WELL.

AS YOU MAY KNOW, I AM STILL LEARNING...

HAVE A BLESSED TIME!

Writing well is not an easy thing to do...

Writing well is  not an easy thing to do...

I was telling you in my previous posts what had been written in my British Teacher's Book about Essay Writing. Making a brief summary, there are many sort of Essays and Compositions, which should be written in at least 800 words.

In the United States, they call it PAPER, which I certainly agree. Paper is easier to remember.

-Narrative Essay.

-Descriptive Essay.

-The Literary Essay.

-The Reflective Essay: Descriptive-Reflective and Abstract.

-The Argumentative Essay.

-Poetry: An Advanced Literary Essay.

There are many forms and manifestations of Poetry, Classic and Modern ones.

Writing well is not an easy thing to execute, to carry out. I am sure a writer's heart gets frustrated over a blank page, not enlightened by a creative idea, not inspired by the muse of thousands words.

My style is simple, so my goals to reach people's hearts. When I write poetry, I use free style verses. When I write in prose, I use narrative or descriptive compositions. I am a simple person who writes simple things, nothing too complex that my mind won't be able to build up.

In my search to blaze a trail, I evoked my final stanza which I would like my dear family to have it engraved as an EPITAPH over MY GRAVE. It would read:

 

"In a lifetime, this poet

Wrote thousands words,

Whispered and died dozens Summers,

But enthusiastically returned...

This day might be different.

My turn might be longer and forever.

My time was over and set to be...

Would you remember me?..."

Author: Poet Starry Dawn.

 

In contrast with my poetic simplicity, I'll share a complex piece of art, one of Shakespeare's Sonnets (14 lines in rhyming iambic pentameters) for you to enjoy reading The Best Poet in The World.

 

Sonnet 21.

 

So is it not with me as with that muse,

Stirred by a painted beauty to his verse,

Who Heaven itself for ornament doth use,

And every fair with his fair doth rehearse;

Making a couplement of proud compare

With sun and moon, with earth and sea's rich gems,

With April's first-born flowers, and all things rare

That Heaven's air in this huge rondure hems.

Oh, let me be true in love but truly write,

And then believe me, my love is as fair

As any mother's child, though not so bright

As those gold candles fixed in Heaven's air:

Let them say more that like of hearsay well;

I will not praise that purpose not to sell.

 

Author: William Shakespeare.

Thank you in advance for reading!!

 

 

Another Passage in My Life...

Another Passage in My Life...

This one is another passage that I had to learn by heart along with over 20 other passages if I wanted to pass the English Examination at College many years ago. It was so hard back then...

I share this nice tale, yet I did not write it.

"It was already late when we set out for the next town, which according to the map was about fifteen miles away on the other side of the hills. There we felt sure that we would find a bed for the night.

Darkness fell soon after we left the village, but luckily we met no one as we drove swiftly along the narrow winding road that led to the hills. As we climbed higher, it became colder and rain began to fall, making it difficult at times to see the road. I asked John, my companion, to drive more slowly.

After we had traveled for about twenty miles, there was still no sign of the town which was marked on the map. We were beginning to get worried. Then, without warning, the car stopped. A quick examination showed that we had run out of gasoline. Although we had little food with us, only a few biscuits and some chocolate, we decided to spend the night in the car.

Our meal was soon over. I tried to go to sleep at once, but John, who was a poor sleeper, got out of the car after a few minutes and went for a walk up the hill. Soon he came running back. From the top of the hill he had seen, in the valley below, the lights of the town we were looking for. We at once unloaded all our luggage and, with a great effort, managed to push the car to the top of the hill. Then we went back for the luggage, loaded the car again and set off down the hill. In less than a quarter of an hour we were in the town, where we found a hotel quite easily."

 

This is just an example of another passage learned by heart when I studied at the Teacher's Training College many years ago.

You know that I got married and had my baby daughter in New York long ago. Now, my dear daughter is a grown up beautiful woman. She got married and had 3 children in New York,  my grandchildren. You see, many things happened in between these things in a time frame.

One day, I'll be able to tell our story, which involved a great deal of domestic violence, attempted murder, harrassment, cruel abuses, not only physical hurt, but also mental and emotional issues. I have got permanent disabilities from the damage that my daughter's father caused in my lifetime. I had to leave him. So, I left with my American baby overseas.

I was left alone in the world almost homeless, without siblings, without a family. My parents parted into Heaven just too soon. I am a survivor and a victim of domestic violence.

I would love to tell my story in a Novel one day, if that is God's will...

TEACHING AMERICAN ENGLISH OVERSEAS was a real job for me.

I met many Americans doing the same thing, even English and Australian folks...

I was already an older adult, and the other students were young girls. At that time, I felt that something was missing from me. Something that my parents should have given to me when I was a little child, but they did not...

There is an old saying: "It is easier to build stronger children than to repair broken men."

It is much easier for a child to learn things. Adults got much harder times in learning things. 

Back at College, students had to take many different subjects apart from English Language, English Grammar and Phonetics. The syllabus included, for example, History and Geography of the British Isles and the United States, (Lifetime) History of Britain, History of the United States, Linguistics, Shakespeare and many Literature Courses. Unfortunately, I did not graduate. It was very hard for me. I had to work all day -as an English Instructor without a teaching degree, helping foreign learners of English working in American Companies Overseas, such as Exxon Oil, Gillette, General Electric, etc. The classes were at different hours according to the schedule of the students. Teachers had to wait for them. We did not get paid for the waiting period. We got paid for the teaching time only. It was a low wage and a great effort, especially for my throat. I got laryngitis often. Then, I could not work, so I did not get paid for being sick. There were long hours to make ends meet, to support my daughter as a single parent, since her father was not there for her. Needless to say, it was so very hard for me. My daughter was alone most of the day. She went to a local school, and I came home for a short period of time when I had a break in my private classes as a coach. I went to College in the morning. Then from there, I went to teach my students.

One of my favourite things to do was gathering at home in our family reunion with my beloved ones. My aunts were the sisters of my father. They had been into Music all their lives. They lived a long life. Aunt Neyfer passed away at the age of 96. Auntie Helen went to Heaven at 95. My aunt Helen was a wonderful Concertist Piano Player. She began to learn how to play when she was only 5 years old. My dear auntie played the piano while I sang beautiful songs along with her. My other aunt played the guitar, and we were having lots of fun at home. My daughter and my first granddaughter were watching how we would perform a musical venue in my aunts' family room. I remember those good old days, and I miss them so dearly...

I share some good old photos for you to figure out how old folks could have lots of fun too.

Starry says, "I used to change my hairstyle a little too often looking so differently..."

I make plans to write the Story of My Life one day, if that is God's will...

Do they have special techniques in order to train English Teachers in the United States?

I wonder...

 

Thank you in advance for reading!!

POET STARRY.

Today's Lesson: The Literary Essay.

Today's Lesson: The Literary Essay.

These are just a couple of examples how my bookshelves look like at home. I have got hundreds of books, and of course, I shall take them everywhere I may go, even overseas...

Well, today's lesson is about The Literary Essay which is taken from my old teacher's notebooks.

 

THE LITERARY ESSAY.

You should, at this stage, be reading as widely as possible both for general interest and to increase your vocabulary. At the same time, whether you are preparing for an examination or not, it is wise to devote particular attention to a small selection of book as the writing of literary essays presupposes a detailed knowledge of certain texts. You will be reading classics, modern novels, popular stories, fiction tales, plays and non-fiction, and so on.

In order to be able to write literary essays you must know the contents of the books you are studying very well indeed. As it may not always be possible to read a book twice, it is advisable to keep a record of what you read. A well-arranged summary will enable you to revise the contents of a whole book in a matter of minutes.

The best way to keep a record of a book is to make a page by page summary in note form.

This sort of summary tells you all you need to know and the page references enable you to look up any incident in the story which you may have forgotten. When you have finished making out your summary you are ready to begin essay writing.

 The literary essays you will be writing will be narrative and descriptive, but unlike general essays, these will be based entirely on the books you have studied.

You may be required to reproduce in your own words any particular part of the story or to write a brief description of one or more characters.

All the information given in your essay about characters and events should be accurate.

It is not necessary to learn passages by heart in order to be able to quote.

REPRODUCING PART OF THE STORY.

If you are asked to re-tell part of the story in your own words, take great care to relate events in the order in which they occurred.

CHARACTERS.

Questions which require you to give an account of a person's character are, on the whole, more difficult than those which ask you to reproduce a scene.

The characters in a story can be divided into two groups: the people who play a leading role, a leading part (these are called major characters) and those who play a small role, a small part (minor characters).

The best way to write an account of a person's character is to note down abstract qualities which he or she possesses and then to illustrate them by referring to events from the book. The sort of qualities you should look for are: courage, cowardice, generosity, meanness, kindness, cruelty, understanding, initiative, wickedness, stupidity, cunning, etc.

If you are asked to give an account of the part played by a certain person, you should begin with a brief and very general description of his or her character. Then, you should go on to relate the main things the person did, illustrating your answer from your knowledge of the story.

PLANNING.

PLANNING.

Never attempt to answer a literary question without first making out a PLAN.

An example of a short passage that I had to re-tell by heart -in my old days at College- will follow as a new post tomorrow. You will be able to understand how hard it must have been to learn 20 or more passages by heart without making mistakes. Then, you will PASS the EXAM.

Thank you in advance for reading MY LESSONS!!

 

Papers, Essays, Compositions.

Papers, Essays, Compositions.

LONGMAN DICTIONARY OF (BRITISH) ENGLISH.

DEFINITIONS OF ESSAY, COMPOSITION, PAPER.

ESSAY: A short piece of writing on a particulat subject done as an educational exercise.

COMPOSITION: The act of composing music, art, poetry, stories, tales, etc. The arrangement of the various parts from which something is made up.

PAPER: An Examination Paper or a piece of writing for specialists used in a particular subject.

A paper is usually much longer than an essay. An essay is usually longer than a composition.

In American English, paper is a general word used in writing exercises and tests at School or College. In British English, each word has got a different meaning.

I used to travel a great deal in my lifetime. Since I've grown older things changed, and I had to slow down indeed.

I studied English overseas. I also went to College overseas many years ago...

That part of the world had a strong British influence back then. So, we studied the British version of English which was a bit different in some ways from the American English. It was certainly harder and confusing for me, because I spoke American English. But, I had to learn it if I wanted to teach. Teaching English to foreign learners overseas was my bread and butter for many years in the past. My dear parents departed to Heaven, and I had no siblings. I was completely on my own, and I had my child to support. My child's father was gone into his own private selfish and corrupted life. I had to run away with my child in order to survive and help my baby. I make plans to write the story of my life, one day in the future, if that is God's will...

There were many types of essay writing when I was learning at the Teacher's Training College, and it was indeed, difficult and confusing for the student.

Not long ago, my online friend told me that her grandson got an assignment to write a paper about "FREEDOM." Well, talking about that from my old school days, I would say that sort of topic would be classified under an ABSTRACT - REFLECTIVE ESSAY.

I shall deal with these issues in another post later on.

Anyway, I would start writing about freedom with a strong introductory line saying the following message to the readers: "Freedom is a virtuous essence or an abstract quality, substantially the common good and the inner nature to all living species."

At times, I like to start writing my composition with striking first lines, which can impress the readers a great deal. So, I often use English Provers.

For example: "True love never grows old."

"To be beloved is above all bargains."

"Actions speak louder than words."

"Don't quarrel with your bread and butter!!"

"All that glitters is not gold."

"The best of friends must part."

"All good things come to an end sooner or later."

When I was attending College, one of the hardest things for me to learn was to recite poems and many passages by heart, needless to say to become fully acquainted with them before they could be properly assimilated in my brain.

The emphasis lie down in the literature analysis of the piece of art, including simile, metaphor, personification of characters, alliteration, onomatopoeia, rhyme, assonance, rhythm and rhymes, metrics, English iambic pentameters, and so on...

One stanza that I may recall from Poet Keats' "Ode to Autumn" says:

"Where are the songs of Spring? Where are they?

Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,

While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,

And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;

Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn

Among the river sallows, born aloft

Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;

And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;

Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft

The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;

And gathering swallows twitter in the skies."

 

Well, that is enough about that. About my poems, they are really simple ones that could reach people's hearts, which is my final goal.

I use FREE VERSE STYLE.

 Now, I share one stanza that I wrote a while ago -as an example from my old rhyming poem with a message embedded there...

"If I weep in the darkest night,

Would you wipe my tears away?

If I laugh in a broad day light,

Would you laugh with me in the same way?..."

Author: Poet Starry Dawn.

 

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY SITES!!