In the text that you are about to read, you will discover that indeed, whatever hindrances in life, if there is the will to succeed, a person will surely rise above his or her circumstances.
In the text that you are about to read, you will discover that indeed, whatever hindrances in life, if there is the will to succeed, a person will surely rise above his or her circumstances.
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Fish Cheeks
Amy Tan
I fell in love with the minister's son the winter I
turned fourteen. He was not Chinese, but as white as Mary
in the manger. For Christmas I prayed for this blond-haired
boy, Robert, and a slim new American nose.
When I found out that my parents had invited the
minister's family over for Christmas Eve dinner, I cried. What
would Robert think of our shabby Chinese Christmas? What
would he think of our noisy Chinese relatives who lacked
proper American manners? What terrible disappoint-ment
would he feel upon seeing not a roasted turkey and sweet
potatoes but Chinese food?
On Christmas Eve I saw that my mother had outdone
herself in creating a strange menu. She was pulling black
veins out of the backs of fleshy prawns. The kitchen was
littered with appalling mounds of raw food: A slimy rock
cod with bulging eyes that pleaded not to be thrown into a
pan of hot oil. Tofu, which looked like stacked wedges of
rubbery white sponges. A bowl soaking dried fungus back to
life. A plate of squid, their backs crisscrossed with knife
markings so they resembled bicycle tires.
And then they arrived – the minister's family and all
my relatives in a clamor of doorbells and rumpled Christmas
packages. Robert grunted hello, and I pretended he was not
worthy of existence.
Name: _____________________
Date: _____________________
Dinner threw me deeper into despair. My relatives
licked the ends of their chopsticks and reached across the
table, dipping them into the dozen or so plates of food.
Robert and his family waited patiently for platters to be
passed to them. My relatives murmured with pleasure when
my mother brought out the whole steamed fish. Robert
grimaced. Then my father poked his chopsticks just below
the fish eye and plucked out the soft meat. "Amy, your
favorite," he said, offering me the tender fish cheek. I wanted
to disappear.
At the end of the meal my father leaned back and
belched loudly, thanking my mother for her fine cooking.
"It's a polite Chinese custom to show you are satisfied,"
explained my father to our astonished guests. Robert was
looking down at his plate with a reddened face. The minister
managed to muster up a quiet burp. I was stunned into
silence for the rest of the night.
After everyone had gone, my mother said to me,
"You want to be the same as American girls on the outside."
She handed me an early gift. It was a miniskirt in beige
tweed. "But inside you must always be Chinese. You must
be proud you are different. Your only shame is to have
shame."
And even though I didn't agree with her then, I knew
that she understood how much I had suffered during the
evening's dinner. It wasn't until many years later – long after
I had gotten over my crush on Robert – that I was able to
fully appr ...
Hi, this is Billy from LSM. Please refer to this powerpoint presentation for better understanding on the subject matter. You can comment here or you can comment via FB for you questions. Thank you and Pax et Bonum!
IALJS-14 Literary Journalism 101: Teaching Toolkit Panel—Successful AssignmentsMitzi Lewis
Responses by educators to the survey question: “What has been your most successful assignment in teaching literary/long form/narrative journalism?” presented at the Fourteenth International Conference for Literary Journalism Studies (IALJS-14): Literary Journalist as Naturalist: Science, Ecology and the Environment
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
Model Attribute Check Company Auto PropertyCeline George
In Odoo, the multi-company feature allows you to manage multiple companies within a single Odoo database instance. Each company can have its own configurations while still sharing common resources such as products, customers, and suppliers.
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
The Roman Empire A Historical Colossus.pdfkaushalkr1407
The Roman Empire, a vast and enduring power, stands as one of history's most remarkable civilizations, leaving an indelible imprint on the world. It emerged from the Roman Republic, transitioning into an imperial powerhouse under the leadership of Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE. This transformation marked the beginning of an era defined by unprecedented territorial expansion, architectural marvels, and profound cultural influence.
The empire's roots lie in the city of Rome, founded, according to legend, by Romulus in 753 BCE. Over centuries, Rome evolved from a small settlement to a formidable republic, characterized by a complex political system with elected officials and checks on power. However, internal strife, class conflicts, and military ambitions paved the way for the end of the Republic. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship and subsequent assassination in 44 BCE created a power vacuum, leading to a civil war. Octavian, later Augustus, emerged victorious, heralding the Roman Empire’s birth.
Under Augustus, the empire experienced the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. Augustus reformed the military, established efficient administrative systems, and initiated grand construction projects. The empire's borders expanded, encompassing territories from Britain to Egypt and from Spain to the Euphrates. Roman legions, renowned for their discipline and engineering prowess, secured and maintained these vast territories, building roads, fortifications, and cities that facilitated control and integration.
The Roman Empire’s society was hierarchical, with a rigid class system. At the top were the patricians, wealthy elites who held significant political power. Below them were the plebeians, free citizens with limited political influence, and the vast numbers of slaves who formed the backbone of the economy. The family unit was central, governed by the paterfamilias, the male head who held absolute authority.
Culturally, the Romans were eclectic, absorbing and adapting elements from the civilizations they encountered, particularly the Greeks. Roman art, literature, and philosophy reflected this synthesis, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Latin, the Roman language, became the lingua franca of the Western world, influencing numerous modern languages.
Roman architecture and engineering achievements were monumental. They perfected the arch, vault, and dome, constructing enduring structures like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts. These engineering marvels not only showcased Roman ingenuity but also served practical purposes, from public entertainment to water supply.
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
Palestine last event orientationfvgnh .pptxRaedMohamed3
An EFL lesson about the current events in Palestine. It is intended to be for intermediate students who wish to increase their listening skills through a short lesson in power point.
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
Biological screening of herbal drugs: Introduction and Need for
Phyto-Pharmacological Screening, New Strategies for evaluating
Natural Products, In vitro evaluation techniques for Antioxidants, Antimicrobial and Anticancer drugs. In vivo evaluation techniques
for Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcer, Anticancer, Wound healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Cardio protective, Diuretics and
Antifertility, Toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines
Instructions for Submissions thorugh G- Classroom.pptxJheel Barad
This presentation provides a briefing on how to upload submissions and documents in Google Classroom. It was prepared as part of an orientation for new Sainik School in-service teacher trainees. As a training officer, my goal is to ensure that you are comfortable and proficient with this essential tool for managing assignments and fostering student engagement.
Welcome to TechSoup New Member Orientation and Q&A (May 2024).pdfTechSoup
In this webinar you will learn how your organization can access TechSoup's wide variety of product discount and donation programs. From hardware to software, we'll give you a tour of the tools available to help your nonprofit with productivity, collaboration, financial management, donor tracking, security, and more.
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
2. Non-fiction text types
Non-fiction texts come in many types, and have
many different purposes. They surround us in
everyday life but can also come in more
sophisticated forms.
3. A non-fiction text is based on facts. It is really any text
which isn’t fiction (a made-up story or poetry). Non-
fiction texts come in a huge variety of types. You find
them everywhere in life, from the back of the cereal
packet at breakfast, to a text book at the library. They
can range from a newspaper article to a review of a new
computer game. They are written for many different
purposes, and are aimed at many different people or
audiences.
5. Literary non-fiction
Literary non-fiction is a type of writing which uses similar techniques as fiction
to create an interesting piece of writing about real events. Techniques such as
withholding information, vivid imagery and rhetorical devices can all be used.
These techniques help to create non-fiction which is enjoyable and exciting to
read. Some travel writing, autobiographies, or essays that consider a particular
viewpoint are key examples of literary non-fiction. Their main purpose is to
entertain whilst they inform about factual events or information.
6. Literary non-fiction texts include:
feature articles
essays
travel writing
accounts of famous events
sketches (normally a fact file profile that gives key information about a
person, place or event)
autobiographies (where you write about yourself) or biographies (where
someone else writes about you). These texts may be written by
sportspeople, politicians, celebrities as well as people who aren’t well-
known
7. Biography
A biography is writing about someone’s life. If someone
is writing about their own life it becomes an
autobiography. Biography and autobiography might
focus on a specific part of someone’s life and
experiences.
8. A biography is usually written both to inform and to entertain.
This means it is a mix of factual information and creative writing.
Often biographies are of famous people, e.g. singers, models or
sports personalities. However, sometimes biographies of
ordinary people who aren’t well known can be interesting
because of an extraordinary experience that they’ve had, such as
surviving against the odds or doing something heroic.
10. Example
This is the opening paragraph of Claire Tomalin’s biography of Charles
Dickens, the novelist. The young man she is describing is Dickens, aged 37.
11. 14 January 1840, London. An inquest is being held at Marylebone
Workhouse, a muddled complex of buildings spread over a large area
between the Marylebone Road and Paddington Street. The Beadle, a
parish officer responsible for persuading householders to do their duty
as jurors at such inquests, has assembled twelve men. Most of them are
middle-aged local tradesmen, but one stands out among them as
different. He is young and slight, smartly dressed and good-looking,
neither tall nor short at five foot nine inches, with dark hair falling in
curls over his forehead and collar. He is a new resident who has just
moved into a fine airy house with a large garden, close to Regent’s Park
at York Gate: it is No. 1 Devonshire Terrace, from which the Beadle has
made haste to summon him to his duty.
Charles Dickens, Claire Tomalin
13. The extract begins by raising questions for the reader – why is there an
inquest? How will Dickens be involved?
The focus then shifts to the jury where “one stands out”, suggesting that
he doesn’t fit in – and is more significant than the others. The writer
creates suspense, as we don’t know whether this man is Dickens yet.
Due to the close focus on this character, the reader may make the
connection to him being Charles Dickens.
14. The writer lists details, eg “smartly dressed” and “fine airy house”.
The adjectives “smartly” and “fine” imply that he is quite wealthy.
Descriptive language, eg “good-looking” with “dark hair falling in curls
over his forehead” present Dickens in a romantic way, like the main
character in a story.
15. Information leaflet
Information leaflets normally focus on a particular subject. In leaflets it’s not
just the content and language that are important, but also the layout and
organisation.
While it is unlikely that you will answer a question about a leaflet in your
exams, this example has been included because you should revise using a
wide range of text types.
Take notice of how non-fiction texts all around you achieve their purpose and
appeal to their audience!
17. Analysis
Key features of this leaflet include:
The heading of the leaflet uses imperative language to give the reader a
direct command – “Get Baking!” The subheading “to help you get baking”
suggests that the intended audience are people who are new to this
activity.
The opening ‘welcome’ message from celebrity chefs will appeal to fans
of The Great British Bake Off. It introduces the purpose of the leaflet – to
persuade readers to support the BBC Children In Need charity through
baking.
Sub-headings guide the reader through each section – some information
is organised with numbers and bullet points to break down instructions.
18. The tone is reassuring to the reader if they are not necessarily an expert
“All the recipes in this guide give step-by-step advice to help you bake
beautifully”. The personal pronoun “you” is direct and inviting.
The language is enthusiastic - the rule of three highlights the benefits of
baking as “relaxing, rewarding and great fun”.
Assertive language like “nothing beats the taste” and “it’s really not
difficult” makes the reader feel they should have a go.
19. A range of adjectives – “perfect, tasty, crusty, hot and delicious” – appeal
to the senses, almost making the reader hungry as they imagine eating the
food!
A fun tone is reinforced by alliteration – “crazy for cake”, “soft spot for
bread” and “passion for puddings” – which builds up to the whole purpose
of the text.
20. letters
Letters are handwritten or printed on paper for many purposes and
audiences:
they can be informal, eg to a friend or family member - to keep in touch or
say thank you
they can be formal, such as a letter of complaint or a letter from the bank
explaining the features of your bank account
they are structured to show that the text is directed at someone, using
a salutation ‘Dear NAME…’ and an appropriate ending ‘Yours sincerely…’
21. Open Letter
An ‘open letter’ is a letter which is either addressed to
the public or to a specific person, (like a politician), but
is published in a public forum such as a popular
newspaper with a big audience. An open letter is often
used to protest about something.
22. Example
Schools might send letters home when teachers want
to praise their students in a more formal way. This is a
letter written by the Head of Geography to a student’s
parents.
23. 19 July 2016
Dear Mr and Mrs Smith
Jonathan Smith – Form 10ABC
I am always pleased to hear about students who are committed to the study of Geography.
Miss Jones has brought Jonathan to my attention for the effort he has shown over the
course of this term.
Geography is a challenging subject, which requires students to work hard to increase their
knowledge and be able to apply new skills.
I would like to congratulate Jonathan for the level of attainment he has achieved due to the
level of application he has shown. I hope that he will continue to make good progress in
Geography as a result.
Yours sincerely
Mr L Mountain
Head of Geography
24. Analysis
This letter:
Has a conventional salutation to create a polite register.
Opens with a topic sentence so that the purpose of the letter is clear.
Uses a tone that is formal, eg “brought to my attention” – this shows respect to
the student’s achievements.
Includes words used in schools, eg "attainment", "progress", "subject" and
"term" as the intended audience will be familiar with these specialist terms.
Uses adjectives to highlight the student’s success, eg “challenging” and “hard”
implies a lot of effort.
Closes with the conventional sign off “Yours sincerely” to show that the
message is genuine and important to the sender. This maintains the formal
tone.
25. Review
A review gives an opinion about anything from a restaurant to a concert.
The most common types of review are film and book reviews, but people also
review music, television programmes, theatre performances and computer
games.
Critics often write reviews for a living. They are knowledgeable on certain
topics, eg films or music. We trust their judgement and may decide to read a
book or watch a film because they persuade us to do so.
26. All reviews share a number of different purposes. For example, a film review
needs:
to inform - the review needs to tell people who is in the film, who it is by and
where or when readers can see it
to describe - the review should describe the story, characters and some of the
action - without spoiling the plot or giving too much away
to entertain - to provide the reader with their opinion in a way that readers
enjoy, eg with a lively or witty tone
to analyse - a good review weighs up whether the film is good or not, giving
opinions backed up with reasons and evidence
to advise - the review should recommend to the reader whether or not they
should go to see the film
27. Audience
The audience of a review varies - this depends on where it is published.
The audience might be specific or general. For example, a specialist
computer games magazine will assume their readers have a major interest
in gaming and an understanding of specialist terminology, such
as spawning and simulator. However, a review of a game in a national
newspaper, with a much wider audience, would need to simplify the
language or explain the terms.
Reviews of popular new books and films aim to reach nationwide
audiences - but a local newspaper will review a performance at their own
theatre, aimed at local readers.
28. Example
This is a review of the film The Golden Compass.
A review of a children’s film is probably aimed at
parents, who will want to know whether to take their
children to see it.
29. The Golden Compass
Reviewed by Stella Papamichael
Free will is the object of the game in The Golden Compass, a big budget exercise in orienteering where
witches and polar bears point the way to enlightenment. You'll have to look between the CG seams to find
the original intent of Philip Pullman's atheistic novel, but this isn't the overriding problem. It's that
writer/director Chris Weitz doesn't convey a strong enough sense of purpose.
Thank goodness for the star presence of Dakota Blue Richards. She is thoroughly engaging as Lyra, a young
girl singled out in prophecy as 'the one' to save all others from some awful yet indeterminate fate. It all
sounds a bit messianic really, except that organised religion, represented by The Magisterium, is a force for
evil. Nicole Kidman does the ominous eyebrow lifting as a guardian of the establishment who kidnaps
children to wrest them from their 'daemons' (the animal sidekicks who embody their better judgment).
Among the abductees is Lyra's best friend, and so begins the voyage north to find him.
Many questions raised
Daniel Craig has little to do as Lyra's scientifically minded uncle except hint at potential sequels. The draw is
in a simple story of friendship and Lyra's journey of self-discovery. The line-up of curious characters she
meets along the way helps to lighten Pullman's otherwise dark material. Sam Elliot is wryly amusing as a
cowboy aeronaut and the spectacle of Lyra being carried across the arctic wastelands on the back of a polar
bear (voiced by Ian McKellen) will appeal to the child in everyone. Towards the end, some impressively
realised battle scenes up the excitement. Disappointingly though, all this magic and mystery fails to lead to
any grand unveiling. There are just too many questions raised and not enough answered. Approach this not
as a lesson in the facts of life, just a bit of childish escapism.
The Golden Compass is out in the UK on 5 December.
30. Analysis
How has the writer structured the text to interest the reader?
The review opens with a focus on the fantasy characters and genre of the film, engaging
readers with the idea of the film pointing you “to enlightenment” – a journey of
discovery.
The opening paragraph ends with a short statement summing up the critic’s conclusion
that it “doesn’t convey a strong enough sense of purpose”. This raises the question -
why not?
The focus shifts to the actors and Richards’ “star presence” – this balances the good and
bad points. Finishing the paragraph with “the voyage north” continues the sense of a
journey.
The subheading “Many Questions Raised” is repeated in the final paragraph and
highlights the critic’s conclusion that there are “not enough answered”.
She balances this with positives – “will appeal to the child in everyone” and “childish
escapism” – leaving the reader to decide for themselves whether they want to see it.
The review concludes with the key dates. This informs the reader when they can see it.
31. How does the writer use language to influence the reader?
The critic begins with a pun on the film’s ‘compass’ title, describing it as “a
big budget exercise in orienteering” – implying that a lot of money has
been spent producing a simple “find your way” story.
A disappointed tone states that you “have to look between the CG seams”
to find the “intent” of Pullman’s novel – as if the focus on special effects
means the message of the story has been lost.
Positive language choices, eg “star presence” and “engaging” are more
upbeat as the review appreciates the acting.
Humour is used to entertain the reader – “Kidman does the ominous
eyebrow lifting” – the caricature of the villain is amusing rather than
frightening. This is more appealing to children.
32. The contrasting adverbs – “impressively realised battle scenes” and
“disappointingly…fails to lead to any grand unveiling” - captures the
feeling of anti-climax the writer experienced when watching the film. A
direct statement reinforces this – “too many questions” and “not enough
answered”.
Describing the film as “childish escapism” suggests that it can still be
enjoyed if we don’t expect too much from it. “Escapism” implies a light
relief from reality - for both adults and children.
34. There are several different types of newspaper articles:
News Reports - these are found at the front of a newspaper. They inform
readers about things that are happening in the world or in the local area.
They will be full of facts, like names, dates and places, as well as points of
view, eg “Local opinion is still divided over plans to open a new shopping
centre.” Reports tend to have a more formal, neutral tone.
35. Feature articles - these explore the issues raised by news stories in more
depth. For example, a report about young children left home alone could
inspire a feature article on the difficulties of finding childcare providers in
the local area. A feature article tends to be more opinionated and less
formal than a report, often taking a personal point of view.
36. Editorials, columns and opinion pieces - these are pieces by 'personality'
writers, often celebrities in other fields. They might be there to inform
(because the writer's expert opinion is valued), or they might be there to
entertain (because the writer has a comic or interesting way of describing
everyday life). Columnists develop a style of their own – for
example, polemical or sarcastic. They create this style through vocabulary
choices and rhetorical devices. They might use informal language to
convey their idiolect. This individual style appeals to their audience.
37. Tabloid and broadsheet newspapers
The type of newspaper that publishes the article influences how it is written:
If it is in a tabloid it will have shorter sentences and paragraphs and use
more basic vocabulary – reports
are sensationalised using emotive language and they may focus more on
celebrities and gossip, eg The Sun and The Daily Mirror.
If it is in a broadsheet the sentences will be longer and more complicated,
and the vocabulary will be more advanced. The tone is more formal and
serious as they focus on important national and international issues,
eg The Times and The Telegraph.
Some newspapers also have particular political points of view, which might
affect how they report events in the news.
38. Example
This is a news report from The Financial Times, which is a broadsheet paper.
Only part of the report is printed here. It is about children in Singapore being
the best in the world at maths
39. July 22, 2016
Why Singapore’s kids are so good at maths
The city-state regularly tops global league tables. What’s the secret of its achievement?
Sie Yu Chuah smiles when asked how his parents would react to a low test score. “My parents are not
that strict but they have high expectations of me,” he says. “I have to do well. Excel at my studies.
That’s what they expect from me.” The cheerful, slightly built 13-year-old is a pupil at Admiralty, a
government secondary school in the northern suburbs of Singapore that opened in 2002.
At meetings of the world’s education ministers, when it is Singapore’s turn to speak, “everyone listens
very closely”, says Andreas Schleicher, head of the OECD’s education assessment programme.
But what is it about Singapore’s system that enables its children to outperform their international
peers? And how easy will it be for other countries to import its success?
A densely populated speck of land in Southeast Asia, Singapore is bordered by Malaysia to the north
and the leviathan archipelago of Indonesia to the south. The former British trading post gained self-
rule in 1959 and was briefly part of a Malaysian federation before becoming fully independent in
1965. A sense of being dwarfed by vast neighbours runs deep in the national psyche, inspiring both
fear and pride. In a speech to trade union activists on May Day last year, prime minister Lee Hsien
Loong told citizens: “To survive, you have to be exceptional.” The alternative, he warned, was being
“pushed around, shoved about, trampled upon; that’s the end of Singapore and the end of us”.
The Financial Times, Jeevan Vasagar
40. Analysis
This article:
uses the headline to make a direct statement, “Why Singapore’s kids are so
good at maths” – the purpose of the report is to explain why
the language “global” league tables highlights the international success –
followed by a rhetorical question, “What’s the secret of its achievement?”
to interest the reader
the conversational tone avoids being too formal, eg “kids” and “what’s the
secret” – the audience might be parents as well as educational experts
41. more rhetorical questions prepare the reader for “answers”
provided by the report
a metaphor “speck of land” makes Singapore sound tiny – the
reader is even more amazed at its huge success – and its tiny
size is reinforced by the description that it is “dwarfed” by its
neighbours
imperative language from its Prime Minister explains the
efforts behind the brilliant maths results, “You have to be
exceptional”
the extract ends with a rule of three,
“pushed around, shoved about, trampled upon” – the
aggressive verbs imply the struggle Singapore students face if
they do not achieve highly at school
42. Diaries and blogs
A diary is a personal record of events, thoughts and feelings – usually
arranged in chronological order. They can be handwritten and private – or
might be uploaded to the internet as a ‘blog’. The origin of the word ‘blog’
is as an abbreviation for ‘web-log’ – that is, an online diary of sorts.
Blogs are written by many people all over the world, for lots of different
purposes. They are often informative and interactive, enabling readers to
post their thoughts or ask questions. Some blogs focus on topics of
interest, such as health, music or art. ‘How to’ tutorials are popular too, eg
for styling hair or crafts. These blogs appeal to followers with similar
interests, creating a very specific audience base.
43. Diaries and blogs:
Are usually quite personal – written in the first person from the writer’s
point of view.
The language can be more creative (literary non-fiction) in a blog. This
could be to entertain or to help the reader imagine events and feelings.
The tone can be formal or informal depending on the intended purpose
and audience, eg a travel blog might be chatty to encourage the reader to
share fun experiences. It could also be serious if recounting travels through
through places where there is extreme poverty.
Tenses can vary – diaries and blogs tend to be past tense but can use
present tense to bring an event to life for the reader.
44. Blogs can also be used by organisations to communicate informally with their
audience. Because they are online, they can be regular, and respond to events
quickly.
It is unlikely that you will answer a question about a blog in your exams, but
diary extracts can be either 19th century or modern.
45. Example
This is part of a post from a blog about one girl’s interest in fashion.
Since she was just 13, Tavi Gevinson has attracted international attention from
the fashion industry, after the New York Times picked up on her fashion
blog Style Rookie. She is now 20 and is the editor for online
magazine Rookie alongside her blog.
46. STYLE ROOKIE
APRIL 21, 2016
Today I am 20. The Crucible, in which I play Mary Warren, opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre three weeks
ago, March 31st—also the eight-year anniversary of this blog. I have a lot of trouble comprehending that
writing Style Rookie led to writing for other places, then starting Rookie, then being able to audition for
plays that I love and to be inside of them for long periods of time, which is an inexplicably wonderful
way to live a life. But I am really really really insanely thankful for all of it, and many of you have followed
for a LONG time, and that means a lot. Right now, I'm very slowly writing something that I hope will
effectively articulate the strangeness of the way these all overlap—the fictions we get to try on via
diary/blog-keeping, and acting, and personal style. But that's a longterm hermit project. I just wanted to
mention it because in my attempt to briefly list recent stuff I've been up to, I may sound callous, but:
None of this goes unexamined or unappreciated.
Since my last update:
I went on tour for Rookie Yearbook Four and got to meet Rookies across the U.S. It's always surreal and
the very best heart-nutrition to see long-time readers and meet new ones!
Recent Editor's Letters for Rookie about stuff like: Glory, Assembly, Potential, Truth or Dare, and Cult of
Personality. In my letter for the theme On Display, I also wrote about David Bowie.
I am also hanging out with the coolest/cutest girls in the world in the video for Carly Rae Jepsen's song
"Boy Problems," which Petra Collins, Rookie photographer and personal partner-in-crime, directed.
Style Rookie, Tavi Gevinson
47. Analysis
The blog's title “Style Rookie” is informal, appealing to a younger audience who
might see themselves as “rookies” (beginners) too.
It opens in the present tense “Today I am 20” – this signals a significant date on
which she has chosen to stop and think about the end of her teenage years.
The first person creates a personal and conversational feel – like Tavi is speaking
directly to the reader.
Listing the events “then…then” quickens the pace to convey how quickly
everything seems to have happened to her.
Alliteration reinforces the positive statement “wonderful way to live a life”.
48. Unusual metaphors eg, “hermit project” and “heart-nutrition” shape a
distinct idiolect – giving the reader a sense of Tavi’s originality and
ways of speaking.
A young, fun tone is created with repetition “I am really really really
insanely grateful”. The word “insanely” is slang for ‘very’ and implies she
cannot control her happiness.
Further informal words and phrases, eg “stuff”, “hanging out” and
“coolest” continue the youthful register.
49. Essay
Essays are not only written by students. People who are considered
experts in a particular topic often write essays to show a new
viewpoint on something. For example, authors like Charles Dickens
and George Orwell wrote essays to express their ideas about topics,
such as politics and poverty. The essay is a form of literary non-
fiction in which a writer expresses an opinion on something, or
makes an argument, in a creative form.
50. Essays:
have a clear structure that introduces their idea, develops their viewpoint using
different points to support them, and concludes with a summary of the
arguments
can have a formal tone and serious purpose, eg in The Ugly Tourist, Jamaica
Kincaid criticises the way that tourism ignores the poverty and hardships found
in some tourist locations
can be more personal, eg in My Misspent Youth, Meghan Daum shares her
dreams and then the difficult realities of trying to be a successful writer in New
York
51. Example
This extract is the beginning of an essay by George Orwell, the novelist,
who was also a famous essay writer. This essay is called Politics and the
English Language. It was published in 1946, in a literary magazine. It
criticises the ugliness of written English in the ‘modern’ age.
52. Most people who bother with the matter at all would admit that the English language is in a
bad way, but it is generally assumed that we cannot by conscious action do anything about it.
Our civilization is decadent and our language – so the argument runs – must inevitably share in
the general collapse. It follows that any struggle against the abuse of language is a
sentimental archaism, like preferring candles to electric light or hansom cabs to aeroplanes.
Underneath this lies the half-conscious belief that language is a natural growth and not an
instrument which we shape for our own purposes.
Now, it is clear that the decline of a language must ultimately have political and economic
causes: it is not due simply to the bad influence of this or that individual writer. But an effect
can become a cause, reinforcing the original cause and producing the same effect in an
intensified form, and so on indefinitely. A man may take to drink because he feels himself to be
a failure, and then fail all the more completely because he drinks. It is rather the same thing that
is happening to the English language. It becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are
foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts.
The point is that the process is reversible.
Politics and the English Language, George Orwell
53. Analysis
In this extract you can see:
Orwell uses first person plural pronouns – “we” and “our” – this makes the
reader feel that the state of the English language is their problem too.
The vocabulary is complex and polysyllabic. This reinforces his idea that
we should not be lazy with words – we should make more effort to use
and understand a wide range of vocabulary.
The verbs “collapse” and “struggle” imply how difficult the fight against
falling standards is.
Similes “like preferring candles to electric lights or hansom cabs to
aeroplanes” admit the benefits of progress, that everything changes –
sometimes for the better.
54. However, the metaphor of the drunken man – drinking due to failure, then
failing due to drinking – suggests that the “slovenliness” of our language
will make us more “foolish” so that we can never put things right.
The final short sentence, “The point is that the process is reversible” gives
the reader hope that they can improve their English language - if they
make the effort to. This is the purpose of the essay – to argue that we must
make that effort.
55. Travel writing
Travel writing tells the reader about visiting different places.
A tourist guide - or a more personal account of a journey - will:
describe places
inform about cultures
explain how to do things
They might also:
persuade the reader to visit
advise the reader what to do
entertain the reader with a creative style of writing
56. Guides are usually written in the third person whereas personal
accounts tend to be first person.
Travel writing can take many forms, such as newspaper articles,
essays, journals, blogs and autobiography. It can also be written
as a book, telling a longer narrative about a journey or place.
Many types of travel writing contain the features of literary non-
fiction.
57. Example
Bill Bryson is a famous travel writer. This extract is the opening paragraph
from his book The Lost Continent (1989).
When you come from Des Moines you either accept the fact without question
and settle down with a local girl named Bobbi and get a job at the Firestone
factory and live there forever and ever, or you spend your adolescence
moaning at length about what a dump it is and how you can't wait to get out,
and then you settle down with a local girl named Bobbi and get a job at the
Firestone factory and live there forever and ever.
The Lost Continent, Bill Bryson
58. Analysis
In this extract:
Bryson begins with humour, “Somebody had to.” This amuses the reader and creates a chatty tone. It
raises the question ‘Why does he sound negative?’ – intriguing the reader.
Using the first person forms an immediate connection between Bryson and his reader. He builds on
this by opening with an anecdote to entertain them.
A rule of three summarises “your” future, “settle down with a local girl”, “get a job at the Firestone
factory” and “live there forever and ever”. This makes life in Des Moines sound predictable and
limited.
The contrasting options “accept the fact without question” or “spend your adolescence moaning at
length” are both awful!
Describing Des Moines as a “dump” makes the reader imagine a rubbish dump or an ugly place.
Bryson ends the extract with a repetition of your first “option” - to “settle, get a job and live there
forever and ever” – this implies that you have no choice really and cannot escape Des Moines.
This extract is likely to entertain the reader but unlikely to persuade them to visit Des Moines!