tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342229502024-03-13T03:43:42.916+00:00English Practice over the InternetAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.comBlogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-42301624919747737552018-08-15T20:51:00.002+00:002018-08-15T20:51:43.474+00:00SoundsToday, I listened to the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p035w97h/episodes/player" target="_blank">BBC Series Living with Nature</a> which impacted me pretty profoundly. Excellently produced, technically impeccable, all the sounds vibrated in my mind not only with great pleasure but also with the need to learn more about why it did influence me so much.<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1QYycsK77k/W3SRQfFN_GI/AAAAAAAB2qQ/3hR1zv5FyQc007CRgHI35buIuuUaZl2JwCLcBGAs/s1600/Sounds.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="810" height="193" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1QYycsK77k/W3SRQfFN_GI/AAAAAAAB2qQ/3hR1zv5FyQc007CRgHI35buIuuUaZl2JwCLcBGAs/s320/Sounds.PNG" width="320" /></a>I love nature. Everything connected with nature is music to my soul, not too much violence and blood, thank you, though.<br />
Intelligent, witty and deeply humane reflections upon the sounds earned my heart - and in some instances - almost melted it.<br />
At last, and surely not at least, the English, the pleasure to listen to human voices in perfect English. The narration with its accents, lexicon and the way of speaking make this series exceptional amongst so many almost perfect BBC podcasts.<br />
In conclusion, I highly recommend the series to everyone, and especially to the lovers of the English language.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-14287059137407518052016-09-23T21:06:00.001+00:002018-08-15T20:56:58.530+00:00Vocabulary - to sufficeThis verb is of vital importance to give our English a tone of sophistication.<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Meaning 1: be enough or adequate.</span></h3>
<br />
<h4>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YJiu7TQqpbE/V-WYbhij_kI/AAAAAAAAReQ/wvjy9vBPOTQ11x3n00FH0vSMMeiitv0HACLcB/s1600/suffice_to_say_by_mysticfeline7-d648zd8.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YJiu7TQqpbE/V-WYbhij_kI/AAAAAAAAReQ/wvjy9vBPOTQ11x3n00FH0vSMMeiitv0HACLcB/s320/suffice_to_say_by_mysticfeline7-d648zd8.png" width="179" /></a><span style="color: #0b5394;">Usage</span>:</h4>
<br />
a quick look should suffice<br />
two examples should suffice to prove the contention<br />
<br />
<h4>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Examples:</span></h4>
I think a diet rich in fruit and veg should <b>suffice to obtain</b> enough of these nutrients.<br />
The time you have spent in prison <b>suffices as</b> punishment enough.<br />
The medical reports from Clinton’s and Trump’s personal physicians <b>do not suffice</b>.<br />
A real-world example<b> suffices to illustrate</b> why I believe this is <i>of vital importance</i> today.<br />
<br />
<i>Notice: instead of saying that something is important, say that it is of vital importance - another tone of sophistication. :</i>)<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Meaning 2: meet the needs of; requires an object. </span></h3>
<h4>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Examples:</span></h4>
The town had few amenities but they <b>sufficed</b> the local population.<br />
At first, a stepladder <b>sufficed us</b>, but soon an aluminium extension ladder was required for the higher fruit picking.<br />
<br />
<h4>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Phrases: suffice (it) to say</span></h4>
Used to indicate that one is saying enough to make one's meaning clear while withholding something for reasons of discretion or brevity.<br />
<b>Suffice (it) to say</b> that they were not considered suitable for this project.<br />
<b>Suffice to say</b>, when a bunch of people get together with fast cars, sometimes they want to find out whose is fastest.<br />
<br />
<h4>
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Examples from the press:</span></b></h4>
I’m not certain it suffices for the magnitude of the moment.<br />
New York Times, Sep 5, 2016<br />
<br />
Smartphone or inexpensive Bluetooth speakers may suffice in some cases, but there are gadgets that cost a bit more that can make listening much richer.<br />
Seattle Times, Aug 26, 2016<br />
<br />
The only thing that will suffice, is to include us in the constitution.<br />
The Guardian, Sep 7, 2016<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-63528444939041858162015-06-19T18:42:00.000+00:002015-06-19T18:42:41.826+00:00BestThe word 'best' can be a grammatical nightmare for some learners, especially in some more complex structures. Best acts as an adjective, adverb, noun and verb. Moreover, there are some fixed phrased with 'best' which one has to learn by heart.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Adjective<br />Good - Better - Best </h3>
In this sense, the best means to have the highest qualities of something.<br />
As an adjective, it modifies a noun.<br />
She was the best cook in the family.<br />
You are my best friend.<br />
the best film of the year<br />
the best time for planting<br />
He donned his best suit.<br />
In these cases 'best' is modified either by a definite article 'the' or a pronoun.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Adjective (according to a dictionary better)<br />Well - Better - Best </h3>
In the sense healthy or wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable.<br />
He thought it best not to respond.<br />
Your parents only want what is best for you.<br />
It's best (= it is wise) to get to the supermarket early.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Adverb (according to a dictionary better)<br />Well - Better - Best</h3>
The meanings: in a most excellent way or manner, or from a position of superiority or authority, or it would be sensible.<br />
As an adverb, it modifies a verb and does not need another modifier.<br />
This dress suits me best.<br />
Which evening would suit you best for the party?<br />
The Grand Canyon is best seen at sunset.<br />
He couldn't decide which one he liked best (= preferred).<br />
He played best after a couple of martinis.<br />
father knows best<br />
you'd best stay at home<br />
<br />
<h3>
Noun</h3>
Best (only singular form) - the people or things with the highest qualities in a group.<br />
Usually takes a definite article THE, and takes a slot of a noun or a noun phrase.<br />
He could beat the best of them.<br />
<br />
Another meaning is the supreme effort one can make.<br />
He made his best.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Verb</h3>
To best - to defeat someone (formal).<br />
He bested his opponent in just two rounds.<br />
The goal was to best the competition.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Some idioms/fixed phrases:</h4>
<b>had best UK</b><br />used to suggest an action or to show that it is necessary:<br />
You had best tell her (= it would be wise if you told her) that you won't be able to come to her party.<br />
We'd best be going now (= we should go now).<br /><br />
<b>at best</b><br />even when considered in the most positive way:<br />The food was bland at best, and at worst completely inedible.<br /><br />
<b>at its best</b><br />at the highest standard that can be achieved:<br />The documentary was an example of investigative journalism at its best.<br /><br />
<b>be at your best</b><br />to be as active or intelligent as you can be:<br />I'm not at my best in the morning.<br /><br />
<b>best of all</b><br />this is the most pleasing thing:<br />
There was wonderful food, good company, and, best of all, a jazz band.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-33530472140447547992015-06-12T18:35:00.003+00:002015-06-13T12:23:28.932+00:00Subjunctive moodThe good new is that the subjunctive forms are gradually replaced by normal forms of verbs. The bad is - it has been used for a very long time and there are many subjunctive verbs in literature. Also, some well-educated people still use it. (and the Americans)<br />
<br />
Another good news is that part of the subjunctive mood is well-known as expressing wishes and conditionals.<br />
<br />
If I were you, I would do it.<br />
<br />
This is a piece of advice and therefore it is expressed in the subjunctive mood. Instead of saying 'I was' - 'I were' is used.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: red;">Uses of the subjunctive mood</span></h3>
<b>Conditions that are contrary to the fact</b><br />
If I were you, I would do it. (Second conditional)<br />
He looks as if he were a policeman. (But he is not)<br />
They look as if they were aliens. (They are not, the verb stays the same.)<br />
<br />
<div>
<b>Conditions that are hypothetical (Second conditional)</b><br />
If I were to choose a book, I would take this.<br />
Expressing wishes<br />
I wish I were on the Mood right now.<br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Expressing commands or demands</b><br />
She demanded that he leave her house.<br />
She demanded that they leave her house.<br />
They asked that he be the first to sing.<br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Expressing suggestions</b><br />
I suggest that he write the better essay.<br />
I suggested that he write the better essay.<br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Making statements of necessity</b><br />
It is essential that the worker be in work on time.<br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Certain fixed expressions</b><br />
as it were, be that as it may be, far be it from me,<br />
heaven forbid, if need be, so be it, suffice it to say</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The subjunctive mood is used after certain verbs: ask, demand, determine, insist, move, order, pray, prefer, recommend, regret, request, require, suggest, and wish.<br />
The subjunctive mood is used after the following adjectives: crucial, essential, important, imperative, and necessary.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In modern English, the subjunctive mood is found only in the subordinate clauses. If conditions and wishes are this part of grammar which most students know well; therefore, I will leave it out. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In English, there is no difference between the subjunctive and normal, or indicative, form of the verb except for the present tense third person singular and for the verb to be. Hence, a verb in the subjunctive mood is a <b>bare infinitive</b>. </div>
<div>
The subjunctive for the present tense third person singular drops the -s or -es so that it looks and sounds like the present tense for everything else.<b>The subjunctive mood of the verb to be is be in the present tense and were in the past tense, regardless of what the subject is. </b></div>
<div>
Another case where present subjunctive forms are distinguished from indicatives is when they are negated: compare I recommend they not enter the competition (subjunctive) with I hope they do not enter the competition (indicative).</div>
<div>
<h4>
Formulaic subjunctive</h4>
Certain expressions usually found in the independent clauses, such as: 'God save the Queen', 'Bless you', 'Heaven help us all'. They convey the meaning of 'let' or 'may'.</div>
<div>
<h4>
Mandative subjunctive</h4>
</div>
<div>
It is used for commands and recommendations. The only difference in grammar is in a third person singular in present tense when a verb loses its -s and when is becomes be. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I insist (that) he leave now.<br />
We asked that it be done yesterday.<br />
It might be desirable that you not publish the story.<br />
I support the recommendation that they not be punished.<br />
I braked in order that the car stay on the road.<br />
That he appear in court is a necessary condition for his being granted bail.</div>
<div>
<br />
When the main clause is in the past tense, the subordinate clause remains in the subjunctive mood.<br />
<br />
He recommends that she see another specialist.<br />
He recommended that she see another specialist. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They insist that he be heard by another committee.</div>
<div>
They insisted that he be heard by another committee.<br />
<br />
<br />
I wish he were a better cook. / I wish he would be a better cook.<br />
I wished he were a better cook. / I wished he would have been a better cook.<br />
<br />
In American English the subjunctive is a stronghold, whereas in British English is often replaced by structures with should.<br />
<br />
Some example of so called the jussive clauses (a kind of imperative)<br />
Be sensible.<br />
You be quiet.<br />
Everybody listen.<br />
Let's forget it.<br />
Heaven help us.<br />
It is important that he keep this a secret.<br />
<br />
Another use of the present subjunctive is in clauses with the conjunction lest, which generally express a potential adverse event:<br />
<br />
I was worried lest she catch me (i.e. "that she might catch me")<br />
I am running faster lest she catch me (i.e. "in order that she not catch me")<br />
<br />
The subjunctive mode is used after certain phrases: I wish, I would rather, If only, It's (high) time. After these phrases, we may use the present tense or the past tense. The difference in the meaning (how much feasible is the situation) is expressed by the tense.<br />
<br />
I would rather (that) he were here. (impossible to be done)<br />
I would rather (that) he be here. (feasible)<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><br /><b>And a short poem by Emily Dickinson (with subjunctions)</b></span><br />
They say that 'time assuages,' —<br />
Time never did assuage;<br />
An actual suffering strengthens,<br />
As sinews do, with age.<br />
<br />
Time is a test of trouble,<br />
But not a remedy.<br />
<b>If such it prove, it prove too </b><br />
There was no malady.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-44605274982060432452015-06-11T12:04:00.000+00:002015-06-11T12:04:37.111+00:00Phrasal verbs with let<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The most common expressions with let express allowing for something or movements. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He let me stay. She let a cat in/out.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There some more advanced phrasal verbs, fixed expression and idioms.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Let on</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">to tell other people about something that you know, especially when it is a secret:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I suspect he knows more than he's letting on.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Let up</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">IMPROVE</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If bad weather or an unpleasant situation lets up, it stops or improves:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the rain lets up we'll go for a walk.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">STOP</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">to stop doing something that you have been doing continuously or in a determined way:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Neil spent the entire evening moaning about his job - he just wouldn't let up.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The police insist that they are not letting up on their campaign against drugs.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Let out</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When something that people go to, such as school or a show, lets out, it ends and everyone leaves:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When does school let out for the summer?</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Let sb off</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">to not punish someone who has committed a crime or done something wrong, or to not punish them severely:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Instead of a prison sentence they were let off with a fine.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You won't be let off so lightly (= you will be punished more severely)the next time.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Let sth off</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">to fire a gun, or to make something such as a bomb or fireworks explode:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don't let off fireworks near the house.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Let sth out</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(ESCAPE)</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">to cause something to come out:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He let the air out of the balloon.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She let out a scream (= she made this noise).</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(CLOTHES)</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">to make a piece of clothing wider by removing the sewing from the sides and sewing closer to the edge of the material:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These trousers are too tight - I'm going to have to let them out.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Let sth down</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(CLOTHES)</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you let down a piece of clothing, you make it longer:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My trousers shrank in the wash so I let them down.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(AIR)</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you let down something filled with air, you cause the air to go out of it:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Someone let my tyres down while I was at the gym.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Let sth into sth</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">to put something into a flat surface so that it does not stick out:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A skylight had been let into the roof.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Let somebody in on something</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">to tell someone about something that is secret, or to allow someone to become involved in something that only very few people are involved in:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Debbie agreed to let me in on her plans.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>let something drop (or fall)</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Casually reveal a piece of information:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">from the things he let drop I think there was a woman in his life</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>let someone have it</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">informal </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Attack someone physically or verbally:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really let him have it for worrying me so much.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<br /><b>Let the chips fall where they may.</b><br />Prov. Let something happen regardless of the consequences and no matter what happens. <div>
I'm going to tell Ellen the truth about her husband, let the chips fall where they may. Kathy decided to risk her money on the investment, and let the chips fall where they may.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br /><b>Let the cobbler stick to his last.</b><br />Prov. Do not advise someone in matters outside your area of expertise. Whenever Ted, who is a lawyer, tried to give Bob suggestions about how to write his novel, Bob would say, "Let the cobbler stick to his last." Bill: I don't think you should put so much oregano in the spaghetti sauce. Nancy: You're a construction worker, not a chef. Let the cobbler stick to his last.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-90629796941986425062015-06-09T18:34:00.004+00:002015-06-09T18:34:55.273+00:00Bums on SeatsOn the Tube, I usually read a paper, and today it was Time Out London. The editorial put a smile on my face, so I decided to share it with the other learners of English - in fact only with the first part, but most meaty.<br />
<br />
It is artfully written, not many facts but how they are told. Also, it is full of not everyday expressions for pun-loving English readers. <br />
<br />
Here it goes:<br /><br />
<i>'Get ready for confused tourists, sticky Boris Bikes and genitalia all over the shop. Yes, the World Naked Bike Ride is back this weekend. More than 1,000 people are expected to huff and puff in the buff (and partial buff) across London on Saturday June 13 as part of an annual series of starkers cycle mounting that takes place around the world. Okay, going for a sweaty, naked ride with a group of like-minded strangers might sound a bit 'keys in the bowl', but an event is actually a legit demo to raise awareness about environmental and road safety issues.' </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">bums on seats</span></b> (British & Australian informal) also fannies in the seats (American informal): if a public performance or a sports event puts bums on seats, many people pay to go and see it. This production needs a big name to put bums on seats. Here it has a double meaning, so we have a pun. </li>
<li>If something is completely disorganised or confused,<b><span style="color: red;"> it is all over the shop</span></b>.</li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">huff and puff</span></b><br />› to breathe loudly, usually after physical exercise: We were huffing and puffing by the time we'd climbed to the top of the hill.<br />› informal disapproving to complain loudly and express disapproval:<br />They huffed and puffed about the price but eventually they paid up.</li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">in the buff</span></b> - informal naked (a buff is either a learned person about something or a sporty person. Buff is also a yellowish colour. </li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">starkers</span></b> - an adjective meaning naked (informal) </li>
<li><span style="color: red;"><b>'keys in the bowl'</b></span> probably refers to a key party<br />A couples party where all of the men put their car keys into a bowl or bag and at the end of the party, the women blindly select a set of keys to determine who she goes home with for the rest of the evening for .. something. Must be typical American and bikers do not have keys. Anyway...</li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">a legit demo</span></b> - it is short for a legitimate demonstration - my guess; which is informal and sounds funny even though this time it is a serious thing</li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-286533284585849942015-06-01T14:16:00.000+00:002015-06-01T14:16:35.568+00:00Notes on GCSE Question 6<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Question 6 (24 marks, 35 min, 400-450 words)</b><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
You will be asked to<span style="color: red;"> <b>argue/persuade</b></span><span style="color: black;"> </span>on the topic given. Similarly to the question 5, your first step is to identify: the purpose, the audience and the form. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
You may be asked to write a letter, an article/blog entry or a leaflet. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Writing to argue</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<ol>
<li>Spend a few minutes to <b>decide on your position</b>. You may completely agree, completely disagree or partially agree. </li>
<li style="font-weight: normal;">Draw a spider diagram to find reasons behind you point of view, including counterpoints.</li>
<li style="font-weight: normal;">Decide which points you are going to use, how to group them together and how to order them. </li>
<li style="font-weight: normal;">Write the plan of the essay:</li>
</ol>
<ul style="font-weight: normal;">
<li>Introduction - comment on the topic and give your firm opinion about it.</li>
<li>Counter- argument - this will show that you considered the other point of view and dismissed it because your point of view is stronger. </li>
<li>Your point of view - a few points why you agree/disagree.</li>
<li>Develop your point of view. Reflect on wider, moral implications of the topic, such as the moral or social issues. </li>
<li>Conclusion. </li>
</ul>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
You may choose to combine your argument and counter-argument throughout the response but it is a more challenging approach. </div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Think about the tone you are going to adopt. Depends on the topic and your point of view your choice of vocabulary, choice of tone should invisibly help you convey your thoughts. </span><b>You may be: angry, mocking, sarcastic, ironic, serious, light-hearted, reassuring, enthusiastic, disbelieving, cautious etc.</b> Give your feelings to the topic and you will find the right words easier and faster.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Now it is time to prepare the language tools.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<ol>
<li style="color: black;">Choose the<b> tone </b>of your essay.</li>
<li style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Prepare </span><b>evidence</b>: opinions that sound like facts, facts, statistics and anecdotes - you may invent your own 'facts and statistics' but they need to sound believable. </li>
<li style="color: black;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Similarly to the question 5 - note down some <b>language features</b> to use, the strong language which help you convince your readers. </span></li>
<li>Write an <span style="color: red;"><b>engaging opening sentence</b></span> and the first paragraph. </li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">Remember to include </span><b><span style="color: red;">discursive markers</span></b> such as, however, although, similarly, in addition to, next, moreover, therefore, on the other hand, nevertheless etc.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">Vary your sentences, use paragraphs correctly and include your choice of the effective vocabulary.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">Write the whole piece and have fun!</li>
<li><span style="color: red;"><b>Proofread</b></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"> it. </span></li>
</ol>
<div style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Writing to persuade</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
The preparation for writing to persuade are very similar to writing to argue, although the emphases focus on different techniques. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<ol>
<li>First the <b>tone </b>should be more passionate, emotional and direct.</li>
<li>Usage of <b>imperatives</b>, direct address, questions and rhetorical questions. Sentences with 'you', 'we', 'you have to' belongs to the persuasive language. <a href="http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/K12ELA7-7.2.2-PersuasiveTechniquesHandout-BY-SA1.pdf" target="_blank">Here the link to a pdf file with more about it.</a></li>
<li><b>Repetition </b>of words and phrases is very useful.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
In general, to be convincingly persuasive the author must appeal to one of many audience's needs.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><br /></b> <b>Appeals to:</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<ul>
<li>Emotions</li>
<li>Fears </li>
<li>Desire to seem intelligent </li>
<li>Need to protect their family</li>
<li>Desire to fit in, to be accepted, to be loved</li>
<li>Desire to be an individual </li>
<li>Desire to follow a tradition </li>
<li>Desire to be wealthy or save money </li>
<li>Desire to be healthy </li>
<li>Desire to look good </li>
<li>Desire to protect animals and the environment </li>
<li>Pride in our country </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Often other persuasive techniques can also involve an appeal. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Inclusive and Exclusive Language</b>: Inclusive language such as 'we', 'our', 'us', and exclusive language such as 'them' can persuade by including the reader, or by creating a sense of solidarity or a sense of responsibility. The reader may think that it is written directly for him. Desire to be an individual, and desire to seem intelligent. <i>Example:</i> <i>'People like you and me don't want to see this happen.'</i> </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Before you start mocking or criticise any group, flatter the reader, and make sure that he is absolutely on your side. First use carrot and then a stick :)</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Rhetorical Questions:</b> Rhetorical questions are questions that do not require and answer and are asked for effect only. They engage the audience and encourage them to consider the issue and accept the author's answer, or imply that the answer is so obvious that anyone who disagrees is foolish. <i>Example: Do we want our children growing up in a world where they are threatened with violence on every street corner? </i></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
Rhetorical questions force the audience to think.<br />
Some question starters… How could you (we) possibly…, Do you really think…, Do you want to be part of…, Could your conscience cope with…, Is it really worth… <br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5px;">
<strong> <a href="https://www.slideshare.net/16ardmanc/persuasive-techniques-23100937" target="_blank" title="Top 10 Persuasive techniques">Top 10 Persuasive techniques</a> </strong> from <strong><a href="https://www.slideshare.net/16ardmanc" target="_blank">16ardmanc</a></strong> </div>
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="355" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/key/CQg7fwrIl6dCcN" style="border-width: 1px; border: 1px solid #CCC; margin-bottom: 5px; max-width: 100%;" width="425"> </iframe> <br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<strong style="font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="https://www.slideshare.net/Ty171/language-analysis-essay-writing" target="_blank" title="Language analysis essay writing">Language analysis essay writing</a> </strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">from </span><strong style="font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="https://www.slideshare.net/Ty171" target="_blank">Ty171</a></strong><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="355" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/key/yzQNixI8YTR3CX" style="border-width: 1px; border: 1px solid #CCC; margin-bottom: 5px; max-width: 100%;" width="425"> </iframe> </span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 5px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-40897653681706406542015-05-31T22:45:00.001+00:002015-05-31T23:00:55.785+00:00Notes on GCSE exam - Question 5<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b style="color: black;">Question 5</b> (16 marks, 25 min, write about 300-350 words in 4-5 paragraphs.)<br />
<div style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black;">
The question focuses on you ability to: <b>inform, explain and describe.</b> </div>
<div style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">
You will be given the topic to have to write about, therefore you will have to identify the subject, the purpose, the audience and the form. </div>
<div style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">
There could be two kinds of combined purposes:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">to write to describe and inform</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">to write to inform and explain</span></b></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">
Let's say that the question 5 is: write a brief article for Real Life magazine, describing a childhood memory and explaining why it is important to you. </div>
<div style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">1. </span><b><span style="color: red;">Read carefully the question</span></b> and answer several further questions; write down notes after reading. </div>
<div style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">
<ul>
<li>Decide what the topic is. </li>
<li>Decide what the purpose is.</li>
<li>Target the audience.</li>
<li>Choose the way to present your point of view depending on the question.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">2. </span><span style="color: red;"><b>Preparations.</b></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">
<ul>
<li>Draw a spider diagram with 3-4 childhood memories you can write about. </li>
<li>This is for a magazine, so it will be for the general public.</li>
<li>The general public - people at different ages, backgrounds etc, therefore it should be standard English and not too difficult language or jargon.</li>
<li>The form is an article.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">3.</span><span style="color: red;"><b> Choose one childhood memory</b></span> and draw a spider diagram with ideas, feelings or experiences connected with this particular topic.</div>
<div style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">4. </span><b><span style="color: red;">Write down your plan using your spider diagram.</span></b> </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Plan: Summers with my grandparents</b></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<ul>
<li><img src="file:///C:/Users/User/AppData/Local/Temp/enhtmlclip/entodo_unchecked.png" />Setting up a scene - first paragraph.</li>
<li><img src="file:///C:/Users/User/AppData/Local/Temp/enhtmlclip/entodo_unchecked.png" />Pristine place for a city girl away from my troubled parents, wonderful lake surrounded by forests with a clearing for a few caravans</li>
<li><img src="file:///C:/Users/User/AppData/Local/Temp/enhtmlclip/entodo_unchecked.png" />Spartan accommodation: an old bus served as a camp kitchen, washing in the lake, washing up using the sand of the lake</li>
<li><img src="file:///C:/Users/User/AppData/Local/Temp/enhtmlclip/entodo_unchecked.png" />Activities: First attempts to swim, Fishing with grandpa - morning finding trapped eels, preparing fish; Picking up mushrooms, preparing food, drying mushrooms</li>
<li><img src="file:///C:/Users/User/AppData/Local/Temp/enhtmlclip/entodo_unchecked.png" />Explanation why it is important to me. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">5.</span><b><span style="color: red;"> Create a few similes and metaphors. </span></b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
It was like living on the nature and with nature. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
I took to swimming like a duck to the water. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
I felt like a nymph connected to both the nature and a few people around. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
An old bus was our home for a few weeks in the summers of my childhood. He was a friend, warm and intimate, waiting long time for our return. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
The lake and the forest fed us, like good Spirits taking care of our survival. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: red;">6. Senses</span></b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Hear, Smell, Touch, Vision, Taste </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: red;">Write down a few sentences with two example of senses usage, do not use all senses:</span></b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Eyes:</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Earthen colours</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Smell:</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> water, campfire, freshness: The fresh fragrance of the mixture of water and pine trees - this kind of freshness we usually look for in air fresheners at the shops. The scent of damp earth at dawn while picking up mushrooms.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Hear:</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Birds singing in the morning, discussing at the lunch time and nesting in the trees in the evening. The sudden splash of water indicating frolicking fish nearby. The cry of a bird signalling some kind of danger to its family. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Touch:</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Eels like slippery soup which was easy to drop to the water and someone had to fish it out. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>7. Choose three adjectives</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
pristine, spartan, smooth, </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>8. Choose three strong, emotional verbs</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
frolicking fish, nesting birds, paddling in the shallow water of the lake</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>9. Note down some emotive language examples</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center; widows: 1;">enthralled, enchanted, fascinated</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
divine nymphs </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>10. Create a phrase with alliteration, repetition, maybe juxtaposition etc </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
fish frolicking in the fresh water </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>11. Rhetorical question </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Surely they were singing for us to wake up and join the joy of another wonderful day?</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>12.The rule of three</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
picking up mushrooms, cleaning them to eat or dry for the winter</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>13. Opening sentence and the first paragraph. </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
First, we are running to see the lake. It is still there, the shades of cornflower blue in the middle and emerald at the edges, where the trees use the lake as their mirror. Trees are a little vain and lean towards the water to have a better look, they even elbow each other with their hairy heads. Sometimes the fish, frolicking in the fresh water, sends the ripple, blurring the reflection. The trees whistle and sough and rustle to scare it away. Perching on the boughs, the birds start singing to placate them, and after a while the whole place get quiet. Enchanted, we are slowly changing from the little city girls into the divine nymphs. Free and happy, at last. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>14. Paragraphs.</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">There should be </span><b>two-three more paragraphs</b> describing the childhood memory and one more explaining why it is important to me. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Each paragraph should have a topic sentence summarizing the ideas that follow. Paragraphs should be linked with the transitional words/phrases or the last sentence of the paragraph should serve a transition to the next one. Like the first sentence, the final one should do the same. Use your language tools prepared before and do not forget to vary your sentences and the sentences opener. Do not start all sentence with the subject. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">15. </span><span style="color: red;"><b>Edit and proofread the essay; every mistake will cost you one mark penalty.</b></span> </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">If the question asks you </span><b>to inform and explain</b>, you need facts and opinions, statistics and quotes of famous people. The structure of your essay changes: every paragraph should consist of two parts, the first informing and the second explaining why. Otherwise, the whole process stays the same. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
I am afraid that during the exam we will not have time for such a deep process of planning, but knowing how to do it should help. It is advisable to prepare some sample notes on a few topics. Especially on those, you do not like writing. Your notes can be used for different topics. For example, the childhood memory can be used for questions such as: travel, place, school trip, your favourite book or movie, all about the nature, best/worst day, experience and probably much more. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-76974135719915578452015-05-30T20:04:00.000+00:002015-05-31T09:46:58.954+00:00Notes on GCSE exam part 2<h3>
<b>Question 3 (8 marks, 15 min)</b></h3>
Explain some of the thoughts and feelings (keep in mind 3 things: what, how and why and use PEED to structure your answer.)<br />
<ol>
<li>Start your response with <span style="color: red;"><b>an overview sentence</b></span> to show you have a grasp of the whole text before going into detail. </li>
<li><span style="color: red;"><b>Select part of a text which convey some of the thoughts and feelings</b> </span>of a character (or characters). These parts may include what is happening, what is character saying, or what the character is doing. About four quotations which you will be able to explain. </li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">Identify the thoughts and feelings of a character (or characters)</span></b> from the parts of the text that you selected. </li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">Interpret the thoughts and feelings</span> </b>of a character (or characters) from the parts of the text that you select. This is the most important part of your explanation. To interpret something means to read 'between the line'. Like in the previous questions - try to give an alternative explanation, or extended one: perhaps .... </li>
</ol>
<h3>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Even if you are being asked to identify only thoughts - discussing feelings is implied. !!</b></span></h3>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Some advice</b></span></div>
<div>
Do not take the most obvious quotations such as 'I was happy' to claim that 'she feels happy'. </div>
<div>
Choose something <span style="color: red;"><b>you can be able to dwell on</b></span> such as 'It was a magical animal'. Now you can say that 'she is happy, feeling like in a world of a fairy tale rather than in the real one'. She is in a state of marvel, overwhelmed by the surrounding nature and strange but beautiful animals. The reader feels that it is an experience beyond anything she experienced before, maybe a lifetime one. Perhaps she will never forget about this strange creature and it will contribute to her attitude toward the nature.</div>
<div>
The reader is enchanted by the imagery depicted by the author and share the feelings of awe with the writer, trying to imagine every detail of the (here the details from an article; <span style="color: red;">never say something which is too general</span>).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One quote to explain the feelings, thoughts and back up maybe with another quote to get the transitional like to another though/feelings. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Another advice: try to jump into the character's shoes and <span style="color: red;">experience the text through your senses. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;">Do not analyse the language devices but be aware of them - they will lead you to choosing the best quotes, full of emotions and statements; especially a dialogue is the best place to look for hidden feelings and thoughts. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
Question 4 (16 marks, 30 min) Language comparison </h3>
Do not analyse: the audience, purpose or structure and context of the text but the language used. Keep in mind 3 things: what, how and why and use PEED to structure your answer.<br />
<ol>
<li>Start with the Source 3 - <span style="color: red;"><b>select the example of the language features </b></span>you might use to analyse. Be specific and choose up to four features. Do not even try to analyse the whole text. </li>
<li><span style="color: red;"><b>Choose the second Source to compare</b></span> and <b>state in the first sentence which two texts </b>you are going to compare. </li>
<li>Focus <span style="color: red;"><b>on similarities or/and differences between</b></span> them. You need to connect the point made about one text with the point made about the other and develop your point on them both.</li>
<li>Analyse your chosen quotes and comment on the effect of them on the reader. </li>
</ol>
<br />
After you state your point of the language feature, quote the evidence- 2-3 words quotation. Try to follow at least some of these points, it will help you to structure your answer. Remember of PEED.<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="color: red;"><b>Identify usage </b></span>(metaphor, hyperbole, simile, onomatopoeia, alliteration, list, complexity/simplicity of vocabulary, discourse markers, type/variety of sentence structures, adjectives (emotive, dramatic, visual language), exaggeration (visual, verbal, dramatic imagery), sensory language, tenses, directives (imperative, commands, 'you' sentences), repetition of sounds (alliteration, assonance, consonance, sibilant, plosive), repetition of words or words very similar, type of narration, something unusual, like starting sentences with conjunctions, humour, irony, foreshadowing, pathetic fallacy, personification, oxymoron, facts and statistics... </li>
<li>Explore meaning </li>
<li>Consider the meaning in the immediate context </li>
<li>Interpret</li>
<li>Consider the meaning in broader context</li>
<li>Analyse and evaluate (intended purpose and audience)</li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><b>My two examples how to try to answer the question 4.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<b>The writer in Source 2 uses</b> similes to depict Robert's character. She writes that Robert 'walks like a duck', which is very <b>suggestive of </b>the way Robert moves. This short and harsh word 'duck' gives a visual effect of awkwardness and the writer's negative feelings toward Robert. She uses this simile<b> to emphasise </b>that Robert walk with a waddle, which is quite awkward for a man. <b>It suggests </b>that he is socially awkward, not behaving as is expected and that he does not like the social life. The word 'duck' is <b>evocative of </b>a bird that feels much better in water, but also of someone who does not care much about the opinion of the other people. <b>Further</b>, she calls him a 'geek', who likes only computers and hiking, <b>whereas </b>she is a girl of nightclubs. <b>Hence</b>, it is possible that Robert is perceived as someone who does not really like to fit in with the others. He is independent and confident, and for sure does not like <span style="background-color: white;">spending time in the nightclubs. <b>The juxtaposition of</b> Robert and the author's characters <b>creates a tension</b>, and <b>the reader may wonder about</b> this clash of characters.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Similarly</b>, the author in Source 3 uses similes too, but<b> for a different effect</b>. The writer says that her daughters are like 'glimmers of golden life' and <b>this tells the reader </b>of her feelings towards her children. She uses the <b>evocative language to express</b> her motherly love throughout her life. The word 'glimmer' is <b>evocative of</b> sparkling and beauty; it is <b>coupled with</b> the word 'golden' which <b>has connotations of</b> something precious, <b>therefore </b>it suggests the wonderful life, rich in positive experiences and fulfilments. The word 'golden' <b>has also connotations of</b> a mature person, and <b>this indicates</b> that Mary is <b>probably </b>at least about 40-50 years old. <b>The writer uses alliteration of the letters</b> 'g' and 'l' which are soft and longish sounds. <b>It reinforces the feeling of</b> the happy life of these three women.The reader is pleased with their happiness and <b>perhaps </b>he wonders over their life. Will it be a life story or does it indicate a change?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f8d4d3;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Some expressions for making the point and linking this to the other text.</b></span><br />
<br />
Both Text A and Text B are produced by charities, which <b><span style="color: lime;">presumably </span></b>are both aiming to raise awareness and gain more supporters.<br />
<br />
<b>Both </b>writers use extended metaphors, but with very different effects.<br />
<br />
The writers of Source 3 and Source 2 <b>both use facts but the effect is different.</b><br />
<br />
Source 3 is very <b>descriptive and the author uses lots of similes </b>to show how exciting he thinks ....<br />
<br />
to immerse the reader in the writer's experience of ... which means much of the writer's language is vivid and descriptive<br />
<br />
Source 1, <b>however</b>, has more <b>factual tone</b> because it is reporting on .... so the author's decision to include imagery is interesting.<br />
<br />
Source 2 uses <b>metaphors rather than similes</b>, for example....<br />
<br />
Both writers use the language to ... (similarity)<br />
<br />
Both writers use language to create a sense or urgency or danger.<br />
<br />
Text A seems to be focused on directly engaging the reader in an attempt to make them empathise with the victims of the torture whilst text B is more of an informative text, perhaps partly designed for current supporters who want an updated on the work of MSF. Both texts use presentational and language features for different reasons and with different effects.<br />
<br />
The article is not only to re-counter the experience but also to entertain the reader.<br />
<br />
The writing addresses the reader directly using 'you' and 'your'. This is intended to make the text personal and directly relevant to the reader<br />
<br />
The author embellished the story with true, colourful details and vivid descriptions that enhanced the beauty of the story.<br />
<br />
Key words:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">A writer's idea concerning the reader is: to</span><strong style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> influence, to affect, to impact, to imprint, to manipulate, to colour, to persuade, to carry, to dominate, to shape, to cause, to make, to incline, embellish. </strong><br />
<strong style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><br /></strong>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Some important words to learn when talk about what author wants to do with the message by using a particular technique: <strong style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: red;">to highlight, accentuate, deepen, stress, emphasise, underline, underscore, enhance, intensify.</span></strong></div>
<strong style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><br /></strong> <a href="http://www.sparklebox.co.uk/literacy/vocabulary/word-lists/connectives/#.VWoT5NJVhBc" target="_blank">Here is the list of connective words, useful whilst comparing texts. </a><br />
<br />
Tomorrow questions 5 and 6. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-36648203414878434792015-05-29T17:43:00.000+00:002015-05-30T20:08:59.956+00:00Notes for AQA GCSE Exam in English/English Language higher tier (1)I hope that my short notes will help you, the reader, and me to keep this in mind during the exam.<br />
Questions one and two in this post. <a href="http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/subjects/AQA-GCSE-47004705-PTT.CANDEXEM.HTIERPDF.PDF" target="_blank">The examples of candidate responses and commentaries here.</a><br />
<br />
Key words for all questions: to have connotations of, to be evocative of, to attract the reader's attention, try to grab initial attention, intensifies the idea of, this mirroring of words is suggestive of, adds further details, has sudden impact on the reader, creates strong contrast, the juxtaposition of, directly involves the reader, is thought provoking, lodges the idea in the reader's mind, creates sympathy, adds informality, makes it seem authentic, gives validity, is persuasive because, makes it believable, the reader feels obliged to participate, the reader feels important etc<br />
<br />
Emotive language<br />
Dramatic language<br />
Verbal imagery helps the reader to hear the sounds<br />
Dramatic imagery<br />
Visual imagery helps the reader to imagine, to see the scene depicted in more detail<br />
Giving the visual effects / details of....<br />
<div>
This adds / enhances the meaning </div>
<div>
The use of ... shows<br />
This show / intensifies the idea of </div>
<div>
This carries the idea of </div>
<div>
This engages the reader's interest in<br />
This has the impact on the reader's point of view about </div>
<div>
Puts the reader in the world of the story</div>
<div>
<br />
Using senses verbs involves the reader's senses, and therefore, engages the reader who can change the reading the story into re-enacting it by himself.<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18.6367988586426px; widows: 1;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.6367988586426px; widows: 1;"><span style="color: #e30000; font-family: Verdana;"><b>Some words are neutral, some have strong emotional connotations. Something that is 'horrible' has connotations of being absolutely negative, dreadful. </b></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.6367988586426px; widows: 1;"><span style="color: #e30000; font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.6367988586426px; widows: 1;"><span style="color: #e30000; font-family: Verdana;"><b>Some words (most of them, in fact) have more than one meaning, the writer will use them for creating a pun or hinting another interpretation. </b></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.6367988586426px; widows: 1;"><span style="color: #e30000; font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.6367988586426px; widows: 1;"><span style="color: #e30000; font-family: Verdana;"><b>Remember about the weather when interpreting the text - as a pathetic fallacy (mood of the character) or foreshadowing the future events or even both, be smart :) </b></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.6367988586426px; widows: 1;"><span style="color: #e30000; font-family: Verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.6367988586426px; widows: 1;"><span style="color: #e30000; font-family: Verdana;"><b>You do not lose marks because of your own interpretation, even unusual (if backed with the quotes), but for the lack of it. Be brave and show off. </b></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Strong verbs and verbs appealing to our senses add details and create imagery language which helps the reader identify with the character. Persuasive and emotional language is used to persuade us into the writer's point of view. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
At the beginning of the exam read all the questions first, then read the insert. It is advisable to start from the end - from the questions which give the most marks. But it is alos helpful to start with something you feel confident, and during answering that question your confidence will grow, so you will be able to tackle the other questions. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>Question 1 (8 marks, 15 mins)</b><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="color: red;"><b>Summarise </b></span>the article in one sentence to show your understanding. It will also help you with the subject matter of the question.</li>
<li>Choose <span style="color: red;"><b>4-5 pieces of information</b></span> based on the question.</li>
<li>Write what you learn:</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Give the <span style="color: red;"><b>POINT </b></span></li>
<li>Support it with the <span style="color: red;"><b>EVIDENCE </b></span>from the text</li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">DEVELOP </span></b>your comments on the meaning of the points from the reader's perspective (understanding the text, do NOT analyse the language)</li>
<li>If possible add the <span style="color: red;"><b>alternative interpretation</b></span> starting with words like '<span style="color: red;">perhaps, probably, might, it may also'. </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
Do not discuss the language devices. </div>
<div>
Useful vocabulary: this suggests / indicates / implies / means / shows / feels as if / as though</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Question 2 (Keep in mind three questions: what, how and why) (8 marks, 15 mins)</b></div>
<div>
</div>
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="color: red;"><b>Summarise </b></span>the article in one sentence to show your understanding. It will also help you with the subject matter of the question.</li>
<li>Write about <span style="color: red;"><b>how </b></span>the title is effective in terms of <b><span style="color: red;">the reader's attention</span></b> (why this makes the reader want to read it) and how it is linked to the text. Find a suitable quotation from the text to show it. Look for the language techniques, also its social, cultural or any other connotations.</li>
<li>Do the same with the picture and the captions. </li>
<li>If possible add the <span style="color: red;"><b>alternative interpretation</b></span> starting with words like '<span style="color: red;">perhaps, probably, might, it may also'. </span></li>
</ol>
<div>
Do not discuss the text and the language devices apart from those used in the title or captions. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;">Do discuss <b>punctuation marks used in the title</b>, but give the reason of their usage</span>. Remember about ellipses, they are used in titles, too. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Useful vocabulary: this highlights / underscores / accentuates / emphasise / reinforces / draws / grasps the reader's attention, provokes, makes the reader question about, invite the reader to learn more about.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Text: large / bold / contrasting colours / pun (fun / hinting another meaning), font modern / elegant / sans / serif, alliteration, repetition, smart and punchy, rhyme and rhythm, eye-catching, encapsulates, memorable.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">The alliteration of the harsh plosive 't' and 'b' in the metaphor of a 'ticking time bomb' creates an urgent, insistent effect. The danger is hidden, and will come in time, but when it does it will explode with devastating results. </span> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Picture: in the background / foreground, primary / muted colours, low / high angle camera shot, shallow / deep focus, contrast in size, this signifies, eye contact, inset, captions anchor the meaning, shock / cute factor, factual / provocative / draw the eye, captions used to inflict additional meaning on to the topic, this is the signifier of (like pink colour is associated with teenage girls), striking colours, blacked out person, a person adheres to the stereotypical image of, is used to appeal to (female / teenage) readers, focal point, the picture of the ... adds a personal touch, </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-13237991395727841952015-05-27T19:00:00.000+00:002015-05-27T19:00:05.185+00:00GCSE English question 2 - past paper<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Homes and crops wrecked, but relief sweeps Queensland in Yasi's wake</b></span></div>
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cSHilRzM_zo/VWYTMloZCVI/AAAAAAAAE98/LS7tYj43zZ4/s1600/1424675586629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cSHilRzM_zo/VWYTMloZCVI/AAAAAAAAE98/LS7tYj43zZ4/s200/1424675586629.jpg" width="200" /></a>The headline concisely conveys the information about the events described in the article: the homes and crops were wrecked by the cyclone in Queensland, Australia. We learn from the text that the cyclone was given a name 'Yasi'.<br /> <br />The headline consists of two parts, divided by a comma accentuating two opposite feelings the people of Queensland have.<br />The first part is very dramatic. We learn about 'homes and crops wrecked' by the cyclone. The word 'wrecked' is very effective because it implies total destruction of places where people lived and crops which gave people income. This is linked to the text informing us that 'cost of damage is ... about A$3.5bn'.<br /> <br />The second part of the headline conveys the opposite feeling. The author informs us that 'relief sweeps Queensland'. The juxtaposition of the words 'wrecked' and 'relief' builds the dramatic effect and even deeper sign of relief when we learn that people of Queensland woke up 'with collective sense of relief' because no deaths were reported. This is also a relief for the reader.<br />
<br />
<br />The title also plays on the double meaning of the words 'wake' and 'sweep'. The residents of Queensland literary woke up to learn about the cyclone and to realise that the region will have to clear. This suggests that the survivors will have a great deal of work to do and will need a lot of money.<br />The picture shows the situation in the morning. It is dramatic and absolutely contributes to the people's feelings and information in the article. The house is damaged; it cannot even serve as a shelter. Debris is all over the place and this is the link to 'sweeping up' meaning from the title.<br /> <br />To the right, a mother and her son look very tense. They cling to each other; the boy’s face seems to be resentful, whereas the mother looks at the house, away from the camera, perhaps she is not keen on talking to media. It may also suggest that even though she is happy that they survived, she is, however, worried about the future. Many houses 'would be barely habitable' unless the wrecked 'was cleared', we read in the article. And that probably reflects the two feelings we find in the title.<br />
<div>
<div>
<div class="msocomtxt" id="_com_1">
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-1035665671490252002015-05-06T22:03:00.000+00:002015-05-06T22:24:31.460+00:00Writing about features <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T56kDiXeusU/VUpf7rMyFwI/AAAAAAAAEPw/2_BN0cCgOLw/s1600/Poster_English_Highres.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T56kDiXeusU/VUpf7rMyFwI/AAAAAAAAEPw/2_BN0cCgOLw/s1600/Poster_English_Highres.jpg" height="200" width="141" /></a><i>Writing about posters is similar to writing about the features of articles. I am going to write about a poster, using some useful vocabulary for that purpose.</i><b><br /><br />The first thing </b>that <b>strikes</b> me <b>about</b> the <b>poster </b>is an image in a shape of a droplet that <b>connotates </b>the water, indispensable to life.<b> </b>But, the droplet is not blue, as we could expect. It is red, but not such bright red that <b>symbolise </b>a threat. Inside, there is a white shape of a mother with her little baby, and this <b>forms the visual focal point of the poster that </b>immediately<b> attract attention. <br /><br />When you look closely </b>at the droplet then you realise that it is also a shape of a woman expecting a baby.<b> </b></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The droplet with red and white colours implies the meanings that bring the connotations of life, motherhood and vitality. It instantly <b>evokes </b>positive reactions and very warm feelings. We are ready to explore the poster<b> in detail</b> to know its purpose. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our warm feelings are <b>enhanced </b>by the warm shade of red <b>with its connotations of</b> fire, warm and love: home. The image also resembles a decoration for a Christmas Tree, the time of exchanging gifts or gifts given by Santa Clause. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>The purpose of the poster</b> with all these images and their connotations is explained in one sentence - on which symbolically - the droplet hangs. This is the <b>visual message</b> of this poster: someone's life could be in danger, and you may help. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>The writing addresses the reader directly by</b> using a command: 'Give blood'; this is intended <b>to make the poster personal and its message urgent. </b>The purpose of the command is further explained in the line below: 'for those who give life'. This <b>is directly relevant to the reader because </b>everyone has a mother.<b> </b>The sentence sounds like a slogan or a short poem: Give blood // for those // who give life; it may be a haiku, with a very profound meaning and that is why it makes such a huge impact on everyone seeing the poster. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Apart from this sentence,<b> there is very little writing on </b>the poster. There are two logos at the bottom of the poster, <b>to the left</b> the name of the event with an 0 replaced by the droplet from the poster<b>, and to the right - </b>the logo and name of the host of the event.<b> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>The poster appeals to the audience</b> through many symbols, <b>a short sentence</b> and <b>the colours</b>. It uses <b>Serif font</b> that is <b>traditional, mature and formal</b>, but it also uses <b>short monosyllabic words</b>, aiming at the general adult public. <b>The tone of the poster </b>is serious and honest, and <b>the reason for that</b> are the colours used in it and the simplicity of the design. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-42863861622371100152015-05-04T16:25:00.000+00:002015-05-04T17:22:47.366+00:00The Sun - presentation analysis <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There is another part of my analysis of presentation devices for question 2 for GCSE exam. I think that I have learnt more about how to tackle this problem. In my opinion, the best is to start naturally - as if you are presented with a paper and try to figure out what it is all about. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I would start with quick reading, so you understand the subject, then I would write it this order:</div>
<ul>
<li>the picture (the big picture always attracts us first)</li>
<li>the caption - it anchors the meaning</li>
<li>the title (if really big we may change the order)</li>
<li>the subheading</li>
<li>all other features of the text (layout, bullet points, colours, subtitles, everything apart from the language in the text itself)</li>
<li>brif summary of the context - do the features link to the text and how (still not sure about 'how')</li>
</ul>
<div>
I am not very disciplined but I suggest that keeping PEE in mind would help.<br />
<span style="color: red;">Point:</span> The headline is written in sans type of font (evidence on the paper - no evidence in this situation). <span style="color: red;">Explanation:</span> That kind of font looks modern, informal and is usually used in articles in tabloids or aiming the young audience. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZG5RH0aVNQ/VUeNCDuWrKI/AAAAAAAAEFU/s8PoLRseBZA/s1600/May.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="627" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZG5RH0aVNQ/VUeNCDuWrKI/AAAAAAAAEFU/s8PoLRseBZA/s640/May.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
At first glance, the picture seems to be the realistic shot from some pupular event, and that is lodged in the reader's mind from the beginning. It attracts the reader's attention to examine the other features. Two young men are looking directly into the reader's eyes, and they look like celebrities, so the young reader want to know more about them and the event. Embracing in a hug, they are not very similar, there is a contrast in their appearance.<br />
<br />
The man on the left is slightly bent, and that is why his eyes look bigger, so the reader has an impression that he is an honest, nice lad. The second man is a little in the back, with his arm on the other man's shoulder - he looks like a winner, and the reader has the impression that he took an advantage of the situation somehow. He shows his thumb up and that further indicate his superiority at that moment. Aditionally, he wears some sort of sport gear that suggest that he belongs to the team of the fighter who won the fight. In the background there is the crowd of people and journalists, creating the contrast betweet two man and them. Behind the man on the right, there is the spotlight, what may suggest that he has stolen fame from someone else. On the left, a man with the shades suggests strong security measures taken during the event. But the man is not looking at the lads, did they get over with something?<br />
<br />
The answer is in the caption: a man who pose with a celebrity is called a blagger. Short and very informative text confirms the reader suspicious, and the title adds more information. First we see 'Exclusive' - a big word in red, so the reader is informed that nowhere else he can learn about this event. It is calling to excusivity, and the audience is flattered and eager to read more.<br />
<br />
The headline uses sans font, is short and monosyllabic and quite a riddle*, this type of titles enhance the young audience interest by indicating that there is something for the young generation and not serious or formal. The headline and subheadline with the line of exclusive add a bit to the riddle - two average lads from Essex used the trick to illigally watch the match, which tickets were sold for lots of money. How did they do that? Now time to read the whole article.<br />
<br />
As the article is not free on line to read, I cannot write how all these features are link to the text.<br />
<br />
* After some consultations, I now knew that the headline is a pun based on the soap opera:<br />
The Only Way is Essex. Real-life soap focusing on a group of Essex characters.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Therefore, the headline uses a pun to make the title funny, indicating that the story is funny and the lads quite clever, also indicates the heros: May(weather) as a winner of the match and Essex as the home of the man, who in fact won the media attraction. Well done, lads, and others may learn their tricks. :)<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-32461027973623709212015-05-03T20:27:00.000+00:002015-05-04T20:12:50.309+00:00GCSE English Language: presentational devicesThe more I learn how to discuss presentational devices, the more I realise how little I know about it. Most teachers give some vague advice about the importance of answering the question 'Why is this device used and how does it affect the reader?' Not many people can professionally answer that, it involves the knowledge (usually learn at any media course) and, what is also important, the vocabulary. Below, this is a video and so far the best help for any GCSE English student. 45 minutes from a specialist - worth watching many times and learning vocabulary from it. It is fast paced, but wonderful. I will try to build up this post with the set of vocabulary to use. We need to be prepared for the question 2, as well as it is possible. Ann Marie, I hope that you will find this post helpful. :)<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1XUEz4rlhTc" width="420"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-18945221379508359522015-05-02T10:04:00.000+00:002015-05-02T10:04:00.621+00:00Analyzing the headline and picture 2Here is another article, this time from <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/over-3000-police-officers-being-investigated-for-alleged-assault--and-almost-all-of-them-are-still-on-the-beat-10220091.html" target="_blank">The Independent.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X76AOlWFu6U/VUSgnSU46SI/AAAAAAAAEDA/YBGK09SPb-8/s1600/Headline2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X76AOlWFu6U/VUSgnSU46SI/AAAAAAAAEDA/YBGK09SPb-8/s1600/Headline2.PNG" height="320" width="210" /></a><b>1. How is the headline effective?</b><br />
The headline does not dominate the page but it uses statistic what make the text seem informative, authoritative and scary; it uses two key word: 'alleged' and 'on the beat'. It informs us that the policemen are not find guilty so far, but accused of brutality towards the public. 'On the beat' makes a kind of pun because of the multiple meanings of the word 'beat'. Here, the members of the Police are still on duty, and if they are barbaric, they still can beat innocent people.<br />
<br />
<b>2. How is the picture effective?</b><br />
The picture dominates the page. It shows the police forces in full gear during rioting; there is the fire in the background. The policemen look very powerful, the army of men trained to fight with those who are dangerous to the public life and property. In the picture black colour dominates, what represents the police, but with the yellow and red blazes it makes the contrast, also indicating the colours of the skin of minorities. Black colour is gloomy and depressing.<br />
<br />
(I could be more explicit and say that the picture looks like from the war zone or a civil war movie.)<br />
<br />
<b>3. How do they link to the text?</b><br />
The author says that 'just 2 percent' 'of the officers under investigation' is 'suspended or put on restricted duties'. The text mentions the protests in Baltimore and Ferguson in the US which were driven by the brutality of the police towards ethnic minorities. Later on, the author presents the statistics about the British reality, saying that the Met and West Midland have the highest rate of the police assault investigations. The author concludes that even though 'British police have generally (...) a better reputation', 'there are concerns' that the police in some communities 'are losing trust' in the police. The biggest trust problems have the minorities: the Black and Asian people, what indicates that racism is the reason why some officers 'abuse their power'. In parts the article, looking like a report is not clear - the picture can be taken everywhere, and maybe this is the hidden message. We do not want to have here another Baltimore, so we should try to prevent it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-59249972794537504642015-05-01T11:03:00.001+00:002015-05-01T11:03:24.220+00:00PEED (Point, Example, Explan and Develop) in English essays<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lgDRhr9M12E/VUNW8LJFVCI/AAAAAAAAEB8/BPS3PIBSCn4/s1600/PEED.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lgDRhr9M12E/VUNW8LJFVCI/AAAAAAAAEB8/BPS3PIBSCn4/s1600/PEED.PNG" height="139" width="200" /></a>A very important skill for passing GCSE is being a master of PEED; it surely helps to organise thoughts and write in proper English.<br />
<br />
Albeit the structure seems very easy, putting it into practise needs some time and attempts in writing using this model. English teachers love PEED and expect us to use this during exams and assessments; also this is their favourite paragraph structure with a slight difference that the last point - development should lead to the next idea, explained in the next paragraph. Therefore, a 'Develop' step should incorporate some words or structures showing the transition from one idea to another.<br />
<br />
I think that during the pressure of the exam it would be useful to note down the ideas in the PEED order and then create interesting sentences, using structures like 'one reason', 'I think', 'because' etc. I will prepare a separate post to gather some of these words.<br />
<br />
My English teacher advised us to read at least one article a day and to ask ourselves questions similar to those on the exam; answering them on the paper using PEED will make us masters of it. We have to remember, during the exam there is only 10 min for the whole task: reading the article and writing the answer. From the simple notes, it is much easier to write, for example:<br />'The Simpsons' show is very popular because it has strong characters. One of these characters is Mo, who is very funny and funny characters encourage people to watch the show.<br />
<br />
Personally I do not like The Simpsons but it does not matter. <br />
<br />
There is the first part (out of three) GCSE revision on PEED. Try to employ PEED and write every day a short answers about the titles, pictures as on exam papers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/N_gYnKh4fFs/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N_gYnKh4fFs?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-5563420865956929582015-04-30T18:50:00.000+00:002015-04-30T19:15:57.975+00:00Text analysis - the headline and picture (for GCSE English)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdGpMKlvfZE/VUJgKavvpdI/AAAAAAAAEBg/O4EBQpWi8BE/s1600/GCSE_Q2.PNG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdGpMKlvfZE/VUJgKavvpdI/AAAAAAAAEBg/O4EBQpWi8BE/s1600/GCSE_Q2.PNG" height="320" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/apr/30/life-expectancy-increases-gap-widens-rich-poor-imperial-research" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;" target="_blank">'Life expectancy increases <br />but gap widens between rich and poor'</a><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;"><br />by Sarah Boseley</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>GCSE English - question 2: Explain how the headline and picture are effective and how they link to the text. </i><br />
<br />
The title of the article is big and informative, indicating that the article is based on scientific research, and not going to play on emotions. There are two facts that concern the author: life expectancy and the gap between rich and poor. The huge picture with the building of Bank of England dominates the page, implying that social inequalities are reflected in how long a person is going to live.<br />
<br />
The picture of a bank usually means money and problems, the picture of the Bank of England indicates that the nation has been in financial troubles. The researchers from the Imperial College London warn that increasing life expectancy will be 'putting further pressure on pensions, health and social services'.<br />
<br />
Two groups of people are represented in the picture: the rich by the huge legs, crossing from the left and the poor by a small figurine of a man walking away, being seen through the gap between the legs. This is a very effective way of visualizing the social gaps, discussed in the article.<br />
<br />
The affluent are eating lunch, not much troubled by 'five years of austerity'. They are sitting on the right (right-winged), they are not only richer but also live longer: 'Men in Blackpool can currently expect to live to just 75.2 years, the lowest life expectancy in the country, while those in the City of London – where life expectancy is highest – live an average of 83.4 years,' says the author.<br />
<br />
The static right part of the picture is unbalanced by the movement on the left, forcing the reader to look at a small figure of an old man as a symbol of walking away from the prospectus life. He cannot expect to live so long - his life has been shortened by the poor life standards.<br />
<br />
The author explains that the current problems with financing the public sectors and plans to privatize NHS may widen these gaps even more, because when 'social conditions have become worse, especially for children and younger people, there has been greater health inequality', hence shorter lives of the poor.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-26654879344759535722015-04-18T21:28:00.000+00:002015-04-18T21:28:16.708+00:00Hope is the thing with feathers on Genius.comThis is a title of a wonderful Emily Dickinson's poem about Hope, which I have found on a website called Genius. There is nothing special that I found this poem, as there are many websites publishing poetry, as many (some free) publishing the analyses of famous works, too. What makes this website special are annotations, and the motto of the founders 'to annotate the world'. They started with annotating rap songs a few years ago, but nowadays there are not only songs: the website offers annotations to poems, novels and even contemporary articles. And I think that this idea is amazing and highly educational.<br />
<br />
Imagine, there is a text, you click on the word or the thought - a box pops up with information on the text, with the meaning of the idea, connotations, pictures, videos and links, and even more. And now imagine that you have, say, a poem and everything inside, needed to understand it, is linked and, therefore, leads you from one thought or source to another and another and another. Like an online dictionary or Wikipedia, but it is you who decide which path to choose, you are an active reader, you may leave a comment or add another annotation. The readers are encouraged to post new texts and annotate them, to contribute to the whole project.<br />
<br />
It came to me as an answer to two texts I have read recently; one is a book, 'How to Read a Book' by Charles Van Doren and Mortimer J. Adler, I am still reading it (it is quite long but very powerful) and it concerns the annotations, and the other - an article, 'What I Really Want Is Someone Rolling Around in the Text', by Sam Anderson from 2011, presents the idea about the books not only annotated but also shared with the other readers. So far, the only problem for me is that I cannot see the way to annotate the text only for myself or for my friends. I would not like to publish all my private thoughts to the public, but also when we annotate a text, there are lots of questions to answer in due time, and - what is important - by ourselves, by the readers. So I hope that at some point in the future it would be possible.<br />
<br />
And now the poem with the annotations - <a href="http://genius.com/Emily-dickinson-hope-is-the-thing-with-feathers-254-annotated" target="_blank">there is a link to the website.</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-29952147554324742752015-03-13T11:56:00.001+00:002015-03-13T11:56:28.084+00:00Grammar can be fun <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b0QTZVmPU90/VQLD4gsA35I/AAAAAAAADSk/ayRiSfpZLV0/s1600/bar_jokes_grammar.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b0QTZVmPU90/VQLD4gsA35I/AAAAAAAADSk/ayRiSfpZLV0/s1600/bar_jokes_grammar.jpg" height="320" width="276" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have found this picture on Google+, which is the rich resource for learners of English. There are public groups, which help people connect with others with the same interest, short quizzes and the growing conversational community. I have also noticed that more and more people choose Google+ over Facebook and even Skype. Google+ has inbuilt handout: with a chat box for private and group conversation and a voice conference, again private and public. One may add someone choosing from a few categories of the circles, controlling who and what can see on your personal website. Managing a group is easy and enjoyable, as well as sharing the interesting things, discovered on someone else's page. A group can be made public or private, and some of them focus on proper grammar! That is, they ridicule every single grammar mistake found on the Internet. </div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I like the idea presents in the picture: grammar can be interesting and creative, as well as funny.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
My jokes: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<ol>
<li>A noun phrase walks into a bar: 'What I need in this bar is the company of yet another phrase'. </li>
<li>The meters come: trochee and iamb. (They made an iamb pentameter.)</li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-74782239416251434032015-02-17T19:14:00.001+00:002015-02-17T19:14:53.141+00:00Tone versus mood Tone and mood in literature are not the same things. They are often mixed up and at the beginning difficult to grasp.<br />
Tone is the attitude of the author, narrator or speaker towards the characters and actions in a piece of writing. Probably, the best answer for how to find out the tone is to read the piece aloud to understand the emotions of the speaker.<br />
<br />
Mood is what the reader feels while reading a book. The very simple example from the non-fiction.<br />
<br />
Compare the two sentences:<br />
<br />
Keep off the grass!<br />
Please use the pathways, thank you.<br />
<br />
These two sentences talk about the same thing but using different tones: first is very authoritarian and the second is friendly. What about the reader's moods?<br />
As for me, the first make me angry for being treated like a child and for ordering me. The second, the friendly tone finds immediately obedient Jola, who looks around to be sure that she is on the pathway.<br />
<br />
Well, when to come to the literature it is not always so obvious, as good authors tend to hide their voice behind their characters, and as we cannot hear the 'tone', we only may look at the language, the diction of the book to understand the author's attitude.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-32130035480853886492015-02-14T20:00:00.000+00:002015-02-15T15:48:52.844+00:00Mastering pronouns Mastering writing in English is not easy. On one hand, we need to employ the variety of sentence structures in our writing, and on the other - be in full control of the pieces which may be differently ordered. Also, it is important to be able to use different pronouns as subjects and objects to avoid repetition, when not wanted.<br />
The English language is rich in pronouns: there are nine categories of them.<br />
<ol>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">Subject Pronouns</span></b> - I, you, she - always function as subject of a sentence.</li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">Objective Pronouns</span></b> - me, him, her, us, you, them - they are always the objects of the action: direct, indirect or the object of a preposition.</li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">Indefinite Pronouns</span></b> - may function as subjects or objects: there are three subcategories of them: singular (someone, anybody, each, one, little, either), plural (many, others, several, few), both (all, any, some, none, more, most).</li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">Relative Pronouns</span></b> - they introduce relative clauses: that, which, whom, whose </li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">Demonstrative Pronouns</span></b> - may function as subjects, objects and adjectives: this, that, these, those.</li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">Possessive Pronouns</span></b> - function as subjects, objects and adjectives: my/mine, your/yours.</li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">Interrogative Pronouns</span></b> - can replace subjects: who, what, which, whose</li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">Reflexive Pronouns</span></b> - myself, yourself, ourselves - show subjects performing actions on themselves.</li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">Intensive Pronouns</span></b> - myself, yourself, ourselves - modify/emphasize a noun or pronoun</li>
</ol>
Here in the passage below, I tried to use some indefinite pronouns as subjects/objects as a part of my written assessment, next step is to get rid of all linking verbs: all forms of 'be' and change them into the action verbs.<br />
<br />
<b>The elevator trip (1)</b><br />
It was Sunday, one of those last lazy days of winter when Spring impatiently gave signs of its readiness to show its full beauty. Small, yellow crocuses on my mind that I saw just before on the green grass in the park, I peacefully strode toward the tube station, not really happy that I was leaving daylight for underground. Rather absent-mindedly, I took the step on the elevator, watching the other people that also absent-mindedly let the running monster take them into the mouth of its opening. Few with more energy walked down, passing by the lethargic majority: rushing in the UK is pretty unusual, especially on such a day. Then, the sudden commotion broke into the silent purr of the engines; someone was jumping down the elevator. Those who turned back their heads - and I did it, too - witnessed a young man skipping on the moving steps in a great hurry. Breathlessly, we gaped at his long legs storming down the moving stairs without missing a single step, and when the legs disappeared everyone was relieved - he did it and did not break a leg. Well done!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The elevator trip (2)</b><br />
It was Sunday; one of those last lazy days of winter when Spring impatiently gives signs of its readiness to show its full beauty. Small, yellow crocuses on my mind that I saw just before on the grass in the park, I peacefully strode toward the tube station, not really happy that I was leaving daylight for underground. Rather absent-mindedly, I took the step into the elevator, glazing over the other people that also absent-mindedly let the running monster slowly swallow them down. Few, with more energy, walked down, passing by the lethargic majority: hurrying in the UK is pretty unusual, especially on such a day. Then, the sudden rush broke into the murmur of the engines; someone was dashing down the elevator. Those, who turned back their heads - and I did it, too - witnessed a young man galloping on the moving steps in a great hurry. Breathlessly, we gaped at his long legs storming down the moving stairs without missing a single step, and when the legs disappeared everyone was relieved - he did it and did not break a leg. Well done!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-33534693592654307802015-02-09T12:59:00.000+00:002015-02-09T12:59:00.474+00:00MOOC<div>
Have you ever heard about MOOC? This stands for Massive Open Online Courses accessible for free for everyone that has the Internet. Absolutely wonderful idea, as for me, and I may only wish to have more time to learn and learn. </div>
<div>
Here is one of them: <a href="https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/explore-english-language-culture" target="_blank">Exploring English: Language and Culture</a> prepared by the British Council, and here what I have learnt so far from it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are a few expression I have barely used: in the sense that, in a geographic sense, in terms of and their usage from the course:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This laptop is much more expensive than that one <b>but in terms of </b>performance and reliability, they’re quite similar.<br /><br />English spelling can be difficult, <b>in the sense that</b> letters are not always pronounced the same way.<br /><br />The event was successful<b> in terms of</b> visitor numbers, but we didn’t make a lot of money<br /><br />Canada is bigger than Brazil<b> in a geographical sense</b>, but Canada’s population is smaller.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>My post on technology, learning English and new expressions: </b><br />I started to learn English as an adult, for my own pleasure. I was not very talented in languages, I could read at the intermediate level, but my listening and speaking skill were at the terribly low level. I bought the audio cassettes with the text written down that I could listen to and read many times. I did some English courses but without significant success; it was not until I discovered podcast and skype that my English really soared up. I think that learning English may be difficult<b> in the sense that </b>native speakers speak far too fast for the beginners. On the other hand, learning is much easier nowadays<b> in a geographic sense</b>: the Internet brought English to our home.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-7071613728758306862015-02-08T20:38:00.000+00:002015-02-08T20:39:57.166+00:00Why do we need a colon?<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 1.4em;">
Today I want to discuss one of the punctuation marks, as it happened that I used it incorrectly a few times, and I had thought that I was good at punctuation. Well, we learn the whole lives.<br />
<br />
Colon is not often used, and often misused. It has three functions and introduces the list, quotation and idea.<br />
<br />
Let's start with <b><span style="color: red;">the list</span></b> as it is its main function. There is one trap, and also my problem with this structure. <b><span style="color: red;">We may use a colon when the clause <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">preceding</span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"> a colon</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 1.4em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> is an independent clause</span></b>. There is NO place for a colon between a verb and a noun following. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 1.4em;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 1.4em;"><b>There are four ingredients in this meal: sugar, pasta, basil and cheese. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 1.4em;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 1.4em;">My best friends are John, Mary and Tom. (No colon)<br />I have a few best friends: John, Mary and Tom. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 1.4em;">There are my best friends: John, Mary and Tom. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Before the text which is quoted we may use a colon or a comma</b></span>, depends on the style.<br />
<br />
My dad told me: 'Go and tidy your room!'<br />
or<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">My dad told me, 'Go and tidy your room!'</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">The last but not the least function of a colon is to introduce an idea.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">All these sentences are from the <a href="http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/exercises/grammar/grammar_tutorial/page_04.htm" target="_blank">Bristol University, Faculty of Art, Improve your Writing</a>:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><br /></span>
I really can't stand cold rice pudding.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 1.4em;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">I really can't stand one thing</span><b style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">: cold rice pudding</b><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">There is one thing I really cannot stand<b>: cold rice pudding</b>. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">The one country I would really love to visit is Mexico.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">There is one country I would really love to visit</span><b style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">: Mexico</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">You have no choice but to accept the referee's decision.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">You have no choice<b>: accept the referee's decision</b>. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">The two things the company's success was founded on were service and value for money.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">The company's success was founded on two things<b>: service and value for money</b>.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">Climate change is the most serious threat to mankind's survival.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">Mankind is facing the most serious threat to its survival<b>: climate change</b>.</span></div>
<br />
<div contenteditable="" gr_new_editor="true" gramm="gramm" gramm_id="e2ac7792-8b18-7535-010a-4e8bc20344e5" id="e2ac7792-8b18-7535-010a-4e8bc20344e5" style="background: none 0% 0% / auto repeat scroll padding-box border-box rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-sizing: content-box; color: transparent; display: inline-block; height: 99px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px; position: absolute; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 297px; z-index: 0;">
Notice, how these sentences with colons highlight, strenghten and emphasise the ideas. It is a great tool in writing in English, and surely worth mastering.<br />
Do not use it too often, but just when you want to introduce something important.<br />
<br />
I do like writing: it's my life.<br />
Romeo has only one true love in this life: Juliet.<br />
Mankind is able to defeat many enemies but one: Mankind.<br />
<br />
There is only one way to improve your writing: writing everyday.<br />
<br />
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; color: transparent; display: inline-block; float: initial; font-family: monospace; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; height: 103px; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-shadow: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 297px;"><gr_block p="0,112" style="display: inline;"><br /></gr_block></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-21253769632252307042015-02-07T20:04:00.000+00:002015-02-07T20:05:42.199+00:00Repetition of phrases and clausesAll the figures of repetition from the previous post - 'Repetition of words' have the same names and meanings when we discuss phrases and clauses though there is a few new, specific to these longer structures, which I am going to present.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Isocolon</span></b> (Bicolon, tricolon, tetracolon...) is the repetition of similar grammatical form, a kind of parallelism.<br />
'Pity is the feeling which arrests the mind in the presence of whatsoever is grave and constant in human sufferings and unites it with the sufferer. Terror is the feeling which arrests the mind in the presence of whatsoever is grave and constant in human sufferings and unites it with the secret cause...'<br />
(A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The structure, grammar, meter and rhythm of these sentences are parallel; also there is the repetition of the ending with the slight differences in the beginnings of the sentences. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Harley Davidson’s slogan (Bicolon)<br />
<div>
'American by Birth. Rebel by Choice.'</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I came. I saw. I bought. (Tricolon)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: red;">Symploce </span></b>(repetition of the same phrases/words at the beginning - <b>anaphora</b>, and the repetition of different but the same words/phrases at the end of lines, sentences - <b>epistrophe</b>. Together they create symploce. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
'<b>Against </b>yourself <b>you are calling him</b>,<br />
<b>against </b>the laws <b>you are calling him</b>,<br />
<b>against </b>the democratic constitution <b>you are calling him</b>'<br />
Aeschines<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: red;">Chiasmus </span></b>(Antimetabole) </div>
<div>
These two figures of repetition are not the same, but for me, and some others, I think, it is not so much important to be able to distinguish between them. In this figure, the structures are repeated but in the inverse order. I think that there is beauty in it, therefore, I like the word: chiasmus. :)</div>
<ul>
<li>'You stood up for America, now America must stand up for you.'<br />Barack Obama – December 14, 2011.</li>
<li>When the going gets tough, the tough get going.</li>
<li>'Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.'<br />John F. Kennedy</li>
<li>'Eat to live, not live to eat.' <br />Socrates</li>
<li>'I go where I please, and I please where I go.' <br />Attributed to Duke Nukem</li>
<li>'In America, you can always find a party. In Soviet Russia, Party always finds you!' <br />Yakov Smirnoff</li>
<li>'If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.'</li>
</ul>
<div>
You may find more information at <a href="http://literarydevices.net/repetition/" target="_blank">Literary Devices</a> and at <a href="http://rhetoric.byu.edu/" target="_blank">Silvia Retorica</a> - Figures of Repetition. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34222950.post-40889253766594387752015-02-04T20:02:00.000+00:002015-02-04T20:02:21.499+00:00Figures of repetition - wordsRepetition of a word or words is divided into several sub-categories, depending on a few things:<br />
<ul>
<li>the position of the repeated word/words</li>
<li>changing in the meaning</li>
<li>changes in the a word itself.</li>
</ul>
In my humble opinion, unless you are not going to show off on the exam or in front of your teacher, there is no need to learn all names, but a few. It is more important to spot the repetition and the effect of it on the reader than get the right Greek name for it.<br />
<br />
The same word/words may occur in a different position within a sentence, close to each other, in different phrases or in different sentences, or they may occur at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of sentence/sentences. There is a special name for a repetition of a word which occur at the beginning and then at the end of a sentence; as well as a name for another figure, when one word ends a sentence and starts another one.<br />
<br />
The most important repetition of words in this group are:<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Anaphora </span></b>(repetition of the first word/words in lines, clauses or sentences);<br />
<br />
Here, in the Churchill's speech we find the anaphora at the beginning of sentences and clauses:<br />
'<b>We shall</b> not flag or fail. <b>We shall</b> go on to the end. <b>We shall</b> fight in France, <b>we shall</b> fight on the seas and oceans, <b>we shall</b> fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, <b>we shall</b> defend our island, whatever the cost may be, <b>we shall</b> fight on the beaches, <b>we shall</b> fight on the landing grounds, <b>we shall</b> fight in the fields and in the streets, <b>we shall </b>fight in the hills. <b>We shall</b> never surrender.'<br />
Anaphora adds rhythm to the text, makes prose sounds more like a poem and poem sounds even more poetical. It appeals to emotions focusing on the particular element of the piece of writing.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Anadiplosis </span></b>(repetition of the last word/phrase from the previous line, clause, or sentence at the beginning of the next);<br />
<br />
From John Milton’s Lycidas<br />'For Lycidas is <b>dead</b>, <b>dead </b>ere his prime,<br />Young Lycidas and hath not left his peer.'<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Epistrophe </b></span>(repetition of word/words at the end of sentences, clause or phrase);</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
From Shakespeare, The Tempest (4.1.108-109; 116-17)</div>
<div>
'Hourly joys be still upon <b>you</b>!</div>
Juno sings her blessings on <b>you</b>. [. . .]<br />Scarcity and want shall shun <b>you</b>,<br />Ceres' blessing so is on <b>you</b>.'<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: red;">Polyptoton </span></b>(repetition of words with the change in endings or forms);</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Wisdom </b>is not always <b>wise</b>, said the man <b>wisely</b>. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b><span style="color: red;">Antanaclasis </span></b>(repetition of the same words but with the change of the meaning);<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
From Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet </div>
<div>
'Two household, both alike in dignity,</div>
<div>
In fair Verona (where we lay our scene),</div>
<div>
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,</div>
<div>
Where <b>civil </b>blood makes <b>civil </b>hand unclean.'</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the first case, 'civil' refers to citizens of a city, whereas the second 'civil' to the behaviour, refine, sophisticated, polite. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
There is a special case of repetition, called <b><span style="color: red;">polysyndeton </span></b>when a conjunction is repeated many times. Predominantly it happens with and, but, or, nor. </div>
<div>
This figure of speech slows down the rhythm of the text and its actions. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
From Ernest Hemingway, After the Storm<br />'I said, ‘Who killed him?’ <b>and </b>he said ‘I don’t know who killed him, but he’s dead all right,’ <b>and </b>it was dark <b>and </b>there was water standing in the street <b>and </b>no lights or windows broke <b>and </b>boats all up in the town <b>and </b>trees blown down <b>and </b>everything all blown <b>and </b>I got a skiff <b>and </b>went out <b>and </b>found my boat where I had her inside Mango Key <b>and </b>she was right only she was full of water.'</div>
<div>
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08333194666853368861noreply@blogger.com0