Untitled Flashcards Set

2. Writing:

Writing is all about expressing your thoughts clearly, logically, and persuasively. Let's break it down:

Persuasive Writing:

• Choosing a Topic:

  • What it is: You need a topic that is not only interesting to you but also debatable. Choose something you can argue both for and against, like the importance of online education, banning plastic, or animal testing.

  • How to choose: Pick a topic that has a clear stance—either for or against it. Your goal is to persuade your reader.

  • Example: "Should the school day be shortened?"

• Consider Purpose and Audience:

  • What it is: Understand why you are writing and for whom. Are you writing to persuade a student, teacher, or the general public?

  • How to approach:

    • Purpose: Are you informing, persuading, or entertaining?

    • Audience: What do they already know? What will appeal to them? Adjust your tone and language based on the audience.

  • Example: If you’re writing to a teacher, you might want to use formal language, but if it’s to your peers, you can use a more conversational tone.

• Developing Reasons and Evidence:

  • What it is: To persuade your reader, you need strong reasons backed by evidence.

  • How to do it:

    1. Provide reasons: These are your main points (e.g., why online education is effective).

    2. Support with evidence: Use facts, statistics, quotes, and examples to support your reasons.

    3. Example: "Online education is effective because studies show that students who learn at their own pace retain more information."

• Ordering of Arguments:

  • What it is: The way you present your arguments matters. Organize them logically.

  • How to order:

    1. Start with your strongest argument.

    2. Follow with supporting points.

    3. End with a strong conclusion.

  • Example: In an essay on online education, you might start with the flexibility it offers, then talk about its affordability, and conclude with its effectiveness in increasing retention.

3. Grammar:

Grammar is essential to clear and effective communication. Let’s dive deeper into each concept:

Prepositional Phrases:

• What it is: A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, a noun (or pronoun), and any modifiers of that noun. It adds information about time, place, direction, etc.

• Examples:

  • "In the kitchen"

  • "Under the bed"

  • "At school"

  • Usage: These phrases often tell you where, when, or how something happens.

Gerund Phrases:

• What it is: A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun.

• Examples:

  • "Running is my favorite hobby."

  • "I love reading books."

  • Usage: Gerund phrases function as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence.

Participial Phrases:

• What it is: A participial phrase begins with a participle, a verb form acting as an adjective.

• Examples:

  • "The tired teacher rested."

  • "Barking loudly, the dog chased the car."

  • Usage: Participles modify nouns or pronouns.

Infinitive Phrases:

• What it is: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, often preceded by “to” (e.g., to eat, to go).

• Examples:

  • "I like to swim."

  • "She wants to be a doctor."

  • Usage: Infinitive phrases often express purpose or intention.

Adjective Clauses:

• What it is: An adjective clause modifies a noun and typically begins with a relative pronoun like who, whom, whose, which, or that.

• Examples:

  • "The book that I read was interesting."

  • "The man who spoke at the meeting is my friend."

  • Usage: They give additional information about a noun.

Adverb Clauses:

• What it is: An adverb clause modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It tells us when, where, how, why, or under what conditions something happens.

• Examples:

  • "I will go if it stops raining."

  • "She sings better than I do."

  • Usage: They often start with subordinating conjunctions like if, because, when, although.

4. Reading:

Reading comprehension and literary analysis are essential skills. Let’s break down your reading topics:

British and American Literature:

• Sir Gawain and the Green Knight:

  • Themes: Chivalry, honor, temptation, and bravery.

  • Key Point: Sir Gawain faces tests of honor when he accepts a challenge from the mysterious Green Knight, representing a test of moral integrity.

• The Happy Prince:

  • Themes: Selflessness, compassion, and sacrifice.

  • Key Point: The prince, once wealthy and happy, sacrifices his riches and his life to help those in need, highlighting themes of generosity and the value of self-sacrifice.

• Invictus:

  • Themes: Resilience, self-determination, and strength in adversity.

  • Key Point: The poem is about overcoming hardships and staying strong, regardless of external circumstances.

Literary Analysis and Skills Development:

• Medieval Romance: Stories often focus on knights and their quests, with an emphasis on chivalry, honor, and love.

• Symbols and Allegory: Look for symbols (objects, characters, or events representing deeper meanings) and allegories (stories that represent a broader message or moral).

• Sequencing and Chronological Order: Understanding the sequence of events in a story helps clarify the narrative structure and the development of the plot.

Classic Reader: Animal Farm (Chapters 6-10):

• Themes: Power, corruption, propaganda, and inequality.

• Key Point: As the animals take control of the farm, they begin to face challenges, especially as the pigs assume more authority. The story is an allegory for political systems, particularly totalitarian regimes.