Conventions of personal essays Use of reference Subjective elements–hiding between the facts (are they? or are they just assertive?) Rhetorical language Use of illustrative examples Analogy, metaphor Cultural references, temporal references Use of rebuttals Signposting Structure–how the arguments are structure If it’s a short paragraph, there may be an emphasis on In this engaging and […]
English Learning Portfolio
Bang My Car – Original book blurb
He bangs your car and victimises himself. He causes a commotion over melons. He cares for his grandchildren, and teaches them to appreciate ‘doing nothing.’ He is suspicious of his Malay neighbours. He is carefree about life. He has a wise political opinion. Meet the Singaporean uncle, who will take you on a journey through […]
Imaginary Geographies of the Singapore Heartland
Consider this statement in the introduction by Dave Chua: “In Imaginary Geographies of the Singapore Heartland, she explores the Singaporean landscape through a survey where she reveals more depth than immediately apparent.” Focusing on the transcript parts of this sections (Parts B and C), identify two examples of that depth…i.e. more than just a humorous […]
Contextual considerations within ‘What He Wants to Say Which is Right to Say’ in Bang My Car
What contextual (social/cultural/political etc) considerations* does the section you have examined engage with and how? In ‘What He Wants to Say Which is Right to Say,’ concerns of gender inequality is reflected throughout the work. Throughout the work, the main character, an unmarried woman working as an insurance sales is heard expressing her own concerns […]
Perspectives in Bang My Car
Chapbook–Street literature, that is cheap and accessible for all. Bang My Car is called a chapbook since it reflects the perspectives of ordinary people and is not designed to be a work of high literature or a big read. Polyvocality doesn’t let the readers assume the perspective of the author since it gives a voice […]
The relationship between writers, readers and texts in the construction of meaning
From the article by Kae Tempest: “A story doesn’t cultivate empathy just by virtue of its having been thought up; it must be engaged with to become powerful; the story must be read, the song must be listened to, in order to acquire its full charge.” –This quote became really effective for me when Tempest […]
Wild Geese–New Historical Theory
Quickly review the novel’s context (written 1912, set 1880) and New Historical Theory as a literary critical lens New Historical Theory–how we tell history tells more about ourselves than the history itself. Read the introduction of the novel: what do you learn about the novel’s biographical context that shapes your reading of the novel in […]
Pastiche
A pastiche is a creative work that imitates another author or genere in a way of paying repect, or honour, to the great works of the past. In response to the prompt, ‘Write a 500 word (approx) pastiche of your COVID 2020 life prior to /during the summer break / generally out of the works […]
Short review on perspectives
How has your understanding of narrative technique, point of view and perspective developed/deepened so far? Refer to last year’s texts and the passages we’ve looked at (about the student and teacher, the 6 prose snippets, the story Dressing for the Carnival) to underpin and illustrate your thinking. I have definitely become more sensitive to narrative […]
Perspectives
I sat there, determined not to write even a single letter. Every time she encourages me, my hatred for school just gets bigger, keeping me away from making an effort. It all seemed so pointless, so foolish. “If you don’t write anything, what am I going to tell your parents at the 3-way conference?” […]