Show, Not Tell

One of the ways to write better narrative essays is to use the technique - Show,Not Tell
Below are some examples which I have adapted from the internet.


Telling: The girls were excited.
Showing: Giggles and screams filled the arrival hall. Their hair were now damp with perspiration. They held tight to each other, trying to contain themselves. The moment was here.

Telling: The room was vacant.

Showing: The door opened with a resounding echo that seemed to fill the house. Cob webs once attached flowed freely in the air. The light revealed the peeling paint on the walls and to the silhouettes once covered by pictures. Faded and torn white sheets covered the furniture now drowning in dust.


Telling: The pizza was delicious.

Showing: Steam rising up off the melted cheese made my mouth water. At the first bite, my teeth sinked into the cheese through the tomato sauce and into the moist crust. I chew and swallow rapidly. Even the cheese and tomato sauce, sticking to my fingertips, begged to be licked.

Telling: She is angry.

Showing: Her hands held tightly to the sides of her table. Her jaw tightened. Her eyes flashed heat waves at me. She hissed at me, "I want to see you outside, right now."

Now, try to do the following:
Telling: The morning was beautiful.
Showing:





Telling: The meal was delicious.
Showing:

From Basic To Complex

In order to write a good essay, students should learn how to write complex sentences.

1. Take a basic sentence:
Julie lost her bag.

2. Expand on it: (add an adjective)
Julie lost her pink handbag.

3. Expand again with additional information:
Julie lost her pink handbag in a bus station.

4. Combine two sentences:
Julie lost her pink handbag. She was waiting for her bus.
Julie lost her pink handbag while waiting for her bus.
Julie lost her pink handbag while waiting for her bus at the bus station.

5. Make substitutions:
Julie lost her handbag ...
Juan lost her mobile phone...etc.

6. Add information and construct a short narrative around the sentences students have created:
Julie was waiting for her bus at the bus station when she lost her handbag. She also lost her mobile phone and everything else in the handbag.


Now, try expanding the following sentences.


1 She likes to play badminton.

2 Cigarette smoking is hazardous to health.

3 A thief entered my house.

Journalling 101

These are some of my students' journal...To make it more special, wrap it with a colourful wrapper and decorate it. Make it your own.

If you cannot draw, then use pictures...browse through magazines and newspapers, cut any pictures that appeal to you...

Journalling Project begins today

Someone suggested that I should post the journalling prompt and discuss how to write the topic. So, we shall start with Journalling Prompt 1:

What are the things that you would change about your school?

you can comment on
- the rules and regulations
- the school environment
- the classroom facilities
- school hours
- sports
- extra class

So, get your pen and paper and start writing...
If you want me to comment or post your writing, just email them to me
jen35800@yahoo.com

Improve your English through journalling

I have just discovered a free online journal which you can join.
sign up at https://penzu.com/ It is a personal journal and you can choose to keep it a secret or email and share with everyone in your class or whatever group you create.
I think this is a cool way to make sure you write everyday. You can even post pictures.
The fastest way to improve your English is to use the language everyday. Keeping a journal is one way. If you don't know what to write, just google journal prompts and there are thousands to choose from.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

This is the best time of the year to start off any new resolution regarding your studies.Some advice as you begin to prepare for your English SPM

1 Know your novel well. Be attentive as your teacher reads or discusses the novel, chapter by chapter. Keep notes as you move along. Believe me, this is crucial when answering the essay question. Many students do not know their text well and end up writing factual errors.

2 Keep a journal. Write your observations about your world. Jot down any important events and happenings. Write your thoughts, opinions and questions.

3 Buy a newspaper and read daily. I recommend the 'Letters' page.

If you fail to keep your resolutions, take comfort from the fact that you can always begin again this Chinese New Year....

The Pearl

Tips:
1 Read the question carefully. If there are two parts, answer both parts.

2 Use only one tense throughout. E.g. If you start with the present tense, continue the rest of the essay. Check for grammatical errors.

Here are some questions to think about

1 Describe an event in the novel you have read which teaches you a life lesson?
(Plot and Moral value)
Key words: Describe event; life lesson

Example: Describe the event where Kino hits his wife...lesson you learn - one should not abuse our spouse

2 Describe an event in the novel you have read which portrays a theme of the novel?
Key words: describe event; theme

Describe the event where the doctor comes to see Kino the minute he hears that Kino has found the Pearl of the World..he frightens Kino into allowing him to treat Coyotito...he gives a capsule of white powder to Coyotito and goes home. The white powder makes Coyotito sick. He comes back in an hour and gives him three drops of ammonia to make him better. He asks for payment...pretending not to know about the pearl...

Theme - greed