Short Story

The Short Story

-it reflects and expresses life in all its manifestations. It is a fictional narrative prose which attempts to recreate or represent concrete human experience in such a way, and with such impact, as to bring out meanings invisible to the strictly scientific observer.

Generally short stories have only a few events and characters, with conflict centering to one main character.

Elements of Short Story

The Setting- it is the time, the place, the psychological set-up, the atmosphere in the story

The Characters- they are the persons involved in the story

A. Qualities of a Character

1. Plausibility- believability of a character

2. Sympathy- making the reader feel that it is almost real

3. Vitality- intensity of the character to be noticed

4. Consistency- sticking to one role and changes only when the need arises

B. Kinds of Characters

1. Protagonist- bearer of good

2. Antagonist- bearer of bad (villain)

3. Dynamic/ Rounded- one who changes from bad to good or the other way around

4. Flat/ Stereotype- one who does not have any character changes

The Plot- it is the series of events in the story. It is sometimes arranged chronologically or episodic

Parts of a Plot

1. Exposition- it is the introduction of the characters or the situation they are in, the setting or the mood of the story

2. Complication- it is the struggles, the trials, the difficiculties which the characters fight against

            Types of Conflict

            a. Man vs man

            b. Man vs himself

            c. Man vs morality

            d. Man vvs Forces of Nature

3. Climax- it is the highest of in the story

4. Denouement – it shows resolution

5. Ending- the concluding part that usually ends with a theme

The Language and Style

-         it pertains to the linguistic side of the story and the manner of the writer’s presentation

a. diction- the author’s choice of words

b. local color- use of local terms

The Point of View

-         it refers to the way the story is told

a. First Person Point of View-  the author is the subjective narrator. He is putting himself in the story. In this kind, the author uses ‘I’ or ‘We’

b. Third Person Point of View- the author is objective. He is narrating the story but is not involved. The author uses ‘she’, ‘he’, and ‘they’

The Narrative Devices

-this refers to the techniques used by the writer telling the story

1. straight narration

2. narration mixed with dialogue

3. mistaken identity

4. poem devices

5. incantation device

6. confession/ testimony device

7. flashback device

8. journey device

FIGURATIVE VIDEO

Get as many as you can of Figures of Speech in this song.

LIT001 First Blog Project

Hey guys,

Let me first say that I am very much thrilled and grateful that you participated in this blog project of our Literature class. Cheers :-) This is somewhat unique for an English class in our locality since we are integrating technology (particularly social networking) in our learning of English as the second language. Basically, the intention of this blog is, through writing, it will help you express your feelings and ideas about certain topics, sometimes discussed, sometimes not. You are given the freedom to speak your mind out with reference to issues concerning each one of us. What’s also great about this project is that all of you can share, view and comment on your classmates’ work. Interesting right? I mean, in one way or another we will be able to get to know each other better, so clearly, the success of this project relies on your cooperation. Let me just ring a bell about the rule that I had been emphasizing in class-RESPECT (I need to capitalize that). Soon, you will be reading and understanding the uniqueness of each one. I hope that you will take care of everyone’s opinion with utmost value and discretion. So, too much for that! I hope that you were able to read the terms that I personally sent to each of your email addresses. Let me say good luck, and let’s start to learn and have fun in this project. Let’s fire away and begin our first blog entry.

Your first blog entry is to write a descriptive essay about the theme, ‘Who am I?’.

The aim of descriptive essays is to provide a vivid picture of a person, location, object, or event. Descriptive essays contain detailed descriptions about something. Since the theme is about YOU, then, you need to describe yourself clearly and imaginatively (of course not to forget your creativity matters too:-)).

Descriptive writing should be exciting and intriguing. When you’re describing something, try to write it as if you were selling the idea or as if you would be paid if you convinced the person that they could actually imagine the subject essay via your description. You can talk about your family background, education, likes and dislikes, interests, crushes, dreams, events in your life that’s worth remembering and so much more (sky is the limit guys, I mean totally, anything you like to share about who you are is accepted)

Your entry should be within 300-500 words. You may create your own title and add photos of you or of anything to enhance your entry. Please post your entry on or before the deadline on July 18, 2010 at 12midnight HK time. If you have clarifications about your task, you may email me personally at ignatiusjosephestroga@gmail.com or you may see me anytime at your convenience at the CAS faculty room. Have fun! :-)

Figures of Speech

Question: What Is the Value of the Figures of Speech?

Metaphor and metonymy, irony and hyperbole, chiasmus and antithesis--learning all the funny names of the figures of speech can be a real challenge. Learning how to recognize the figures in our reading and apply them in our writing can be even harder. So why should we even bother?
Figures of speech are of such importance that they must always occupy a prominent place in every treatise on style or criticism.

1. They contribute beyond anything else to the embellishment of style. Some create a picture before the mind; others gratify the sense of proportion; others adorn the subject by contrasting it with some other which is like or unlike; and thus in various ways they appeal to the aesthetical sensibilities.
2. They are used to illustrate a subject, which thus gains a clearness that could be given in no other way.
3. They add to the persuasiveness of style. They give variety to it, by enabling the author to change his form of expression at will.
4. In the whole world of literature, both ancient and modern, figures of speech occupy a foremost place. 

            1. Simile: Resemblance, an explicit comparison (using “like” or “as”) between two thing

 of unlike nature that yet have something in common (see Bullinger, pp. 726‑733). 

“Silence settled on the audience like a block of granite.”

“All flesh is like grass.” (1 Pet. 1:24)

“He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of waters.”  (Ps. 1:3)

         2. Metaphor: Representation, an implicit comparison between two things of

unlike nature that yet have something in common; a declaration that one thing is or represents another

“The question of federal aid to education is a bramble patch.”

“The LORD God is a sun and a shield.”

“The LORD is my shepherd.”

3. Personification: he investiment of non-human subjects (e.g., abstractions, inanimate objects, or animals) with human qualities or abilities. 

“The land mourns‑‑the oil languishes.”  (Joel 1:10)

“The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground.”  (Gen. 4:6)

“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”  (Ps. 23:4)

4. Metonymy:  Change of Noun (or any idea), the change of a word naming an object for another word closely associated with it. 

            “You split the fountain and the flood.” (Ps. 74:15)
            “Awake, my glory”  (Ps. 57:9[8])

5.      Euphemism:  the substitution of an inoffensive or mild expression for an offensive one

6.      Apostrophe:  a turning aside from the direct subject‑matter to address another who may be present in fact or in imagination

“Your glory, O Israel, is slain upon your high places . . . .  You mountains of Gilboa . . .” (2 Sam. 1: 19‑21)

“When Israel went forth out of Egypt . . . What ails you, O sea, that you flee?”   (Ps. 114:1‑5)

7.      Irony: the expression of thought in a form that conveys its opposite

“Cry louder, for he is a god.”  (1 Kings 18:27)

8.      Hyperbole: the use of exaggerated terms for the purpose of  emphasis or heightened effect; more is said than is literally meant

The cities are great, and walled up to heaven.”

*Reference: thanks to christianleadershipcenter.org

             more examples at buzzle.com

freedom for me

       I had another noteworthy topic discussed in my literature class today. We shared our own experience regarding FREEDOM from the select poem, Open End Quality. It talked about the persona who was helpless comparing her to a jack-in-the-box, waiting and always waiting for her Jackie boy to save her. My students shared insights about their real definition of freedom. It’s very interesting to listen to my students as they share about the realities of life through the experiences they encountered.

Yes they are correct! Freedom isn't just a word. It's an action.   

Modern times, is a relatively more free world, but there are still restrictions by society--- that includes our families (of course). 

Having laws and restrictions do not work; 

having too much freedom does not either.

Problems occur when too much freedom is given at a point that we even cannot control ourselves. Just like in our homes, if too much freedom is given to us, times were we are not ready for the responsibility that comes hand-in-hand with freedom, things may get out of control. As a result we become disobedient towards our parents, make the wrong choices and eventually end up as a juvenile delinquent threatening others, our families, and even ourselves.

Yes we are given freedom to speak our mind out, free to choose, free to be with anyone we want. However,

                           self control is the key. 

We must infinitely improve our values particularly our ability of telling what is right from wrong and not to abuse the freedom that we are given. How do we achieve this? Simple!   

Start within ourselves. 

At school, with our friends and even at home, since the family has the deepest influence over one than any other factors. By doing so, we would be setting rules of our own, which then we are not forced to live by it, but we truly believe in it.

I absolutely believe that we are free to write the script of our own life.*

trope

In the cold winter morning
i've longed for you
asking your hands to hold me
embracing you tight easing the coldness of the dew

In the lonely spring afternoon
i've longed for you
thinking you'll be back soon
hearing footsteps coming close to my door

In the silence of the summer night
i've longed for you
hoping that you're right here
wishing you to sleep beside me

In the empty dawn of fall
i've longed for you
trying to believe you're mine
praying to own your heart i'm seeking for

In these times of the day
i've longed for you
asking questions 'bout how i really felt for you
waiting for answers
i've longed from you 

www.josephestroga.s5.com 

TRULY

Born on this earth,
not knowing who I really am.
What? Whats?
What is my purpose?
Is always a question.

Time goes.
It moves me.
Till someone lit me up
Called and said she liked me.

I didnt know what to say.
First time, these three words came out.
Its good to give them, I didnt know!
But its better if heard too, I should say!

"You'll be the embrace, that keeps me warm.
You are my life, that give my sunshine!"
So good to hear,
I feel like in Heaven's cloud
she truly loves me.
That's what she said.

Now,
It's been like I've known her since then.
Tears,
And Happiness shared.
Right now. Right then.
But I love her!
"Feeling lucky!"
I said to myself.

All my life I've never felt this way
Thought it would never come,
Thought I would always be alone.
But she's here!
With the ring i gave for her,
Promised to be forever.
she truly loves me!
That I should say!www.josephestroga.s5.com

vid:LEARN ENGLISH

http://kliktrans.com/

10 TIPS IN WRITING POEMS

1. Pay attention to the world around you—little things, big things, people, animals, buildings, events, etc. What do you see, hear, taste, smell, feel?

2. Listen to words and sentences. What kind of music do they have? How is the music of poetry different from the music of songs?

3. Read all kinds of poetry. Which poems do you like and why?

4. Read what you write out loud. How does it sound? How could it sound better?

5. Ask yourself: does this poem have to rhyme? Would it be good or better if it didn’t? If it should rhyme, what kind of rhyme would be best? (For example, 1st and 2nd lines rhyme; 3rd and 4th lines rhyme—“Roses are red/So is your head/Violets are blue/So is your shoe"; or 1st and 3rd lines rhyme; 2nd and 4th lines rhyme—“What is your name?/Who is your mother?/This poem is quite lame/I should try another.”

6. Ask yourself: does this poem sound phoney? Don’t stick in big words or extra words just because you think a poem ought to have them.

7. A title is part of a poem. It can tell you what the poem is about. It can even be another line of the poem.

8. Before you write, think about what you want your whole poem to say.

9. If you end up saying something else, that’s okay, too. Poet X.J. Kennedy says, “You intend to write a poem about dogs, say, and poodle is the first word you’re going to find a rhyme for. You might want to talk about police dogs, Saint Bernards, and terriers, but your need for a rhyme will lead you to noodle and strudel. The darned poem will make you forget about dogs and write about food instead.”

10. Go wild. Be funny. Be serious. Be whatever you want! Use your imagination, your own way of seeing.