Differences between the story “Story of your life” and the film Arrival

There are many differences between the short story “Story of your life” and the film Arrival. In the film short story Story of your life the audience was able to get an emotional feel of Louise’s daughter. Although her name was never mentioned in the book, the reader could (grab) an emotional grasp because she … Read more

Transformations: Women, Gender and Psychology – Mary Crawford

1. Meanings of Difference Throughout the text of Transformations: Women, Gender & Psychology, author Mary Crawford speaks upon the differences and similarities between women and men in many different categories. In chapter four, Crawford goes in-depth on the actual differences between men and women. Her research asserts that emotion is often gendered, meaning that women … Read more

Explore techniques teachers can use to foster language acquisition and learning curriculum content

Introduction Teaching is, without a doubt, one of the most difficult yet, at the same time, fulfilling professions in the world. It involves extensive preparation and study, enthusiasm and diligence, empathy and unlimited patience as well as adaptability and strength of character. Nevertheless, the sense of achievement that it brings about in the long term … Read more

‘Infinite Jest’ by Davis Forster (letter suggesting inclusion in syllabus)

Dear Ms Bleakley, I am writing you to in regard to the stage 6 syllabus of the potential inclusion of the novel ‘Infinite Jest’ by Davis Forster. Infinite Jest is a pronounced text that is incontrovertibly ideal to be integrated into the stage 6 syllabus. Infinite Jest is a prestigious novel, making “Time Magazine’s top … Read more

How teachers can help students’ fluency in English

For years, the very first humans could not communicate through language, so they drew pictures. It was their way of communicating. After language was developed, it created a way for humans to connect. Through this course, I studied many English Language Learners. I learned how their background affected their writing. I was eager to learn … Read more

Blank verse as a feature in poetry and prose

Blank verse is a literary device defined as un-rhyming verse written in iambic pentameter. As a feature in poetry and prose, it has a consistent meter with ten syllables in each line (otherwise known as pentameter). In this, unstressed syllables are followed by stressed ones, five of which are stressed but do not follow a … Read more

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis states that language shapes the cognitive processes and perceptions of individuals. This theory was first hypothesized by Benjamin Whorf, who believed language encompasses the cultural aspects of societies and enables effective and proper communication between its speakers. He believed that language and thought are inseparable, that language is influenced by thoughts and … Read more

Particular kinds of English should receive more attention than others

Topic: Particular kinds of English should receive more attention than others. Thesis: The English as Lingua Franca (ELF) emphasises on phonetics and pronunciation. This allows people with different native languages find a common ground. Thus, many turn to ELF for its communicative benefits. Hence, ELF is the most suitable English language variety to achieve a … Read more

Tropes – definition and examples

Tropes are figures of speech which give the words a new general meaning. Listed below are a few examples of tropes and what effect they have on the meanings of the words or phrases. A simile is an explicit comparison of two different topics, by transferring the meaning of the vehicle (donor of meaning) to … Read more

Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang and the movie Arrival

Adapted from the 1998 novel “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang, the movie Arrival (2016) as the name suggests, is the story of an extraterrestrial invasion on earth. The movie follows a linguistics professor, a physicist and a team of US soldiers whose main goal is to find the reason for the aliens’ presence … Read more

Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart (letter suggesting inclusion in syllabus)

Dear RI English Head of Department, I am writing this letter to justify my view of why Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart should be included in the English literature curriculum for students in the school. Things Fall Apart is a Greek tragedy, where the main character’s moral flaws bring him to ruin in a … Read more

George Orwell, Politics and the English Language, 1946

Orwell’s thesis acknowledges how writers use degraded and inaccurate language to express a thought. The modern form of English writing contains unnecessary elements, ultimately degrading the quality of a written text.  Furthermore, Orwell specifically explains the pretentious diction and meaningless words used in writing. Though Orwell’s thesis is evident throughout the passage, he does not … Read more