Saturday, January 14, 2012

QWERTYUIOP POP QUIZ

Dear students, how are you?

I hope that each and everyone of us is in the pink of health.

Now, it is time for a pop quiz!

Go to the link as stated below and try your best to answer the pop quiz.

http://uk3.hotpotatoes.net/ex/79487/JDUSNQWN.php

All the best!

Answer Key for Exercise 4

Answer Key Exercise 4

Exercise 4 - QWERTYUIOP

Dear students,

This is the link for Exercise 4. Please complete it and send it to my e-mail.

Good Luck!

Video Comparison

Hello students!

How do you like QWERTYUIOP so far? It's an awesome story right? Who would have known that a typewriter could be haunted!

Anyway, thank you very much for your cooperation. Based from your work, I can perceive that you have understood this short story  very well! Congratulations.

I have found a very interesting QWERTYUIOP video on You Tube recently. Although it has the same title as this short story, the students who created this video did some minor changes to the storyline.

Together with your partner, I want you to discuss and critique this video in relation to the original QWERTYUIOP short story. After that, you have to vlog your discussion and upload it in your personal blog. I expect to see it by next week.

All the best!



QWERTYUIOP - Lesson 5

MORAL VALUES

  -Do not judge a person merely through credentials or qualifications
  -We must be committed and responsible to our vocation or profession
-We must value our family.
-We should be strong and determined when faced with unexpected circumstances.
-Having a stable career can be rewarding.
However, we must not forget that there is more to life than a job. 

Answer Key - Exercise 3 Plot

Answer Key for Exercise 3 - Plot

QWERTYUIOP - Lesson 4

·          The plot is a planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle, and end. There are five essential parts of plot:
 
·         Introduction /Orientation- The beginning of the story where the characters and the setting is revealed.
·         Rising Action - This is where the events in the story become complicated and the conflict in the story is revealed (events between the introduction and climax).
·         Climax - This is the highest point of interest and the turning point of the story.  The reader wonders what will happen next; will the conflict be resolved or not?
·         Falling action - The events and complications begin to resolve themselves.  The reader knows what has happened next and if the conflict was resolved or not (events between climax and denouement).
·         Resolution / Denouement - This is the final outcome or untangling of events in the story.


What can you say about the plot construction of QWERTYUIOP?

Exercise 3- Plot

You are required to discuss and write down the plot of QWERTYUIOP with your partner.  Remember to submit your work to my e-mail.







QWERTYUIOP - Lesson 3

CHARACTERS

Lucy Beck       



She is a young, shy and insecure graduate of secreterial studies. She is 
 dissatisfied with her current life and is determined to improve it. She 
 obtains a position with Ross and Bannister’s, only to find that the 
 position comes with a chilling secret.

Ghost of Ms. Broome   



She was the previous employee of Ross and Bannister’s. She is 
unwilling to let go of her position and continues to defend her 
post, even after her demise.

Lucy’s mother  



A housewife who lives a hard life. She has to support her brother.

Uncle Bert



Depends on his sister for support. He is also a drunkard.

Harry Darke



Ross and Bannister’s handyman. He is an old man who has been 
working with the company for years.

Mr. Ross



The younger partner of the company.

SETTING

The story revolves around two main settings:

Lucy’s house which she shares with her mother and her Uncle Bert,



 The office of Ross and Bannister’s where Lucy works as a secretary.





Answer Key for Exercise 2

Dear students,

Answer key for Exercise 2 - Themes

Haunted Typewriter

Hey there!

For those of you who are wondering how a haunted typewriter sounds like, I have managed to find a video which can answer you curiosity. Enjoy the video!


QWERTYUIOP - Lesson 2

Hello students!

Today, we will explore the themes of QWERTYUIOP ^_^





THEMES

Possible themes that can be found in the short story are determination, possessiveness, loyalty, loneliness, commitment, the supernatural, and compassion.

DETERMINATION:

Despite the supernatural nature by which Ms. Broome badgers and demoralises Lucy, she shows no signs of giving in to her demand. Instead, she is steadfast in defending her position as the secretary.

POSSESIVENESS:

Not even death could part Ms. Broome from what she feels is rightfully hers. She continues to haunt the office through her electronic typewriter.

LOYALTY:

As with her possesiveness towards her job, Ms. Broome was also extremely loyal towards Mr. Bannister. Even after she passed on, her spirit continued in its endeavour to serve her employer.

LONELINESS:

Loneliness can be a strong influence in a person’s life. Ms. Broome had no life outside of her office. That made her more possesive of her position in the company; a possesiveness that went beyond the grave.

COMMITMENT:

This attribute can be clearly seen in both Lucy and Ms. Broome. Both are extremely committed to their profession.

THE SUPERNATURAL:

It is interesting that such an integral character in the story happens to be an ethereal entity. Yet this theme is rather prominent in the story.

COMPASSION:

This theme holds water especially in the final confrontation between Lucy and Ms. Broome. It is not through hatred nor coercion that Lucy manages to outsmart Ms. Broome, rather, it was through compassion and understanding of Ms. Broome’s intentions.

We have look into the themes of QWERTYUIOP. Now, it is time for me, to test your understanding regarding the themes of QWERTYUIOP.


Exercise 2 can be downloaded from here. Remember to post the exercise in your personal blog after you have completed it. I will post the answers in this blog soon. Good luck!

QWERTYUIOP - Lesson 1

Hi there! 

Have you read "QWERTYUIOP"? Before we discuss the title and synopsis of the short story, let's us take a look at the writer of "QWERTYUIOP" first.

The Writer



Vivien Alcock (1924 – 2003) was an author of children's books. Born in Worthing, West Sussex, in England, her family moved to Devizes in Wiltshire when she was aged 10. She then studied at the Oxford School of Arts.

She was married to author Leon Garfield, with whom she adopted a daughter, named Jane after Jane Austen. They met during World War II, when Vivien was an ambulance driver. Her first book was The Haunting of Cassie Palmer which was followed by The Monster Garden and others. (From Wikipedia.org)


You can also find more information on Vivien Alcock at these sites:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivien_Alcock
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/351034.Vivien_Alcock


Before we move on any further, I have a few questions related to this short story. Discuss with your partner and post your opinion at the comment section of this blog post.


1- What do you think of this short story's title?


Synopsis



 ‘QWERTYUIOP’ by Vivien Alcock is about a young graduate named Lucy Beck who has just finished her ‘O’ levels at Belmont Secretarial College. Being a slow learner herself, she has no confidence that she will find a job. Fortunately, she is offered a job by Mr. Ross, the Manager of Ross and Bannister’s. During her first day, she encounters many peculiar incidents. Later, she finds out that there is a spirit lingering around the office who is adamant in holding on to her position as the company’s secretary. Towards the end of the story, Lucy tries to get rid of the spirit that has been haunting that place for many years by putting the spirit at peace.


Picture 1- A haunted typewriter

What is a Short Story?

A short story:

  • usually centers around one or two main characters
  • consists of one main event
  • covers a limited time frame
  • usually has a surprising ending


For more information on what is a short story all about, I have prepared a handout for all of you. Remember to read and go through this handout before our next literature lesson as it will help to facilitate your understanding of a short story.

Here is a very interesting video which I found on You Tube. It explains the elements which are apart of a short story.





You can also find more information related to a short story here:



p/s: Please read "QWERTYUIOP" before coming to our next literature lesson.

Answers for Exercise 1

Good morning students!



So, how was Exercise 1. I have received all of your homework submission. I have prepared an answer key for Exercise 1. This may come in handy during your revision for Test 1.

Click on the key below to download the answer key.

http://www.mediafire.com/?92cl5x777trharp

In the Midst of Hardship - Exercise 1

Hello there :)

We have done with our discussion on the poem entitled, "In the Midst of Harship".

Let us watch another video presentation of this poem which I found on You Tube recently:






Now, the time has come for me to test your understanding of this poem. Please complete all of the questions below and submit it to my e-mail.

Exercise 1
Answer all of the questions.

  1. What is the hardship the couple has to face?
  2. What word or phrase tells you that they are used to this hardship and do not consider it a problem?
  3. Do you think it is strange for the boy to love the albino buffalo which does not look like other ordinary buffaloes? Give a reason for your answer.
  4. When faced with hard times, do you face it the same way the family in the poem does? What is your own attitude towards hard times?

    In the Midst of Hardship by Latiff Mohiddin - Lesson 4

    Hello students!
    '
    Today, we are going to continue our lesson of "In the Midst of Hardship" by exploring the persona, setting, language and style, poetic devices and moral values of the poem.

    The Persona

    The poem suggests that the people are workers or farmers.

    Setting

    The poem is set in a poor flood-ridden village.

    Language and Style

    • It is a modern and free verse poem.
    • It does not have rhyme and rhythm.
    • There are 3 stanzas
    • The language used is direct and simple.
    Poetic Devices

    Imagery – Gives picture of poet’s thoughts e.g ‘soaky clothes torn’ and ‘legs full of wounds’


    Picture 1- Legs full of wounds


    Alliteration – e.g. ‘but on their brows’
    Symbols – e.g. ‘horrendous flood’ and ‘bloating carcasses’
    Diction – e.g. ‘stove’ and ‘brows‘


    Picture 2- Stove


    Moral Values

    • Hard work is to be respected

    • There must be a sense of humour and balance
    • Do not complain or give up
    • Family matters a great deal 

    In the Midst of Hardship by Latiff Mohiddin - Lesson 3

    Hello students. How are you doing? Hope that all of you have submitted Exercise 2 to my e-mail.

    Now, we will explore of the synopsis, themes and tone and mood of this poem.

    Here is a video presentation of "In the Midst of Hardship" which I have found recently:





    What do you think of the video? Does it help you in facilitating your understanding of the poem?

    In the Midst of Hardship

    At dawn they returned home
    their soaky clothes torn
    and approached the stove
    their limbs marked by scratches
    their legs full of wounds
    but on their brows
    there was not a sign of despair

    The whole day and night just passed
    they had to brave the horrendous flood
    in the water all the time
    between bloated carcasses
    and tiny chips of tree barks
    desperately looking for their son’s
    albino buffalo that was never found

    They were born amidst hardship
    and grew up without a sigh or a complaint
    now they are in the kitchen, making
    jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves

    Synopsis

    This poem describe the hardships  experienced by a group of villagers when flood hit their village. They had been looking for an albino buffalo for a whole day and night. they returned to the village the following day, with their clothes wet and torn and with scratches on their arms and legs. However, there was not a sign of despair on their faces. these villagers had been born into a life of hardship and had been living the same way since. they accepted their circumstances and found solace in the simple things in life instead.

    Themes

    People should work hard and bear all that comes along in life with stoic courage and despite the problems, be able to look at the bright side of life.

    Tone and Mood

    • Appreciation and admiration
    • Acceptance

    In the Midst of Hardship by Latiff Mohiddin - Lesson 2

    About The Poet





    Latiff Mohiddin is a well- known artist and he was born in 1941. He was trained in Germany at Hochschule Fur Bildende Kunste, Atelier La Courriere in France and Pratt Graphic Centre in the U.S. the significance of his paintings is that they always reflect the difficulties of human lives.

    He is also popular for his literary contibutions. "In the Midst of Hardship" was originally written in Bahasa Melayu and later translated to English by Saleh Ben Joned. In this poem, the poet described how a group of people endured disaster and hardships without complaint.

    Getting-To-Know-You

    Now, we will try to find out more about the poet. First, you and your partner need to download Worksheet 2  and Worksheet 3. Next, print the worksheets and paste strips containing information of the poet from Worksheet 3 to Worksheet 2.

    Once all of you are done with this task, we will discuss about it by leaving comments at this particular blog post.

    GOOD LUCK!

    In the Midst of Hardship by Latiff Mohidin - Lesson 1

    A Picture Says A Thousand Word

    Before we start off with our very first poem, let's us take a look at these pictures first:


    Picture 1


    Picture 2

    Discuss these with your partner:

    1- What is happening in the pictures?
    2- What are they doing in Picture 1?
    3-Have you ever experienced this situation before?
    4-What are the relationships between the pictures and the poem "In the Midst of Hardship"?

    Download Worksheet 1 at the link below and complete it.


    Do remember that you have to submit Worksheet 1 to me by the end of the lesson. 

    Poetry 101

    Hi everybody!

    How is everything going?

    Today, we shall start our lesson with the introduction of poetry.



    What is Poetry?

    Poetry is a creative literary piece made up of specially-arranged words in metre or free verse. A poem is uniques to its author but is also created in the common currency of its period: style, preoccupations and shared beliefs.

    For more information regarding poetry, I have prepared a handout for this topic. You can download it from this link:

    http://www.mediafire.com/?wsu33potpa06bvb

    Aside from that you can also refer to these sites for more information and examples of poetry:

    http://www.rigby.com.au/fasttracks/pdf/TTPoetry.pdf
    http://contemporarylit.about.com/od/poetry/a/poetry.htm
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poetry
    http://www.poetry.org/whatis.htm