Question: In your opinion, how do writers make “words come alive”? Based on what you have heard during the panel discussion, how would you make “words come alive” for you and your friends?
In my own opinion, writers make “words come alive” by writing something that is true, that means he gets inspiration from something he sees or rather current affairs then he makes a story out of the thing/topic he has chosen. Thus, he makes the story seem real as all the descriptions in the story are actually real but then it is just that the story has been fabricated but planned so detailed such that the readers keep thinking in their mind that it is real. I personally feel that this way of writing is very, very tough, take for example that you are writing science fiction, it makes it very tough to write stories through this method as this talks about the present circumstances while science fiction concentrates on the future. This method is indeed effective to allow readers to be engrossed in your story and start to think if the story has been fabricated or not. Thus, when writing, try to find a common topic between your friends and yourself, and then try to make up a story in which the theme is the topic chosen and involve your friends in it. Through this particular method, we are able to make “words come alive”.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Words Go Round Panel Discussion (Part 2)
Question: Elaborate on 2 insights about poetry and Singaporean literature you have gleaned from the panel discussion.
Poetry was not thoroughly discussed throughout the panel discussion, thus I would express my own opinions on it. During the panel discussion, one asked the writers their opinions on the issue that some schools are concentrating more on literature outside of Singapore instead of Singaporean literature, thus he wanted to know the view of the 3 writers if Singaporeans would lose the Singaporean identity if that was to happen. All 3 of them shared the same view that there should be equal importance in both types of literature because Singaporean literature concentrates on Singapore, giving students the Singaporean identity as this particular type of literature concentrates on the current affairs/language/culture in Singapore, however, general literature should not be overlooked as this type of literature could be more in-depth, holding more meaning thus allowing students to have a better understanding of literature. By studying both types of literature, the students would be able to have the Singaporean identity and also how to interpret literature. Poetry, if discussed, would have touched on the differences of Singaporean poetry and general poetry. It is pretty similar to the reasons behind literature, however, general poetry could play a part since it poetry can be written by inspiration of anything. Singaporean poetry tends to look at the culture while general poetry concentrates on a message to be delivered to the audience about a particular issue / thing. Next, I would concentrate on a general question applying to both aspects, what do both types of writing appeal to you, what do they represent/symbolise? This question was mentioned during the panel discussion and the writers replied that these represent life because they are writers, and all form of writings revolves around them. However, what does it mean to a student like me? It represents an interest, a hobby in which we explore and learn as we read through the articles one by one.
Poetry was not thoroughly discussed throughout the panel discussion, thus I would express my own opinions on it. During the panel discussion, one asked the writers their opinions on the issue that some schools are concentrating more on literature outside of Singapore instead of Singaporean literature, thus he wanted to know the view of the 3 writers if Singaporeans would lose the Singaporean identity if that was to happen. All 3 of them shared the same view that there should be equal importance in both types of literature because Singaporean literature concentrates on Singapore, giving students the Singaporean identity as this particular type of literature concentrates on the current affairs/language/culture in Singapore, however, general literature should not be overlooked as this type of literature could be more in-depth, holding more meaning thus allowing students to have a better understanding of literature. By studying both types of literature, the students would be able to have the Singaporean identity and also how to interpret literature. Poetry, if discussed, would have touched on the differences of Singaporean poetry and general poetry. It is pretty similar to the reasons behind literature, however, general poetry could play a part since it poetry can be written by inspiration of anything. Singaporean poetry tends to look at the culture while general poetry concentrates on a message to be delivered to the audience about a particular issue / thing. Next, I would concentrate on a general question applying to both aspects, what do both types of writing appeal to you, what do they represent/symbolise? This question was mentioned during the panel discussion and the writers replied that these represent life because they are writers, and all form of writings revolves around them. However, what does it mean to a student like me? It represents an interest, a hobby in which we explore and learn as we read through the articles one by one.
Words Go Round Panel Discussion (Part 1)
Question: Which speaker did you find the most engaging, informative or enjoyable? Why?
I felt that Jeffery Lim was the most engaging, informative and enjoyable amongst the three. When he started off talking, he did not start like what the other two people did, they actually just jumped into the topic of TellTales but Jeffery actually started off with a self-introduction, giving his opinions on some issues before introducing his story. When introducing his story, he engages us in a very enjoyable way by telling us about Current Affairs, how he was inspired to write these stories is actually of some real events happening in Singapore. When asked on their opinions of what literature means to them, he says the answer definitely and confidently, stating that literature to him is life and I think he knows a lot of current issues happening, having a broader knowledge especially since many people were asking them questions based on the current situations in Singapore. Besides, he speaks in a much friendlier way, making me feel closer to him and more willing to interact with him.
I felt that Jeffery Lim was the most engaging, informative and enjoyable amongst the three. When he started off talking, he did not start like what the other two people did, they actually just jumped into the topic of TellTales but Jeffery actually started off with a self-introduction, giving his opinions on some issues before introducing his story. When introducing his story, he engages us in a very enjoyable way by telling us about Current Affairs, how he was inspired to write these stories is actually of some real events happening in Singapore. When asked on their opinions of what literature means to them, he says the answer definitely and confidently, stating that literature to him is life and I think he knows a lot of current issues happening, having a broader knowledge especially since many people were asking them questions based on the current situations in Singapore. Besides, he speaks in a much friendlier way, making me feel closer to him and more willing to interact with him.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Prejudice & Tolerance Part II
Is it possible to send a moral message condemning racial prejudice by portraying both the positive and negative sides of both racial groups?
Yes, but it will be tough. When one wants to condemn racial prejudice, we will most likely do it by portraying only the negative sides of both racial groups but then once you put in the negative sides, it seems that your take on this matter differs and is contradictory. However, it is still possible to write out such a story, it mainly depends on the point of view of the author. The author must have experienced both sides before and write in a manner from the POV of one analysing the situation because in some cases, some negative sides may also be the positive sides.
Yes, but it will be tough. When one wants to condemn racial prejudice, we will most likely do it by portraying only the negative sides of both racial groups but then once you put in the negative sides, it seems that your take on this matter differs and is contradictory. However, it is still possible to write out such a story, it mainly depends on the point of view of the author. The author must have experienced both sides before and write in a manner from the POV of one analysing the situation because in some cases, some negative sides may also be the positive sides.
Lynching
This is some information about lynching in my Point of View in 100 words:
In my POV, I feel that lynching is a cruel act of killing someone. In real life, the definition of lynching is the illegal execution of a person. Lynching is a cruel act as some range to burning people to hanging them on trees, such as to let them suffer before they die. Lynching was actually carried out by the Ku Klux Klan, to protect the interests of the Whites thus resorting to killing many Blacks in the United States. Lynching is an unauthorised and selfish act and malicious act to end someone’s else life just to protect one’s interests.
Words: 100
In my POV, I feel that lynching is a cruel act of killing someone. In real life, the definition of lynching is the illegal execution of a person. Lynching is a cruel act as some range to burning people to hanging them on trees, such as to let them suffer before they die. Lynching was actually carried out by the Ku Klux Klan, to protect the interests of the Whites thus resorting to killing many Blacks in the United States. Lynching is an unauthorised and selfish act and malicious act to end someone’s else life just to protect one’s interests.
Words: 100
Ku Klux Klan
The following is some information about the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in 100 words:
The Ku Klux Klan is the name of an organisation in the United States, and is now still believed to be present in the society. The Ku Klux Klan actually has biased opinions, regarding some issues such as white supremacy, white nationalism and anti-immigration. To express their opinions and to execute instructions to behold their notions, their actions result in unthinkable consequences. Some of these methods are classified as terrorism. There were 3 Klan in total, one from 1865-1870s, another from 1915-1944 and the last one ever since 1946. The Ku Klux Klan is also classified as a hate group.
Words: 100
The Ku Klux Klan is the name of an organisation in the United States, and is now still believed to be present in the society. The Ku Klux Klan actually has biased opinions, regarding some issues such as white supremacy, white nationalism and anti-immigration. To express their opinions and to execute instructions to behold their notions, their actions result in unthinkable consequences. Some of these methods are classified as terrorism. There were 3 Klan in total, one from 1865-1870s, another from 1915-1944 and the last one ever since 1946. The Ku Klux Klan is also classified as a hate group.
Words: 100
Mississippi Burning
Q1.) Do you like the movie? Why or why not?
Q2.) Reflect on the phrase, 'Anyone is guilty who watches this and does nothing'. What have you done when you have seen people being discriminated against? What more can you do the next time you witness discrimination taking place?
Personally, I do not like the movie here as it depicts a REALLY NEGATIVE side of prejudice, and this concentrates on the consequences of prejudice, in this case here would be lynching. However, there are some good points about this story which indicates to us the suffering people endured in the past and also the slow progression from minor prejudice to a high-level prejudice. Besides, this is an EXTREMELY violent movie in some parts of it, which really depicts the type and severity of the suffering people endured in the past.
Next, towards myself, I am one that “watches this and does nothing”. But why do I have this kind of reaction? One, I have not ever seen “real-life lynching” in my life, discrimination cases in my surroundings are really minor, although some are violent, they are just some punches compared to the hanging of people on trees in Mississippi Burning. Thus, to avoid getting into trouble, I just “watch and do nothing”. In my surroundings, discrimination cases are minor, some just glare at each other, some don’t talk to each other. So, when will I stand up for justice? My stand is that when the level of the consequences of prejudice starts to get violent, maybe I will step in because these are signs of serious hatred amongst the people. Thus, when I see discrimination, one definitely is to stop the incident, afterwards, it depends on the target audience I would be dealing with. Students, I could send him to the school counselor, adults, I would try to stay out of matters at my age.
Q2.) Reflect on the phrase, 'Anyone is guilty who watches this and does nothing'. What have you done when you have seen people being discriminated against? What more can you do the next time you witness discrimination taking place?
Personally, I do not like the movie here as it depicts a REALLY NEGATIVE side of prejudice, and this concentrates on the consequences of prejudice, in this case here would be lynching. However, there are some good points about this story which indicates to us the suffering people endured in the past and also the slow progression from minor prejudice to a high-level prejudice. Besides, this is an EXTREMELY violent movie in some parts of it, which really depicts the type and severity of the suffering people endured in the past.
Next, towards myself, I am one that “watches this and does nothing”. But why do I have this kind of reaction? One, I have not ever seen “real-life lynching” in my life, discrimination cases in my surroundings are really minor, although some are violent, they are just some punches compared to the hanging of people on trees in Mississippi Burning. Thus, to avoid getting into trouble, I just “watch and do nothing”. In my surroundings, discrimination cases are minor, some just glare at each other, some don’t talk to each other. So, when will I stand up for justice? My stand is that when the level of the consequences of prejudice starts to get violent, maybe I will step in because these are signs of serious hatred amongst the people. Thus, when I see discrimination, one definitely is to stop the incident, afterwards, it depends on the target audience I would be dealing with. Students, I could send him to the school counselor, adults, I would try to stay out of matters at my age.
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