Sunday 25 August 2013

Spelling Lists for Semester 2 Week 13


Advanced Composition

1. ex-convict
2. tantalising aromas
3. finely-garbed
4. palatial mansion
5. delectable feast
6. A prick of conscience stung me.
7. benefactor
8. I berated myself inwardly for my idiocy.



Intermediate Composition

There will be no Spelling this week as no sample composition was given.

Friday 23 August 2013

More About 'Show, Not Tell'

Pupils have always been told to show, and not tell, when they write a story.


The simple reason behind this is when the writer 'shows' the story instead of 'telling' the story, he makes the story more interesting.


The more complex reason is that for a person to read and engage with the story, he must form mental pictures of the story in his head. It is akin to watching a movie in his head. And it is easier for the reader to view the movie when the writer 'shows' the story.


Below, I have two examples from my students and we see how one example is more successful because it 'shows' more than the other.


Both examples deal with the sample subject matter: The narrator was trapped in a fire that had broken out in his home. The narrator had retreated to the toilet and was contemplating jumping out of the window in the toilet because he lived on a low level and he thought he might be able to escape with minor injuries if he jumped.


Sunday 18 August 2013

Spelling Lists for Semester 2 Week 12


Advanced Composition

There will be no Spelling this week because no sample composition was given.



Intermediate Composition

1. scruffy-looking
2. unshaven
3. unkempt
4. evil glint
5. conspicuously
6. pickpocket
7. Realising that he had been caught in the act, the man spun around and took to his heels.
8. immensely

Sunday 11 August 2013

Spelling Lists for Semester 2 Week 11


Advanced Composition

1. seared
2. conflagration
3. engulfed by crimson flames
4. The greedy blaze crackled hungrily as it consumed our furniture and other possessions.
5. coarse
6. I coughed and choked as I inhaled the hazardous smoke.
7. succumbed to the darkness
8. regained consciousness



Intermediate Composition

1. diligent
2. notorious bully
3. extort
4. loiter
5. penniless
6. cigarettes
7. expel


Sunday 4 August 2013

Spelling Lists for Semester 2 Week 10


Advanced

1. indignant
2. constrained
3, scoffed at
4. basked in the admiration
5. She tried to yell for help but her cries were muffled by the water.
6. predicament
7. defiance
8. traumatic



Intermediate

1. swimming complex
2. swimming costumes
3. leisurely
4. It looked like a tornado had hit her house!
5. ransacked
6. strewn
7. nightmare
8. thorough investigation