UNDERSTANDING AND WRITING COMPREHENSION EXERCISE

6.       STORY TELLING

Story is an aspect of narrative essay that requires high sense of imagination. The story could be a true-life one or an imaginary one. It should be in sequence as the event unfolds itself. Since the events are past ones, the tense should be in the past.

There are different methods of telling the story like: in dialogue form, use of 1^st person singular (pronoun) ‘I’, 2^nd person singular (pronoun) he or she.

The nature of the question would give clue to what students would do. For instance, the question may be to illustrate a saying or the one that ends with a particular saying.

Features

1.       The language is formal, no shortening of words, no slang, etc.

2.       Stories with animal characters are not acceptable.

3.       Title could be made from the instruction given or students may devise their          own title, and then work towards the given instruction.

4.       A good story should be in sequence from the beginning on how the even      started to the climax and conclusion.

5.       Good choice of word and figurative languages are important in storytelling.

ARGUMENTATIVE OR DEBATE

Argument is contending with someone with words for a purpose of gaining advantage. In argumentative essay or even in open debates, what matters most is your points which are meant to convince the audience. The purpose of debate or argument is to convince the panel or the audience to drop your opponent’s point of view and to accept yours.

Features

1.       It begins with opening vocative in form of greeting: the Moderator, Judges,   Co-debaters, etc. All the nouns mentioned must begin with capital letters.

2.       Since every argument has two sides, it is compulsory for one to take a definite stand on one side of the topic being argued. Failure to do so, attracts a zero mark.

3.       Rhetorical question is a credit when adequately used.

4.       It is good to summarize one’s key point before explaining them.

5.       When you exhaust your points, think of what your opponent may likely use against you and use them before they do.

6.       Argument requires to be closed with an adequate closing remark, by making reference to affirm the side one had chosen.