Notwithstanding, after reading the story which was full of suspense to me, the writer did not give detailed explanation on why and how her body got into the large freezer.
To sum up briefly, I would rate this story average because the writer did not provide detailed explanation to the whole scenario of event making the story confusing to the reader.
THE LOTTERY TICKET BY ANTON CHEKOV
The lottery ticket is a game of luck and chance because its either you win or loose . As I was reading through this story , it reminds me of how citizens of their own country queue up at the embassy just to get visa to travel overseas for a better life style. Even before they get the visa they start imagining themselves living in a better house, eating the best dishes and also driving the most expensive car.
However, the style of the story is based on irony of life between a fantasy world and reality. The expression and language written is easy to understand for the reader. Furthermore the description I liked most was how Ivan Dmitritich and his wife Masha recede into their own worlds daydreaming about what they might do with the money if eventually they win the lottery ticket.
In other words looking at the story based on human nature it shows the use of power because at the beginning of the story Ivan Dmitrich did not believe in playing lottery , it was his wife’s idea in the first place and so therefore he feels threatened because he believes his wife Masha deserves the right to make the decisions about how to spend the money.
In conclusion, after reading this story , it attempts to show how money definitely does not buy love and how infact it has the potential to destroy unity between humans . On the whole, if I am to rate this story I will score it above average because it was well explanatory.
THE NECKLACE BY GUY de MAUPASSANT
To begin with, as I was reading through this story The Necklace, it crossed my mind that no matter the status an individual has achieved in life there seems to be lack of contentment , that is to say craving for more luxury in life. Besides, it reminds of people who buy expensive rims on their cars because they think people care. Most of the time the fancy rims sit on a car that's in a garage or parked on the side of the road while the owner is working to pay for them.
However, the language used and level of expression was easy to understand and comprehend. Good plot, I like how it hits the climax at the end and then doesn't state a resolution, it adds drama and emphasizes the theme as well as a written literary piece
.
However based on human nature, it teaches the invaluable lesson of contentment in ones status in life. It also highlights the benefits of honesty which in today’s is very difficult to maintain.
Moreover, I enjoyed reading the story, it aroused my interest. Poverty is not a hindrance to success, being poor does not hinder a person to achieve his ambitions in life; we only need to be determined and get focused. Honesty and contentment is the best way to a happy life. In other words, I will rate this story to be an excellent piece of writing .
THE SNIPER BY LIAM O’FLAHERTY
As I was reading through this story, it reminds me of most civil war films I have watched from different countries, although it is difficult to relate it to this story because it is full of suspense.
However, the language used was difficult to understand because the author creates suspense in several different ways in the telling of "The Sniper." First off, the setting of the story most definitely creates suspense for the reader. The narrator, a sniper during the civil war , is on a rooftop, completely isolated from anyone else. The time of day, twilight into evening, also adds to the suspense.
Secondly, the reader's limited information gathered through the narrator creates and adds to suspense. We only see what he sees, and we feel completely wrapped up in his predicament.
The mood of the story also creates suspense. Images and sounds detailed throughout the story foster an environment in which we know something bad is going to happen by the end of the story.
However based on human nature, there is no insight gained from it because there is no form of human attitude or behaviour explained in the story, rather it centres on war and killings .
In other words, after reading the story, the basic plot of the story creates suspense for the reader. Because we are only aware of the narrator's thoughts, we aren't aware of anything else that might be going on with the other sniper he's shooting at. When the narrator feels the intense desire to see the man he's killed, the reader knows there's a reason why, however unconscious. The moment where the narrator looks into the face of his brother is the accumulation of suspense throughout the entire story.
In conclusion, if I am to rate this story it will be below average because it is full of suspense.
THE LAST LEAF BY O’ HENRY
´The last leaf ’ is a classic story with a good literary piece which in a way encouraged me as an individual that through the power of friendship, hope and sacrifice human beings can survive. This story can also be related to those victims suffering from AIDS virus , these victims are stereotyped and isolated away from the public, with love, hope and friendship these victims are able to overcome their struggles.
However, the language used was in a metaphoric expression, which is well detailed and concise, furthermore the description I liked were sentences such as, “There was only a bare, dreary yard to be seen, and the blank side of the brick house twenty feet away," and “ A persistent, cold rain was falling," give the reader an unwelcoming description of the surroundings in which the two main characters were living.
Based on the insights of human nature, it talks about love, hope and friendship which is a friend in need is a friend indeed.
In conclusion, after reading the story I was moved with pity for the main characters, but all the same encouraged in a way. Therefore I will rate this piece of work to be an excellent piece of writing.
THE VENDETTA BY GUY de MAUPASSANT
As I was reading through this story, it shows how justice must prevail in the society we are in. The story reminds me of how innocent souls die of offence they never committed and even the innocent victims in jail.
The language used is well explanatory because the story is so straight forward that the reader sides with the widow, but there is evidence that the widow and her son may be the evil characters here. Perhaps the son deserved to be murdered by Nicolas Ravolati. We’re never told why the son was killed; and the widow never thinks about it nor ponders her son’s innocence. Furthermore, the style of the story is the juxtaposition of the widow and her son’s pet dog – a bitch Semillante. After the son’s murder, the widow’s reaction is mostly stoic while the dog is wild with sorrow.
However, human nature can never be predicted, judging the content of the story , there is full of anger, sorrow and even revenge on the part of the widow over her sons death.
Although after reading the story, it gave a very good ending because the widow felt satisfied after avenging her son’s death. Therefore, I would rate this story to be and excellent piece of writing.
MY OEDIPUS COMPLEX BY FRANK O’ CONNOR
My Oedipus complex is a short story that takes me back to my elementary school day’s .It reminds me of when my brother was born then I was ten year old, right from that day on there was never a moment of peace in the house. When he was old enough he spent his time trying to sweet talk my mother into whatever he wanted especially lavishing praises on her mothering skills.
However, the story is full of humor, and the part I liked most was when Larry constantly annoys his father and then believes that he will end up marrying his mother to get her away from his father.
Although the story centers more on jealousy, which illustrates how Larry is jealous of losing his mothers undivided attention and finds himself in a constant struggle to win back her affection.
In conclusion, after reading the story, it allowed me to look back on a series of events that both children and adult would always act in a strange just to get attention from their loved ones.
LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER BY ROALD DAHL
This story is an interesting piece of writing. The story reflects aspects of human cruelty, violence and betrayal. The story reminds of a movie I watched how a man killed his wife for cheating on him.
However, the language used is straightforward and well explanatory especially the way the story starts tame, gets serious, then lighten up in the end. Also the style of the story is humorous with a good description of how Mrs Maloney giggles at the end and at the same time enjoys the whole scenario by getting away with the murder. Furthermore, it is also ironic in nature because the policemen ate the prepared leg of lamb in other words eating the murder weapon which right under their nose.
Although, based on human nature which is violence and betrayal, because Mrs Maloney feels betrayed and disappointed especially given the fact that she was pregnant she felt that by hitting her husband would change the situation.
To conclude, the story is quite interesting but shocking towards the end of the story, furthermore I will rate this story to be an excellent piece of writing but full of suspense at the end because most readers would want to know how the policemen handled the case at the end.
PART TWO A SHORT REFLECTION IN READING SHORT STORIES
Reading short stories in English language is an active process of learning different word meanings, spellings and vocabulary development.
However my attitude to reading short stories at first was difficult and boring to me because most of the grammar structure, pronunciation and spellings were difficult to understand.
Although, my attitude in reading short stories in English language has changed greatly. To begin with, aside reading short or long stories, I now enjoy reading different books, journals and newspapers, because it has improved my speed in reading, improved my vocabulary development, and also improved my spelling. Secondly, the teacher has motivated and helped me in getting the main idea in the way they organize, present and explain short stories in English language because it has influenced my attitude and desire to read and also to express myself accurately through writing in English language.
In conclusion, judging from my attitude to reading short stories in English language, I have gained greatly most especially the context in the way the story is been presented, its spelling and structure of the grammar sentences are been constructed making it easy for the reader to understand.
DOSSIER SIX
REFLECTION
Study skills is a way of learning and developing effective study skills which is a formula for success in preparing for tests in either written or oral course work.
However, study skill has been very helpful to me. To begin with it has motivated my interest in learning new things most especially English as my second language. Secondly, study skill has also helped me as a way of using and applying its techniques for effective studying. Thirdly, study skills has helped me in purposeful learning like centering my interest in my attitude to reading English language, writing , vocabulary development , discovering my personal study style and also managing my time properly.
Although , my opinion of study skills at first was based on comparing my strength and weakness when it comes to just reading and writing effectively, and also how I was going to carry out my academic work effectively. In view of this, my opinion to study skills changed which was different from what I had emphasized earlier, because what I have learnt so far has helped me to apply the same techniques like reading extensively, time management, taking notes and essay writing to be able to apply it to other courses I am studying.
However, during the past two months of my learning on study skills, it has motivated and influenced my interest to reading, writing accurately, managing my time effectively and also asking questions in the class to understand what the teacher is teaching. All this so far has improved based on the feedback I get from my coursework.
Moreover, practice makes perfect, there are some areas in my study skills that needs to improve perfectly like; reading extensively which is very important and compulsory in study skills. I need to improve on by reading wide not necessarily what I study in class but outside the classroom to be able to get a useful understanding of what the course entails. Furthermore, time management is another important aspect of improving my study skills, although no one ever has enough time, even if they are not studying. The most difficult is simply finding the right time to carry out your work, therefore I would improve on time management by drawing out a study time-table and follow it strictly.
In conclusion, I have come to like study skills as a course because it motivates and influences my interest and desire into learning different activities like reading, writing and also organizing one’s studies in different approaches on how to carry out academic studies effectively.
DOSSIER FIVE
PARAPHRASING
Sleep Scientist have discovered that sheep–counting is not a cure for insomnia, but picturing a relaxing scene helps. However, a group of researchers separated fifty insomniacs into three groups. The first group pictured a relaxing scene of waterfall; the second were sheep counters, while the third group were left on their own., it was discovered that the first group fell asleep twenty minutes earlier, moreover sheep counting does not help one drop off. Although, despite series of research on insomnia, one out of ten have chronic insomnia causing the US economy to spend 35 billion dollars a year.