Reflections (what I learned so far)

I believe that every language has its own beauty in its way which many often decieve.

After getting to know what language arts is about, I suddenly realise how special English is. My language arts teacher, Mr Erik Lundberg, has certainly made a great impact on me. He made me realise that English isn't all about the boring grammer, the tough comprehensions we do etc. We need to grasp the point of language arts - the ability to love English. My teacher made me feel in this way and thus eases our pressure of language arts tests. Of course this is proven by the fact that if you love something, you will do well in it.

Another thing I learned was to improve my poetry. When I was in primary school, I used to write poems in my poetry book just to express the feelings and thoughts that were going through my mind. After a couple of lessons, I learned how to analyze poems and therefore write better poems. I love writing poems and is grateful that Language Arts in Hwa Chong has given me the opportunity to enchance my love for poetry.

Digging

Q2.


a) Soil
b) finding valuables in the ground
c) Treasure hunt
d) memories of the past
e) worms
f) digging a hole for a deceased person to rest in peace


Q4.

The repition of 'Between my finger and my Thumb,the squat pen rests' - repition works well in the poem.

The fact that brings the poem to a whole new level as there is a hidden meaning which needs to be interpretated.
Q5.

Run-on-lines:

My father, digging, I look down (2nd stanza, last line)
Till his straining rump among the flowerbeds (3rd stanza, first line)

Similes:

snug as a gun


Alliteration:

spade sinks
gravelly ground
curt cuts

Onomatopoeia:

Rasping
Sloppily
Slicing
Squelch
Slap
Soggy

Symbolism:

Living roots --> Thoughts
Pen --> Writer


Q6.

Digging

Spade
Gravelly ground
Potato drills
Heaving sods
Soggy peat


Q8.


The author knows that he does not have the accquired skill to be a farmer but believe that he have a better career as a writer. Working with the land has always been a tradition in the family. He has broken this chain but is determined to be successful in the path that he chooses.
Q9.


a) Poet
b) Everyone
c) Sincere
d) Sincere
e) run-on-lines makes you want to read the poem on and on.
f) Makes it easier to read


Q10.

I appreciate the poem as it was written well. It tell the story of the author's family. The poem emphasizes on what farming was all about and therefore makes us feel frustrated due to the fact that the author did not have the skills to follow his father's footsteps. The one thing that I liked about this poem was that it makes us read again and again. It keeps our mind thinking on what the poem is about,how does the pen relate to this poem and why they emphasized on farming etc.

Limericks

1 Stp Klosr:

I find the answers aren't so clear,
Wish I could find a way to disappear.
All these thoughts they make no sense
and I found bliss in ignorance.
I'm trapped in a state of fear. xD

Fading away:

I used to be lovedrunk,
But now our love has sunk
We met by a coincidence,
but fell out of confidence.
Well, I was just starstruck (:


War:

You've got a plan,
and it's time to defend.
The war is coming,
the enemies are marching,
and we have got to fight like men.