ENGLISH 3RD QUARTER REVIEWER

SONG OF AUTUMN POEM

This poem, "Song of Autumn," written by Charles Baudelaire, reflects the themes of transition, loss, and the passage of time.

• In the first stanza, he bids farewell to summer's brightness and anticipates the darkness and coldness of winter.

• Baudelaire contrasts the harshness of winter with the warmth of summer, describing the impending season with negative
emotions and laborious tasks.

• He feels isolated and vulnerable, comparing his emotions to a frozen heart and a crumbling tower.

• In the second stanza, he finds solace in nature's beauty but acknowledges bitterness and disillusionment.

• Despite this, he seeks tenderness and affection from his lover, recognizing the fleeting nature of life and love.

• Baudelaire finds comfort in the beauty of autumn while mourning the passing of summer and reflecting on the inevitability
of death.

Overall, "Song of Autumn" captures the poet's complex emotions as he grapples with the changing seasons, the passage of
time, and the transient nature of life and love.

TO BUILD A FIRE

"To Build a Fire" by Jack London is a short story that explores the theme of man versus nature and the consequences of
arrogance.

• Plot Summary: The story follows an unnamed man and his dog in the Yukon Territory. Despite warnings, the man travels
alone, believing he can withstand the cold. However, he fails to build a fire and dies from hypothermia, while the dog survives.

•Conflict: The protagonist's overconfidence clashes with the harsh reality of nature, leading to his demise.

•Symbolism: Fire symbolizes life and survival, highlighting the protagonist's disconnect from nature and eventual downfall.

•Themes: The story explores themes of hubris and humility, emphasizing the importance of respecting nature's power.

Overall, "To Build a Fire" serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of underestimating nature and the consequences of
human arrogance.

THE STORY OF KEESH

"The Story of Keesh" is a short story by Jack London that revolves around themes of courage, resourcefulness,
and leadership.

• Plot Summary: The story follows Keesh, a young and underestimated Eskimo boy living in a harsh Arctic environment.
Despite his age and small stature, Keesh demonstrates remarkable intelligence and bravery. He challenges the traditional
hunting methods of his village by relying on cunning strategies and innovation rather than brute strength. Through his
ingenuity, Keesh provides for his people and gains admiration and respect, eventually becoming a leader.

• Characterization: Keesh is portrayed as a courageous and clever protagonist who defies societal expectations and proves his
worth through his actions. He represents the triumph of intellect over physical strength and serves as an example of effective
leadership.
 • Conflict and Resolution: The central conflict in the story arises from Keesh's desire to provide for his community and
challenge outdated traditions. His success in hunting the great bear, using a combination of wit and strategy, resolves this
conflict and earns him the admiration of his people.

• Themes: "The Story of Keesh" explores themes of courage, innovation, and the power of individual agency. It highlights the
importance of thinking creatively and challenging the status quo to bring about positive change.

• Cultural Context: The story provides insights into the traditional way of life and cultural values of the Eskimo community,
emphasizing the importance of resilience and adaptability in their harsh environment.

Overall, "The Story of Keesh" is a compelling narrative that celebrates the triumph of intellect and courage over adversity,
while also providing a glimpse into the cultural heritage of the Eskimo people.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 Critical analysis essentially involves reading and thinking widely about an issue in order to develop a deep
understanding and a point of view in relation to the issue.
 A critical analysis essay would require you to examine the characters, plot, themes, and writing style of the book. You
would need to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses and provide your own thoughts and opinions on the text.
 A critical analysis has four main parts;
 INTRODUCTION

• Background information - In the first paragraph of your essay, include background information on the material
that you are critiquing. Include context that helps the reader understand the piece you are analyzing. Be sure to include the title
of the piece, the author’s name, and information about when and where it was published.

• Thesis -After you have provided background information, state your thesis. The thesis should be your reaction
to the work. It also lets your reader know what to expect from the rest of your essay. The points you make in the critical
analysis should support the thesis.

 SUMMARY - The next section should include a summary of the work that you are analyzing. Do not assume that
the reader is familiar with the source material. Your summary should show that you understood the text, but it
should not include the arguments that you will discuss later in the essay.
 ANALYSIS / Critical Analysis - The next paragraphs will contain your critical analysis. Use as many paragraphs as
necessary to support your thesis. Discuss the areas that you took notes on as you were reading. While a critical
analysis should include your opinion, it needs to have evidence from the source material in order to be credible
to readers. Be sure to use textual evidence to support your claims, and remember to explain your reasoning.
 CONCLUSION - This last section is where you remind the readers of your thesis and make closing remarks to
wrap up your essay. Avoid summarizing the main points of your critical analysis unless your essay is so long that
readers might have forgotten parts of it.
 The 4 Critical Thinking Steps. The authors share the following steps for critical thinking: gather information, analyze
your information by constructing arguments, evaluate your arguments by testing them, and assess your critical
thinking process so that you can improve it.

STEPS IN WRITING A CRITIQUE

 Understanding: Engage with the work and note its main points and significant aspects.
 Analysis: Break down the content, assessing its strengths, weaknesses, and evidence.
 Assessment: Evaluate objectively, addressing logical fallacies, biases, and providing evidence.
 Contextualize: Consider the broader significance and offer suggestions for improvement.
  Structure: Organize your critique coherently with clear language and proofread for clarity and
professionalism.

ANALYZING NARRATIVE AND NARRATIVES

"Analyzing Narrative and Narratives" likely refers to a study or approach to examining storytelling and the stories
themselves.

In this context, "narrative" typically refers to the way events are organized and presented in a story, whether fictional or non-
fictional. It involves examining the structure, themes, characters, and other elements that make up the narrative.

"Analyzing narrative" could involve various methods such as literary analysis, discourse analysis, or even psychological analysis,
depending on the discipline and the focus of the study.

Annotation:

•"Analyzing": This suggests a process of breaking down and examining.

•"Narrative": Refers to the story being studied.

•"Narratives": Implies multiple stories or accounts.

Overall, the phrase indicates a critical examination of storytelling techniques and the stories themselves, likely with the aim
of gaining insights into their meanings, functions, and effects on audiences or society.

SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

Subject-verb agreement ensures that the number of the subject (singular or plural) matches the
corresponding verb to maintain clarity and coherence in communication. Singular subjects require singular
verbs, while plural subjects demand plural verbs. This grammatical rule is vital for avoiding confusion and errors
in writing.

• Rule: Subject-verb agreement governs the concordance between the subject and the verb.

• Number Agreement: Match the number of the subject with the corresponding verb (singular or plural).

• Examples: "The cat sleeps" (singular subject), "The cats sleep" (plural subject).