Blueprint for Semester III - Part II English

                                      Semester III

Question Paper blueprint for the End of Semester Examination - November 2011

Time: 3 Hrs                                                      Marks: 100

I. Answer any ONE of the following in about 500 words: [1x20=20]

Three questions from poetry.

II. Answer any ONE of the following in about 500 words: [1x20=20]

Three questions from prose.

III. Answer any ONE of the following in about 500 words: [1x20=20]

Three questions from short stories.

IV. Story Completion: [1x10=10]

The electric train stopped at Saidapet Station. The Station Master announced that the Adyar river was flowing over the railway bridge...................

V.Note Making: [1x10=10]

One passage of about 300 words. No choice.

VI. Cloze Test: [1x10=10]

One passage of about 150 words with 10 missing words. The 10 missing words to be supplied in a jumbled order.

VII. Grammar: [5x2=10]

Fill in the blanks with the correct forms. Five sentences will be given.

Eg: 1. He is the ....... [tall] boy in the class.

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Blueprint for Semester I - Part II English

                                          Semester I

Question Paper blueprint for the End of Semester Examination - November 2011

Time: 3 Hrs                                                      Marks: 100

I. Answer any ONE of the following in about 500 words: [1x20=20]

Three questions from poetry.

II. Answer any ONE of the following in about 500 words: [1x20=20]

Three questions from prose.

III. Answer any ONE of the following in about 500 words: [1x20=20]

Three questions from Ibsen's "A Doll's House"

IV. Answer any ONE: [1x10=10]

Two questions on writing a Formal Letter.

E.g.: A formal letter to the Dean of Student Affairs requesting for leave of absence to attend a relative's wedding. OR .......

V. Answer any ONE: [1x10=10]

Two imaginary situations for Dialogue Writing.

E.g.: Two students discussing a movie they have seen. OR .........

VI. Write a critical appreciation of the following poem in about 150 words: [1x10=10]

The poem should not be one of the prescribed poems.

VII. Sentence correction exercises: [ 5x2=10 ]

No internal choice. Five incorrect sentences to be given. Students have to write out the corrected sentences.

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"A Doll's House" - Henrik Ibsen - Critical Analysis

Introduction:

Ibsen is called the father of realistic drama. He perfected the drama of conversation. He was the first man to show that high tragedy could be written about ordinary people and in ordinary everyday prose. His plays deal with the problems of contemporary everyday life situations. “A Doll’s House” is the best known and one of the most popular of Ibsen’s works. It is a play about women’s freedom, which deals with the liberation of the individual from the shackles and restraints of custom and convention.

Problem in Husband-Wife Relationship:

The play deals with the problem of marriage, of husband-wife relationship. It deals with the

Believe in Yourself..! Excellent Tips for Writing a Great Exam..:

All the best..!

Before the Examination:

1. Get a normal night’s sleep before the examination date.
2. Reach the Exam Centre early and relax or discuss with close friends.
3. BE SELF-RELIANT: Check if you have taken your Hall Ticket, your College ID Card etc along with the required stationery needed for the exam. Do not borrow anything like pens, pencils, eraser etc from anybody in the Examination hall.
4. Check again the time and place of the Examination Centre.
5. On the examination day, leave home early so that you will don’t get caught up in traffic jams / hardships / tight-corners etc., as no student is permitted inside the examination centre 30 minutes after the commencement of the exam.
6. Have a light breakfast too, as energy is essential for good thinking.
7.DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES like mobile phone, jewellery, cash etc outside the EXAMINATION VENUE. It might not be safe at all.

During the Examination:

1. Read the question paper and the instructions thoroughly. Mark the questions which you find you can answer. Ask the invigilator for clarifications, if any.
2. Make a rough time scheme and decide how much time you should allot to each question.
3. Leave 15 minutes at the end to review the answers and make corrections, as needed.
4. Before you start on any particular question, make sure you understand it/interpret it correctly.
5. Answer the easiest and shortest question first.
Answers should be brief and conforming to what is asked in the question.
6. If you get stuck up, proceed to the next question and come back at the end if there is time.
Leave a margin of 3 cm at the left side of the answer sheet, if there is no printed margin.

7. Mark the question numbers clearly in the left margin.
8. Clearly understand the difference between the usages "Define", “Distinguish”, “Compare”, “Describe”, “Illustrate”, etc.

9.ORGANISE YOUR ANSWER SHEET: 

Write legibly; use reasonably large size letters; don’t cram; space the lines. NUMBER ALL YOUR PAGES.
10. Do not write your name or any symbols that reveal your identity, anywhere in the answer sheet.

Morning Session starts at 9.30 am.
Afternoon Session starts at 1.30 pm.

Finally, be honest, and do your best..! God will take care of the rest..!

Here's wishing you happy writing! All the very best..!

"The Case for Short Words" - Richard Lederer - Lesson Summary

The Case for Short Words

Introduction:

“The Case for Short Words,” written by Richard Lederer, explains how short words get your point across much more efficiently than many long words might.  He says, “A lot of small words, more than you might think, can meet your needs with a strength, grace, and charm that large words do not have”. The essay is a heightened plea so users of the English language to go for short, crisp, swift words, instead of a long word.

The Wrong Notion about the Use of Short Words:

Students of the English language are often under a preconceived false notion  that by using a more complex vocabulary in writing and by using long words in conversation, others might consider them as being ‘well educated’, and perhaps even a little more ‘intelligent’. Richard

"The Tower of Gabble" - P.Sainath - A Critical Summary

Introduction:

"Development Rhetoric"

In 1946, the famous English author and journalist George Orwell wrote an impassioned essay, "Politics and the English Language", criticizing the dangers of "ugly and inaccurate" contemporary written English. “The Tower of Gabble” by P.Sainath is likewise “a very deft parody of a dialect, called NGO-Speak.” Sainath is an Indian journalist who has extensively covered the horrible realities of poverty in India and the thousands of suicides of small farmers driven to self destruction by neo-liberal policies. His work has won praise from the likes of Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen who referred to him as “one of the world’s great experts on famine and hunger”.

A Satire on the Rhetoric of ‘Development’:

The writer Sainath makes fun of all the verbal jugglery, of the lingua franca used by a majority of the grant applicants and conference planners to obtain a sustainable grant from some major foundation or organisation. This NGO argot or NGO slang, as it is known, is deeply confusing and so complicating to the extent that instead of serving the purpose,

Phrases like “Exploratory Sessions will be based on Interactive Communication” and “They could be roped in via a Plenary Session on Good Governance, Accountability and the importance of Networking” serve to sarcastically highlight the enormous complexity used by ‘Development’ activists, which are poorly understood by the local community most of the time, since they are conceptualised from the perspective of the NGOs.

II Year Part II English - Lesson Summaries - Reg

Dear Students of III Sem (Part II English),

Please find the updated version of the lesson summaries for eight lesson modules, in the link HERE.

Wishing you all the best in your Semester exams, 

Rufus

On Writing College Assignments - My Observations

Dear Students, 

After evaluating your Assignments, as part of your internals, I thought I would share with you a few thoughts of mine on the same. 

First of all, assignments have been made a part of Internal assessment to substitute for one Internal test, mainly to provide you an opportunity to get high marks by doing well using your creative potential. I normally give a good assignment a score of even 90 when i am convinced that the student has done some original work.

 
While some students are excited about the concept of Assignments, trying to do their assignments to the best of their abilities, there are some others who are quite lackadaisical about it."After all...", "it doesn't require the serious preparation that is required for an Internal test" they seem to say in a lethargic fashion.

There are students who have submitted two-page assignments which are, interestingly "bound" in a thick blue or green jacket!

And there are many students who fail to include 'Works Cited' list in your assignments. You cannot just like that quote from sources without acknowledging them. An Undergraduate student of English literature is expected to give a minimum of ten citations (abiding by the MLA Handbook), while students doing their Postgraduation are expected to read extensively before compiling a working bibliography of at least ten to fifteen print sources.

Plagiarism in Academic assignments is a strict NO. It's rather a shame to lift from the works of other scholars without having the guts to acknowledge them, and my students, I hope do not indulge in it.

Secondly, reading through your assignments should give your teacher the happiness that the student has done (or has strived to do) original, meaningful research work. Otherwise, the whole purpose behind writing Academic assignments is not served at all. It will be just a sham and nothing more!!! 

I strongly feel that, a student's tryst with creativity in College rightly starts with the way one does his/her assignment. To put it simply, the way you tackle your assignment speaks volumes of your enthusiasm and passion towards your subject. Also, the way you tackle your assignments in your academic atmosphere today, is an indicator of how you would tackle your job responsibilities in the future. Hence, give your best, and ONLY your best to your Assignments.  

Regards, 

Rufus
PS: Your suggestions are welcome.

Picture courtesy: zanecarmichael.com

CIA - Answer Sheets - Reg

Dear Students, 

As Saturday, 22 October is the penultimate working day of this current semester, make sure you are present in class to get your answer sheets. 
Your answer sheets will not be given in absentia to anyone else. 
For all your doubts and/or clarifications, you may either email me or meet me in the English Dept. Staff Room on Saturday, 22 October between 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm.

Regards and all best wishes, 

Rufus

"The City Planners" - Margaret Atwood - Critical Analysis

Introduction

Margaret Atwood, is a Canadian author, poet, critic, essayist, feminist and social campaigner. Best known as a novelist, she is also an award-winning poetess. As John Wilson Foster rightly comments, 'her verse is that of a psychic individual at sea in a materialist society'. "The City-Planners” is critical of the monotony and false beauty of modern cities, suburbs and its architecture. The poem views modern life as empty, artificial, and its inhabitants as robotic and lacking in spirit.

Land in the City vs Rural Land

The land in the city has a great contrast  with the rural land. The influx of people moving from rural to urban areas keeps on increasing to this day. This form of displacement is also known as internal migration. Rural land is often viewed as more fertile and vast, whereas land in the city is limited and so space is used to the maximum. As more and more people move to cities in search of work and better standards of living, land becomes scarcer.

 

Living in such an environment with only concrete, steel and buildings, man consequently becomes more mechanical, stressed and partially dehumanized. The absence of vast land in cities deprives the harmony that a huge area of empty land provides. This absence of land in cities is severely criticized by Margaret Atwood in this poem where "the houses in pedantic rows" shows lack of warmth.

The Victory of Science over Nature

The theme of this poem is perfection, uniformity, man’s attempts to control nature, and lust of power (the city planners). As the poet moves about in a residential area, she is offended by the "sanities" of the area. The word 'sanities' may possess a double meaning here. Firstly, it may allude to the unnatural 'sanitariness' of the place. Secondly, it may denote the saneness of minds, or soundness that render them sophisticated, uniform and therefore boring. The "dry

"The Doll's House" - Katherine Mansfield - Critical Analysis

Introduction:

“The Doll's House” is a short story by Katherine Mansfield, written in the year 1922. The story reveals the extent to which class consciousness has wreaked havoc in the social set up, so much so that the other children are discouraged from talking to the children from the lowest of the social classes. The story traces the problem of class consciousness through the character of Kezia, and her journey from innocence to the symbolic world of experience.

The Arrival of the Doll’s House in the Burnell family:

The Doll's House

The Burnell children receive a doll’s house from Mrs Hay, who had come to stay with them. The children were so excited about the doll’s house, and they decide to show it off to their school friends.  With the arrival of the doll's house, the Burnell children get so excited and greatly attracted to it. While the two older children admire the red carpet, the red chairs, and the gold frames of this richly decorated house, Kezia, the youngest of the girls, takes an interest in the rather simple lamp.

The Doll’s House – Cynosure of all Eyes:

In school, during playtime, Isabel, the eldest of the Burnell children, was surrounded. The girls of her class nearly fought to be her special friend. All the girls, giggling together, pressed up close to have a look at the doll’s house, which was the cynosure of all eyes now. The only two who stayed outside the ring were the little Kelveys. Many of the children, including the Burnells, were not allowed to speak to them. The Kelveys were shunned by everybody.  When Kezia asks her mother, "Can't I ask the Kelveys just once?" To which, the response is, "Certainly not, Kezia!”

The fact that even the teacher had a special voice for them, and a special smile for the other children speaks to the discreet (or rather distinct) ways in which class consciousness is practised even by teachers themselves, in maintaining the social hierarchy.

"My Visions for India" - Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam - Lesson Summary

Introduction:

“Sight is about what lies right in front of us.  Vision is what lies ahead” goes the old adage. India is an old civilization and an extremely complex society. Her glorious past, natural beauty, resources, vast size and above all her unique geographical location has always given her the pride of place in the world. With the ups and downs of history it has retained its vibrancy. Yet, due to callousness and lethargy on our part and due to the negative slant of the media here, we as a nation have not been able to attain the status of a developed nation thus far.

The People's President

In this famous speech delivered in IIT Hyderabad on 25 May 2011, Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam outlines his three visions for his motherland India and pleads for Indians to be involved in the nation-building process and to make India a developed nation.

Dr.Kalam’s First Vision: Freedom

In 3000 years of our history, people from all over the world have come and invaded us, captured our lands and conquered our minds. Yet, we have not conquered anyone. Because, we respect the freedom of others, and that is the reason for his first vision of Freedom. India got its first vision of this in the Indian Rebellion in the year 1857, when we started the war of Independence. It is this freedom that we must protect and nurture and build on.

His Second Vision: Development

We have been a developing nation for fifty years, and so it is time we see ourselves as a developed nation. In terms of GDP, we are among the top five nations of the world. Our poverty levels are falling. Our achievements are being globally recognised today. Yet we lack the self-confidence to see ourselves as a developed nation.

CA for I BSc Pbt/Zoo(Reg) - Reg

Dear Students of I BSc Pbt/Zoo (Reg), 

You will be having your CA Tests tomorrow in the III Hr in the S-220 Classroom. This is the final call for the internal assessment tests. Last date for submission of assignments gets over today. No extension of the deadline is permitted under any circumstances.

Regards and all best wishes, 

Rufus

Revised Schedule in the College Calendar - Reg

19 - 21 October 2011 - Holidays

Saturday, 22 October 2011 - Working day with Day Order 5.

Monday, 24 October 2011 - Working day with Day Order 2.

Tuesday, 25 October 2011 - Issue of Hall Tickets.

Monday, 31 October 2011 - End of Semester Exams begin

* For more information, kindly refer to the College/Dept Notice Boards.

“A Definition of a Gentleman” – Cardinal Newman - Critical Summary

Introduction:

John Henry Newman’s The Idea of a University is an attempt to define a liberal arts education.  In this book, he argues that the primary purpose of a university is to develop the mind, and not merely to dispense information.  He was strongly in favour of a ‘liberal education' which he contrasted with commercial or professional education. According to him, a student, after his studies at the University, must be able to cultivate a lifestyle according to what he or she has grasped and practised from the university way of living. The present essay, “A Definition of a Gentleman” is an excerpt from The Idea of a University, a series of lectures given in Ireland in the year 1852.

Who's a Gentleman?

One who never inflicts Pain:

Newman defines the gentleman as one who never inflicts pain. This, according to him, is the most refined as the most accurate definition of a gentleman. Outlining the qualities of a gentleman, Newman says that, a gentleman doesn't assert his nature, but instead makes others who are around him feel comfortable and at ease. He also helps others by making it easier for them to succeed.

Gentleman – Compared to an Easy Chair or a Good Fire:

A true gentleman is like an easy chair or a good fire that helps people to be warm and cozy. An easy chair does nothing really; it just provides a wonderful place to relax and make people feel at ease and at comfort. Moreover, we don't have to do anything to enjoy the easy chair; it is always there, always welcoming, and always comfortable. Similarly, the gentleman is not always in front of you, but still he is there... waiting with open arms to comfort you, helps make your life easier, and to support you when you need it most. The gentleman is also compared to a good fire, which helps dispel cold and fatigue. The gentleman in like manner, is a secure solace during times of sadness and weariness, and is a warm reassurance of solace during times of trouble.

"The Art of Living" – Samuel Smiles

by Samuel Smiles

Introduction:

Samuel Smiles is still well known today as a writer and moralist. His works have always reflected the spirit of his age. This essay, “The Art of Living” is an excerpt from Chapter XVI of his book Thrift (1875).Arguing for the importance of the seeing eye and the feeling heart which are an ingredient of good taste, the essay also celebrates the eminent household qualifications like Prudence, Punctuality and Perseverance, which eventually result in peace, comfort and domestic prosperity.

The Art of Living in Actual Life:

The Art of Living is the art of turning the means of living to the best account – in short, it is the art of making the best of everything. It is the art of extracting from life its highest enjoyment, and, thereby reaching its highest results.

Like poetry and painting, the art of living comes chiefly by nature; but everyone can cultivate and develop it. It can be encouraged and developed by parents and teachers, and perfected by self-culture. Without intelligence, it cannot exist.

I Year Part II English - Lesson Summaries - Reg

Dear Students of I Year Part II English, 

Your lesson summaries for Semester I, will be uploaded in a phased manner starting tomorrow. 

The last date for submission of your Assignments is Wednesday, 12 October 2011. You may hand in your assignments to me personally on any working day between 12.30 and 2 pm in the English Department Staff Room.

Regards and all best wishes, 

Rufus

Course Teacher

II Year Part II English - Lesson Summaries Link - Reg

Dear Students,

Notes for your II Year III Semester Part II English have been uploaded in an easy format HERE.

You can download or print them by clicking on the respective buttons found on top of the document.

Regards and all best wishes, 

Rufus

I BSc Zoo (Reg) - II CIA Test - Reg

Dear Students of I BSc Zoology (Reg),  

For your II CIA Test with me on Monday, 10 October 2011, you will be tested from the following:  

Poetry

A Very Indian Poem in English

Woman Work  

Prose

My Visions for India  

A Definition of a Gentleman  

The Case for Short Words  

My Stupid Suicide Plan

The Art of Living

Drama

A Doll's House

The test will be conducted in Room No: A 101, which is quite adjacent to the Campus Post Office.

For any clarifications, kindly contact me at rufusonline@gmail.com  

Regards and all best wishes,  

Rufus