Unit 1 (A Letter to God)
Speaking, writing and project work
Write character sketches and portraits using the process approach.
Man versus nature. Every story has a conflict, a struggle. In Lencho's story it is man versus nature: the hailstorm wipes out a year's work. Talk with a partner about natural disasters (floods, droughts, earthquakes) and how they change people's lives. Norman Littleford's poem 'Man vs Nature' turns it round: nature gives us everything, and we keep taking.
From actions to qualities. Before writing a character sketch, list what the person does, then what that shows.
- Lencho loses his crop and prays: helpless, but full of faith.
- He thinks thirty pesos were stolen: he trusts God but not people.
- The tailor flatters and steals: clever and dishonest.
Lencho is simple (naive); the tailor is cunning. Then add your own judgement, with a reason.
The process approach to writing.
- Brainstorm: note every idea, then put them in order.
- Outline: decide what goes first and what supports it.
- Draft: write it out; focus on content.
- Revise: add, cut, improve the language.
- Proofread: now focus on form (spelling, grammar, punctuation).
- Final draft.
It is like writing an email: you draft it first, then correct it before you send it.
A portrait of a person. Use the facts in the box, in your own words: what the person looks like, their work, what they like, their habits and their character. Raavi is a young engineer who loves fixing things, is friendly and supportive, and walks every morning. Mohini is a playback singer who loves music and books and is firm and purposeful.
Project work. Talk to someone in your neighbourhood who inspires you: their childhood, work, what they did for their town, what they are like. Write their portrait and present it. Do the work yourselves, in your group. Parents and elders may give information, but don't let them do it, and never buy a ready-made project.
Practise this lesson
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