Arrive tomorrow with an idea about something that has shaped you.
We need to prepare well for this section of the exam.
How has the environment shaped or influenced you? Think of the article about the Syrian children that I read to you today.
Family? Religion? Toys? Books? Sports? Hobbies? Friends? Imagination? Games? Pressures?
Start with an anecdote that could represent the thesis without you having to state an answer to the question directly.
An anecdote is a description of a small incident.
We were down by two. My feet hurt because Uncle Phil's cleats clamped down on my baby toe on the left side so despite the assurances from Coach Clarke, I wasn't convinced we'd win the game. Mom sat on the left side of the bleachers. She was knitting me a scarf. A scarf in June. Dad hadn't yet arrived for the final game in the provincial championships. If he did arrive, he wouldn't be able to take his eyes off his cell. My baby toe tried to unfurl itself into its habitual shape. Nothing was moving in this old leather.
A lot of students answer the question with writing that refuses to offer any imagery or style.
For example:
The environment has shaped me completely. My dad values work but I'm too young to work so I play baseball. Last year we went to the provincial championships. We almost won, too. Mom doesn't understand baseball and Dad tells me not to worry because baseball isn't really a Canadian game. It's hard to talk to Dad because he is so busy at work. He is always checking email and never listens to me.
Recall one small incident that has "shaped" you. It does not have to be completely true. Focus on describing the events through the use of strong details which appeal to the five senses.
What you see.
What you smell.
What you hear.
What you taste.
What you feel (sense of touch--itchy clothing, fabric, feel of the bench, aching muscles, that sort of thing).
Today's words:
| 11. Quantified | - to measure or express the quantity of something. (verb) Synonyms - appraise, assess, calibrate, check, compute, count, determine, estimate, evaluate, figure, gauge, look over, rank, rate, size, specify, value, weigh Sentence - An example of to quantify is when you count the number of words misspelled in a book. |
| 12. Ostracized, to
ostracize |
- to ostracize is to deliberately exclude or leave someone out. (verb) Synonyms - avoid, blackball, blacklist, cast out, cold-shoulder, deport, exclude, excommunicate, leave in the cold, oust, reject, shun, Sentence – Ben ostracized Grayson because he would not return his texts. |
