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English Learning Box: Expressing Anger in English
English Learning Box: Expressing Anger in English
Box
Engage yourself to Real English
Newspaper articles
Writing Example
Learning Points
Giving information to support your argument.
by)
- Many of us choose not to smoke because of the effects
- As a result, everyone inhales
- 2,100 adults die as a result of smoking.
- these deaths are caused by second-hand.
Concluding.
- Therefore, we need more laws
- In conclusion, we need a change
Poetry in English
Writing Example
When I look in your eyes
Just in a trice
When I look in your eyes
I see the sea
I see the line where the sky meet the sea
I see a man with a Vodka and some ice
sucking the luck from a six-sided dice
****************************
When I look in your eyes
I see a door
I see the door of a prison with my name
I see the prisoner and the gaoler as the same
I see a star at the corner of the bar
Getting sick of himself and his fame
****************************
Learning Points
3- Structure (Sonnet, Ode, Elegy) : The poet can choose whatever is easiest for him to
organise his thoughts.
Metaphors and similes can make your poem looks so elegant and sophisticated.
They are very useful but dont overuse them.
Writing Example
Oranges
Roll up, roll up. Home grown oranges, sweet and delicious, top quality.
He was laughing a toothless hearty laugh. A wandering orange vendor in his early forties. It was a
genuine type of laugh, as he smiled into the face of every customer, indeed into the face of every passerby. In his smile there was an invitation, Home-grown oranges, sweet n delicious. He divided the
orange into quarters and offered a piece to a customer, without stopping his cry, Home-grown oranges,
sweet like our country. Try one. Savour it, enjoy it. Have some sweetness for nothing. One Dollar a kilo.
Suddenly the voice grew quiet and died. A policeman was approaching the orange cart with the
determination of a stern man of the law. The vendors voice died away and his hand crept to his patched
purse. The policeman opened his mouth to pronounce his sentence upon the cart and its owner, but then
fell silent too. The sentence remained suspended between his coarse lips, and was then quashed by the
coin that passed swiftly from the purse of the vendor to the hand of the policeman. The lawman moved
away ponderously. The middle-aged vendor followed him with a lost and wandering gaze which
gradually focussed on his large black shoes. The shoe-black, taking advantage of this golden opportunity
to satisfy his desire for a home-grown orange, sprang lightly towards the cart and returned with two
oranges. He hid behind a tree to devour them. A group of his pals surrounded him.
Give me one come on be good and me and me and me.
The mans gaze returned to his cart, studying the oranges closely. Then he called our regretfully,
Oranges, one Dollar a kilo.
Customers passed by condescendingly. One of them might turn to him from time and say, Half Dollar is
a good price.
Half an hour passed and the cart did not seem to have emptied. The vendors enthusiasm returned and his
despondent voice regained its strength. Sweetness for nothing, Home-grown oranges as sweet as sugar.
The laughter had returned fully to the wrinkled face. However, the cry that seemed to be hidden between
his wrinkled said, Come on, my brothers in misfortune. Hurry up, my companions in misery, and rid me
of these wretched oranges before they become the property of the government. By God, I beg you. Do not
prolong my agony. The cry rose up from the depths of his wrinkles, accompanied by a fractured smile
bearing the imprint of disillusion.
Then the situation became critical. The scene froze and the atmosphere grew tense. Another policeman
was heading towards the cart with the determination of the incorruptible judge. The scene repeated itself
except that it was clear that the coin that the vendor took out this time was smaller than that which the
previous policeman received. They followed each other one after the other and the man went on paying.
They were not satisfied with what he gave them, and some of them used to take an orange or two as well.
The vendor was still proclaiming his oranges and the cry of disillusion that was latent in his deep wrinkles
burnt more intensely.
Then the despair came into the open. He was approaching resolutely. His approach had the bloated
leisureliness of the conceited. He was not scowling like the earlier ones, but was confident of his victory,
and that was the reason he was smiling. He didnt feign anger like the others, but instead feigned
mockery. The vendor saw him and quickly put his hand into the depths of his old wallet. He couldnt find
a centime. He probed the many corners of the wallet. His hand touched something soft, apparently old, a
banknote of fifty or perhaps hundred Dollars; it must be a banknote.
His hands was still holding the note as he rushed to the shop next to his cart to change it to feed the
hungry pig hopefully the last. He stood in the door of the shop, asked the shopkeeper for change, and
took out the banknote. He put it on the counter and found it was not negotiable. He quickly snatched it up
again before the man saw it. He turned on his heel and said, Never mind, never mind the change. He
returned to his cart, gave the policeman a frozen doltish smile which conveyed nothing except disillusion
and failure. The policeman moved his jaws in the air. He had also perfected his role, making the same
comical action as usual, taking longer than necessary. The vendor stared at the lawman with imploring
eyes, and the lawman moved his jaws, which had stopped half way, and pronounced his verdict, passing
judgment on the cart and the oranges and the vendor, and the children of vendor, a hungry flock of
children waiting for the evening and the return of this man with their exotic food and choice drink a
morsel of bread. The childrens cries would grow loud, and their weeping would go on for a long time, for
their magical morsel of bread had been lost with the policemans words, Push the cart and proceed in
front of me.
The outcome was familiar. They would dispose of the oranges at the local charity, and the cart would be
impounded until he could redeem it. Would the man return in the evening to his hungry children with
exotic foods, with delicious apples, Pastilla and roast meat, and other mouth-watering things. No, he
would return to them with nothing.
The poor man tried to set matters right. He chose a handful of delicious oranges and offered them to the
officer. The policemans muscles tensed. Walk in front of me. I dont take bribes. You have broken the
law. Your punishment is well known.
boiled with rage. The enthusiastic look in the eyes of the zealous student went out. He closed his eyes,
then opened them and cried out in a strangled voice, I feel like a stranger in my own country; I feel like
an alien. I call the justice of heaven to witness that I have been wronged.
Pastilla : A dish made with chicken and almonds wrapped in sweet pastry.
Learning Points
Listen to George Wier (Author) giving tips about how to develop your style as a
writer:
Apologizing in English
- Im sorry.
- So sorry.
- Im sorry to have broken it.
- Im sorry but Ive got to go now.
- Im awfully sorry for what happened yesterday.
- I cant tell you how sorry I am!
Advertisement poster
Writing Example
Learning Points
Heading / Sub-heading
Headings and sub-headings will highlight the key information.
Key features
List unique key features. This could be the price or a special promotion.
Slogans
You can put customized images in the middle with the price if you want.
Contact details
Transitions in English
Writing
Writing Example
The cart
the news, his teeth seemed blacker than ever, as if I was seeing them for the first time, and his forehead
creased more sharply. He appeared to be gloating over me, and a great cloud of gloom descended over my
countenance as I cast my last look at the cart. The hajj had joked, Dont be sad. Youll see it every day in
the market!
I used to pull it for long distances, and in the silence of the road, its iron wheels used to grind over the
pebbles while from the cart there came a long whine. sometimes the sound of it used to remind me of a
water wheel, and in summer, when the sweat was pouring off me in profusion, I used almost to believe
that it was a water wheel.
But now the cart is pulled by the donkey.
When I first took it out one warm morning in March, its nails were sticking out, and its wheels turned
laboriously. Those first few days were very hard going, but then I poured some oil on it; my hands grew
accustomed to the wooden handles; I banged in the nails that were sticking out, and it became the most
beautiful cart in the whole village. It never used to tire me, except on that steep hill. There I had to exert
every effort to keep our balance, and it seemed to be more obedient as if it wanted us to clear the steep
hill from the market quickly so as then to descend easily into the village which appeared from afar to be
plunged in silence.
But now the cart is being pulled by a donkey! and Fatima is pushing me to look for a job or find another
cart.
Its colour was faded when I took it out that first morning. But after a month I painted it green. It looked
beautiful in its new colour, and even Mawlay Al-Hajj did not recognize it at first. But now he says that it
is his cart. It was easy for him to take it out of my hands when he bought that donkey and hitched it to the
cart right in front of me. Then he went off with it, leaving me alone, gazing after it as it disappeared in the
distance, grinding over the pebbles and emitting sad moans.
Should I leave the matter like this? Should I look for another cart, for two new wooden handles, while the
green cart keeps on passing in front of me throughout the day, pulled by the donkey?
Finally, he seemed to finish thinking. A week had passed since the cart had been taken from him, and he
had spent that whole week doing nothing but think. When he kept, his dreams were filled with carts
which thronged the whole village as well as the market square. But he was always scanning them in
search of the green cart. One night during that week, in fact, he woke up soaked with sweat. He had been
dreaming that he had been pushing the cart. How could Fatima want him to leave Mawlay Al-Hajj in
possession of it and look for another job?
His eyes finally revealed that he had thought of something. A fierce resolution appeared in his eyes. He
jumped up from his casual sitting position with a sudden violence that startled Fatima.
Then he opened an old wooden box and took out an axe.
Fatim was alarmed and asked worriedly, Why the axe?
Dont be frightened. Ill kill the donkey tonight.
Learning Points
Transitions to clarify
- for example
- for instance
- in other words
- put another way
- seems clear from this
- simply stated
- stated differently
- that is
- to clarify
- to illustrate the point
- logical conclusion is
- therefore
- thus
- to conclude
Transitions to enumerate
- first, second, third
- one important, equally important, most important
- a significant, another significant, of greatest significance
- first, next, last
- in the beginning, toward the middle, at the end
- one, also, in addition
Preferences in English
Writing Example
The PloughThe heavy clouds which have passed over our horizon recently indicate a time of heavy rain.
Perhaps the rain this year will enrich the soil, and damp soil usually requires ploughing. That is what
Hushum began to think about as he wandered round the Kamouni market. As soon as the thought of
ploughing occured to him, he remembered that he needed a good plough. The old one he used last year
had got its blade damaged, and was no longer sharp enough to pierce the ground.
He went up to Ahmad the plough-maker and let his eyes rove from one plough to another without trying
any of them. Finally, Ahmad called out to him with pleasure, Its been a long time since you took a
plough from me. Try this one, Hushum.
I only want a blade.
Dont worry. You can take a whole plough. The price is low this year.
I want you to make a blade for my plough. A blade like the one you made for me some time ago.
OK, but theres no harm in taking another plough so that if your old one breaks you can resort to the new
one. That way you wont have to stop work.
You really want me to take a new plough?
Yes, because its in your interests.
And the blade. Will you make me a blade?
Hushum went on, No-one in the market is as good as you at making blades. You must make good
money.
Ahmad sighed and said, Not enough.
Whys that?
I could earn a lot if it wasnt for , and he pointed to another blacksmith.
Where did he come from?
From the town. He left his shop there, and has come to bother me.
The world is full of annoyances.
But Gods provision is distributed to all mankind. I sell me wares at a low price that he cant match. Will
you buy a plough?
To tell the truth I havent got the money. If you can wait until next week, I may have enough to buy
one.
Dont worry, Hushum. Choose your plough now and pay when it convenient.
Thank you, but I would prefer not to take it until I can pay. You know how I am. I dont like to get into
debt.
As you wish.
Ahmad has got the impression that he wanted to make do with his old plough, with a few repairs like
the blade for instance. How could he persuade him to buy a new plough?
Hushum was thinking, I really dont want to burden myself with debts. It is better for a man to have to
stop work. But I am still working by myself, and if work stops, I wont lose anything. I will do something
else until market day when I can buy a new plough. Ahmad is good at making ploughs and if he makes
me a blade, I wont need a new one for a long time.
Ahmad asked him, Is your old plough one of mine?
Hushum replied, Yes.
But its very very old. It must be falling to pieces by now.
No. Itll last another year or two.
Learning Points
If you want to be a good writer, you need to read. Read for both inspiration and
research and explore as many different genres as possible (adventure, fairy tale,
science fiction, romance, mystery, ).
A short story should be broken down into three parts or three axes : Beginning,
Middle and Ending and each act should be clearly defined.
Next, its time to write. Be sure to establish points of view and writing tenses and
also dont forget to use dialogues to make your characters more believable.
After you finish your story, read it carefully to check for mistakes. Create a
checklist to make sure you have not missed anything.
- Im leaving him.
- Im going to attend evening classes.
- I will tell her the truth.
- Hes decided to fly back to Chicago tomorrow.
- She came with the information of learning.
- Its their intention to find another investors.
- He has every intention of working more in computer programming fields.
- They intend to develop new management softwares.
- They mean to have another child.
- Hes resolved to stop fooling around with married women.
- He seems determined to divorce her after catching her cheating.
- I know he wants to make a fuss.
- Theyre willing to innovate in that field too.
- Are you planning to write another book?
- I have a good mind to leave this please. I dont want someone to see me here.
- Shes thinking of staging the play next month. Are you going to be there?
- Shes made up her mind to call her old friends and go out with them.
- What have they come to New York for?
- Theyve come to Los Angeles to study experimental probabilities.
- For what purpose does she want to take part in the contest?
- She did it in order to be noticed.
- Ive brought it for you to read.
- He keeps the bedroom door open, so as to have an eye on the children.
- Her aim is to arrive there safe and sound.
- she is to get engaged as soon as possible.
- He was to help them, but I dont know if he did.
- He was to have given me a lift, but he didnt come.
- I Always hide the bottles, so that he will not be tempted.
Favours in English
Thanking someone
- Thank you so much!
- Youve saved my day.
- Thanks a million.
- Youre a true friend.
- I really owe you one.
- Ill buy you a drink sometime.
- Ill return the favour one day.
- Ill do the same for you one day.
- Youre an absolute lifesaver!
Saying no
- Actually, Im a bit busy this week.
- Im afraid Ive got to go to a wedding.
- Im sorry but I cant because my little brother will visit me and I need to pick him up from the
airport.
- Im not available on Monday. Its the beginning of the week, you how busy it is.
- Id like to be able to help you but my father wont let me stay with you tonight, especially
tonight.
- When was the last time you ever did anything for me?
- No, I dont think so!
- No!
- No way!
- I wont help you out, forget it!
Information in English
Giving information
- Ok, go ahead!
- Yes of course.
- Yes, he is.
- That would be your ex-colleague Matt.
- You can take the plane from Malaga.
- Never mind, you just go straight on, and it will be on the second left turn next to pharmacy.
- Yes, I have.
- No, I havent seen this movie before.
- I guess the play stars at 10 pm.
- Ive been living here for three years.
Autobiographical statement
Writing Example
I was born in in Melbourne, but I grew up in Broome, which is a small town with not much to do, so my
two brothers and I had to improvise and invent a lot of games. This is probably one reason why I was
good at making things. As a child I always enjoyed designing objects to put in rooms, and my teachers
encouraged me to develop my artistic abilities. I also found that I had a particular aptitude for Computer
science.
At the age of fifteen I decided to leave school and do an apprenticeship in a design company. I worked for
Buro North for three years, mainly doing clerical work in the office, but also observing some of the
projects.
During this time I learnt a lot, especially from Madison Byrne, who was a distribution manager. She was
quite inspiring in that she taught me how to solve problems by looking at things in a different way. From
her I learned how to access my creativity when I needed to think out of the box.
In 2008 I felt I needed a new challenge so I decided to enrol on a cartoon animation course. My
application was successful and I spent a very enjoyable month working on film animation. It was at this
time that I realised my true vocation was designing graphics for advertisements and commercial films.
For this reason I have applied for a degree course in graphic design. I really hope to develop my skills so
that I will be able to work in this field for the foreseeable future.
Sophia Sloman
Learning Points
Writing Example
Gavin Williams
1547 North Elmwood St.
Knoxville, TN 37901Phone: (555) 154-4899
Email: gavin-williams@smail.com
Thomas Hunnam
Discover Higher Education
388 N 511 West, Marathon Village
Nashville, TN 37209
Are you looking for someone that can sell without putting unnecessary pressure on prospects and can get
people excited about higher education? If so, we should talk.
My experience working in consultative sales and customer service roles is valuable because Ive been
able to build my career around helping people, even when Ive got something to sell them.
Let me give you an example at my last position, I worked for a charitable organization that called
businesses asking for permission to place a little gumball machine benefiting the charity at their place of
business.
In addition to working through the organization till I was speaking with an actual decision maker, I had to
instantly help the person relax and believe I wasnt trying to sell them anything I just wanted to ask for
their help with about a square foot of floor space.
I developed a number of techniques to help people feel at ease with me, including tricks in the way I
greeted from that let me develop instant rapport 99% of the time.
By the time I finished with most people, they were excited for the opportunity to work with us.
Im excited about the chance to join your company since theres such a great fit between your need to
generate interest in education and my track record of success.
Please find enclosed my resume. Ill call your office on Thursday afternoon to follow and answer any
questions. Alternatively, feel free to contact me at (555) 154-4899 or by email at gavinwilliams@smail.com.
Respectfully,
Gavin Williams
Learning Points
Here are some steps you may follow to write an amazing cover letter :
1- Adress the letter to an individual : Try to call the company to find who to write to, their exact
title, and the correct spelling of their name.
2- Open the letter with a short introduction.
3- List what position youre after and how you find out about it.
4- Demonstrate that you understand what the company does : Check out the companys
website for details to mention.
5- Relate your past work experience to the current opening.
6- Adapt your writing to adress specific things that were mentioned in the job post. Keep it
short and clear, it shouldnt be longer than a page, a few paragraphs are enough.
7- Mention any attachments you plan to include with the letter.
8- Sign off with a suitable closing (like sincerely, best regards, respectfully, ) after thanking
the reader.
9- Make sure you include all your contact information (name, adress, telephone, e-mail, ).
Advice in English
Giving advice
- Follow my advice, and listen carefully.
- Take my advice : Try and improve your Japanese. It will help you in your career.
- If you want my advice, dismiss him.
- If I were you, I wouldnt break up with him. Hes just so courteous and you dont want to lose
him.