English Language

                                                                            13/10/2020

MAMA IS A SUNRISE (By Evelyn Tooley Hunt)

OBJECTIVES

By the end of reading the poem you will be able to:

• talk about the poet
• analyze the title
• analyze the structure of the poem
• analysis each of the lines of the poem
• identify the literary devices
• identify the themes of the poem

Biography of the Poet

• Evelyn Tooley Hunt was also known as Tao-Li
• She was born in 1904, Humburg, New York, United State.
• She died in 1997

Her other poem is:

• Taught Me Purple

THE TITLE

• Mama is described as a sunrise which is a metaphor. Through this description, Mama could represent everything that is good and loving in the world to this family. Mama could also be a symbol of dedication to the family or love for one another.
• Mama is a sunrise can also indicate that a mother is a source of joy and plays the role of uniting the family together due to her lovely nature.
• The title tells us that the poem is about a mother ‘Mama’ or a good person in the family and how she serves as a positive impact on her family.

 

THE STRUCTURE OF THE POEM

• This poem has two stanzas, each with six lines, making 12 lines in total.
• The end lines do not rhyme, hence a free verse poem. The thoughts of the lines run into the other lines, hence enjambment.
• The diction of the poem is quite simple and straight forward English. A closer look at the poem shows it was the opinion of a child of her mother. He/She/They say that the mother is a great asset to their family.

Line by line analysis

Line 1-3

• When she comes slip-footing through the door: She usually walks gentle, quietly into their home and she peacefully brings her presence to the home when she has been out to do other things.
• She kindles us: she makes the family happy. She lifts up their mood. That is even when they are sad, sick or troubled.
• Like lump cool lighted: Mama is likened to lighted coal. Ordinary, coal does not have much uses, but Mama as a lump of coal provides some kind of warmth at home in challenging times.

Analysis

Line 4-5

• And we wake up glowing: The family start their day happily and ready to go about their daily activities. No matter their worries or troubles the presence of mama cause them to become bright and happy.
• She puts a spark even in Papa’s eyes: Most fathers are the breadwinners of the family and therefore work tirelessly. But when Mama arrives home even papa’s day is lightened up. This indicates the motivation and inspiration Mama gives to papa.

Analysis

Line 6-8

• And turns out all our darkness: The mention of darkness tells us that there are days where they face challenges and uncertainties and again the presence of Mama, removes the darkness and unhappiness.
• When she comes sweet-talking in the room: Mama’s presence brings comfort and encouragement as her words are full of encouragement without doing a lot of fault finding and blaming as most mothers do.
• She warms us: Mama protects them from harm. She keeps them close and warms them by creating a friendly, peace and safe environment for them and serves as a pillar of support to them.

Analysis

Line 9-12

• Like grits and gravy: Grits is a kind of breakfast food made of maize, and gravy is a meat and vegetable sauce. This meal is usually eaten while it’s warm. The poet compares Mama’s warm presence at home to this complete delicious meal.
• And we rise up shining: As a family, each one is able to achieve their goals. They are successful because their mother has encouraged them.
• Even at night-time mama is a sunrise: Night may symbolize problems and trying times. When a family experiences any problems or challenges, because of Mama’s encouragement they are able to overcome.
• That promises tomorrow and tomorrow: Mama’s love is warmth and encouragement give them hope to face the future always.

Literary Devices

• Repetition

Even at night-time Mama is a sunrise

That promises tomorrow and tomorrow.

• Simile

She kindles us like lump coal lighted

She warms us like grits and gravy

• Metaphor

Mama is a sunrise

• Symbolism

‘Mama’ (symbolizes everything that is good e.g. Dedication and love)

‘Sunrise’(symbolizes peace, joy, happiness light etc.)

‘Darkness’( symbolizes sorrow, hard times, sickness, death, sadness, challenges, trying times and uncertainties)

• Imagery

‘When comes slip-footing through the door’ (sense of sight)

‘When she comes sweet-talking in the room’ (sense of hearing)

‘We wake up glowing’ (sense of sight)

‘We rise up shinning’ (sense of sight

Alliteration

‘grits and gravy’

‘tomorrow and tomorrow’

• Personification

‘even at night-time mama is a sunrise that promises tomorrow and tomorrow’ (human attribute is given to sunrise)

• Oxymoron

‘even at night-time mama is a sunrise (two contradictory words)

• Hyperbole

And turns out all our darkness

Themes

• The value of mother in a home.

The role of a mother is an important one and this poem demonstrates that with all the examples that show that she ensures there is peace at home and to serve as a support, encourager and beam of light to the whole family.

• The need to appreciate mothers.

The poem also teaches us to appreciate mothers and all the people who ensure that we are happy and succeeding at what we do. The world recognizes such people by according them a day for their celebration like ‘mothers’ day’

• The important role mothers play in the home and the community.

Mothers are generally very important to the home and the community and the nation at large. They play the role of carrying and giving birth to children.

They raise and bring up children with a lot of love and support. They are compassionate and tolerant. They do house chores and ensure the home is running together with fathers.

                                                               20/10/2020

GRAMMAR

What is subject verb agreement?
It simply means that the subject and the verb must agree in number.

Linguistic rules of subject verb agreement

Rule 1: A singular subject must take a singular verb.

Examples 

Kofi goes to school.

The dog is drinking water.

Rule 2: A plural subject must take a plural verb.

Examples 

We are going to school.

The boys eat their meals together.

Rule 3: The following expressions take singular verbs.

• Each of

• One of

• Not one of

• None of

• Everyone of

• Every of

• No one etc.

Examples 

One of my brothers lives in America.

Each of us plays the game.

None of us eats fufu.

Rule 4: Words like both, and, are, were, all, a few, few, many, several, some etc. go with plural verbs. 

Examples

 1. All my sisters are fair.

2. Both of them are tall.

3. Bob and George are leaving.

4. Few kids like soccer.

Rule 5: Words like nobody, somebody, everyone, something, none, anyone, nothing etc. must be             used with singular verbs.

Examples 

1. Nothing is impossible.

2. Everyone here is a good person.

3. Everybody hates Chris.

4. Nobody plays here at night.

Rule 6: All collective nouns use singular verbs.

Examples

 1. A pack of cards was presented to the class.

2. The bouquet of flowers was given to the president of Ghana.

3. The army of soldiers is paraded at the barracks.

Rule 7: Singular verbs must be used with singular subject with words connected by with, like, together with, as well as, no less, in addition to etc. 

Examples

1. The teacher as well as the student reads a lot.

2. The old man with his son is coming here.

3. Ama together with her sister travels today.

Rule 8: Use a plural verb for subjects demarcated by words such as:

Both……….and

All……………and

All……………except

Neither……… nor (if the subject is plural)

Either……or (if the subject is plural)

All……………but

Examples

1. All except Spencer are absent today.

2. All but Cecilia were late for school today.

3. Either the pupil or the teachers write.

4. Both Dela and Cecil are in the same class.

Rule 9: Expressions such as either of, everyone of, each of, one of etc. must use a singular            verb so far as they do not have a relative pronoun.

Example

1. One of the men has died.

2. Every one of them likes fufu.

3.Only one of the new houses has a garage.

 NOTE: If we begin a sentence with a relative pronoun and it is a subject, whether we select a singular or a plural verb form depend on whether the noun or pronoun referred to is singular or plural. If singular, then it takes the singular verb but if plural then it takes a plural verb.

Example

1. Mr. Acheampong is one of the teachers who like me.

2. I am the player who plays well. 

RULE 10: Proximity concord 

In some circumstances, the subject connected or joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’ differ in number; that is one may be plural and the other singular. In situations like this, the verb agrees with the subject which is nearer to it. This is what we call the proximity rule or concord.

Example

1. Either the teachers or the student understands.

2. Neither the boys nor the girls have done the right thing.

3.  Either the girl or the boys run faster.

18/11/2020

WHAT IS A PRONOUN?

A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun. Pronouns have different forms according to how they are used. The following cases are often misused. They require careful attention.

STUDY THE TABLE CAREFULLY

RULES GOVERNING THE USE OF PERSONAL PRONOUNS

RULE 1

When a pronoun is the subject of the sentence, it must be in the nominative form.

Examples:

1. I play football.

2. She knitted a scarf.

3. John and you can play.

4. She and I will come.

RULE 2

When a pronoun is the object of the sentence, it must be in the objective case.

Examples:

1.The dog bit me.

2. The teacher watched her.

3.    The lady asked Betty and her.

4. The driver gave him and me a ride.

RULE 3

When a pronoun is used after a preposition, it must be in the objective case.

Examples:

1. The man stared at me.

2. In talked about him yesterday.

3. Between you and me I think it will rain.

NB: These rules are often broken. Pay special attention to them.

  RULE 4

After the verb ‘to be’ the pronoun must be in the nominative case.

Example:

1. It is I.

2. It is they.

They thought it was he.

RULE 5

After ‘as’ and ‘than’ the pronoun must be in the nominative case.

Examples:

 1. He is as strong as I am

2. I am older than he is.

RULE 6

After ‘let’ the pronoun must be in objective case.

Examples;

1. Let me go

2. Let you and me come

Rule 7

After between, the pronoun must be in the objective case.

Examples:

1. Between you and me.

2. Between her and him.

19/11/2020

ARTICLES FOR PUBLICATION

An article is a piece of writing written for a large audience. It is written on a particular subject that is published in newspapers, magazines, and other journals. It is one of the ways in which people share their ideas, opinions, thoughts, views and suggestions on particular subjects or topics with other people.

The topic may be the topic of interest of the writer or it may be related to some current issues. 

Why do we write articles? An article is written with the following objectives.

1. It brings out the topic or the matter of interest in the limelight.

2. The article provides information on the topic.

3. It offers suggestions and piece of advice.

4. It influences the readers and urges them to think.

5. The article discusses various stories, persons, locations, rising-issues, and technical developments.

TYPES OF ARTICLES FOR PUBLICATIONS

Articles are written for publication in

1. School magazines

Colleges, polytechnics and universities publish magazines and newspapers usually every three or six months. They contain issues that concern the school staff, students, academic work, co-curricular activities etc.

2. Local newspapers

It is a newspaper that is published by local people in a certain locality. The choice of words for both school and local newspapers is almost the same.

3. National newspapers

It is a newspaper or magazine that is published for the nationals of a country. Some of them are published by government departments while others are also published by individuals, groups or writers. Examples, The Daily Graphic, Daily Guide, Junior Graphic, The Mirror etc. In national newspapers, words used must be simple and formal. Slang and colloquial usages do not have a place in national newspapers. Only words and expressions that are understandable are used.

4. International newspapers. 

Such articles are written in international newspapers and magazines. Examples of international newspapers are: the Voice of America. Africa Sports, Journal, Africa Heritage etc. In international newspapers, words used must be simple and formal. Slang and colloquial are not used in international newspapers.

In these papers, it is important for writers to write their full addresses, including the name of their countries.

THE FORMAT OF ARTICLE WRITING

An article must be organized in a proper way to draw the attention of the readers. The basic outline for article writing is

1. Heading/title: the heading of the article should be short, clear and informative. It is usually written in capital letters and underlined.

2. Body (the main parts of the article, 2-3 paragraphs): It is the message you want to put across. It is written in well-arranged paragraphs, with each paragraph usually expressing a point. The body should be well introduced and conclude. 

3. Conclusion: End your article with the opinion or recommendation, anticipation or appeal.

4. The name, address and position of the writer is written at the side of the paper after the article. It must be noted however, that the name of the writer can be written just below the line of the title or heading