Monthly Archives: December 2024

I feel my Essay 4 was the most successful assignment this semester. I was able to create a clear thesis and effectively support it with analysis and evidence. I like argumentative papers more and having a different point of view and perspective on simple ideas. I think I could have done better with my prewriting process and organizing my ideas before diving into the drafting stage. At times, I rushed through brainstorming and outlining, which made it harder to stay on track with my arguments. If I had spent more time refining my outline and clarifying my points, it would have been easier to develop a more cohesive essay. The most important thing I learned this semester was how to integrate sources more effectively into my writing. Through practicing citation and connecting quotes to my argument, I became more comfortable using external material to support my points and enhance my analysis. This skill will definitely help in future writing assignments.

I think Emily Dickinson’s poem “The Wife” really shows what Raymond Carver means by “commonplace but precise language.” Carver talks about how everyday things can have a lot of meaning when they’re used carefully, and I see that in Dickinson’s writing. One quote that stands out is, “She rose to his requirement, dropped the playthings of her life to take the honorable work of woman and of wife.” At first, it seems like the woman is just giving up childish things to become a wife, but when you think about it in the context of the poem, it could be seen as sarcastic. The “playthings” she’s leaving behind might actually be important hobbies or relationships, but now she’s expected to put them aside for her role as a wife. The language itself is simple, but there’s a lot of deeper meaning when you look at the situation more closely.

My thesis for the research essay on fairy tales is that, while fairy tales have long been popular for their magical narratives, they can have harmful effects on children by promoting unrealistic expectations, normalizing violence, and reinforcing harmful gender roles and stereotypes. From List A, I would choose the article by Mary Howarth, “Rediscovering the Power of Fairy Tales.” What caught my attention in her article was her discussion of how fairy tales create a “fantastical reality,” where problems seem to be solvable through external forces, such as magic or outside intervention. This concept stood out because it connects directly to the idea that fairy tales can set children up for disappointment in real life when they encounter challenges that can’t be solved with magic/ From List B, I would pick David Isaacs’ article, “Sex and Violence in Fairy Tales.” His point about how fairy tales blur the lines between justice and cruelty really struck me. Isaacs explains that violence is often portrayed as an acceptable solution to problems, which can desensitize children to the real-world consequences of violent actions. This idea helps support the argument in my essay that fairy tales normalize violence and can influence children’s understanding of how to resolve conflicts.

Reading Flannery O’Connor’s The Element of Suspense really helped me catch things in A Good Man Is Hard to Find that I might’ve missed otherwise. For one, O’Connor used suspense to show the grandmother’s hypocrisy and self-deception. The way she manipulated her son and his family to get her way had me unsure of how things would turn out. Her self-righteous attitude was another layer she dressed like a “lady,” but it was just for show because, deep down, she was prejudiced and dishonest. The suspense got even deeper when “The Misfit” showed up after the accident. His talk about religion and his memory lapse about why he was imprisoned brought up some big questions about justice and punishment. It felt like he was wrestling with his own humanity, especially in his conversation with the grandmother. The ending was classic but unexpected, violent, and grotesque. It really hit home how brutal and complicated human nature can be, and how she uses those shocking moments to make her readers think. Without her insights on suspense, I don’t think I would’ve noticed how these elements worked together to make the story so intense.

I think I’ve gotten better at reading poetry over the past two weeks, but I still find myself rereading certain lines to really understand them. The older poems, especially ones like Shakespeare’s, are tricky because they don’t use modern language or sentence structures, which makes them harder to follow. At the same time, I think this has been good practice for reading Oedipus the King. For example, in Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130: My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun, the line “I have seen roses damasked, red and white, but no such roses see I in her cheeks” doesn’t flow like modern writing. You have to slow down and really think about what it’s saying. Oedipus the King has a similar style, with complex sentence structures and formal language, so reading poetry like this has helped me get used to paying closer attention to every word.

When I worked on Essay 1, I realized I struggled a lot with balancing my analysis and just retelling the story. I kept catching myself summarizing instead of digging deeper into how things connected to my thesis, which made my argument feel weaker. Using pre-writing really helped me organize my ideas and get a draft going, but I think I got too stuck on following my outline exactly. Because of that, I ended up leaving out a few ideas that could have made my essay stronger. Another thing I noticed was that my thesis didn’t stay super clear throughout the essay. Sometimes, my points felt more like they were repeating details from the text instead of directly supporting my argument. What I learned is how important it is to stay focused on my main point and make sure everything I include connects back to it. It also showed me that being flexible with my outline can help me add better ideas as I go.

If I were to write an essay about The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara without focusing on the socio-economic stuff, I’d probably explore the symbolism in the story. For example, the sailboat at the toy store really stood out. It’s priced at $1,195, which shocks Sylvia so much she has to reread the price tag. Her reaction says a lot about her view on money and what it represents in her world. The boat could symbolize the gap between different lifestyles—who can afford something like that and who can’t even imagine it. It also ties into how Sylvia sees wealth and what it means to her. For a title, I’d keep it simple, like “The Power of Symbolism in The Lesson.”

The prewriting assignment is about analyzing a sample essay to see if the writer followed the guidelines for creating a strong essay. First, we read The Most Handsome Drowned Man by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and an analysis of it by Dean Rader. Then, we go through some PowerPoints, one about thesis statements and another on how to include quotes in a literary essay, which help us learn how to structure essay paragraphs. There’s also a video on formatting and an MLA citation guide to make sure we know how to format and cite sources correctly. Once we’ve gone through all that, we look at the sample essay and check if it follows the rules we’ve learned. The whole point of this is to teach us how to write better essays by understanding these key elements.

1. Which assignment do you feel was most successful and why? Essay #3, which focused on a poetry flyer and presentation, stands out as my most successful assignment. I believe this is because it resonated deeply with me, allowing me to express my personal connection to a poem that truly spoke to my soul. The assignment provided the freedom to unleash my creativity, and I thoroughly enjoyed designing the flyer to capture the essence of the poem. I was able to explore themes and emotions that touched me, making the entire experience not only fulfilling but also a true reflection of my artistic voice. 2. On what work do you feel you could have done better and how? Essay #4 did not reflect my true abilities. Unfortunately, my struggles with procrastination and poor time management significantly impacted the quality of my work. I found myself rushing through the assignment, skimming over important details and ideas. As a result, the final product lacked the depth and thoughtfulness I strive for in my writing. I wish I had allowed myself more time to really engage with the material and hone my arguments to match my standards. 3. If there was one thing you learned this semester, what was it? During this semester, I discovered a wealth of fascinating literature that opened my eyes to new worlds. Before taking this class, I had never explored the realm of poetry. Each piece I encountered captivated my imagination and ignited a deep curiosity within me. The rich language and intricate storytelling of the authors drew me in, making me eager to delve deeper into these genres and uncover the layers of meaning and emotion hidden within their words.

The assignment I found most enjoyable and successful was Essay 3, where we created a flyer on poetry. It was an exciting twist from the traditional essay. Allowing me to utilize my creativity and also familiarizing myself with Canva, this is a great assignment to work on. I also enjoyed  our reading of the Ancient Greek tragedy, Oedipus the King. A area in which feel  I could’ve improved, was on my writing of the essays throughout this semester. Writing is not my strong suit and is something I struggle with. However, I found the guidelines on quotation inserts and MLA structure formats to be very helpful when writing. One thing I learned this semester was the many pieces of interesting literature that exist. Prior to taking this class, I never explored poetry, Greek tragedies, or fairy tales. I was very captivated by the literature and authors, which I would like to explore further.

I feel that Essay 1 was my most successful assignment because it was easier compared to the other essays. In Essay 3, I had a hard time finding a poem that I liked and spent a lot of time searching for a picture. The most frustrating part was finally finding a picture I liked but forgetting to save the link. Also, I misunderstood the meaning of the poem. In Essay 2, I felt confused about how to approach the assignment, and for Essay 4, I started it late, so I didn’t do well on it. I think I could do better on essay 2. I will try to do the essay early, not start my essay at the end of the day. I will look at the easy 2 directions carefully. Also, I will write my essay more clearly by planning out my ideas in advance and supporting them with specific examples. This will improve and add detail to my essay. This semester I learn that I need to write my essays longer and with more thorough justifications. I also came to understand how crucial it is to thoroughly read the directions in order to adhere to the assignment’s criteria and prevent confusion. I also discovered how crucial time management is. I can avoid rushing near the deadline and give myself more time to plan, write, and revise if I begin my work earlier. I’ll be able to produce better essays in the future because to this.

The assignment I felt most successful on way essay 3 I felt like it was pretty straight forward and the fact that we got to choose our own poem and write on how we connected with the poem was very appealing to me. In most of my classes assignments are just handed out by teachers choice I felt like I could actually write about something meaningful and that I was passionate about. the work I feel like I could have done better one was essay 1 I felt like I didn’t really understand the essay to a depth and with I could have a better understanding till now but it just made me focus on reading things that I don’t normally touch on which if I went back and read the assignment and the stories I would have a better understanding. one thing I learned in this semester is to not be afraid to take on a task normally I put it off till last minute because I don’t understand it but if I sit there and put my mind to something I know I can accomplish anything.

1. Which assignment do you feel was most successful and why? I feel successful on Exam 4 because I truly enjoyed reading the fairy tale. It brought back so many cherished memories from my childhood, reminding me of how these stories shaped my imagination and curiosity. 2. On what work do you feel you could have done better and how? On Essay 1 and 2, I feel that I could have done better because I did not spend enough time on thoroughly reading and revising my content. Rushing through the writing process meant that my ideas weren’t fully developed, and I missed opportunities to refine my arguments and improve the overall flow. 3. If there was one thing you learned this semester, what was it? I think it was reading, Reading more and more is crucial. If you want to write a perfect essay, you must read the resources more than once. This ensures you fully understand the material, grasp the nuances, and uncover deeper meanings that can strengthen your arguments.

Reflecting on my journey, I can identify the specific pieces of work that were most successful: essays 2, 3, and 4. After receiving an F on my first essay, I took the feedback seriously and put in considerable effort to understand where I went wrong. By the time I completed the subsequent assignments, I was able to achieve a B-. This transformation demonstrates my growing ability to analyze and apply feedback effectively, which is a significant success. There are several areas where I can improve my work. While I progress in my analysis, I plan to structure my essay more effectively. That’ll help organize my ideas logically and enhance the overall clarity of my writing. A better organization will allow my arguments to resonate more powerfully with the reader. I will focus on revising my work to ensure I meet all requirements. This revision process will thoroughly review the content to align it with the necessary standards and expectations. Lastly, I will focus on including accurate citations for all sources referenced in my essay. This will ensure credibility and allow readers to explore the material further. Throughout this class, I have developed several skills that will be relevant in real-world experiences. Firstly, critical thinking has been emphasized through our discussions and assignments, allowing me to evaluate information and make informed arguments. I’ve also improved my research skills, learning to find and assess credible sources, which is essential in any field. The ability to accept constructive criticism and use it for growth is invaluable, as it is a skill that will benefit me in both academic and professional settings. I take pride in my progress and am excited to apply what I have learned.  

During the semester there were assignments and discussion board that we were asked to do. In some of them I did better and some less. I feel I was the assignment I was most successful is assignment 3. I feel like I’m a creative person and I like to do research. I enjoyed browsing poems and finding one i can relate the most both to the poem and the poet. I feel I could have done better in the fairy tails essay. I liked the fact that unlike other stories we read during the semester it reminded me my childhood. I had high expectations from myself and even though I felt connected to the assignment I could have put more attention to the small details. This semester I learned a few new skills. As a foreign student it is important to me to improve my reading, writing and critical thinking to be able and understand texts better. I mainly enjoyed the journey of learning how to write better and understand more subtle ideas in texts.  

The assignment I felt most accomplished with was Essay 3, where I designed the flyer. I loved the creative freedom it provided, making the entire process enjoyable and engaging. It gave me the chance to convey my ideas visually , and I was really proud of how it turned out. On the other hand, I think I could have improved on Essay 4. Even though I put in a lot of effort, I found that my explanations of the quotes could have been better organized. I had some difficulty linking them smoothly to my main argument, which affected the overall cohesiveness of the essay. One key takeaway from this semester is the importance of proper planning. I’ve come to understand how crucial a well-structured outline is for crafting a strong essay. While I’ve made progress, I know I need to enhance my planning skills to ensure my ideas connect logically next time. Additionally,I learn that writing essays more frequently will help me polish my style and increase my confidence. All in all, this semester has been both challenging and fulfilling, and I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned in the future.

I feel my most successful assignment was my final essay, Essay 4. While I am happy with the work I produced for the other three, Essay 4 stands out in particular because it was the culmination of my experience writing essays in this class. I had the most knowledge of what works and what doesn’t when going into Essay 4, and I believe it served me well. An assignment I could have done better on was the Week 11 discussion board. It had completely slipped my mind during the week, and unfortunately I submitted it a couple days too late to receive credit. If anything, it serves as a reminder to keep my assignment schedule and time management more organized. Something I learned this semester was that the amount of research and effort you put in will always be reflected in the work you produce. If you give an assignment your full attention and constantly try to one up yourself, you will feel much more fulfilled and stress-free when it’s time to submit.

Assessing my progress during the semester. 1.Reflecting on my performance this semester, i realize that none of my four assignments truly stood out as exceptional. While i aimed to deliver strong work, all of my assignments were somewhat mediocre. Even essay #3, which initially appeared straightforward, proved to be more challenging than expected. Despite my efforts, i struggled with organizing my ideas and adhering to the requirements, which prevented me from achieving the results i had hoped for. 2.Essay 4 stands out as the assignment where i could have improved the most. I finally managed to gather all the necessary information and structure it correctly, which was a significant step forward. I also has additional opportunity to incorporate relevant quotes, which should have strengthened my arguments. However, i still fell short of delivering the essay as it should have been. The main issues stemmed from lack of thorough proofreading and not fully aligning the essay with the expectations outlined in the guidelines. 3.The most important lesson i learned this semester is the critical need to pay very close attention to the essay guidelines. This includes understanding the specific requirements and ensuring my work adheres to them. Additionally, i have realized the value of revisiting my work multiple times-proofreading at least five times before submitting- so that i can catch errors, refine my arguments, and present a polished final product. This approach will help me improve the quality of my assignments in the future.

The most successful assignment that I completed was essay #3. The poem I used went well with the theme of my flyer.. I received a 78%, which is the best grade I got within all four essays and that tells me that poetry is my strongest suit. Reading about the author that I used for essay #3 was very insightful. Natasha Tretheway did a great job portraying her point through her poem “Housekeeping”. As the semester progressed, my work has gotten better. I could’ve done better on the quizzes. I missed a couple of quizzes because I wasn’t on top of my due dates. Also if I took my time with quizzes then I probably would get a better score. Some of the quizzes I was confident about because I knew the topic of the quiz, so I thought I would’ve passed based on my knowledge. I will make sure I am on top of my assignments from here on out. One main thing I learned this semester is writing in MLA format. In the beginning I had issues with work citing at the end of the essay. As the semester went on, my mind tapped into my high school English classes and my work has gotten better. Using citations n MLA form can be difficult when there are no directions. But once you learn how to use citations it get simpler.

I feel like I did the best job and was most successful on essay 3. I shocked myself by how creative I made the poem flyer, and I also was very satisfied with the grade I got from it. It was a fun assignment to do and I’d also say it’s my favorite assignment of this semester. I would say that discussion boards in general are work that I could’ve done better on. A few of them I didn’t do and a tiny bit of them I didn’t receive full 100% credit because I either didn’t respond to a student or I posted my discussion on the weekend. I’d say the main thing I learned this semester is how to really read poems and understand them. It’s kind of general but I’ve always struggled with understanding the true meanings of poems and this semester definitely helped me on that. I’d say I gotten better at understanding poems and being able to talk about them.

On Essay 2 I believe I have done the most out of other semesters despite that I did not do my first essay. Most of what my professor told me since the beginning of the class was that I put in present tense sentences when speaking of a quote, or connecting with the sentence that has the same tense. The thesis statement wasn’t hard to understand but I found less structural meaning of my first paragraph when I tried to mirror the thesis to the conclusion. I learned next time by increasing transparency and context to the sentences relating to my point, would my professor grade it at a higher than 85. Even if, my grade is good enough based of my educative and personal input of the subject. Last semester and the semester before, many of the students, even me, used AI for everything, and I of course mainly look up particular sources when looking for structure. Additionally I treated it as a fail safe search engine, while other people even use it 100% and had their sentences look like it was rushed, before coming in with a bad grade. Before I did not catch any patterns in between the real person’s speech and the one made by text generators, such as ChatGPT. And I figured that the tension of the neglected use of artificial intelligence can spell doom to real artists, construction workers, and even tutors and scientists. Essay #2 teached me further in fact that Professor Conway taught me a valuable lesson about education through challenges versus cakewalking challenges to bypass whatever mistake along the way can help you achieve whatever obstacles and cracks in the road. Like a smoked turkey well cooked under the ingredient of love, she allowed her words to be addressed flawlessly that […]

The assignment I feel most successful with is essay 3. The reason is I got to express a bit of my creativity when making a flyer about a poet and being able to do research and find copyright-free images for them. Then using the BMCC library to learn about the poet. The assignment I feel I could’ve done better was Essay 1. I should have been focusing and taking things slow on the content I was writing to make sure that I was aligning with the requirements of the essay rules. Next time when proceeding to write an essay on an evaluation I will need to read more carefully on what I write and make sure to read what I write. Then make sure to cross-reference each detail within the text.   One thing I learned this semester was how to cite when writing in MLA format. It never came to me how important it is to credit the author from where you pulled your quotes and to also give the exact day you accessed these certain sites where you pulled your cites from. Then the way to also write where the quotes come from.

I think the assignment I did best on this semester was Essay 3, where we had to create a flyer about a poem of our choice. Honestly, I enjoyed this project because it gave me a chance to be creative, which isn’t something I usually get to do in school assignments. I chose Robert Frost’s “Acquainted with the Night” because it’s one of my favorite poems, and I felt I could connect with it. Designing the flyer was fun because I got to think outside the box and find ways to visually represent the poem’s meaning. It wasn’t just about writing, it was about bringing the poem to life in a different way. I’m proud of how it turned out, and I think that’s why I consider it my most successful assignment. If I’m being honest, I think I could have done better on the Discussion Boards. Sometimes I felt like I put in enough, but I didn’t always get the grade I hoped for. Looking back, I realize that I might not have fully answered all parts of the questions or maybe missed some details that were expected. I also think I could have spent more time engaging with my classmates’ posts instead of just focusing on my own responses. I know now that I need to slow down and really read the prompts carefully so I can make sure I’m addressing everything. In the future, I’ll try to give more detailed answers and take the time to connect my ideas to the readings or class discussions. It’s definitely something I want to improve on as I move forward. One big thing I learned this semester was how to use citations correctly. Before this class, I always felt nervous about citing sources because I wasn’t sure if I was […]

The most successful assignment for me was essay #2. Although I found this essay to be somewhat challenging I still managed to understand the assignment because it was easy to explain how some websites don’t provide accurate information and if you don’t actually read the article your essay will now make no sense. Furthermore, using Chat GPT can lead you in the wrong direction when it comes to writing an essay about a short story because most of the times the AI is telling you to use these big words that wont make your essay better but it can make you seem like you’re talking “gibberish” because the essay doesn’t explain/cite anything correctly from the short story. Nevertheless, even though I am still not 100% good at it but this class taught me how to cite a text correctly in my essays. As well as knowing how to correctly flow when I’m attempting to cite so it doesn’t sound boring, eg: “The short story mentions …” However, I feel like I could’ve done better on essay #4, I didn’t take my time with that essay and I didn’t even realize that the paper was under the expected pages. Consequently, for the next paper I will intentionally utilize the outline to do my essay correctly and I will take my time instead of rushing to get something done on it’s due date. I genuinely enjoyed the transparency from Professor Conway the entire semester because it gave me the opportunity to challenge myself and get better with writing.

The assignment i feel was most successful has to be essay #3, I feel like I enjoy doing those types of assignments (flyers, posters). I had the option to do my own research and pick a poem of my choice. I enjoyed the freedom while learning and being able to be creative with some instruction. I feel like i could done better on essay #4, after reading your feedback and going over the directions I noticed that I didn’t have an ‘’yes’’ or ‘’no’’ opinion for my essay. I feel like I can do it much differently now and get a much higher grade. I must say I learned more about myself in this class. I learned how to cite work, I learned a lot more that my English 101 professor didn’t teach or request for us to do. I learned more on how I work better following outlines and directions even though sometimes, I have to admit I struggled at times.

The assignment that I feel was most successful was the flyer which I believe was essay number 3. I am more of a visual person, so this was by far the easiest assignment. The outline was easy to follow and meet. While having fun doing this assignment, I also learned a lot about poetry. I could have done better on the quizzes by double checking my responses and cross-referencing them with my notes and the material given. I could have also studied the material more intently to get a better grade. Coming into this class, I could say that I did not have much experience writing essays that had such a detailed and specific outline. At first it was a struggle because I felt like I was producing good work, but it just did not meet the directions. However, now I think having these outlines assisted me in producing work that is more focused, structured and organized. Because these are all great attributes of a good paper, I now appreciate this way of writing more. To summarize i learned how to write more structured, organized and focused papers.

Surprisingly, the first essay turned out to be the assignment I felt most confident about. This was largely because I was able to carefully analyze the instructions and grasp the multiple layers involved. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to hone my critical thinking skills and approach the task with patience and focus. I was thrilled with the grade I received, as it validated my ability to interpret and follow directions effectively. On the other hand, the assignment I believe I could have improved on was the poetry poster. I overlooked the importance of citing the sources for the images I used, mistakenly assuming that free-use images didn’t require attribution. In hindsight, I wish I had taken the time to include proper citations, as it would have likely resulted in a better grade. One of the most valuable lessons I learned this semester was how to correctly use citations and incorporate them seamlessly into my writing. A specific takeaway was ensuring that both the sentences I write and the quotes I include are consistently in the present tense, which has significantly improved the flow of my work.  

One assignment I feels I am most successful in was creating the Poetry Flyer. The reason being because I got do my assignment on to research no copyright pictures, a poem and use the BMCC Online Library to get the author’s Biography and apply it to my flyer. Also, it was different form the regular essay. However, I think I could have done better in my essays and understanding the literary devices use in poetry. Writing essays in this course is completely different from how I normally write them. I should have tried to understand applying citation and in quote more and the various literary devices use in poetry. Trying to figure out the literary devices and interprets what it meant is one of the areas I need to work on. Also, one thing I learn this semester is the structure of a paragraph, applying quotes and citations. Also, writing thesis, researching primary and secondary sources to my essays was also a huge help. In would try to apply whatever I’ve learnt in this course to my essays going forward, especially in writing the thesis and paragraph structuring.  

In Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, the power of commonplace objects and situations is evident throughout the narrative, echoing Raymond Carver’s notion of imbuing ordinary things with profound significance. Oates masterfully uses precise language to transform seemingly mundane elements into symbols of deeper meaning and tension.  One vivid example is when she describes the main character, Connie, as she navigates the threshold of her home: “She was a pretty girl, but she had a nice, well-rounded figure and a good sense of style.” This line, while straightforward, captures not just Connie’s physical appearance but also the allure and vulnerability of her youth. The specificity of a “well-rounded figure” and “a good sense of style” elevates her character, illustrating the societal pressures she faces and the transition from innocence to awareness. As the story progresses, everyday objects and actions become laden with menace, particularly during Arnold Friend’s entrance. The door itself becomes a barrier, a threshold between safety and danger. Oates writes, “She was still too far away to see his face clearly, but she could see his clothes.” This simple observation transforms a common detail into a moment of building dread, where an ordinary interaction turns ominous.  Through Oates’ use of precise language, the commonplace aspects of Connie’s life take on a weight that enhances the story’s themes of identity, transformation, and the complexity of the adolescent experience. The seemingly trivial becomes powerful, echoing Carver’s insights into the extraordinary nature of everyday life.

Mathilde, the main character of Guy de Maupassant’s short story “The Necklace,” is presented using straightforward yet accurate language, which also shows her goals and death. From the start, Mathilde was described as someone who “was unhappy all the time,” thinking that, in in spite of her poor childhood, she should have a life of luxury. This text’s basic wording communicates Mathilde’s sadness and her obsession with money. She feels stuck in her current reality of “cheap” clothes and a “humble” life and longs for a life of beauty and improvement, which she believes would bring her happiness. The necklace is given a meaning through clear and straightforward explanations when Mathilde borrows it for a party. As “a superb diamond necklace,” the necklace itself symbolizes all of Mathilde’s desires which are beauty, richness, and a reputation. The tragic irony of the narrative is brought into focus by this ordinary item. When Mathilde loses the necklace and gets a real, pricey one in its place, her entire world is flipped upside down. The 10 years that come next, during which her family struggles to pay back the loan, are shown with honest reliability, highlighting how her need for wealth and looks causes her life to shift permanently. Finally, the sad irony and foolishness of Mathilde’s affection are exposed when it is revealed that the necklace was a cheap copy.

The Lake Isle of Innisfree” by W. B. Yeats is a short poem about a man who yearns for the peace and simplicity of nature. Yeats provides details as to what the speaker is going to do when he gets there. In Stanza 1, the second line, “And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:” The speaker plans to create a small home for himself. The use of the word small cabin to gives the impression that he is going to be the only one living in the house, without any family or relations of any kind. He plans to build the cabin from clay and wattles (sticks and rods). Once he’s living in his small cabin, he dreams of having “nine” rows of bean plants and a hive for, presumably, many honeybees, as in the next line, the glade (or small clearing in a forest), is filled with their sound.

When I think of something that holds immense power in a poem, I think of “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” by W.B. Yeats. The introductory lines he writes that explain the glade’s scenery have a peace-inducing feel to them that entices almost anyone reading to want to stay in an area like it: “And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made: Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee; And live alone in the bee-loud glade.” A small cabin made from the local land, with a small garden of beans growing and a hive of bees being the loudest thing in the surrounding glade. It’s a scene many have probably seen, with some exceptions (such as not seeing a beehive but seeing a cabin), whether it be in their local woods as a child or on hikes that they may have taken later in life. However, the power of Yeat’s word and imagination can go farther than any experience one may have.

The short story “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World” by Gabriel García Márquez in the passage described commonplace but precise language by interpreting the drowned man’s appearance in perspective of other woman’s view into a whole different person altogether. Here this story expresses the women of affection, of charismatic charm and naming of uncertainty they were holding inside their village. One of the women gazed to the corpse in curiosity, in her mind that “‘He has the face of someone called Esteban'” (Marquez, pg.2). On page 6, the author uses the word ‘knife’ in a harsh yet bold manner as to allow the readers in describing the tough stony fingers of the corpse man. Despite the local village and their customs, Marquez’s short story clearly followed Raymond Carver’s idea by emphasizing the commonality of the utensils in figurative speech along with the potential view using a common name to the readers.

In Flannery O’Connor’s story “A Good Man is Hard to Find”, simple and clear language gives deep meaning to everyday things. Raymond Carver once said that simple things can have great power, and this idea fits O’Connor’s writing well. For example, the grandmother’s hat is not just a hat—it shows how she sees herself and what society expects from her: “In case of an accident, anyone seeing her dead on the highway would know at once that she was a lady.” This line shows the grandmother’s concern with looking proper and being respected, even in death. The hat, a simple object, reveals her vanity and focus on appearances. By the end of the story, when the grandmother faces her own death, the hat loses its importance. This shows the difference between her earlier pride and her final vulnerability. O’Connor’s clear, straightforward writing turns ordinary things, like the hat, into powerful symbols that add meaning to the story.                        

In Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” he really nails Raymond Carver’s point about how precise language can elevate everyday moments into something truly impactful. The poem captures a simple moment: a traveler pausing in the woods on a snowy night. Frost uses clear and simple language, yet it stirs deep feelings and touches on universal themes. The woods, the snow, and the serene atmosphere become something special thanks to his thoughtful word choices. For example, Frost writes, “The only other sound’s the sweep / Of easy wind and downy flake.” ( Frost). In this place, the ordinary sounds of the wind and snow gently falling transform into something magical and soothing, creating a vibe of profound quiet and reflection. The woods themselves, described as “lovely, dark and deep,” symbolize more than just a spot on the map; they evoke feelings of beauty, mystery, and maybe even the tempting idea of rest or escape. Frost chooses simple, clear words to give these objects a surprising strength, encouraging readers to think about the struggle between life’s demands and the pull of a peaceful letting go. .