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MINISTERIAL EXAMINATION OF COLLEGE ENGLISH
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AND LITERATURE

WRITING GUIDELINES

12 August 1998

READING 1

If you choose this essay to analyse, explore a central idea and comment on the techniques and devices* used by Wooldridge develop and clarify this central idea. Is his argument convincing? Develop a thesis statement, from your own point of view, about this essay and structure your response around your thesis.

Text :  “The Tragedy of Eugenics” by Adrian Woodridge

Reference : 

Adrian Woodridge. “The Tragedy of Eugenics.” In The Gazette, 27 September, 1997, B6.


READING 2

What do you think is one of MacEwan's central themes in this short story? What do you think is the significance of the story? How does the author's use of literary techniques and devices* bring out her main themes? Develop a thesis statement, from your own point of view, about this short story and structure your response around your thesis.

Text :  “Snow” by Gwendolyn MacEwan

Reference : 

Gwendolyn MacEwan. “Snow.” In Short Short Stories, edited by Jack Davis and Jon Redfern, 81-84. Toronto: Holt Rinehart and Winston, 1981.


READING 3

What do you think is the main point of Sontag's essay? How does she use techniques and devices* in order to make her point effectively? Develop a thesis statement, from your own point of view, about this essay and structure your response around your thesis.

Text :  “A Woman's Beauty: Put-Down or Power Source” by Susan Sontag

Reference : 

Susan Sontag. “A Woman's Beauty: Put-Down or Power Source.” In 75 Readings: An Anthology, 6th edition, edited by Santi Buscemi and Charlotte Smith, 134-136. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1987.


* 

Techniques such as narration, description, dialogue, analogy, example, contrast, setting, comparison, persona and character are used frequently, often in combination. Devices such as imagery, simile, metaphor, repetition, and level of language are commonly used to achieve desired effects. You are probably familiar with others as well.


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