Speech Writing

 

 HSC English Writing Skills

Speech Writing

Speech Writing (Q.4.C.1) is a topic in which student is required to express his views on the given topic in the form of delivering a speech. The speech should start with a salutation and end with a thankful conclusion.

Do's & Don'ts :-

• Provide a warm welcome/salutation to the speech.
• Don't go off the track, write related to topic only.
• Don't use short forms of words.
• Underline the topic with a pencil.
• Try to use a quote or real life incidents as an example to highlight your speech.
• Always end the speech with a thankful conclusion.
• Try to start the speech with a question.

Format :-(**- leave a line)

Introduction (2-3 lines)

**

Main body (15-20 lines)

**

Conclusion (2-3 lines)

Sample Questions :-

Textbook Questions :

Q. Prepare a speech on 'Science and Superstitions.' (1.1 An Astrologer's Day)

Solution :

Science and Superstitions

Good Morning, Respected teachers and audience present at the moment. Today I am going to express my views on  'Science and Superstitions.'

Let me first put a question in front of you all, 'The superstitions put into the mind of people was due to lack of knowledge or precautions taken by our ancestors? Will it be fair enough to consider the superstitions as precautions?'; Because as I know that most of the superstitions have scientific or some other reasons behind it, and those are also proved. So it will not be wrong to say that somehow superstitions were or are due to science. For instance, avoid wearing black clothes is said to be a superstition, but actually it has a scientific reason that during hot summer the color will absorb maximum heat which will dehydrate the body. Another example can be of, I used to hear from my parents that , one should not go for a haircut on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, it was something illogical I had heard, but when I founded the reason for the same it stated that our ancestors knew the value of water, understand this in this way, after a haircut one needs to take a bath and we require more amount of water than usual days, so to save water our ancestors made a habit of not having a haircut on these three days. The examples stated, clearly answers the question that I had asked earlier, that it will be fair to consider the superstitions as the precautions taken by our ancestors and it does have scientific reasons behind it. The fact is that they can't be superstitions, a superstition is defined as a belief that cannot be explained by reasons or science, but the above examples have a particular reason. While in modern world, Science and Superstitions are two opposite ends of a pole. Those who have scientific attitude and trust science hardly believe in any superstitions. I think people must be made aware about the reasons behind the superstitions and use them effectively.

Thank you audience for your attention and patient ears. With these words I end my speech.

Believe in Superstitions...Not Blindly...But Scientifically.

__________

Extra Questions :

Q. Write a speech in about 100-150 words on 'Environment Day'.

Solution :

Environment Day

Good Morning, Respected Principal, teachers and all my fellow friends. I am here on the stage to express my views on the beautiful occasion of Environment Day.

World Environment Day is celebrated every year on 5th June globally. It is a day on which people and many organisation take an initiative to spread awareness about the environment and the need to conserve it. Moreover, it is essential to advocate for a greener environment and conservation of nature. It is quite simple as when we conserve the environment today, the future generations will be able to lead a healthier life. Environment Day is the perfect opportunity to make people aware of the issues we are facing and how can one contribute to saving it. It reminds us to ensure that nature is preserved at all costs. It throws light on the cause which are causing serious harm to our environment. For example, industries and factories are contributing largely to pollution. They are deteriorating the quality of air that we breathe and the water we consume. Thus this day serves as an eye-opener for many citizens.

Thank you all for calmly listening the speech, you all were a great audience. With these words I end my speech.

Save Environment...Save Yourself...

_________

Q. Write a speech in about 100-150 words on ' The Disadvantages of Television' using the following points :

• leads to addiction
• health deteriorates
• exposure to unreal lifestyles
• temptation through different ads

Solution :

The Disadvantages of Television

Good Morning, to one and all present at the moment, my respected teachers and friends. Today I am going to express my views on Disadvantages of Television.

Television is an good as well as bad output of technology and modernization. Television can be used to increase one's knowledge and also increase one's wastage of time. Watching it too much leads to its addiction, therefore most of the businesses do their advertisements on the television to acquire their customer base. This is because the television shows the particular slide again and again with a time interval, which helps brands to brainwash and create a brand image in the people's mind. These frequent ads leads to a temptation in mind and make people buy the things which are not required or not necessary. The rays emitted by the television screen is also harmful for eyes if not controlled and also deteriorates the health. Through television people also get exposure to unreal lifestyles. It totally brainwashes the people. Actually the truth is; people don't watch, what they want to watch, instead they watch, what television wants to show them and in result their mind gets manipulated easily. Once asked to a luxury car company owner that, " Why don't they advertise their cars on the television?", the owner replied, "The people who will buy our cars, will not be sitting in front of a television." The fact is that rich and wealthy people avoid watching television, in exchange they enjoy reading books. With this fact I end my speech.

Thank you all for your patient ears and have a nice day ahead.

__________

Practice Questions :

Q. Write a speech in about 100-150 words on 'Father's Day' with the help of the following points :

• importance of father
• role of father on child's life 
• gratitude and feelings towards father

Q. You wish to take part in the elocution competition which is organised by your college cultural committee. Prepare a speech on the topic "Mask for Safety". (March 2022 boards)

Q. Write a speech in about 100-150 words on 'Role of Smartphones in Human Life'. You can take the help of following points:

• Advantages/ Disadvantages
• Saves time 
• Global connectivity
• All the services available with just a click

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Virtual Message

 HSC English Writing Skills

Virtual Message

Drafting a Virtual Message (Q.4.A.1) is a topic where student is required convert the virtual conversion that will be given in the question into a short message for a third person.

Do's & Don'ts :-

• Convert the conversation or dialogue into a short message.
• Only the important details should be included.
• The message must be in the form of Indirect Speech.
• Be polite and to the point.
• Avoid writing short words or abbreviations.
• Read the Question twice.
• Student should not add any new information to the context.
• Always write the message in a rectangular box, draw it with a pencil.

Format :- (** - Leave a line)

Date, Time

**

Name of the person to whom the message is directed (Third person).

Main Body (3-5 lines)

**

Name of the writer.

Sample Questions :-

Textbook Questions

Q. You receive a telephone call from your mother's office when she is not at home. You have the following conversation with the speaker. But you have to go for your tuition class. So leave a message for your mother in 50 words, use the given information below: (pg no. 163)

You : Hello!

Mr. Rastogi : Hello! May I speak to Ms. Dixit, please? I am Naresh Rastogi from the office.

You : Mom's not at home right now.

Mr. Rastogi : In that case can you give her a message? It is urgent. Please tell her that the meeting fixed for tomorrow has been rescheduled. Ask her to check her mail as soon as possible for the details. Please don't forget to inform her.

You : Don't worry. I will tell her as soon as she returns. 

Solution :

14 April, 3:30 pm

Mom

Mr. Rastogi from the office called up to say that the meeting fixed tomorrow has been rescheduled. He wants you to check your mail as soon as possible for the details. He said it was urgent.

Rohan

__________

Q. Read the following and draft a virtual message.

Rakesh: Hello, may I speak to Dr. Sarkar?

Mrs. Sarkar: He has gone to the hospital to attend the OPD. May I know who is speaking?

Rakesh: Yes. I am Rakesh Sood. My wife has been having a severe headache since yesterday. Since this morning she has also developed a high temperature. I would be very grateful if the doctor could come over to our place to examine her.

Mrs. Sarkar: Of course. Please let me note down your address.

Rakesh: It is B-49, New Colony.

Mrs. Sarkar: I will give him your message as soon as he returns.

Rakesh: Thank You.

Mrs. Sarkar had to leave for the school where she teaches. So she wrote a message for her husband. Draft the message in not more than 50 words. (pg no. 163)

Solution :

6 June, 4 pm

Dr. Sarkar

Rakesh Sood from B-49, New Colony had called when you were in hospital. He requested you to go over to their place and examine her wife because had a severe headache since yesterday and this morning also developed a high temperature. 

Mrs. Sarkar

________

Q. Using information from the dialogue given below, write the message which Amrita left for her brother, Sourajit. (Do not leave out any vital information or add any new information ).

Shekhar: Is this 28473892?

Amrita: Yes. May I know who is speaking?

Shekhar: I am Shekhar. I want to speak to Sourajit. I am his friend from IHM, Goa.

Amrita: I am his sister. Sourajit is not at home at the moment. Can you ring up a little later?

Shekhar: I shall be a little busy. Actually, I have got a placement at the Hotel Mumbai, and will have to join with immediate effect. So right now I am trying to get all the formalities completed. This is the news that I wanted to give to Sourajit. Will you do that for me? Also tell him that I will let him know my new cell phone number as soon as I get one.

Amrita: I'll do that. Bye and all the best.

Amrita had to leave for office. So she wrote a note for Sourajit. Draft her message in not more than 50 words.

Solution :

6 July, 11 am

Sourajit

Your friend Shekhar from IHM, Goa called up to say that he has got a placement in Hotel Mumbai with immediate effect. He is now busy in trying to get all the formalities done and also said that he would give you his new cell phone number once he gets it.

Amrita

_________

Extra Question :

Q. Draft a virtual message in about 50 words to convey this message :

Mr. Bhide, the secretary of your housing society called on the intercom to speak to your father. Your father was not at home.

Mr. Bhide told you to convey to your father the following: a meeting - Saturday, 11 am. in Clubhouse - about Independence Day celebration in your society - also about tree pruning - car parking.

Solution :

( Note: In the question it is clearly mentioned about Independence Day, so considering it, you can't put any date in the format, use your common sense, consider date of 2-4 days before the celebration day whenever such questions are asked )

10 August, 2 pm

Father

Mr. Bhide our society secretary, called to inform that he has kept a society meeting on Saturday at 11 am. in the Clubhouse. The meeting is regarding the Independence Day celebration in our society and also about tree pruning, car parking.

Son.

__________

Practice Questions :

Q. You are Gopal, a receptionist, in the office of a company manufacturing garments. A sales manager Mr. Deshmukh visited and handed over the sales report to be submitted to the general manager who was busy attending a meeting.

Mr. Deshmukh: Hello! I am here to submit the available sales report to the General Manager.

Gopal: I am sorry but the manager is in the meeting. Can you leave a message for him along with the reports?

Mr. Deshmukh: Sorry, I have to leave immediately to collect the other reports. Please inform the General Manager, that I had to leave immediately and I will see him in the evening at 5:30 pm. with other reports. Thank you.

As a receptionist draft a virtual message for the General Manager.

( March 2022 Boards)

Q. Read the following telephonic conversation between Atharva and Sarika and draft a virtual message based on it. Your message should not be more than 50 words.

Atharva: Hello, may I speak to Vasu?

Sarika: Extremely sorry, Vasu has still not reached home. May I know who is speaking?

Atharva: I am Atharva, his badminton coach from Champions Badminton Academy. Will you take a note for her?

Sarika: Why not sir, please say what the message is?

Atharva: Please inform her that the academy will remain closed for the period of 8 days as two Corona Positive cases are found today here in the academy. The academy will reopen from 8th of November, 2020.

Sarika: No problem sir, I will inform him about it.

As Sarika had to leave for her swimming class, so she wrote down a message to Vasu and left. Draft that message without adding any new information.

Q. Imagine that you have won two entry tickets to a popular drama at a theater near you this weekend. Draft a message in about 100/150 words to convey the message to your best friend and invite him/her for the same. 

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Interview Writing

 HSC English Writing Skills

Interview Writing

Interview writing (Q.4.B.3)  is a topic where student is required to frame 8-10 questions as per the instructions given in the question.

Do's :-

• Frame minimum 8 or maximum 10 questions (as per the requirement of the question).
• Give an Introduction to the situation for which the interview is being conducted.
• Provide a thanks giving conclusion.
• Ask simple questions
• Questions should be grammatically correct.
• Logical sequence needed.

Don'ts :-

• Do not use too many Yes/No questions.
• No personal questions
• Do not write the answers for the questions you have asked.
• Don't be negative

[Don't forget to put Question Mark (?) at the end of each question]

Format :-

(Introduction)

1) Question

2) Question

3) Question

4) Question

5) Question

6) Question

7) Question

8) Question

(Conclusion)

Sample Questions :-

Textbook Questions

Q. You are the class representative and you have been asked by the principal to conduct an interview of a cop. Frame 8-10 questions with the help of the following points, give introduction and conclusion.(1.3 The Cop and the Anthem)

• reasons for joining the department
• special training
• developing the skill to identify and locate criminals 
• dealing with criminals
• achievements and awards

Solution :

( Good Morning, I am the CR of the class. Today we have Inspector Mr. Patil with us on the stage for the interview )

1. When did you join the Police Department?

2. What were your reasons for joining the department?

3. Did you have to go through any special training sessions?

4. How do you identify criminals?

5. What are the qualities a cop should have?

6. Can you tell us something about your achievements and awards?

7. Who is your role model?

8. What message you would like to give to the younger generation?

( Thank you sir for your valuable time, it was a great honor to have you on the stage ) 

Q. Your college has decided to celebrate the World Environment Day Mr. Kiran Purandare has been invited as the 'Chief Guest' for the event. Imagine you are the Secretary of the 'Nature club' of your college and you have to conduct an interview of Mr. Kiran. Frame 8-10 questions.

(1.6 Into the Wild).

Solution :

( Good Morning, I am the Secretary of Nature Club would like to invite Mr. Kiran Purandare our chief guest on the stage for the interview )

1. Could you please share your experience about the studies you completed in Scotland?

2. How did you get interested in the nature conservation?

3. Why should we conserve and protect our environment?

4. You are a enthusiastic forest traveler, so sir can you describe how does an ordinary day in forest looks like?

5. What are the challenges you face as a wild-life expert?

6. How can we as an individual help in the protection of the environment?

7. Global Warming is a very serious topic, what's your view on it?

8. What is the message you would like to give to our young environmentalist?

( Thank you sir for answering the questions patiently, it was a great honor to have you on the stage ) 

Q. Write a set of 8-10 interview questions to be asked to a social worker. Take the help of the following points.(2.4 Have you Earned your Tomorrow)

• childhood
• education
• service
• difficulties
• future plans 
• achievements
• message

Solution :

( Good Morning, Today with us we have Mr. Patil a social worker on the stage on the interview )

1. Sir what was your hobby in your childhood?

2. How was your student life?

3. Who was your role model?

4. What inspired you to become a social worker?

5. What are the difficulties you face being a social worker?

6. What is a biggest achievement for a social worker?

7. Where do you see yourself in next 5 years?

8. What is your valuable message for the younger generation?

( Thank you sir for your valuable time, it was a great honor you have you on the stage)

Extra Question

Q. Your teacher have asked you to take a interview of a reputed Doctor who has worked throughout the pandemic saving many lives. Prepare a set of 8-10 questions for taking his interview.

Solution :

( Good morning, today we have a reputed and courageous person Dr. Arun Tiwari with us on the stage for the interview )

1. What are the precautions you take as a doctor during this pandemic?

2. What is your way of handling emergencies and workload?

3. As the people are afraid of vaccine due to rumours, so will you talk about the vaccination drive?

4. According t you, what could be the reasons for the second and third wave of the virus?

5. How does the Corona vaccine works?

6. What are the qualities a doctor should have?

7. During this pandemic, all the medic staffs were staying away from their family due to covid duty, how difficult was it for you to live without your family?

8. What are the lessons we can learn from the pandemic?

( Thank you sir for your valuable time and response, it was a great honor to have you on the stage )

Practice Questions

Q. Imagine that you have met with the topper in M.P.S.C Examination. You wish to interview of him/her to know his/her journey of success. Prepare a set of 8 to 10 questions to be asked. (March 2022)

Q. Frame a set of 8-10 questions to be asked while interacting a well-known Bollywood star, whose film recently broke all records at box office.

Q. Board Exam September 2021 (Repeaters)

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2.8 Small Towns and Rivers (Appreciation)

 

English Poem Appreciations 12th HSC Board
Section Two (Poetry)

Unit 2.8

Small Towns and Rivers

Small Towns and Rivers

                                     - Mamang Dai

Small towns always remind me of death.

My hometown lies calmly amidst the trees,

it is always the same, 

in summer or winter,

with the dust flying, 

or the wind howling down the gorge.

Just the other day someone died.

In the dreadful silence we wept

looking at the sad wreath of tuberoses.

Life and death, life and death,

only the rituals are permanent.

The river has a soul.

In the summer it cuts through the land

like a torrent of grief. Sometimes,

sometimes, I think it holds its breath

seeking a land of fish and stars

The river has a soul.

It knows, stretching past the town,

from the first drop of rain to dry earth

and mist on the mountaintops,

the river knows

the immortality of water.

A shrine of happy pictures

marks the days of childhood.

Small towns grow with anxiety

for the future.

The dead are placed pointing west.

When the soul rises

it will walk into the golden east, 

into the house of the sun.

In the cool bamboo,

restored in sunlight,

life matters, like this.

In small towns by the river

we all want to walk with the gods.

                                   - Mamang Dai

Q.  With the help of the following points, write a poetic appreciation of the poem      'Small Towns and Rivers.'

• About the poem/poet and the title

• The theme

• Poetic style

• The language/ poetic devices used in the poem    

• Special features

• Message, values, morals in the poem

• Your opinion about the poem

 

Appreciation of the poem :-

Small Towns and Rivers

The title indicates that the poem is related to nature. The poem is written by Mamang Dai, who is also a novelist, journalist and former civil servant from Itanagar, she writes in English as well as in Adi language. This poem is taken from the collection of the poems,  ' The River Poems', published in 2004.

The theme shows in the way she begins the poem that small towns remind her of death. It is shocking. She implies the town is unchanging in all weathers, but development comes along and changes everything. The poem describes a landscape and nature where river is a dominant phenomenon. The poetess finds that even life and death are transient, but the nature and rituals are permanent, the poetess has expressed anxiety at the developments in the small towns. The towns, she implies, have prospered when nature has been destroyed. It is a nature poem, but with a difference that while celebrating nature around her hometown, the poet also laments the destruction of that nature to make way for the lifeless small towns along the river. The poem contains seven stanzas of unequal length and it is written in free verse. The lines are short and the verses are lucid. The poetic devices used in the poem are Alliteration, Antithesis, Personification, Metaphor, Euphemism, Repetition, Transferred Epithet, Simile, Onomatopoeia. The depiction of towns during the summer and winter seasons adds to the visual Imagery in the poem.

We can all feel the sorrow of the poetess when we read about how nature's beauty is damaged for man's greed, which is euphemistically called 'progress'. I like the poem because it is interesting read and for its curious mix of the positive and negative aspects.

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2.7 She Walks in Beauty (Appreciation)

 

English Poem Appreciations 12th HSC Board
Section Two (Poetry)

Unit 2.7

She Walks in Beauty

She Walks in Beauty

                            - George Byron

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes;

Thus mellowed to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven trees,

Or softly lightens o'er face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express,

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent!

                                 - George Byron

Q.  With the help of the following points, write a poetic appreciation of the poem      'She Walks in Beauty.'

• About the poem/poet and the title

• The theme

• Poetic style

• The language/ poetic devices used in the poem    

• Special features

• Message, values, morals in the poem

• Your opinion about the poem

 

Appreciation of the poem :-

She Walks in Beauty

The title 'She Walks in Beauty' of the poem is also the first line of the poem, which gives the reader a glimpse of the woman whose beauty the poet appreciated. It is written by George Byron, known simply as Lord Byron was a famous English romantic poet and also a Satirist.

It is a short lyrical poem celebrating female beauty. The poet describes an unnamed woman who is exceptionally striking. The poet not only describes her external appearance but also her inner goodness which makes her so attractive. This 18-line lyrical poem consists of three stanzas of six lines each i.e Sestets. The main theme explored by the poet is that of beauty, where he praises a woman. Each feature of the woman- her eyes, her face, her cheek, her brow, her smile- is praised. The poet speaks of harmony between day and night and the perfect balance between mind and the body. The main symbolism in the poem is that the poet presents the woman as someone who is a symbol of purity and innocence. The poem follows a regular rhyme scheme of 'ababab'. The language used by the poet is rich and complex. The poet uses several poetic devices like Simile, Antithesis, Repetition, Alliteration, Exclamation, Synecdoche, Metaphor, Transferred Epithet, Metaphor to express the undefinable beauty of the poem. The message is about the importance of inner beauty, which is almost a divine thing that will in turn, bring external beauty.

I like the poem because the poet's depiction of woman's outer beauty being linked to inner beauty create a powerful impact on the reader's mind, thus making them understand the absolute meaning of being beautiful.

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2.6 Money (Appreciation)

 

English Poem Appreciations 12th HSC Board
Section Two (Poetry)

Unit 2.6

Money

Money

                                       - William H. Davies

When I had money, money, O!

I knew no joy till I went poor;

For many false man as a friend

Came knocking all day at my door.

Then felt I like a child that holds 

A trumpet that he must not blow

Because a man is dead; I dared

Not speak to let this false world know.

Much have I thought of life, and seen

How poor men's hearts are ever light;

And how their wives do hum like bees

About their work from morn till night.

So, when I hear these poor ones laugh,

And see the rich ones coldly frown

Poor men, think I, need not go up

So much as rich men should come down.

When I had money, money, O!

My many friends proved all untrue;

But now I have no money, O!

My friends are real, though very few.

                                            - William H. Davies

Q.  With the help of the following points, write a poetic appreciation of the poem      'Money.'

• About the poem/poet and the title

• The theme

• Poetic style

• The language/ poetic devices used in the poem    

• Special features

• Message, values, morals in the poem

• Your opinion about the poem

 

Appreciation of the poem :-

Money

The title of the poem 'Money' is very suggestive and reflective. It is written by a Welsh poet and writer William H. Davies. In this narrative poem poet depicted his own real life experience as the rich man and a poor man in the context of the money. 

The poem tells us about a rich man who wants to be a poor man to find the real happiness. It is when we do not have money or have lost our money, we realize how important the money.  The theme of the poem is that money cannot give you eternal happiness. The poem consists of five stanzas of four line sonnets. It is written in narrative form which is a biographical. The poem is written in a simple language which is easy to read and understand. The rhyme scheme used is 'abcb'. The poetic devices used in the poem are Exclamation, Repetition, Simile, Imagery, Euphemism, Antithesis, Inversion, Transferred Epithet. The special feature of the poem is a very simple subject but has deep bitter truth of human relationships. It relates the experiences and observations of human life. The poem gives us a strong message that money and richness is not essential for happiness. Money invites many false and selfish people in our life. 

I like the poem because it teaches that money may attract temporary happiness but for real and eternal happiness true people are important in our life.

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2.5 Father Returning Home (Appreciation)

 

English Poem Appreciations 12th HSC Board
Section Two (Poetry)

Unit 2.5

Father Returning Home

Father Returning Home

                                 - Dilip Chitre

My father travels on the late evening train

Standing among silent commuters in the yellow light

Suburbs slide past his unseeing eyes

His shirt and pants are soggy and his black raincoat

Stained with mud and his bag stuffed with books

Is falling apart. His eyes dimmed by age

Fade homeward through the humid monsoon night.

Now I can see him getting off the train

Like a word dropped from a long sentence.

He hurries across the length of the grey platform,

Crosses the railway line, enters the lane,

His chappals are sticky with mud, but he hurries onward.

Home again, I see him drinking weak tea, 

Eating a stale chapati, reading a book.

He goes into the toilet to contemplate

Man's estrangement from a man-made world.

Coming out he trembles at the sink,

The cold water running over his brown hands,

A few droplets cling to the greying hair on his wrists.

His sullen children have often refused to share

Jokes and secrets with him.

He will now go to sleep

Listening to the static on the radio, dreaming

Of his ancestors and grandchildren, thinking 

Of nomads entering a subcontinent through a narrow pass.

                                                  - Dilip Chitre

Q.  With the help of the following points, write a poetic appreciation of the poem      'Father Returning Home.'

• About the poem/poet and the title

• The theme

• Poetic style

• The language/ poetic devices used in the poem    

• Special features

• Message, values, morals in the poem

• Your opinion about the poem

 

Appreciation of the poem :-

Father Returning Home

The title 'Father Returning Home' is very suitable. The poet Dilip Chitre was a celebrated bilingual poet and translator with a remarkable work in Marathi and English. This poem is taken from "Travelling in a Cage".

The poem is about a suburban commuter who work hard in his life for his family. The theme depicts the isolation, loneliness and alienation suffered by any old person. It also depicts his dull, monotonous, exhausting and equally pitiable daily routine. Despite working hard for his family throughout the life, the father feels uncared and his children refuse to share their joys and sorrow with him. They consider him as an outsider or insignificant. This very painful loneliness is a symbol of man's isolation from the materialistic man-made world. The poem is written in simple narrative form which is a monologue. The poem consists of two stanzas of 12 lines each. The poem is written in free verse. The figures of speech used in the poem are Transferred Epithet, Synecdoche, Simile, Personification, Climax, Alliteration. The poem conveys the message to younger generation to respect elder people and treat them with dignity. They are treasure of wisdom and experience, we can learn a lot from them. 

I like the poem because the topic is very relevant for the present time and has left a mark on me and made this poem unforgettable.

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2.4 Have you Earned your Tomorrow (Appreciation)

 

English Poem Appreciations 12th HSC Board
Section Two (Poetry)

Unit 2.4

Have you Earned your Tomorrow

Poet Edgar Guest

Have you Earned your Tomorrow

                                          - Edgar Guest

Is anybody happier because you passed his way?

Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?

This day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;

Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?

Did you give a cheerful greeting to the friend who came along?
Or a churlish sort of "Howdy" and then vanish in the throng?

Were you selfish pure and simple as you rushed along the way,

Or is someone mighty grateful for a deed you did today?

Can you say tonight, in parting with the days that's slipping fast,

That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?

Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;

Does a man whose hopes were fading now with courage look ahead?

Did you waste the day, or lose it, was it well or sorely spent?

Did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent?

As you close your eyes in slumber do you think that God would say,

You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?

                                                          - Edgar Guest

Q.  With the help of the following points, write a poetic appreciation of the poem      'Have you Earned your Tomorrow.'

• About the poem/poet and the title

• The theme

• Poetic style

• The language/ poetic devices used in the poem    

• Special features

• Message, values, morals in the poem

• Your opinion about the poem

 

Appreciation of the poem :-

Have you Earned your Tomorrow

The title 'Have you Earned your Tomorrow' is very introspective. The poem is written by the poet Edgar Guest, an American writer of newspaper and magazines.  Edgar Guest is known as 'people's poet' for his simple style and optimistic tone of writing. It is an inspirational poem.

In this poem, the poet is asking the readers whether they have done anything to improve the life of another human being or not. It is upto you whether you will have a better fortune or not. Therefore, one should consider one's actions and deeds for a better fortune. The poetic devices employed in the poem are Interrogation, Alliteration, Transferred Epithet, Synecdoche, Repetition. The poet uses interrogative style to elaborate his idea of goodness in the poem.

The tone of the poem is Interrogative. The language used is simple and straight forward. The poet is making us aware of our duties and responsibilities to gain our fruitful future. The poet conveys that the way we act today will determine whether we get to have a better tomorrow or not, because the good we do today will earn us our bright and happy tomorrow.

The poem gives an inspiration to be a good human being. I like the poem as it makes the readers evaluate their own behavior and improve it which ensures a better future. 

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