In the minds of ESL exam candidates, e ssay writing is one of the most daunting tasks they are required to complete, regardless of the level of the exam, the administering body or the ease with which they themselves use the language. The same applies to students who are asked to write an essay by their teachers at school. In the previous sample essays posted on the blog, the main point I stress is the need to become acquainted with this form of writing (as opposed to writing a letter, review or report, for instance), to get a feel of what authorial voice is and how to organize and progressively express the arguments you wish to make in a coherent manner. Unfortunately, the best way to prepare for exam writing or learn how to write good essays for school is to read as many essays from as many sources as possible, then write as
His story is short, can be read in one sitting thus capturing the reader's full attention with details given to pique interest, foreshadow events leading to an overwhelming climax and leave readers with questions that need to be addressed.
His story is as stately as the characters that inhabit it, be they human or faunal, progressing steadily, constructing a lifetime of conjugal experiences piecemeal in less than 1000 words -- the perfect vignette to kick off class discussions about death, suicide, dignity, love, loyalty, perseverance.
Read the story here.
The overview that follows is by no means comprehensive and is intended to give notes to teachers and students for further exploration.
Peter
Meinke – The Cranes
- Life
- born 1932
- American, 18 books of short stories and poems published
- cranes
- symbol
- tallest North American bird
- endangered crane species
- named after whooping sound they make
- guard calls: used to warn partner of potential danger
- unison calls: birds call jointly after waking up mornings, mating, when defending territory
- life span: 22-24 years
- what the story says about them:
- rare
- they mate for life ⇨ symbol of eternal love / loyalty
- live a long time
- “tall and stately birds”
- “make little birds seem like clowns”
- walk further off when little birds start quarrelling
- connection made between characteristics birds have and the couple:
- stately people
- lived a long time so are close
- act in unison
- make others’ relationships look like “clowns”
- are rare
- all this shows writer’s opinion of such people + decisions they make
- story build-up (rising action): clues are essential in every short story
- cranes
- shower curtain ⇨ bad omen
- spread over front car seat
- crackled and hissed
- “maybe this is the wrong thing.”
- state of main characters slowly revealed
- man: can’t drink, can’t smoke, no coffee, no candy, can’t go up stairs (= weak health)
- woman: ever since the accident feels she has been a burden to everyone; has a bad cough
- “the water looked like metal, still and hard.”
- “He turned in his seat and picked up an object wrapped in a plaid towel and placed it between them in the front.”
- “I wish the children were more settled.”
- relationship between the couple shown in 2 pages
- they remember funny times
- they joke about the same things (preacher station that makes them both throw up)
- they agree with each other’s behavior (she feels proud of him about the preacher incident)
- even their sex life was good (“You were terrific in ways I couldn’t tell the kids about.”)
- she: “I never get tired of listening to you.”
- he: “You were terrific.” (bringing up the kids)
“I remember everything.”
o finale: suicide ⇨ why? What message does the writer wish to
convey? Is it dignified? Justified?
o point of view:
- third person objective narrative form: the narrator is an unspecified entity who reports the dialogue and actions of the characters without giving readers any insight into their thoughts and feelings.
o themes:
- human relationships
- suicide vs perseverance
- dignified death
Click the picture for explanations of literary terms
