Good storytelling begins with a solid idea, along with excellent organization and convincing examples and exposition.  Juicy verbs and nouns paint the picture told by the story help to sustain the reader’s attention. Figurative and evaluative language adds colorful flourishes to the story, turning what may be a good story into a piece of writing that keeps readers hooked, inviting them back for more of the writer’s words.  

Figurative and Evaluative Language Defined

Figurative language a word or phrase with another word or phrase. It uses words in ways that redefines them, changes their meaning, provides a definition that’s unlike their actual explanation. The word blue, for example, changes from a color to meaning sad or depressed and the phrase “like a greased pig on oil” means something slippery, or something slips by quickly, with no friction to slow it and nothing to stop it. evaluative language allows writers to offer up their opinions on a topic, in other words, editorializing. This opining may be intentional or it may be inadvertent. This evaluative language is considered sound reasoning when the writer’s opinions are based on fact and firm arguments rather than on suppositions. The writer has evaluated the words used by other writers and is giving his or her own interpretation of their meaning.

Figurative Devices

Figurative language has at its disposal, a multitude of  strategies to elucidate a writer’s ideas and stir the reader’s imagination. These figures of speech are used in figurative language:  similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, idioms, and symbolism.

• Similes use the words “like” or “as” to compare one set of words with another, one idea with another. Example: Jennifer’s mom always  moved through her day, busy as a bee.
• Metaphors compares two or more things share nothing in common, without using the words like or as, as with similes. Example, Jack can eat anything he wants because he’s a string bean.
• Personification gives human qualities to animals or inanimate objects. Example: When the summer rains finally began, the drops danced on the roofs and kicked up steam on the street outside her house.
• Hyperbole humorously exaggerates in order to make appoint. Example: He gave the policeman the slip, escaping faster than a greased pig on oil.
• Onomatopoeia describes an action by replicating the sound they make. Examples: the rain pinged against the window; the bacon sizzled in the pan; the wind rustled through the leaves.
• Idiomsare expressions people use, that  are generally used only in specific regions. Example: People living in Texas say “ya’ll” when referring to 2 or more people.
• Symbolism uses specific nouns to stand for something else entirely. Example: The American flag represents patriotism, freedom, and love of country.

Evaluative Devices

Evaluative language is used to write book reports as well as book, movie, or theater reviews. Writers use evaluative language to describe what they read or saw without giving away the whole story. Writers let their readers know how they felt about what they experienced while reading the book or watching the movie or play so as to convince their readers that the book, movie or play was or was not worth their time.

Figurative and evaluative language improves writing by making it more colorful. Figurative language invites readers to expand their imagination and see things in wilder, grander, more vibrant ways,  rather than taking things literally. Evaluative language encourages readers to consider the writer’s viewpoint about something and make the assumption that the writer is actually an expert about the topic he or she is writing about. On the other hand, the readers can take the writer’s opinion with a grain of salt and go out and investigate the topic, book, play or movie for themselves and make up their own mind. Either way, they’ve gotten just enough of a taste of what the writer is discussing to decide one way or the other, whether they want to investigate further or not. Both of these writing techniques have their place. Both can make an author’s writing better.

Bibliography

MrDonn.org: What is Figurative Language? Downloaded 2/14/2012.

http://languagearts.mrdonn.org/figurative.html

Fallacy Files. Loaded Words.  Downloaded 2/14/2012.

http://www.fallacyfiles.org/loadword.html

Word IQ.  Literal and Figurative Language – Definition.  Downloaded 2/14/2012. http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Literal_and_figurative_language  

Kids Konnect. Figurative Language. Downloaded 2/14/2012.

http://www.kidskonnect.com/subject-index/20-language-arts/343-figurative-language.html

O’Regan, David. University of Kansas. Useful Phrases for use in Evaluative Writing. Downloaded 2/14/2012.

http://home.ku.edu.tr/~doregan/Writing/evallangpanova.htm

Your Dictionary. Figurative Language. Downloaded 2/14/2012.

http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/style-and-usage/Figurative-Language.html

The Australian Curriculum. Evaluative Language. Downloaded 2/14/2012.

http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Glossary?a=E&t=evaluative+language

Literacy Works. Persuasive Texts for NAPLAN 5 – Evaluative Language.

Downloaded 2/14/2012.

http://literacyworks.com.au/teaching-ideas/persuasive-texts-for-naplan-evaluative-language/

Perhaps the United Nations should be renamed the League of Nations, established after World War I.   The word, “United,” is, in my opinion, a misnomer.”The word, “League,” would serve this body of nations appropriately, simply because, the word, “United,” sounds meaningless, when nations have a right to differ politically, such as Russia and China whose veto powers have become an exercise in contradiction.

The League of Nations was set up in a different era that was nonetheless pressured by events that were no less important than the events of today. The present body of nations consists of members with varied political views. They have the privilege of airing their opinion about which there may not be any unity of purpose nor a commonality of objectives.

It might be that soon after World War II, the majority of nations had come together to celebrate the defeat of a tyrant in the person of Hitler; hence, the word “United” had seemed appropriate under the circumstances. In this day and age, when nations, such as Russia and China, are privileged to exercise their veto freely and with partiality, the word, “United” has no bearing on the politics of today.

 Cool down. Getting too emotional means you are opening another chance for them to criticize you. Everybody has got the right to share their opinion, even though their opinions might upset you.

 Open your mind. You might think what they have said is wrong, but they think the otherwise around. People have different angle in viewing so many thing in life. Try to understand their point of view before giving any appropriate respond.

 Never take it too personal. Taking things too personal is equal to torturing yourself. So, let it go and see how things flow.

 Asking why and how. Ask for more information on the thing being criticized. Use the information to do some reality check or finding new solutions.

 Be quiet. Replying criticism with another criticism might spark unnecessary debate. So, be quiet when there were no better things to say.

 Second opinion might be needed. Ask for a fair opinion from others. That way you can be sure whether the criticism is right or wrong.

 Get used to it. Life is a long journey and you’ll never know when you’ve got to deal with another criticism. So, once you’ve managed to deal with a criticism in a calm and positive way, just keep it that way.

Image from Fangs Bites

I know I use the Internet on almost a daily basis, and if it changed now, I would be so upset along with millions. From what I’ve read and heard, this trial aims to end piracy (the illegal downloading and distributing of copyrighted material). That right there is perfectly understandable. However, when they go so far as to threaten to take down very loved sites like Facebook and YouTube if they find one user that breaks the rules, they’ve gone too far.

Image from Return2Simplicity and StringedTech

Another thing that is completely unreasonable is that if you upload a copyrighted song ANYWHERE on the Internet, they’ll take it down immediately and give you up to 5 years in prison! That’s so cruel and uncalled for.

Image from Good Culture

Do you really want this to happen to the Internet we know and love? If not, go and sign the numerous petitions that are circling around. With your help, we can keep our freedom to access the Internet!

Here are a few:

Broadband for America - Save the Internet - Avaaz - Move On - 3quarksdaily

Jacob Gingerich one of the men was jailed for failing to pay fines over the state law that all slow moving vehicles need reflective signs. Jacob Gingerich says they consider these signs to be garnish and believe they should rely on God, not symbols for protection on the highway. Also stated by another man jailed was If they go ahead and put these signs on our buggies they will be shunned by others in their communities.

My heart goes out to these people. I was raised a Mennonite and although I have since left the faith I understand the deep respect and loyalty they have to living a simple Godly life.

Since leaving this religion I see it may just be a matter of “learned perception” passed from generation to generation but that learned perception is deeply rooted since childhood in each member of that faith. As a child we just believe everything we are told by our parents and adults. It’s not so easy to break-free and seriously question were we lied to.

I have concerns about just how far this will go. These men have already been jailed because their belief and will not, nor cannot be swayed in their believes just by imprisonment.

The religion will perceive this as a form of Religious persecution after all they have been living this way for hundreds of years. Deer,raccoon and many other animals do not wear reflectors

Perhaps this is where the Amish need to consider common-sense?
Yes God doesn’t need us to use symbols to protect ourselves he needs us to use common-sense.

Unfortunately I see both sides to this story. I stand on neutral ground between Victim and Villain and witness BOTH sides believing they are Victims.

I choose common sense for myself

A perfect example of this Matthew 7-1
Do not judge -or you too will be judged

Perhaps one should consider

Victims don’t make very fair judges nor do Villains

Here is the article

Amish Men Jailed

Such type of approach requires sympathetic consideration on another’s points of views. These people are sensible enough that they learn from their fights and do their best avoiding them in future. However, acknowledging the reason is one of the most important parts in the reconstruction of a broken relationship. Understanding each other’s feeling is the beauty in a healthy relationship. It includes the things that were right in the relationship and while considering what went wrong, it is important to understand the feelings of both the parties. Once you become conscious enough to start recognizing the reason for the misunderstanding, you will also be able to understand the expectations of both the parties that they need to fulfill for future betterment.

Another aspect to consider in the process of reconstruction is the agreements and decisions that have been taken by both sides. Not only considering but also honoring their decisions and agreements is also equally important.

Avoid making half promises. Promises are meant to be honored and kept at all costs. Once you have reached to the agreements and decisions, sticking by them are equally important from both sides. By keeping the same values, you will find it quite easy maintaining a healthy relationship in future.

One of the major tips in the reconstruction of the relationship process is not using sex as the basis of reconstruction process. Since it could form a habit and you could start seeing it as a solution after every fight that could have psychological effects. Though sex has the potential of increasing intimacy in your broken relationships but it could not minimizes the risk of future fights. Therefore, it is important to have communication going for creating better understanding and mental harmony between two parties. This type of approach not only minimizes the risk of future disagreements but also be fruitful in the long run.

As you know slowly and steady wins the race, hence it is essential taking step-by-step approach in the reconstruction of the relationship. If there is still a little chance or glow present in the relationship, it is essential to cool mindedly examine various aspects of the relationship and should work for regaining the trust and love that was present before. Don’t expect results suddenly, it requires a lot of communication and time for one or both the parties figuring out their weaknesses and then overcoming them. By doing so both will be able to achieve better perspective and at length succeed maintaining a healthy relationship. Disagreements and quarrels are not as bad as thought, but virtually they gives us chance to make our relationships even better than before.

By Muhammad Irfan Zafar

Content Writer

Why is it that when cuts need to be made — it’s the poor or the seniors that have to pay the price? Why is social security the ‘entitlement’ that republicans always target? We the poor — barely recognizable ‘middle class’ have bailed out the rich — year after year. We bail out their banks — we bail out their corporations — we pay them not to plant crops — we pay them to drill for oil and gas the richest resources that we have — then turn around and pay them the highest prices for the final product. Why do we constantly hear that Medicare — Social Security and Medical Coverage is too expensive — but the research and development of better war toys is something none of us can live without? I am so sick and tired of the entire political circus. We have idiots running for president and idiots stopping any forward progress that our first decent president in years is trying to implement.

When Bush won the presidency in 2000 I predicted that America was on its way to “hell in a hand basket.” And sadly to say, I was right. Visions of France when the peasants were told to eat cake come to mind. The French Revolution (1789–1799), was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that had a major impact on France and indeed all of Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years. French society underwent an epic transformation as feudal, aristocratic and religious privileges evaporated under a sustained assault from radical left-wing political groups, masses on the streets, and peasants in the countryside. Old ideas about tradition and hierarchy – of monarchy, aristocracy and religious authority – were abruptly overthrown by new Enlightenment principles of equality, citizenship and inalienable rights.(Wikipedia)

Is that really where were headed? Probably not but then again I know the first list of aristocrats I would line up at the guillotine. (Yes, I admit it — I am that angry — and I don’t think I’m the only one!)

The ‘aristocrats’ are killing this country — the people with the most — have the least compassion, or empathy — a new class of sociopaths (someone whose personality makes them behave in ways that are dangerous to other people). This is more dangerous and frightening to me than any crazy mass murderer that ever lived because it applies to such an influential group of individuals. These are people who have mastered the art of propaganda. They simply lie and sadly millions believe it. I always thought education was what made people less sheep like — somehow we have failed to teach folks to think for themselves. Not all folks of course, but a great number — a number that will make this election more scary than the last one.

One such ‘aristocrat’ is a man that I will not name but he owns his own television stations, newspapers etc. and has more money than sense–he tweets that Santorum is a great guy. Suddenly his campaign is making a million a day. A man who is clearly a bigot, a homophobic, and completely clueless to the needs of a nation fighting for its life — yeah that’s what we need for president. Although the way it looks some folks would vote for a robot as long it was made from white metal and not black metal.

I hope I’m wrong — I hope those that folks that slept through the last election — the one where all the republicans won — wake up and make their voices heard! If you snooze through this one our country will sorely suffer!

Image by watchsmart via Flickr

According to a World Bank study in 2008, recorded at Wikipedia – corruption in the Philippines is considered to be the worst among East Asia’s leading economies and the country has sunk even lower among those seen to be lagging in governance reforms. The 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index published by global watchdog Transparency International, showed that the situation in the country had improved slightly but still remained serious. The Philippines ranked 139th among 180 countries included in the index, up from its previous 141st ranking in 2008. The nation scored 2.4 in the TI index, compared to 2.3 in 2008, which ranked it equal to Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Baltic state of Belarus.

To fight poverty the Filipinos should adapt the correct attitude. Some Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries stressed that there is no significant intellectual difference. Race or skin colors are also not important: immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the productive power in rich European countries.

What is the difference then? The difference is the attitude of the people, framed along the years by the education and the culture and flawed tradition. The behaviors of the people in rich and developed countries are greatly followed the following principles in their lives such as:

1. Ethics, as a basic principle.
2. Integrity.
3. Responsibility.
4. Respect for the laws & rules.
5. Respect for the rights of other citizens.
6. Work loving.
7. Strive for savings & investment.
8. Will of super action.
9. Punctuality.
10. And of course…Discipline

Philippines is not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel to us. In fact, we are supposedly rich in natural resources. We are poor because we lack the correct attitude. We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich and developed societies. We are the most abusive to the environment – Illegal Logging, dynamite and cyanide fishing, hunting and poaching of birds and wildlife. We throw garbage everywhere.

To read my previous article visit Pruelpo Shares: Betting Company Refunds on Santorum $6,422

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