Art by Marc Chagall (1887-1985)
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Good morning.
Today we will review work recently completed, midterm and summaries,
how to build upon a story or theme and use textual sources (primary or
secondary). We continue verb exercises, covering the subjunctive mood
and modal and irregular verbs. Essay 5 we'll begin in class, a piece using
the comparison and contrast mode of organization (chapter 9 in Mosaics).
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Practice Prompts Using Comparison/Contrast
Why do we wonder, what if . . . ? What benefit is there in taking the perspective
of another? Empathy comes to mind, a word that denotes our capacity to
understand how others must feel despite not having direct access to another's internal life.
If we were given the chance to rewrite some chapter
in life, or to relive some moment resigned to the past, what revisions would
we make, or what insight could we bring to the moment now?
If we could be for an hour, a day, a week, month, or year someone other
than who we are, step out of our own skin for a bit, what might we learn?
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The subjunctive mood expresses what is hypothetical, contrary
to fact, a wish or desire: I wish I were a child again. I wish I
had never grown up! From there we might compare our lives as
children to our lives as adults. Or we might think, had I known
such and such a thing, I might never have done what I did. We
might compare what might have been to the reality of our lives.
Note that we often use the past perfect verb form to express the
subjunctive mood.
The modal verbs–should could would ought may might must–
and others indicate necessity, obligation, possibility, probability.
Example: If you could do anything, what would you do?
Sometimes we rewrite the past with our inner voice, as a means of understanding what has worked
and not worked for us, reshaping our thoughts and behavior as we move forward in life. Sometimes
we seem stuck in negative ways of thinking and acting. Transformation begins with our thoughts,
and with the language we use to express ourselves. We can imagine other possibilities, and with
persuasive words, perhaps help others to see them as well. Last quarter at this time students were
reading about the #neveragain movement started by students at Parkland High, to convince
If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you want to be? What kinds of
things can trees teach?
Practice: In 250-300 words you explore a hypothetical scenario, something
contrary to fact or actual experience or not strictly possible (as a mere human)
but imaginatively rewarding or revealing in some way.
If I were given wings . . . or if I had a drone, I could do great things with its camera!
This work provides good practice with verbs –the subjunctive mood and conditional (modal)
tense forms as well as simple and perfect tenses. It also allows for development in contrast or
comparison mode, allowing for description of the actual as against the imagined alternative.
You might imagine that you had been born under or into circumstances other than those you
actually were born into; say, a different place and/or historical era, a different family,
a different gender (or species). The practice will be a straightforward exploration of the
chosen circumstance. Describe what your childhood was actually like, and what it might
have been like (under changed circumstances); what your present life
might be like (as opposed to what it is actually like); imagine your future,
actually or hypothetically. Or look at any important decision you made or did not
make and trace the consequences of having taken an opposite track.
Examples:
Had I been born an only child, instead of being born the fifth child of six, I
might have (or would have) got more attention from my parents.
If I could do one thing differently, and so rewrite the past, I would go back to
the time when . . .
If we were to walk, fly, or swim the proverbial mile in the life of (fill in
whatever human, animal or insect subject interests you) we would discover . . .
If I were rich, I imagine my life would be very different. As it is, . . .
*Proofread to make sure you have a clear central idea and adequate support.
*Remember your audience and write on a matter of intrinsic or practical importance.
*Edit for grammatical correctness
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Homework: In "The Flight from Conversation," by Sherry Turkle (Mosaics, ch.13, page 316) she
makes an argument about recent technologies. What does she argue and what evidence does she
supply? Supply some textual evidence in support of your response ( paraphrased or directly
quoted). One well-developed paragraph response is sufficient.
Note: See fundamentals of constructing an argument (chapter 13 in Mosaics).
If you have time, watch a few of the videos at Alain de Botton's "The School of Life" on
YouTube. We will write in response to one of them (each of you may choose a particular).
Have a great week.
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