Figurative Language

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

This poem, selected by me, is the one I will use now to discuss the use of figurative language in poems.

1. How are the figurative language used in the poem? Give the specific word(s), explain what type of figurative language it is and why the poet chose to use this figurative language?

Firstly, I will start with hyperbole. The hyperbole is used in the sentence, "I-I took the one less traveled by". There is a emphasis placed here when Robert Frost said "I-I". He used this literary technique to show that he is the maker of his own destiny and not anyone else. He is the one who will make the decision to decide his own fate. Another hyperbole is when he wrote "ages and ages", to exaggerate how much time has gone by since he made that decision to take one of the roads.

Next, we will look at the next literary technique, which is personification. I believe that this technique is used when they Robert Frost wrote, "Because it was grassy and wanted wear". By saying the the road "wanted wear", it is sort of like a personification as it shows that the road craved for being used. The road craving for something is almost the same as how a person would crave for something, probably also to be used. He used this to show that the road was really longing for use to exaggerate that it has really not been taken by people in a long time

Now, we will look at another literary technique, simile. In this poem, this literary technique is used in two instances. The first one is "as far as I could", while the second one is "as just as fair". This literary technique is used to show how far the persona looked down the road and what he thinks of the other, looking as good as the other road.

Another literary technique is metaphor. However, as the definition of a metaphor is that it is used to make a comparison between an object and another without the usage of "like" or "as", I feel that there are completely no metaphors in this poem at all.

Lastly, the literary technique used in this poem is symbolism. The "two roads" represent the decisions we people have to make in our life, which is what the "yellow wood" symbolise. These symbols are used to show that in life, people inevitably will have to make decisions, whether they like it or not. These symbols are also to show that a decision has to be made, even if the decision is a complete mystery to you. You will definitely have to make a decision to choose your fate.

2. Tell us why you like this poem in no less than 100 words.

I like this poem as it tells us that in life, we will inevitably have to make decisions, whether we like it or not. Sometimes even, we might not even know what our decisions might lead us to, negative or positive consequences. This poem also tells us that we must be extremely careful in whatever we do. We must be like the persona in the poem, spending such a long time thinking over what decision he should make as it could make a huge impact to our life, whether positive or negative. We must always be prepared to make decisions in our life and always think it through carefully before making the decision. This tells us that we are the maker of our own destiny. It is our decision that we affect our life forever. This is a very special poem as it tells us to do all these through an instance that might happen to us one day in reality, when you are in the forest and don't know where you should go, as your life might be at risk. Besides, this poem also tells us that taking the more common decision or path might not always be a good thing. Probably, all of them had met with difficulties along the way, but you would not know. Taking the less common decision or path might be a better option as you might discover or accomplish things people have not done before. Therefore, I like this poem as it is a very meaningful one, telling us that it is inevitable to make decisions, whether it will bring us negative or positive impacts and that we should not always be following people. We should have our own mindset as well in order to succeed in overtaking others.

Will having fun make me happier than studying?

To many people, mostly students, they feel that of course, having fun is much better. They feel that just by having fun, you will not feel as much stress than when you are studying. I feel that of course, having fun will not make me feel as stressed. However, I feel that in the long run, I would rather study than have fun.

Next, I will discuss about why I feel that studying is better. Having fun, as the term states, is fun. However, as you play and play, you might feel a sense of emptiness in you, like you have been playing too much and your mind is never set thinking. Without thinking, you will feel like you have not been exercising your mind enough and will feel the emptiness in you, never learning new things.

Now, I will state why I feel that studying is better. As you study, you feel that you are learning new things and that you are forever thinking. Moreover, when you have learnt a new concept, you can even buy assessment books to see to what extent have you understood the concept. Also, you might forget the concept and study it again and you will never get tired as you will be learning new things again and again. Learning is a never-ending process. When you keep on learning, you will get the sense of satisfaction as you have learnt new things and will not feel the emptiness in you as compared to having fun.

Furthermore, if you study, you will have a better future and earn big money. On the other hand, if you keep on having fun and not study, you will never have a bright future and cannot earn enough money to support yourself. Then, in the future, as you do not have a job to support yourself, you will live on the streets everyday and not have fun anymore.

Thus, I feel that studying makes me happier than having fun everyday as I will be able to learn new things everyday as learning is a never-ending process, only until the time when you pass away. Also, learning gives me a brighter future as well and I will be able to do something for the community and have a sense of satisfaction, and not have fun the whole day and regret not being able to do anything for the community.

If you could eliminate one emotion from the world, would you? Which one? Why?

If I could eliminate any emotion from the world, I will not. Some people feel that many emotions that people have, such as selfishness, jealousy and one of the seven deadly sins, greed. These feelings, or emotions, have caused many people to even use despicable means to get what they want, power, money, etc. Therefore, if they were given the choice, they will choose to make the world a better place, by removing these emotions.

However, I disagree with them. Sometimes even, these emotions which people feel are bad might have a positive influence on people. For example, being jealous is not necessarily a bad thing. People who are easily jealous, with other people's properties, etc. might not stoop to despicable means to get them. Being jealous might actually even encourage them to work harder to get it.

Moreover, since people are given these emotions, we should not change them, otherwise, everything will not be natural anymore. We were supposed to have them since the very day we were born. Without it, we will not be natural anymore and will have this empty feeling in us, like we have something missing in us, and might even feel uneasy. We will have the feeling that we have lost our identity as humans. Obviously, all these emotions are given to us for a specific reason, although nobody knows for sure what it is.

However, although we might not know for sure what these emotions we have are for, but of course, if we can exercise self-control, we will definitely overcome our evil emotions. Probably, we could even use our emotions to have a positive influence on us. Hence, if given the chance to remove an emotion from the world, I would definitely not as everything will be different and it will not be so real anymore. We should exercise self-control at all times when your evil emotions are going to overwhelm you, then we can really make this world a better place with our emotions still intact.

What is beauty?

What is beauty? This is a question asked by many people. So, what does beauty actually mean? It is defined as the quality in an object that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind. There are two types of beauty, inner and outer beauty. Nowadays, people are more vain in terms of looking good and naturally place more emphasis on outer beauty. On the other hand, some of you might be wondering what is inner beauty. Hence, I will be discussing more about what inner and outer beauty are and which, in my opinion, is more important.

Some people have inner beauty probably when they are kind or have a heart of gold. Having inner beauty basically means that you have morals and values in you. This, is a beauty not seen by everyone. This is a perfect example of what Confucius said in the past, "Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it". These people will normally have more friends, good friends, as they will trust this type of people and cherish their friendship helping each other when one of them is in need. There are some of these people who also have the outer beauty. Of course, this type of combination would be the best.

Next, I will be discussing about outer beauty. People who have outer beauty place more emphasis on their appearance, making sure that they look good no matter where they go. These people will normally be more popular and have more friends. However, they will not have any close friends whom they can trust and confide in. Their friends will just be those hypocritical people, deliberately sucking up to them so that they will have the most popular student in school as their friend. Naturally, their popularity will also shoot up. Furthermore, these people who have outer beauty will be so preoccupied with their looks and their popularity that they always hang out and purchase the latest fashion item. These people will most of the time not score well in their academics. Also, these people will normally be self-centred, thinking that they are the best and the coolest people. And the most important of all is that we must never judge a book by its cover. Sometimes even, in a competition, as they have a lot of followers, they might use them to do despicable moves to make sure they win and probably reward the person with something from them to shut his mouth. However, on the other hand, there might also be people who have the inner beauty as well. For this type of people, it would of course, like I said previously, be the best.

Now, in my opinion, I feel that inner beauty is definitely more important than outer beauty. Having morals and values are important to a person, no matter whether you look good or not. Because, having morals and values will lead you to the correct path of life and not commit any mistakes that might ruin your future. Those people with outer beauty but without inner beauty, however, will realise when they grow older that outer beauty will never last. In the end, when they grow old and become just like a normal civilian, they will realise that outer beauty does not last long and is not as important. They will also realise the mistakes which they have committed in the past and live the rest of their lives being regretful. They will also be lonely without a companion as in the past, they think that they are the best and nobody's good enough for them. Hence, I feel that inner beauty is important. Some of you might not realise or agree with me now that inner beauty is more important than outer beauty. However, as you grow older, I hope you will understand the importance of inner beauty, having good morals and values and agree with me. Also, I hope that you will realise it before you commit mistakes that might ruin your life forever.

What is happiness?

What is happiness? Happiness is a state of being happy and contented. Some people live their lives being happy, while some do not. There might be a few factors which might make you happy. People experience happiness either when they have money or when they have the love they desire from others or even when they are happy with their appearance. However, have they ever thought of what true happiness is? Have they ever thought whether they are really happy? Have they ever thought of what truly makes them happy? I will be discussing more about what is true happiness.

Recently, materialistic people are more prevalent. They get the happiness they desire when they achieve what they want. These people normally want to lead a luxurious life and their need for these items will last forever. This type of happiness is only temporary and will not last long. For example, some people are so materialistic that they want and desire all the new items as they are very popular at that time or these people want to boast to others and let others think that you are very wealthy to gain more friends. When they get their desired items, they are happy. However, when a new model of the item they just bought comes out, you will no longer be popular among your friends as your item will not be popular anymore. Furthermore, if these people's parents decline their requests to have the new models of the items, they will no longer be happy and will forever lead a bitter life. Therefore, materialistic people are happy only sometimes and it is just temporary.

On the other hand, many people are particular about their appearance. They become happy only when they feel that they look good. Although it is a good thing that people keep their appearances good, it is bad to be too particular about it. People who are too particular about their appearance might spent hours in front of the mirror trying to put on some make-up, etc. However, this is actually a complete waste of time. Have they ever thought of how many things they could have accomplished in this time? But, I have to admit that maintaining a presentable appearance is important. Nowadays, looks and what you wear is important in a job interview. For example, if you see a man coming to a job interview with a torn and tattered shirt and another man coming to the interview wearing a business suit which is well-maintained, who will you rather choose for the job? Another example is the recent "Britain's got talent". When Susan Boyle came on stage for her first time wearing her village clothes and said that she wanted to be a professional singer, the spectators were in shock and were all laughing at her. Even the judges were sort of laughing at her. This is why wearing a presentable attire is important, but if you spend too much time on it and overdo it, it will not be as good anymore. Therefore, being happy when you fell that you look is actually a good thing and a bad thing. A good thing in the sense that you will be presentable in front of your peers, etc. A bad thing in the sense that you might spend too much time on it or even overdo it.

Lastly, some people are also happy when they have their family beside them. This type of people are those who know how to cherish those around them. As long as they have their loved ones by their side, they will feel happy and not complain about anything else. They do not crave for anything else except for the love from their loved ones. This, is what I call true happiness. This type of happiness will be with you forever and you will die with no regrets, having lived your life to the fullest with your family. Even when your loved ones die, you will of course feel sad, but happy that you spent so much time with them that you won't have any regrets.

I feel that true happiness lasts forever. However, it is something you must definitely pursue. An example will be the movie, "The Pursuit of Happyness". It is about this man, Chris Gardner, fighting his way to get a job and to raise his son. After fighting for it, he finally was able to make it rich and not be a homeless man anymore. The example of him not letting setbacks affect him is a perfect example as well. A man pursuing happiness should not let small setbacks affect him. Once he has set his goal for his happiness, he has to accomplish it. Well, I feel that true happiness comes when you have your family by your side, no matter if you are poor or rich. Some of you might not agree with me that this is true happiness but to me, it is. I feel happy when I have my family by my side and have their utmost support. Therefore, this is, to me, true happiness.

My First Semester as a Secondary One student

As you'll know, the first semester of school is coming to an end. The June Holidays are arriving! I can't wait for the June Holidays. However, as I look back on this first semester, I felt that it was filled with agony, happiness. There were many problems which I faced in my life of being a Secondary One student as well. When school reopened in term 1, I was seriously excited as I just became a Secondary One student and was in Hwa Chong Institution. On the first day, we were introduced to the various things we needed to note in Hwa Chong. We were also introduced to our various teachers teaching us the various subjects. I knew that it would definitely be a big jump from Primary 6 as the number of subjects has increased, our critical thinking skills must be improved, there are more complicating things to learn and our thinking must definitely be more matured as well.

Being a teenager, I must definitely have a more matured state of mind and not continue to have the thinking I used to have when I was in Primary 6. There are many more things we have to do as well, such as ACE projects, a project for the Project's Day Competition and CIP. At first, I found it very difficult to cope as my time management was not very good. However, now, I have adapted to the life in Hwa Chong better. Furthermore, when I was doing a project with some of my friends and classmates, we had some disputes and some quarrels. But after a while, we were able to resolve the matter and complete the project. In term 1 and a bit of term 2, I was actually also the Chairman of my class and had to lead the class. In term 1, my class did not too cad for their academics, clinching 2nd in the cohort. We were elated when this result was announced by our consortium director, Mr Sim during the consortium assembly. It was certainly an achievement very good for our class.

After a few days of school in the first term, we had to spend two afternoons visiting various CCA groups and decide which CCA we are interested in so that we can join that CCA. As all of you should know by now, it is compulsory for all Secondary school students to have a CCA. After the try-outs, we had to go for the trials for the various CCAs under our own initiative and decide which CCA we really want to join. I went for the squash trials, waterpolo trials and track and field trials. In the end, I found out that all three CCAs wanted to take me. However, when we were supposed to put down our choices, I put Track And Field as my first, Waterpolo as my second, and Squash as my third. When the results were posted on the notice board on the back of my class, I found out that I was taken into Track And Field and I became a thrower, throwing javelin. I was happy that I was taken by them, but the training was quite tough for me. However, after a while, I got used to it and even found out that other sports CCAs' training are much more tougher than what I am doing now. I was happy at my CCA and actually, there was a time when I was thinking of whether I should change to waterpolo or not. However, after much thinking and hesitation, I decided to remain in Track And Field.

In term 1, as I could not cope with the homework and tests, I was very stressed out and felt a little depressed. However, although I was stressed, I still managed to revise my subjects, getting A1s for all the subjects except for English. For English, I got a C5 and I tried to identify my mistakes, trying not to make the same mistakes again in the future. And really, I improved in this term, getting an A1 for the Animal Farm Literature test and a B3 for the Narrative Composition. However, my I got a B3 for my Geography test and a C5 for my History test. I wasn't too happy about it and will try to work even harder for next term's tests. In term 1, my MSG(Mean Subject Grade) was 1.67. My oral participation points were also not bad, getting 4 for two subjects and 3 for the rest. Tomorrow, I will be getting back my result slip for term 2, with my oral participation points, my ACE points and my MSG for term 2. Wonder what I will get... I am seriously very anxious and eager to know what I got so that I can see which areas I need to buck up.

Also, the June Holidays are arriving, with tomorrow being the last day of school. I am seriously excited. Although I hope to play during the holidays, I know that I must also not neglect my studies and revise as much as I can for the upcoming tests. I will do ACE projects and do some CIP as well. During the June Holidays, I will be having training as well, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Therefore, I will not be so free during the holidays. I will definitely try to use the time well so that I can do well for the upcoming tests and the End Of Year Examinations, which I will be hoping to do so.

H1N1 Flu!!

I believe that most of you should know by now what the H1N1 flu is all about. It's effects on people are devastating, claiming many innocent lives. It is known to be able to spread from person to person at an extremely fast speed. Many measures have been taken to ensure the safety of Singaporeans in Singapore. An example is my school, taking measures to ensure the safety of the students.

Now, my school is currently taking the temperatures of students, making sure that they have no fever and are fit to attend school. My school has also reminded the students that if we have any flu symptoms or are sick, we are not to attend school. They have informed us many times, what the trigger temperature is. There was a time when my school also had to take the temperature of every parent who is entering the school compound such that the school is safe. They closed all the gates to enter the school except for one so that parents can only enter there and take their temperatures there. However, in the morning, there are too many cars entering the school compound as compared to after school as many students may have to stay back after school for their CCA or other personal matters. So, to facilitate the cars entering the school compound and to prevent the area outside my school from having a massive traffic jam, they decided not to take the temperatures of parents in the morning, but students can only alight at one particular block in the school. At that particular block, there will be a teacher there, asking the students if they feel unwell. This procedure is called visual screening. It had also been announced that if there was as much as one case of H1N1 flu in my school, there would be a suspension of school. I feel that my school has taken several measures to ensure the students' safety.

While my school is taking measures to fight against this flu now, other countries are also taking measures to combat against this flu. Hong Kong had confirmed its first case about a week ago. After the man was being suspected of the flu disease, he was immediately isolated. Metropark Hotel, where the man was at when he had the flu was closed and the hotel workers and guests were placed under quarantine. This is a measure to be taken to protect the flu from spreading to the rest of Hong Kong if one of the guests in the hotel has also contracted the H1N1 flu. Although the hotel workers and guests are unable to go home, I agree with this action being taken as it is for the safety of the other.

Police officers wearing masks to seal off
Metropark Hotel in Hong Kong, where first
confirmed swine flu victim was staying.

Courtesy of http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-05-01-voa39.cfm


The H1N1 flu might be very frightening to some of us, but if we maintain being hygienic, the odds of us contracting the disease will be much lower. Therefore, a piece of advice is that we should be hygienic, no matter when it is and lead a healthy lifestyle.


For the definition of what the H1N1 disease is all about, click here.
For more information on how Hong Kong deals with their first case of the H1N1 flu, click here.