Donna Ann's Responses in WyzAnt Answers

The word "rather" is often used when you are comparing two ideas and favor one of them over the other one.  For example: " I would rather study than go shopping in the mall today. " (You are preferring studying over shopping.)  "Rather" is usually used in a "would rather"  and "than" comparison sentence.

However, if I say, "I prefer chocolate ice cream." - I am stating what I like and I am implying that I like chocolate over the other flavors.  However, with the verb "prefer", I do not need to explain the entire comparison or the two ideas being compared.

 

 

 

The conch symbolizes social order, respect and power.  When the boys hold meetings around the camp fire, only the speaker who is holding the conch may address the crowd.   The speaker with the conch is supposed to be respected by the group and heard.  In addition, usually the older boys are the ones seeking to hold the conch in order to gain the right to speak.  With the struggle to obtain the conch, the author is commenting in general about the quest of politicians for power.  What will men do to gain popularity and votes in a society?  What will they do to be heard by the masses?  In the novel, providing food and fire for the boys makes a leader more popular. In the real world, providing funding for public works and social welfare projects in a democratic society  makes a politician more popular.

By the time the conch is destroyed, the boys' civilized world has also become unglued.  One of the boys was killed by a fire which got out of control and swept through the island.  More death and mayhem ensues.  Controlling fire, food and the higher ground on the island are the goals of the leaders.  They need to be able to control all of these things in order to keep their power over the group and maintain some semblance of an organized society.  The author uses the story to comment on adults' quest for leadership and power, and society's response to its leaders.

Donna Ann P.

 

When I develop a thesis for a paper, I want to say something interesting, different or unique.  I want to express an opinion or provide a solution to a problem and not just state that there is a serious issue.  Remember your teacher or professor has dozens of papers to read.  You want to make your thesis stand out, point out something unique and be the one that he/she remembers.  First, do an outline of your paper with key ideas and themes.  Then synthesize your opinion and and bring together concepts step by step.  Then provide a strong conclusion.  Let us know your topic and we can give you more guidance!

Hi Annie: For what class are you preparing a study guide? Is this a math class or a literature or history class? Donna Ann P.

Hi Lucy:

Before writing a research paper, I encourage my students to spend a few minutes doing a brief outline.  List your topic and the points in support of the topic that you want to discuss in more detail.  Then gather your reference materials and start writing.  Keep a bibliography style manual close at hand to assist you in listing references. 

Write a brief introduction.  Then discuss each subtopic one by one.  While I am not based in Illinois, I regularly teach via shared screens on Skype. This allows the student to see the edits to the paper instantly. I am accustomed to providing students with late night term paper assistance.  Feel free to respond with more questions.  Good luck!