Assignment 2: Someone who has touched your life

Have you heard of the story of Hachiko?

It was made into a movie last year starring Richard Gere. You can catch the movie trailer on youtube.

This heartwarming true story is an American adaptation of a Japanese tale about a loyal dog named Hachiko. This very special friend would accompany his master to the train station every day and return each afternoon to greet him after work. Sadly, his master departs one day, passes away and never returns to the station. Hachiko faithfully returns to the same spot at the station the very next day, and every day for the next nine years to wait for his beloved master.

During his daily visits, Hachiko touches the lives of many who work near and commute through the town square. He teaches the local people love, compassion and above all unyielding loyalty. Today, a bronze statue of Hachiko sits in his waiting spot outside the Shibuya station in Japan as a permanent reminder of his devotion and love. (140 words)

source

Now, let's take a closer look at the above extract.

The main idea that the writer wants to put across to the readers is the unwavering loyalty Hachiko shows towards its master. How did the writer do that? What are the supporting details provided to justify his point?

The first paragraph gives EVIDENCE of Hachiko's unyielding devotion and love for its master, while the second is an ELABORATION on how its affection has inspired and taught people never to forget the ones that they loved.

So far, you've learned how to use EXAMPLES and EXPLANATION to give additional details to your writing. You can further enhance the content of your writing by employing the two other methods as shown above - EVIDENCE and ELABORATION.

When you're making a statement or putting across a point, you may want to use EVIDENCE or proof to back up what you want to say.

Eg.
Hachiko is loyal. (IDEA)
Hachiko shows his loyalty by returning faithfully to the train station each day to wait for his master for nine years after his master's death. (EVIDENCE)

When you want to develop and expand on an idea, you may use ELABORATION to describe the impact and the consequences this idea may have on others.

Eg.
Hachiko is loyal. (IDEA)
Hachiko's loyalty has influenced the town greatly by showing them the meaning of love and devotion. (ELABORATION)
The people in return built a bronze statue of Hachiko as a reminder of his loyalty. (ELABORATION)

Here's Assignment 2:
Think of someone who has influenced you greatly. It can be someone you know on a personal note, someone who has made his mark in his field of work, or even a fictitious character from a novel or a movie that has shaped your thinking. Now, what exactly is the value that he or she embodies?

What you need to do for Assignment 2: Write about a person who has influenced you greatly.
1. Name this person and the value that he or she displays.
2. Write a paragraph using EVIDENCE to support why this person exhibits the value that you've claimed.
3. Write a second paragraph to ELABORATE on how this person has influenced other people, including you.
4. Expected word length of your entry should be around 100 to 150 words. Keep to the word restriction. This will help you to focus on giving a concise write-up of what makes this person extradordinary, instead of producing a lengthy account which is full of repetition and irrelevant information.

Some pointers before you start:
Take note, this extraordinary somebody can be anybody under the sun. Think President Obama and his charisma, how he has given hope to a nation in times of economic uncertainty. David Beckham is a postive influence for the perserverance he displays in soccer training. Do you know he takes 500 free kicks a day without fail to perfect his crosses on the pitch? Closer to home is our latest Singapore Idol Sezairi Sezali who dares to follow his dream. How about your your dearest and nearest? Is there anyone who has made a difference to your life?

You may want to use the following format to help you in your writing.

The person who has influenced me greatly in my life is ..... (name of the person). The value that this person has shown is ..... (value).

This person is remarkable because ...... ...... (evidence).

What makes this person different from the others is that ...... ...... (elaboration).

For the better writers, you may not want to use the above structure. In fact, we would rather you not use this format. Think of how you can make your write-up believable and personal since this person has touched your life in certain ways. Draw the readers' attention to your writing such that they want to find out more about this person. Be creative. There is always more than one way of presenting an idea to the audience.

Deadline for the completion of "Assignment 2: Someone who has touched your life" is 9th April, Friday. Remember to post a comment onto this post when you're satisfied with your post.
Many of you have already completed your first assignment. Keep up the good work. We are currently in the midst of grading your entries. Please submit your entries to your first assignment if you've not done so and do sound out to your respective teacher if you need help. Like I've mentioned before, help is just a question away.

In the meantime, do have a restful break in the March holidays!

-- MT