Unit 1

Q:How would you apply personification to describing plants? Try to find a Chinese poem using personification on a plant.

《竹石》
清·郑燮
咬定青山不放松，
立根原在破岩中。
千磨万击还坚劲，
任尔东西南北风。
Translated into English, the poem could be rendered as:
Bamboo and Stone
By Zheng Xie of the Qing Dynasty
Bite onto the green mountain and never let go,
Its roots grow from cracks in the crumbling rocks.
Through thousands of hardships and blows, it remains sturdy and strong,
Let the winds from all directions blow as they may.
In this poem, the bamboo is personified as having the ability to "bite" onto the mountain and remain sturdy and unwavering in the face of harsh conditions and strong winds. The bamboo's resilience and strength are likened to human perseverance and determination.

Comment: Her translation can vividly spread Chinese cultural heritage of bamboo and enables the perseverance and stamina of bamboo to leave a scar on non-Chinese people’s mind. and The wording is very impressive and lively.

Unit 2

Q: Describe one kind of fruit with five senses. Shush, don't say the fruit name! Let your study mate guess what it is.

Sight: Its skin is a vibrant hue of red, almost like a sunset, with a subtle blush that gives it a blush-like appearance. The skin is smooth and glossy, reflecting the light beautifully.

Smell: As you bring it closer, a sweet aroma fills the air, reminiscent of summer days and the warmth of the sun. It's a scent that is both inviting and enticing.

Touch: The skin feels soft and slightly elastic to the touch, like a gentle hug. The weight in your hand feels just right, neither too heavy nor too light.

Taste: The first bite reveals a burst of sweet, juicy flavors that are both tart and refreshing. The texture is crisp and juicy, with just the right amount of firmness.

Sound: As you bite into it, there's a slight crunch that accompanies the sweetness, like the sound of summer leaves rustling in the breeze.

Hint: This fruit is often associated with summer and is a popular choice for snacks and desserts.

Comment: The skillful description shows people a vivid and yummy image of a fruit. The description presents us that the physical appearance and smell and texture are very attractive, making people salivate. And the wording is amazing and wonderful.

Unit 3

Q: What do you think is the most difficult part in describing a person? Please write between 50 and 100 words.

1.It's challenging to describe a person without resorting to clichés or stereotypes. Striving for originality and depth can be a struggle.

2.People are multifaceted, with a range of emotions, traits, and experiences. It can be difficult to capture this complexity in a brief description without oversimplifying or misrepresenting the person.

3.While physical descriptions are straightforward, portraying a person's thoughts, feelings, and motivations—their inner life—is more complex and requires insight and empathy

Comment: This student lists several common difficulties in describing a person. We can seek some techniques online or by reading more stories to sense how others carve a character.

Unit 4

Q: Comment on the following description of the room. What impresses you most in the room? How does the author use the unified details to support the mood? Give at least 3 details.

The description of the room leaves a profound impression through its use of lavish details and unified mood. The most striking feature is the magnificent folding armchair, which commands attention through its elaborate craftsmanship and luxurious materials.
The author employs several details to support the mood of grandeur and exclusivity in the room. First, the woodwork of the chair is adorned with roses painted on a red background, conveying a sense of regal splendor. Second, the scarlet morocco leather seat, decorated with a silk fringe and studded with gold nails, further emphasizes the chair's opulence and uniqueness. These lavish materials suggest that the chair is meant for someone of high status.
Lastly, the solitude of the chair emphasizes the exclusivity of the room. The fact that there is only one chair indicates that only one person has the privilege to occupy this space. This exclusivity is further enhanced by the presence of a table with writing implements, suggesting that this is a private workspace for someone important.
In summary, the author uses the details of the magnificent folding armchair, its lavish materials, and the solitude it commands to create a mood of grandeur and exclusivity in the room.

Comment: the student gives us a detailed, impressive description of the room and stand out the grandeur,elegant and noble decoration of the room and her wording is very advanced and accurate.

Unit 5

Q: Please draw an outline of the plot development in the story of “Charles”.

Introduction
Start by introducing the setting and background of the story. Describe the town or community where Charles lives and the atmosphere surrounding his daily life.
Introduce Charles, the protagonist, and give a brief overview of his personality, family situation, and any initial challenges he faces.
Rising Action
Describe an incident or event that triggers a significant change in Charles's life. This could be a personal crisis, an unexpected opportunity, or a meeting with an important character.
Explore how Charles reacts to this initial event and how it begins to shape his choices and actions.
Introduce any secondary characters who play important roles in Charles's journey and describe their relationships with him.
Show how Charles's decisions and actions lead to further challenges and obstacles that he must overcome.
Climax
Describe the moment when Charles faces his greatest challenge or obstacle. This is the turning point in the story where his fate is uncertain.
Show how Charles responds to this climax, revealing his true character and strength.
If there are any significant revelations or discoveries at this point, describe them and how they impact Charles's understanding of himself and the world.

Falling Action
Describe how Charles deals with the aftermath of the climax, whether he succeeds or fails in his goal.
Show how his relationships with other characters are affected by the events that have transpired.
Describe any changes or growth that Charles experiences as a result of his journey.
Resolution

Conclude the story by showing how Charles's journey ultimately resolves. This could be a happy ending, a bittersweet conclusion, or an open-ended finish that leaves room for interpretation.
Reflect on the lessons and themes of the story and how Charles's experiences illustrate them.
If applicable, mention any lingering questions or implications that remain after the story ends.
By following this outline, the plot development in the story of "Charles" can be structured in a logical and compelling way that guides the reader through the protagonist's journey from beginning to end.

Comment: The student's description about the storyline is very exhaustive and logical. Each part of the character’s development is clearly mentioned, including background knowledge, how the character’s mental state and emotion evolve gradually, how the plot is created and reached the climax. Meantime, the wording is rich and brilliant.

Unit 6

Q:  Can you see any connection between flashbacks and suspense?

Yes, there is a definite connection between flashbacks and suspense in storytelling. Flashbacks are often used to create suspense by revealing crucial details from the past that help shape the current situation or conflict. These revelations can be surprising, mysterious, or even terrifying, leaving the audience wondering how these past events will impact the future.
By interrupting the flow of the narrative with a flashback, the storyteller can create tension and anticipation. The audience is left to speculate about the significance of the flashback and how it might relate to the ongoing plot. This uncertainty and curiosity contribute to the overall suspense of the story.
In addition, flashbacks can be used to build character development and motivation, further enhancing the suspense. By revealing a character's past, the audience gains a deeper understanding of their actions and choices in the present. This allows the audience to anticipate and speculate about how a character's history might shape their future decisions, adding another layer of suspense to the story.
Therefore, flashbacks and suspense often work together to create engaging and captivating narratives that keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

Comment: The student provides a detailed explanation about the effect applying flashback in stories has on making the story more engaging and attractive. After we have basic understanding of the flashback, we should read more stories to learn how to vividly create flashback in our writing.

Unit 7

Q:  Do you think Harry Potter is a flat character or a round character? Explain.

I believe Harry Potter is a round character. A round character is a fictional being who is complex and multi-faceted, possessing a range of traits, motivations, and emotional depth. Harry Potter fits this description perfectly.
Throughout the series, we see Harry grow and develop in many ways. He starts as a young boy who is curious but also fearful and insecure. However, as the series progresses, we see him gain courage, become more independent, and make difficult choices. His relationships with his friends, especially Ron and Hermione, as well as his mentors like Professor Dumbledore, evolve and deepen over time.
Additionally, Harry's emotional journey is complex. He struggles with his identity, his past, and the weight of the prophecy that rests on his shoulders. He experiences both joy and sorrow, love and loss. His internal conflicts and growth are portrayed in a nuanced and realistic way, making him a compelling and relatable character.
In contrast, a flat character tends to be two-dimensional, lacking in complexity and emotional depth. Harry Potter's rich inner life and evolution throughout the series make him a fully realized and rounded character.

Comment: The student told what element a round character should include. The students describes how the image of Harry Potter is shaped step by step and presents us how the temperament of Harry Potter is honed by challenges he met. Meantime, her description stands out a determined and courageous image in a vivid way. And her wording is brilliant.

Unit 8

Q: How to establish conflicts in the setting to incite plot development? Give one example. This can be from the lecture. Remember to indicate the source.

Establishing conflicts in the setting is a fundamental technique for driving plot development. Conflicts can arise from the environment, societal norms, or the inherent nature of the setting itself. For instance, in a post-apocalyptic world, the scarcity of resources can create conflict among survivors, compelling them to compete for food, water, or shelter. This environmental conflict not only propels the story forward but also reveals character motivations and moral dilemmas. The source of this example could be a lecture on narrative techniques in fiction writing, focusing on the role of setting in conflict creation.

Comment:  The student gives a clear introduction of the role conflicts in a article. By establishing conflicts in articles, personality of the protagonists will more evident and the plot would be full of ups and downs. Thus articles will catch more readers’ attention. You can try to provide some examples about conflicts.