Linguistic
b. Who would you want to be friends with in the Flowers for Algernon. Explain your choice.
I would like to be friends with Miss Kinnian in Flowers for Algernon. My reason for this is because Miss Kinnian is a very dedicated teacher who is willing to teach Charlie Gordon to change from a dumb person to a highly intelligent boy. She was Charlie Gordon’s teacher right from the start of the story before he even took the operation to when he became a researcher. Throughout the experiment, Miss Kinnian was the one who taught Charlie Gordon the most; languages, punctuations and many more, unlike the other two doctors, who at most gave him a TV to become smarter.
Also, Miss Kinnian is a very caring person. Miss Kinnian was the one who recommended Charlie for the operation, but before it, Miss Kinnian bothered to ask Charlie if he still wanted to take the operation as there were risks involved and also, the results might be temporary. Even after taking the operation, Miss Kinnian still had doubts to whether it was correct or not to have Charlie undergo the test due to the risks as we can see from progress report on April 28, “Never mind, Charles. I just hope I wasn’t wrong to advise you to go into this in the first place.”
Sunday 28 February 2010
Thursday 25 February 2010
First day of CCA
Hello! Posting my last post for Term 1. Okay, it's about my new CCA in Hwa Chong.
My new CCA in Hwa Chong is choir. I chose it as I would like to try a new CCA other than International Chess which I took from Primary 4-6. I came to realize that I like to sing in Primary 5, where I took part in the school's singing competition. Since then, I started to get interested in singing and even take singing lessons now.
Okay, actually, despite the title, it was not really my FIRST day of CCA on 19 Feb. I've gone to the audition for three times before officially starting the CCA. Initially, when I went for the auditions, I was assigned into Bass 1, which was one of the lowest sounding, second to only Bass 2. The singing and all was actually quite easy, partly due to the fact that it was a low key. However, on the first official day of choir, I was reassigned to Beritone 1 instead, which is the so called "Middle" pitched family. It was harder, of course, due to the increase in pitch, but it is still managable.
Choir is a very fun CCA as I had expected and I'm looking forward to the next choir practice, which is postponed to the E-Learning Monday from 4.30pm-6pm instead of the usual Friday.
P.S. Forgot to mention. Choir is also a very relaxing CCA as it has only 1 day a week and it lasts for at most 2 hours :D
My new CCA in Hwa Chong is choir. I chose it as I would like to try a new CCA other than International Chess which I took from Primary 4-6. I came to realize that I like to sing in Primary 5, where I took part in the school's singing competition. Since then, I started to get interested in singing and even take singing lessons now.
Okay, actually, despite the title, it was not really my FIRST day of CCA on 19 Feb. I've gone to the audition for three times before officially starting the CCA. Initially, when I went for the auditions, I was assigned into Bass 1, which was one of the lowest sounding, second to only Bass 2. The singing and all was actually quite easy, partly due to the fact that it was a low key. However, on the first official day of choir, I was reassigned to Beritone 1 instead, which is the so called "Middle" pitched family. It was harder, of course, due to the increase in pitch, but it is still managable.
Choir is a very fun CCA as I had expected and I'm looking forward to the next choir practice, which is postponed to the E-Learning Monday from 4.30pm-6pm instead of the usual Friday.
P.S. Forgot to mention. Choir is also a very relaxing CCA as it has only 1 day a week and it lasts for at most 2 hours :D
Monday 22 February 2010
Voice Recording Script - Flowers for Algernon - Aristotle
I am from 1I3 and my name is Loh Wei Kiat. I disagree with Aristotle's view that "Change in all things is sweet." in reference to Flowers for Algernon. I will be using two elements of Paul's Wheel of Reasoning to make my argument. They are evidence and point of view.
From the story of Flowers for Algernon, we know that Charlie was a mentally challenged person until he took the operation to become smart. Although changing and becoming smarter is a good thing, there are some personalities of Charlie that had changed. An example would be his social skills.
Before the operation, although he was dumb, he was able to socialize and communicate very well with both the doctors and his "friends" in the factory. Even though his "friends" at the factory were not really his "friends", Charlie would still talk to them and exercise his social skills. However, after the operation, Charlie hardly talks to anyone anymore. Most of his time is dedicated to research studies. This was probably due to him much ignored by his friends after the operation. Thus, we could say that not all change in things is good.
From different points of view and perspective, there are many reasonings to whether change in things is good or bad. From the viewpoints of the two doctors, I suppose they feel Charlie changing smarter is a good thing as it proves their experiment a sucess. From the viewpoint of Miss Kinnian, we can see that although she was glad that Charlie became smart, but she was worried that would bring harm to him as his brain would deteriorate. From Charlie's "friends" actions, we can see that they preferred the old and innocent Charlie to the smart Charlie. From this 3 examples, we can see three different perspectives to the issue of Charlie becoming smart, the good, the bad, and the neutral. Thus, we cannot say that change in all things is good.
From the story of Flowers for Algernon, we know that Charlie was a mentally challenged person until he took the operation to become smart. Although changing and becoming smarter is a good thing, there are some personalities of Charlie that had changed. An example would be his social skills.
Before the operation, although he was dumb, he was able to socialize and communicate very well with both the doctors and his "friends" in the factory. Even though his "friends" at the factory were not really his "friends", Charlie would still talk to them and exercise his social skills. However, after the operation, Charlie hardly talks to anyone anymore. Most of his time is dedicated to research studies. This was probably due to him much ignored by his friends after the operation. Thus, we could say that not all change in things is good.
From different points of view and perspective, there are many reasonings to whether change in things is good or bad. From the viewpoints of the two doctors, I suppose they feel Charlie changing smarter is a good thing as it proves their experiment a sucess. From the viewpoint of Miss Kinnian, we can see that although she was glad that Charlie became smart, but she was worried that would bring harm to him as his brain would deteriorate. From Charlie's "friends" actions, we can see that they preferred the old and innocent Charlie to the smart Charlie. From this 3 examples, we can see three different perspectives to the issue of Charlie becoming smart, the good, the bad, and the neutral. Thus, we cannot say that change in all things is good.
Thursday 18 February 2010
Voice Recording Script 2 - Flowers for Algernon - Aristotle
I am from 1I3 and my name is Loh Wei Kiat. I agree with Aristotle's view that "All men by nature desire knowledge." in reference to Flowers for Algernon. I will be using two elements of Paul's Wheel of Reasoning to make my reasoning. They are evidence and consequences.
From the story of Flowers for Algernon, we know that Charlie Gordon ( the main character of the story ) is a mentally challenged person with an IQ of only 68. Even so, he was very hardworking and tried all he can to make himself smarter. When the opportunity for him to become smart through artificial methods came, he agreed to it despite knowing the risk of the experiment.
Even after taking the operation and become smart, Charlie still strives to become smarter. According to progress report on April 28, Charlie Gordon said, "I don't feel intelligent. There are so many things I don't understand." and on progress report May 31, "Dr. Nemur says I'm trying to cram a lifetime of research and thought into a few weeks." Also, when Charlie knew that his brain would start deteriorating, he rushed through his research within a few weeks, trying to salvage the situation. This is evident that in Flowers for Algernon, "All men by nature desire knowledge.".
For people like Charlie who becomes smart through artificial means, there are bound to have consequences. For instance, in Flowers for Algernon, both Charlie and Algernon took the experiment and became super smart for a few months. Afterwich, both their brains deteriorated and Algernon even died. Also, by being super smart, it will result in unwanted stress to become even smarter. From this example, we can see that although all men by nature desire knowledge, it is better to have knowledge through talents and by being hardworking instead of achieving it artificially.
From the story of Flowers for Algernon, we know that Charlie Gordon ( the main character of the story ) is a mentally challenged person with an IQ of only 68. Even so, he was very hardworking and tried all he can to make himself smarter. When the opportunity for him to become smart through artificial methods came, he agreed to it despite knowing the risk of the experiment.
Even after taking the operation and become smart, Charlie still strives to become smarter. According to progress report on April 28, Charlie Gordon said, "I don't feel intelligent. There are so many things I don't understand." and on progress report May 31, "Dr. Nemur says I'm trying to cram a lifetime of research and thought into a few weeks." Also, when Charlie knew that his brain would start deteriorating, he rushed through his research within a few weeks, trying to salvage the situation. This is evident that in Flowers for Algernon, "All men by nature desire knowledge.".
For people like Charlie who becomes smart through artificial means, there are bound to have consequences. For instance, in Flowers for Algernon, both Charlie and Algernon took the experiment and became super smart for a few months. Afterwich, both their brains deteriorated and Algernon even died. Also, by being super smart, it will result in unwanted stress to become even smarter. From this example, we can see that although all men by nature desire knowledge, it is better to have knowledge through talents and by being hardworking instead of achieving it artificially.
Sunday 7 February 2010
Flowers for Algernon- Assignment 6- Linguistic
6. Linguistic: If you were Charlie Gordon and had the choice of running risk of becoming super smart for two years versus living you present life as it is,. write a letter to one of the scientists explaining your decision.
LETTER TO DR. STRAUSS
Dear Dr. Strauss,
I am honoured to be chosen for this experiment to become super smart for two years. However, I have decided to turn the kind offer you and Miss Kinnian had offered me. Please understand that I have my own reasons for making this decision and I am sorry for letting you down.
I was told by Miss Kinnian that there were many risks in doing this surgery. I might turn super smart if the experiment goes well, or my life might be at risk if the surgery goes wrong. Also, I would only be super smart for two years if the surgery goes well. As you know, to scientists, two years is a very short timeframe. I am afraid that I might not be able to make a name out of myself and do anything great to this world within that short two years. Also, if I were to revert back to this state of mine after becoming smart for two years, I fear having side-effects like depression and lead to myself doing something foolish.
Thus, I am sorry to say that I must reject your offer for me to become smart for two years. Please respect my decision. Please send my regards to Dr. Nemur as well.
P.S. This letter was written with the help of Miss Kinnian
Regards,
Charlie
LETTER TO DR. STRAUSS
Dear Dr. Strauss,
I am honoured to be chosen for this experiment to become super smart for two years. However, I have decided to turn the kind offer you and Miss Kinnian had offered me. Please understand that I have my own reasons for making this decision and I am sorry for letting you down.
I was told by Miss Kinnian that there were many risks in doing this surgery. I might turn super smart if the experiment goes well, or my life might be at risk if the surgery goes wrong. Also, I would only be super smart for two years if the surgery goes well. As you know, to scientists, two years is a very short timeframe. I am afraid that I might not be able to make a name out of myself and do anything great to this world within that short two years. Also, if I were to revert back to this state of mine after becoming smart for two years, I fear having side-effects like depression and lead to myself doing something foolish.
Thus, I am sorry to say that I must reject your offer for me to become smart for two years. Please respect my decision. Please send my regards to Dr. Nemur as well.
P.S. This letter was written with the help of Miss Kinnian
Regards,
Charlie
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