Task: Write a paragraph (about 5 - 7 lines) explaining the meanings of the bolded words in the two lines of poetry below and how you determine the meaning of each word:
'Every day the Sun passes over the tomb'
Seeing a Sun in the tomb very red.'
Outline of the paragraph expressing thoughts on the role of context
I. Outline presenting thoughts on the role of context:
1. Opening: Introduce the two lines of poetry.
2. Body:
* Meaning of the bold word:
- Sun (1): signifies reality, light, warmth, and sustenance for life on Earth.
- Sun (2): metaphorical image, likening Uncle Ho to the Sun. Significance:
+ Uncle Ho's eternal presence in the minds of the Vietnamese people.
+ He brings light to the nation, helping the people escape the darkness of slavery.
* Reason for determining the meaning:
- Sun (1): based on the words 'daily' and 'on the tomb.' These words refer to time and place to describe the Earth's movement and changes around the Sun.
- Sun (2): based on the word 'in the tomb,' indicating Uncle Ho lying in the tomb.
3. Conclusion:
- Express general feelings about the two lines.
II. Sample paragraph illustrating the role of context:
1. Presentation of thoughts on the role of context - sample 1:
In the two lines of poetry 'Every day the Sun passes over the tomb/ Seeing a very red Sun in the tomb,' there are two occurrences of the word 'Sun.' However, each word carries a different meaning. The first 'Sun' signifies reality. The Sun is a star in the Solar System, emitting a massive amount of heat and light that sustains human life on Earth. The author's comparison of Uncle Ho to the Sun indicates his eternal presence in the minds of the Vietnamese people. Additionally, Uncle Ho is portrayed as bringing light to the nation, helping the people escape the darkness of slavery. Therefore, the reason for determining the meaning can be based on the words before and after the word 'Sun.'
2. Presentation of thoughts on the role of context - sample 2:
In these two lines of poetry, the first occurrence of the word 'Sun' signifies reality, referring to the large source of light that illuminates, warms, and sustains life on Earth. The second occurrence of the word 'Sun' carries a metaphorical meaning, likening Uncle Ho to the Sun to praise him. It also emphasizes that Uncle Ho will always live on in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. While the Sun shines light on Earth, Uncle Ho brings the light of freedom to the Vietnamese nation. The reason I can determine the meaning of these words is because I rely on the words before and after the word 'Sun.' In the first line, the words 'every day' indicate time, and 'on the tomb' indicates place. Both words are used to describe the movement and changes of the Sun. As for the second occurrence of the word 'Sun,' it is based on the word 'in the tomb,' indicating that Uncle Ho is lying in the tomb.
3. Presentation of thoughts on the role of context - sample 3:
In the two lines of poetry above, the author used the word 'Sun' twice, but the meanings of each word are very different. If the word 'Sun' in the first line refers to the light emitted from the Sun that warms and illuminates Earth, then the 'Sun' in the second line is a metaphor for Uncle Ho. There is a similarity between the Sun and Uncle Ho because Uncle Ho, like the Sun, brings light to the Vietnamese people. The reason I can determine the meaning of these words is because I rely on the words before and after the word 'Sun.'
4. Presentation of thoughts on the role of context - sample 4:
To praise Uncle Ho and affirm his love for him, poet Viễn Phương used the word 'Sun' twice in two lines of poetry: 'Every day the Sun passes over the tomb/ Seeing a Sun on the tomb very red.'. The 'Sun' in the first line is the star that brings light and sustains human life on Earth. As for the 'Sun' in the second line, it is a metaphor for Uncle Ho - the one who has brought light to the Vietnamese nation. By likening Uncle Ho to the Sun, the author wants to affirm his feelings for the great leader. Uncle Ho will always live on in the thoughts, hearts of the people. By relying on the words before and after the word 'Sun,' I have determined the meaning of each word.
The paragraph presents thoughts on the role of context best
5. Presentation of thoughts on the role of context - sample 5:
Based on the words before and after the word 'Sun,' I have been able to determine its meaning. The words 'every day' and 'on the tomb' are words that indicate time, place. The author uses these words to describe the movement, changes of the Earth around the Sun. Therefore, the 'Sun' in the first line signifies reality. As for the 'Sun' in the second line, it is a metaphor for Uncle Ho. The author compares Uncle Ho to the Sun because Uncle Ho is the one who opens up rays of hope for the Vietnamese nation, helping the people escape from the darkness of slavery. Additionally, the poet wants to affirm his feelings for Uncle Ho. Uncle Ho will always live on in the hearts of the Vietnamese people.
6. Presentation of thoughts on the role of context - sample 6:
'Every day the Sun passes over the tomb/Seeing a Sun in the tomb very red' clearly demonstrates the importance of context. The Sun outside the tomb belongs to nature, while inside the tomb is Uncle Ho - the one who dispelled the dark shadows of war, bringing peace and independence to the entire nation. Context has played a significant role in helping readers interpret the hidden meanings beneath the surface of words.
7. Presentation of thoughts on the role of context - sample 7:
In the two lines of poetry: 'Every day the Sun passes over the tomb/Seeing a Sun in the tomb very red,' we can easily determine the meanings of the symbols through context. Firstly, we see a Sun of nature 'every day' 'passing over the tomb.' Then there is another Sun inside the tomb. That is the beloved old father of the nation, the one who brought the light of freedom to liberate the people from the darkness of slavery. To understand the meaning of the words, determining the context is indispensable.
8. Presentation of thoughts on the role of context - sample 8:
Based on the differences in context, I easily recognized the meaning that the author wanted to convey through two lines of the poem 'Visiting Uncle's Mausoleum'. 'Every day the Sun passes over the tomb' is a realistic image with the object being the central planet in the Solar System. On the other hand, the line 'Seeing a Sun in the tomb very red' is a metaphor to honor the great Uncle Ho - the one who brought independence, freedom to the nation. Therefore, to determine the correct meaning of the words, we need to pay special attention to the context.
9. Presentation of thoughts on the role of context - sample 9:
With its important role in determining the meaning of words, context has helped readers - writers connect more easily. In the two lines of poetry: 'Every day the Sun passes over the tomb/Seeing a Sun in the tomb very red,' we can affirm that the first Sun 'every day' moving is a planet, a giant star that brings life to humanity. The other Sun inside the tomb is Uncle Ho - the old father of the Vietnamese nation, bringing the light of independence, freedom to the Fatherland. Just by relying on the context, we can easily analyze the two lines of poetry.
10. Presentation of thoughts on the role of context - sample 10:
Context can be understood as the words, phrases preceding or following the language element to be determined, or simply the communication situation. With an extremely important role, it has greatly contributed to our understanding and discovery of the meaning of words. Taking the imagery of the 'Sun' in two lines of poetry: 'Every day the Sun passes over the tomb/Seeing a Sun in the tomb very red,' it can represent a star that brings light to the universe, or it can be used to express admiration for the beloved old father of the Vietnamese nation. Therefore, determining the context plays a very large role in the process of defining the meaning of words.
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Determining the correct context will help you decipher the meaning and implicit significance of those words. You can also refer to sample essays for 7th grade:
- Write a paragraph expressing your feelings after reading the poem 'Sails'
- Speaking and Listening: Discussing an Issue
Wishing you success in studying Literature 7.
