Top 6 Best Lesson Plans on "Narrative and Descriptive Elements in Expressive Texts" for 7th Grade

I. NARRATIVE AND DESCRIPTIVE ELEMENTS IN EXPRESSIVE TEXTS

Question 1. Identify the narrative and descriptive elements in the poem 'The Song of the House Destroyed by Autumn Wind' and explain their significance to the poem.

Answer:

The narrative and descriptive elements in 'The Song of the House Destroyed by Autumn Wind' are as follows:

- Stanza 1: Narrative (first 2 lines); Description (next 3 lines) serve to set the overall context.

- Stanza 2: Narrative combined with emotional expression, reflecting the bitterness of aging.

- Stanza 3: Narrative and descriptive elements, with the last 2 lines being emotionally expressive, conveying resignation.

- Stanza 4: Emotionally expressive, reflecting noble and selfless feelings, striving towards brilliance.

Question 2. Read the passage (pp.137-138 in 7th Grade Literature Book 1) and answer the questions:

a. Identify the narrative and descriptive elements in the passage and the author's feelings. Can expressive elements be conveyed without these narrative and descriptive aspects?

b. The passage is a narrative description framed within recollections. How do emotions influence the narrative and description?

Answer:

a) In the passage:

- Narrative elements: the story of the father soaking his feet, groaning in pain, and being absent most of the day.

- Descriptive elements: describing the father's sore feet, objects used in fishing and hair cutting.

- Without the narrative or descriptive elements, expressive feelings cannot be conveyed, as there is no subject to project emotions onto.

b) The passage is a narrative within recollections, where narrative and description are influenced by emotions, which drive the feelings and memories expressed.

II. EXERCISES

Question 1. Retell the content of the poem 'The Song of the House Destroyed by Autumn Wind' by Du Fu in an expressive prose form:

Answer:

Sample Response:

Version 1

In the eighth month of autumn, fierce winds often blow through, tearing the three thatched roof panels off Du Fu's house, carrying them across the river. The children of the nearby village, with reckless disregard, snatched the three roof panels right in front of the elderly poet, who was too frail to resist. Exhausted, he was forced to let them go, returning with a stick in hand, lamenting his loss.

A short while later, the wind ceased, only for dark clouds to gather, and a heavy rain to pour down, chilling the air. Du Fu's house, with nothing but a single, worn-out blanket, had no warmth to offer. To make matters worse, the bed lay directly under the leaking roof, soaking everything. Since the chaos began, Du Fu had been unable to sleep, and now with the rain and cold, rest was impossible. As he lay awake, his mind wandered, and he wished for a grand house, not for himself, but for all the poor scholars and poets of the world. He even wished he could sacrifice his own ruined home and life to create a mansion for everyone else.

Version 2

In the eighth month, that autumn wind howled and tore the thatch from Du Fu's house, scattering the pieces across the riverbank, some caught in the treetops or fallen into the muddy ditches. The village children, sensing the poet's frailty, eagerly seized the thatch right before his eyes, and despite his feeble protests, they quickly ran off with it. In frustration, Du Fu limped back, defeated.

When the wind died down, heavy clouds gathered, and a torrent of rain began to fall. Inside his humble home, the roof leaked everywhere. His single, threadbare blanket was no protection, and his sleep was further disturbed by the dampness. Having been restless since the chaos began, he lay there wishing for a grand house—not for himself, but for all the poor and struggling poets and scholars in the world. He even wished to exchange his life and his ruined home for a magnificent one that could shelter them all.

Question 2. Based on the text 'Candy Sprout' (pp. 138-139, 7th Grade Literature Book 1), write an expressive prose piece:

Answer:

WRITE AN EXPRESSIVE PROSE ABOUT THE TEXT 'CANDY SPROUT'

Note:

- Narrative elements:

+ The story of exchanging tangled hair for sprout candy, a type of candy made from rice sprout, only available through hair exchange, not for sale.

+ Description of the mother's hair combing routine and her image.

- Expressive feelings: Deep nostalgia for the mother.

Sample Expressive Prose:

My mother has passed away, and my sister has married and moved away. Now, in the familiar courtyard, when I hear the distant call of 'Who wants to trade for candy?' my heart swells with memories of my childhood and the sweet taste of 'candy sprout,' made from rice sprouts.

That silent sadness carries me back to the days when my mother was still alive. I remember vividly how she would sit, combing her hair with a wooden comb, the comb's teeth wide and golden. She would tilt her head slightly, and her hair would cascade gracefully down one shoulder, each stroke of the comb gentle, like a dance. Sometimes, she would stop, gather up the stray hairs, roll them into a small ball, and place them on the roof. Later, my sister, with her long hair, would do the same, combing her hair and placing the collected strands up there as well. I was just a young boy back then, rushing home from school, calling out to my mother, 'I’m home, Mother!' On the way, I’d sometimes see an old woman carrying a basket, offering to exchange candy for things like bottles, old scrap metal, and even tangled hair... The candy was actually a sticky sweet made from rice sprouts, not the sugary candies we know, but it was sweet enough to fill my heart with joy.

When I heard that old woman's call, we children would eagerly listen, running home to find tangled strands of hair to trade. We would gather around the woman, waiting eagerly for our turn. She would open her basket, taking out a pot of candy and a handful of sticks, swiftly pulling and stretching the candy into delicate threads, which she wrapped around the sticks. The candy was light and airy, like a big golden flower, and we could eat it all day without ever finishing it. But as soon as it touched our mouths, it would shrink into a small ball, soft and sweet. The taste would fill my mouth with a comforting sweetness, and I could still feel the warmth of those childhood days.

Now, the village has changed, and the children no longer wait for the sound of that candy call. But whenever I hear a similar cry, like 'Old appliances for sale,' I remember those golden strands of candy wrapped around the sticks, sweet and simple, reminding me of the gentle embrace of my mother and the peaceful village days.

A. MAIN KNOWLEDGE

1. Narrative and Description in Expressive Texts

1.1. Identify the narrative and descriptive elements in the poem 'The Song of the Straw Hut Destroyed by the Autumn Wind' and analyze their significance for the poem. The narrative and descriptive elements are intricately intertwined, as seen in the following:

Introduction:
Stanza 1: The first two lines are narrative, the next three lines are descriptive.
Stanza 2: Narrative + Description.
Stanza 3: Narrative + Description + Expression.
Conclusion: Expression.
Effect: The combination of narrative, description, and expression vividly depicts the poet’s dire situation when his straw hut is torn apart by the autumn wind, revealing a noble desire for a home that shelters everyone.

Description and narration enhance the emotional value of the poem.
1.2. Read the following passage and answer the questions:

The fingers of my father are curled, always gripping the earth to avoid slipping. People say "these are the weary feet." The soles of his feet are always dark and pitted, and often have a missing patch, unlike the smooth, full soles of others. His heel is white and flaky, with specks of grime. Every night, he soaks his feet in warm salty water, scratching them, and then puts on his wooden clogs. At night, he moans from the pain in his body and from the ache in his feet. The cold and gout are beyond relief. My father walks barefoot. He walks in every direction—east, west, north, south—I do not understand. I only see that every day he soaks his feet in water, in mud, to fish. He hurries from the break of dawn until dusk. His fish basket has been scraped many times with a sweet potato vine. His fishing rod is smooth, worn from his hands. All I know is that his barber tools smell of oil, and the folding stool has had its fabric replaced many times—it has traveled with him far and wide.

Father, how can you heal these tired feet, the feet weathered by wind and sun, now sick?

(Duy Khanh, Silent Childhood)

Questions:

a. Point out the narrative and descriptive elements. How do these elements contribute to expressing the author’s emotions?

b. The passage is a mix of description and narration in nostalgic remembrance. How do emotions influence the narrative and descriptive elements?

Answer:

a. The descriptive elements focus on depicting the father’s feet: their color, toes, soles, and heel, as well as his fishing basket, fishing rod, and barber tools.

The narrative elements recount the father's actions: soaking his feet, moaning in pain, walking to fish.
If the narrative and descriptive elements were absent, the emotional expression would be difficult to achieve, limiting the impact.

b. The emotional influence:

The narrative does not aim to recount events in full detail. Through the profound sympathy the child feels for the father, the author’s memory centers solely on the father’s weary feet, omitting other details.
The description is not intended to capture the scenery but to evoke emotions.

2. Key Takeaways

To express thoughts and emotions about the world around you, use narrative and description to evoke the subject and convey feelings.
Here, narration and description serve to stir emotions, driven by feelings rather than aiming to tell a complete story or describe events and scenery in full.

B. EXERCISES AND SOLUTIONS

Question 1: (Page 138 - 7th Grade Language Arts Textbook, Volume 1) Retell the content of the poem 'The Song of the Straw Hut Destroyed by the Autumn Wind' by Du Fu in expressive prose.

Sample Answer:
The poem 'The Song of the Straw Hut Destroyed by the Autumn Wind' by Du Fu depicts the harsh realities and suffering of the people, mirroring the poet’s own difficult life. The poem vividly recounts a night in August when a violent storm, accompanied by loud thunder and lightning, rips the roof off the poet’s straw hut. The storm’s intensity causes the roof to fly in all directions, with pieces scattered across the river, stuck in trees, or landing in the fields. The poet, old and frail, had to rely on the help of his friends to build the hut, only to lose it after a few months. The poet’s misfortune is heart-wrenching.

In this dire situation, he longs for comfort and support from friends and neighbors. However, the children in the village, seeing the poet’s weakness, begin to fight over the remaining pieces of the roof. The first eight lines of the poem express the misfortune and indifference of the children, but the third stanza brings us back to the poet’s devastated home. The scene is bleak, with everything soaked, and the children’s bed wet. The family has to cover themselves with a cold, thin blanket. The poet, sitting in his broken house, is filled with sorrow, feeling deep pity for his wife and children’s hardships, and for his own enduring poverty.

However, in the final stanza, the poet’s humanity shines through. Despite his destitution, he dreams not of a comfortable life for himself, but of a grand house ‘to shelter all the poor scholars in the world.’ This selfless wish reveals the poet’s compassion and his desire to improve society, advocating for a better future for all. Through this poem, Du Fu’s empathy for the suffering of others and his lofty ideals become clear, evoking deep emotional responses from readers.

Question 2: (Page 138 - 7th Grade Language Arts Textbook, Volume 1) Based on the text 'Sprout Candy' (Pages 138-139), write an expressive essay.

Sample Answer:
My mother has passed away, and my sister has married. Now, in front of our familiar house, when I hear the distant cry of “Candy Exchange,” memories of my sweet childhood flood back to me, bringing with them the taste of “sprout candy,” made from rice and rice sprouts.

The quiet sorrow takes me back to the days when my mother was still alive. I vividly recall the image of her sitting with a wooden comb, combing her hair. Her head tilted slightly, with long strands cascading down one side of her shoulder. Her hand moved smoothly, combing through the hair, occasionally stopping to gather fallen strands, rolling them into small bundles to hang on the porch. Later, when my sister grew older, her hair grew long like my mother’s, and she, too, would comb and roll her hair, hanging it on the porch.

At that time, I was a young boy in primary school. After school, I would rush home, carrying my woven straw bag and calling out, “Mom, I’m home!” Sometimes, on my way home, I would see the elderly woman carrying a bamboo basket, exchanging candy for old newspapers, bottles, feathers, or even hair. The candy, though called candy, was made from rice sprouts and rice grains, without any sugar or sweetness. This was what we called 'sprout candy.'

When we heard the rattle of the candy seller, we, the children, would eagerly rush home, climbing up on stools and reaching into the crevices of palm leaves to pull out bundles of tangled hair to trade for candy. Then, we would gather around the candy seller, anxiously waiting our turn. She would take out her pot of sprout candy and a handful of toothpicks. Her hands worked quickly, using her left hand to hold the toothpicks and her right hand to stretch the candy into long strands. The candy would puff up into a large ball like a peony flower. It looked like it could last all day, but as soon as you placed it in your mouth, it would shrink, the strands sticking together into a small ball, sweet and fragrant on the tongue. Each time I tasted the candy, it felt warm and comforting.

Today, my hometown has changed a lot. Children no longer eagerly await the candy seller’s rattle. But every time I hear the cry of “Old fans, irons, TVs, broken fridges!” echoing down the street, I am reminded of those golden strands of candy on the toothpicks, sweet and soothing on the tongue, connected to my simple, warm childhood in a peaceful village, with my mother’s hair and her loving embrace.

I. The Combination of Narrative, Descriptive Elements, and Emotional Expression in Narrative Texts

Answering the textbook question:

1. Descriptive elements: heavy breathing, sweat-drenched forehead, ...

Emotional elements: joy, warmth, soothing sensation => expressing thoughts and feelings when embraced by a mother.

Descriptive and emotional elements are intertwined with narrative elements in this passage.

2. If all descriptive and emotional elements are removed => "My mother waved at me. I ran towards the vehicle carrying my mother. She pulled me up into the vehicle. I burst into tears. My mother cried as well. I sat next to my mother, resting my head on her shoulder, observing her face".

=> The passage would become dry, unable to express feelings or character traits.

3. If the narrative element is removed: the passage would no longer be a story, and the reader wouldn't understand the content.

Practice

Question 1: Find some narrative passages with descriptive and emotional elements in the texts you have studied, such as "I Go to School" (Thanh Tịnh), "The Overflowing Water" (Ngô Tất Tố), "Lão Hạc" (Nam Cao)... Analyze the value of these elements.

Answer:

Descriptive elements:
After a loud drumbeat echoed in my heart, several old classmates lined up under the porch before entering the classroom.
They walked... helping each other forward... their legs stumbling... stretched out strongly like imagined stone balls.
Emotional elements:
I begged the old man... please forgive...
Damned teacher... A! The old man is so terrible... I behaved... this way...

Question 2: Write a paragraph describing the first moments when you reunited with a relative (grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, brother, sister, etc.) after a long period of separation (make sure to use descriptive and emotional elements when writing).

Answer:

My brother has been serving in the army for more than a year. So, when he came home, the entire family was filled with joy and excitement. I still remember that day, while the family was preparing for dinner, we were astonished when a tall, strong, sun-kissed sailor with a cheerful smile appeared before us. He stomped his feet and saluted in military style: "I salute you, Dad! I salute you, Mom!". I was left stunned with happiness after a year of separation from him. Oh! My brother, the one I've known since childhood, was back. I couldn't stop admiring his youthful face, his bright smile, and his sparkling black eyes. The small house buzzed with greetings from neighbors joining in the celebration.

Summary of Key Points
1. Concise Knowledge Summary.
To express feelings and thoughts about the surrounding life, use narrative and descriptive methods to highlight the subject and convey emotions.
In this context, narrative and description aim to evoke feelings, driven by emotions, not necessarily to tell a complete story or describe events and landscapes.

Main Content
1. Narrative and Description in Expressive Texts
Narrative: using language to recount a series of events, where one event leads to another, ultimately culminating in a conclusion. Additionally, the focus isn't just on recounting events but also on portraying character traits and offering profound insights into human nature and life.
How to recognize narrative style: there is a plot, characters, event progression, and narrative sentences. Narrative is commonly used in stories, novels, and prose, and occasionally in poetry (when recounting events).
Description: using language to help the reader visualize things or events, as if they are unfolding right in front of them, or to understand the inner world of a person.
How to recognize descriptive style: sentences or verses that vividly depict the appearance, features, colors, etc. of people or things (describing people, scenes, emotions...).
Emotional Expression: using language to express one's feelings and emotions about the world around them.
How to recognize emotional expression: sentences or verses that describe the writer's or the lyrical character's feelings or attitudes. (Remember, it refers to the writer's emotions, not necessarily those of the character in the story.)
=> The combination of narrative and descriptive methods in an expressive text will evoke emotions, driven by feelings, not just aiming to recount the story or describe things fully.

Example of a passage combining these elements:
The evening shadows fall across the street, the road still bright with sunlight and bustling with traffic. On the opposite sidewalk, I see an elderly woman with silver hair, a frail figure, hunched back, holding a cane, anxiously glancing from side to side at the busy street. She stands near the pedestrian crossing, hesitant to cross because of the rush of vehicles. Seeing this, I quickly walk across, grab her elbow, and say, "Let me help you, Grandma!". She smiles kindly and replies, "Thank you, dear! You're so kind!". We walk across the street together when the light turns green. I feel so happy, thrilled to have helped someone. When I got home, I proudly shared my little victory with my mom.

I. Narrative and Description in Expressive Texts

1. In each poem, elements such as narrative, description, and emotional expression are used differently.

- The first two lines are narrative, while the next three lines are descriptive.

- From line 6 to line 10: narrative combined with emotional expression (the story of children stealing roof thatch, showing suppressed anger).

- Lines 11 to 18: narrative, description, and emotional expression.

- The final section: Emotional expression.

→ The combination of these three elements in the poem emphasizes the poet's difficult, desperate situation when his house is destroyed by autumn winds. This also expresses his profound longing for a shelter for all.

The poet describes the father's feet:

+ Narrating the story of the father's feet soaking in saltwater: the father complains of pain.

+ The father leaves early and returns late: expressing the child’s love for his father.

+ Describing the father’s feet and telling stories about him sets the stage for expressing love and affection at the end of the poem.

b. The act of reminiscing through narrative and description makes the image of the father's feet not just a simple image or event, but an embodiment of a child’s boundless love.

→ Recalling these moments with such deep affection makes the images and events come alive with powerful emotional resonance.

III. Practice

Exercise 1 (page 138, Vietnamese Literature 7, Volume 1)

In August, a fierce storm arrived, bringing heavy rain along with the ominous sounds of thunder and lightning. The thatched roof of the house couldn't withstand the wind, and in a flash, it was ripped apart and scattered. Some pieces flew across the river, some were strewn across the shore, and others disappeared into the distant woods... The old man felt a deep sorrow because after much effort and with the help of others, he finally had a roof to shelter him from the rain and sun. The situation was truly tragic and pitiful. Yet, the children fought among themselves to snatch the remaining pieces of the thatch, running off behind the bamboo fence. Exhausted and helpless, the old man could only watch the children. These verses evoke the image of a frail old man, with a cane, helplessly observing the children stealing and running away. This scene symbolizes the injustices and hardships of society. It also helps us understand the poet's empathy for those who commit wrongdoing, recognizing that poverty and suffering are often the result of a corrupt society.

Exercise 2 (page 138, Vietnamese Literature 7, Volume 1)

The seed candy is a precious gift from childhood. Every morning, my mother would sit down to untangle her hair with a wooden comb, and once the knots were gone, she would tie her hair up at the porch. My sister would follow her example. Occasionally, an old woman would walk by, loudly announcing, “Anyone with tangled hair, trade it for candy!” Every time she passed by the alley, I would take the tangled hair to exchange for candy. The candy was made from young rice shoots and malt syrup, but it was very sweet. Every time I heard the shout, “Candy trade,” I would silently think of my mother.

Part I: NARRATIVE AND DESCRIPTION IN EXPRESSIVE TEXTS

Answer to Question 1 (page 138, Vietnamese Literature 7, Volume 1):

Identify the narrative and descriptive elements in the poem "The Thatched Cottage Destroyed by Autumn Wind" and explain their significance to the poem.

Detailed solution:

The narrative and descriptive elements in the poem "The Thatched Cottage Destroyed by Autumn Wind"

- Section 1: Narrative (the first two lines); Description (the next three lines), establishing the general context.

- Section 2: A combination of narrative and emotional expression, showing frustration due to old age.

- Section 3: Narrative, description, and the last two lines are emotional, expressing resignation.

- Section 4: Emotional expression, highlighting noble and selfless feelings, rising above the situation.

=> Significance to the poem: Vividly portrays the poet’s desperate situation, expressing a lofty wish for the people.

Answer to Question 2 (page 138, Vietnamese Literature 7, Volume 1):

Read the passage (pages 137-138, Vietnamese Literature 7, Volume 1) and answer the questions:

a. Point out the narrative and descriptive elements in the passage and the author’s emotions. Would the emotional expression be effective without these narrative and descriptive elements?

b. The passage describes a narrative and description through reminiscing. How do emotions influence the narrative and description?

Detailed solution:

a) In the passage:

- “The father’s toes... massaged out”: description.

- “Father walks barefoot... Father goes far away”: narrative.

- “Father!... sick”: emotional expression.

b) The passage narrates and describes through reminiscence... The narrative and description are shaped by emotions, influencing the feelings conveyed.

Part II: PRACTICE

Answer to Question 1 (page 138, Vietnamese Literature 7, Volume 1):

Recount the story of the poem "The Thatched Cottage Destroyed by Autumn Wind" by Du Fu in expressive prose:

Detailed solution:

In August, during the fall season, there were fierce winds that blew away the three thatch strips from Du Fu’s roof. The wind carried them across the river. The children from the nearby village acted boldly and fought over the thatch right before the old man’s eyes - the poet, aged and frail. He, too tired, had no choice but to let it go, returning with his cane, sighing in resignation.

After a while, the wind stopped, and dark clouds suddenly rolled in. The sky darkened, and rain poured. It was freezing cold. Du Fu’s house had only a worn-out, single blanket, with a tear in it, and the cold felt like sharp knives. The bed was right under the leaky roof, drenched in water. Since the time of the chaos, the poet had already been losing sleep due to worry, and now, with the rain leaking in, how could he possibly sleep? Lying awake, lost in thought, the poet wished for a grand house with a thousand rooms, but not for himself, and definitely not just for himself, but for all the humble scholars and poor poets in the world. Even more nobly, the poet was willing to sacrifice his own home, even his life, to provide such a grand house for everyone.

Answer to Question 2 (page 138, Vietnamese Literature 7, Volume 1):

Based on the text "Seed Candy" (pages 138-139, Vietnamese Literature 7, Volume 1), write an expressive essay:

Detailed solution:

My mother has passed away, and my sister has married and left. Now, as I stand before the familiar porch, I hear the distant call from the gate, "Who wants to trade for candy?" A wave of sweet childhood memories floods my heart, recalling the precious gift of the sweet, fragrant "seed candy" made from rice milk.

This quiet sorrow takes me back to the days when my mother was still alive. I vividly remember her sitting, untangling her hair with a golden wooden comb. Her head tilted slightly, her long hair cascading over one shoulder, as she gently combed through her hair. Occasionally, she would pause to collect the loose strands, shaping them into little bundles, which she would tuck into the porch. Then, when my sister grew up, her hair too grew long, and she began to follow my mother, brushing and gathering her tangled strands, placing them on the porch as well.

At that time, I was just a young boy in primary school, and every day after class, I would rush home, my woven rattan bag bouncing behind me, calling loudly from the alley: "Mother, I’m home!" Sometimes, on the way back, I would see an old woman with a bamboo basket, trading things like scrap metal, empty bottles, duck feathers, and tangled hair for candy. The candy wasn’t really made of sugar; it was made from young rice shoots and malt syrup, but it was sweet. We called it "Seed Candy".

Hearing the old woman’s call, we, the children, would perk up our ears and quickly run home, grab a stool to climb up, and reach into the gaps in the palm fronds to pull out the tangled hair to trade for candy. Afterward, we would sit around the old woman, waiting anxiously for our turn. She would take out the candy pot and a handful of wooden sticks. With quick hands, she would hold a stick in one hand, pulling strands of candy from the pot, which would form long, fluffy threads, like a giant flower. We thought we could eat it all day long, but once we placed it in our mouths, the candy would stick together, shrinking to the size of a small apple. Putting the round, fluffy candy on our tongues, I could always taste its sweet, refreshing flavor.

My hometown has changed so much now, and children no longer wait eagerly for the calls of the candy vendor. But every time I hear the clear calls from outside, "Broken fan, iron, TV, refrigerator..." I remember the golden strands of candy, sweet and cool on my tongue, forever tied to the simple, warm memories of my childhood in a peaceful village, with my mother’s caring hands and arms around me.

I. Narrative and Description in Expressive Texts

Question 1. Identify the narrative and descriptive elements in the poem "The Song of the Hut Destroyed by the Autumn Wind" and explain their significance to the poem.

- The narrative and descriptive elements in "The Song of the Hut Destroyed by the Autumn Wind" are:

Stanza 1: The first two lines narrate the event of the house being destroyed by the autumn wind, and the next three lines describe how the house was affected by the wind. (Narrative and Description)
Stanza 2: The narrative recounts the children stealing the poet's roof that exposes the poet’s feelings. (Narrative and Expression)
Stanza 3: Describes the rainy night and the poet’s family situation. (Description)
Stanza 4: The poet’s emotions are expressed. (Expression)
- Significance: This serves to vividly portray the poet’s impoverished condition, revealing his desire for a solid house for everyone in the world.

Question 2. Read the passage in the textbook and answer the question:

a.

* Narrative and descriptive elements in the passage and the author’s feelings:

- Narrative: Recounts the father’s daily labor.

- Description: The father’s feet (It is said, “those are weary feet.” The soles of the feet are always dull and rough… covered with blemishes); the fishing tools (the basket used for fishing is worn and smooth…).

- Expression: The sympathy for the father’s exhaustion from work, which caused him to fall ill (Father! How will you heal those tired feet: the feet that have endured the rain and the sun are now ill).

* Without narrative and description, expression would still not be able to surface. Because without the object or context, emotions cannot be expressed.

b. The author’s emotions influenced the description of the father’s feet and the recounting of his labor. The narrative and description triggered the writer's feelings.

=> Summary:

- To express thoughts and feelings about life, use narrative and description to bring out the object of expression and convey emotions.

- Narrative and description here are not intended to provoke emotions but to depict the circumstances, not to narrate the full events or scenery.

II. Practice

Question 1. Retell the story of "The Song of the Hut Destroyed by the Autumn Wind" by Du Fu in a prose expressive composition.

Suggestion:

In August, when autumn arrived, strong winds swept away three layers of the thatched roof of Du Fu's house. The pieces of the roof flew across the river, into the distant forest, and even into the mud ditches. The children in the village, noticing the old poet’s frailty, rushed to grab the pieces of the roof, causing him to walk back frustrated with his cane. By evening, rain poured down, and Du Fu's modest home leaked. All the household items were old and insufficient to warm the family. In such circumstances, the poet wished for a vast mansion with thousands of rooms to shelter all the poor scholars in the world.

Question 2. Based on the passage in the textbook, write it as an expressive composition.

Suggestion:

Every time someone calls out, "Who wants to trade candy?" my heart stirs as I recall the memories of my childhood. In my youth, I received a simple but meaningful gift – the "sprout candy".

The image of my mother still stands clear in my mind as she sat by the doorstep, combing her hair with a yellow wooden comb. Her head tilted slightly, with waves of hair falling gracefully to one side. She would gather the loose strands and pin them up on the eaves. Even my older sister learned to do the same. I often asked her why she did that, and she would smile and say, "To trade for candy for you to eat."

Curious, I would wait eagerly. Then, whenever an old woman walked by shouting, "Who wants to trade tangled hair for candy?" my mother would call out to her to stop at our gate. I would run outside with my mother and see the old woman carrying a basket. One side held broken glass and old items, while the other contained a strange, unfamiliar food item.

Then, the woman would skillfully twist the candy onto a stick, wrapping it neatly. The candy seemed to be plentiful, but when placed in my mouth, it would shrink down to a small piece. Yet, my sister and I ate it with great delight. What struck me as strange was that she only traded candy for hair; she neither bought nor sold it. When we got home, I asked my mother the name of this candy. She told me it was called "sprout candy," made from rice and barley sprouts, with no sugar. But I thought it tasted sweet, just like the beautiful memories of my childhood.

Now, my mother is no longer here, but those images remain in my heart.