BAQ105_English Literature-I

196 English Literature - I metrical patterns can be used. From William Shakespeare to Robert Frost, many of the greatest writers in the English language embraced the blank verse form:  Blank Verse: Poetry that has a consistent meter but no formal rhyme scheme.  Meter: The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a poem.  Free Verse: Poetry that does not have a rhyme or a consistent metrical pattern. How to Identify a Blank Verse Poem The basic building block for a blank verse poem is a two-syllable unit called an iamb. Like the ba-BUM of a heartbeat, the syllables alternate between short (“unstressed”) and long (“stressed”). Most blank verse in English is iambic pentameter: five iambs (ten syllables) per line. William Wordsworth (1770-1850) used iambic pentameter in his classic poem, “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey.” Notice the rhythm created by the pattern of stressed/unstressed syllables in this selection: Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs However, Wordsworth did not write the poem entirely in iambics. Poets sometimes slip in different meters like spondees or dactyls to soften the beat and add a sense of surprise. These variations can make a blank verse poem hard to recognize. To add to the challenge, word pronunciations change with local dialects: Not all readers hear exactly the same beat. To distinguish blank verse from free verse, begin by reading the poem aloud. Count the syllables in each line and mark the syllables that have a stronger emphasis. Look for an overall pattern in the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables. Blank verse will show some evidence that the poet has measured the lines to achieve a more or less consistent beat throughout the poem. Origins of Blank Verse English didn’t always sound iambic, and the earliest literature from England did not use orderly patterns of accented syllables. Beowulf (ca. 1000) and other works written in Old English relied on alliteration rather than meter for dramatic effect. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Stanza Forms 197 Systematic metrical patterns entered the literary scene during the age of Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400), who wrote in Middle English. Iambic rhythms echo through Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. However, in keeping with the convention of the day, many of the tales are composed of rhyming couplets. Every two lines rhyme. The idea of writing metered verse without a formal rhyme scheme, did not emerge until the Renaissance. Gian Giorgio Trissino (1478-1550), Giovanni di Bernardo Rucellai (1475-1525), and other Italian writers began to imitate unrhymed poetry from ancient Greece and Rome. The Italians called their works versi sciolti. The French also wrote unrhymed verse, which they called vers blanc. Nobleman and poet Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, pioneered English blank verse in the 1550s when he translated the second and fourth books of Virgil's The Aeneid from Latin. A few years later, Thomas Norton and Thomas Sackville produced The Tragedie of Gorboduc (1561), a play composed of very little rhyme and strong iambic pentameter: Such causeless wrong and so unjust despite May have redress, or at the least revenge. Meter was an important tool for dramatizing memorable stories during a time when most people could not read. But there was a tedious sameness to the iambic beat in The Tragedie of Gorboduc and other early blank verse. Playwright Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) energized the form by using dialog, enjambment, and other rhetorical devices. His play The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus combined colloquial speech with lyrical language, rich assonance, alliteration, and references to Classical literature. Published in 1604, the play contains Marlowe's often-quoted lines: Was this the face that launched a thousand ships And burnt the topless towers of Ilium? Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss Her lips sucks forth my soul, see where it flies! Marlowe’s contemporary William Shakespeare (1564-1616) developed a range of techniques to disguise the tick-tock rhythm of iambic pentameter. In his famous soliloquy from Hamlet, CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

198 English Literature - I some lines contain eleven syllables instead of ten. Many lines end with a softer (\"feminine\") unstressed syllable. Colons, question marks, and other sentence endings create rhythmical pauses (known as caesura) midway through lines. Try to identify the stressed syllables in these lines from Hamlet’s soliloquy: To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep… The Rise of Blank Verse Poetry During the age of Shakespeare and Marlowe, English blank verse belonged mainly to the realm of the theater. Shakespeare's sonnets followed conventional rhyme schemes. In the mid- 1600s, however, John Milton (1608-1674) rejected rhyme as \"but the invention of a barbarous age\" and promoted the use of blank verse for non-dramatic works. His epic poem Paradise Lost contains 10,000 lines in iambic pentameter. To preserve the rhythm, Milton shortened words, eliminating syllables. Notice the abbreviation of \"wandering\" in his description of Adam and Eve leaving paradise: The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and providence their guide: They hand in hand with wand’ring steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way. Blank verse fell from favor after Milton died, but in the late 1700s a new generation of poets explored ways to integrate natural speech with musicality. Blank verse offered more possibilities than verse with formal rhyme schemes. Poets could write stanzas in any length, some long, some short. Poets could follow the flow of ideas and use no stanza breaks at all. Flexible and adaptable, blank verse became the standard for poetry written in the English language. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Stanza Forms 199 Other masterpieces of blank verse poetry include \"Frost at Midnight” (1798) by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “Hyperion” (1820) by John Keats, and \"The Second Coming” (1919) by W.B. Yeats. Modern Examples of Blank Verse Modernism brought revolutionary approaches to writing. Most 20th century poets turned to free verse. Formalists who still wrote in blank verse experimented with new rhythms, fragmented lines, enjambment, and colloquial vocabulary. “Home Burial” by Robert Frost (1874-1963) is a narrative with dialog, interruptions, and outcries. Although most of the lines are iambic, Frost shattered the meter midway through the poem. The indented words \"Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t” are equally stressed. There are three stones of slate and one of marble, Broad-shouldered little slabs there in the sunlight On the sidehill. We haven’t to mind those But I understand: it is not the stones, But the child’s mound ---’ ‘Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t,’ she cried. She withdrew shrinking from beneath his arm That rested on the banister, and slid downstairs….. Robert Graves (1895-1985) used similar strategies for Welsh Incident. The whimsical poem is a dialog between two speakers. With casual language and ragged lines, the poem resembles free verse. Yet the lines lilt with iambic meter: ‘But that was nothing to what things came out From the sea-caves of Criccieth yonder.’ ‘What were they? Mermaids dragons? Ghosts?’ ‘Nothing at all of any things like that’ ‘What were they then?’ ‘All sorts of queer things…. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

200 English Literature - I Blank Verse and Hip-Hop Rap music by hip-hop artists draws from African folk songs, jazz, and blues. The lyrics are filled with rhyme and near-rhyme. There are no set rules for line lengths or metrical patterns. In contrast, blank verse emerged from European literary traditions. While the meter can vary, there’s an overall regularity to the beat. Moreover, blank verse poems rarely use end rhymes. Nevertheless, blank verse and rap music share the same iambic rhythms. The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Group performs rap versions of Shakespeare plays. Hip-hop musician Jay-Z celebrates the poetic qualities of rap music in his memoir and lyric collection, Decoded (view on Amazon). Compare the line by Wordsworth quoted at the top of this page with this line from Jay-Z’s rap song, \"Coming of Age”: I see his hunger pains, I know his blood boils Rap music is not written exclusively in blank verse, but teachers often include hip-hop in the curriculum to illustrate the continued relevance of Shakespeare and other writers from the blank verse tradition. 9.6 Spensarian Stanza Spenserian stanza, verse form that consists of eight iambic pentameter lines followed by a ninth line of six iambic feet (an alexandrine); the rhyme scheme is ABABBCBCC. The first eight lines produce an effect of formal unity, while the hexameter completes the thought of the stanza. Invented by Edmund Spenser for his poem The Faerie Queene (1590-1609), the Spenserian stanza has origins in the Old French ballade (eight-line stanzas, rhyming ABABBCBC), the Italian ottava rima (eight iambic pentameter lines with a rhyme scheme of ABABABCC), and the stanza form used by Chaucer in his “Monk’s Tale” (eight lines rhyming ABABBCBC). A revolutionary innovation in its day, the Spenserian stanza fell into general disuse during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was revived in the 19th century by the Romantic poets — e.g., Byron in Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, Keats in ‘The Eve of St. Agnes,’ and Shelley in ‘Adonais.’ CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Stanza Forms 201 The following example is the first stanza from Spenser’s Faerie Queene. The formatting, wherein all lines but the first and last are indented, is the same as in contemporary printed editions. Lo I the man, whose Muse whilome did maske, As time her taught, in lowly Shepheards weeds, Am now enforst a far unfitter taske, For trumpets sterne to chaunge mine Oaten reeds, And sing of Knights and Ladies gentle deeds; Whose prayses having slept in silence long, Me, all too meane, the sacred Muse areeds To blazon broad emongst her learned throng: Fierce warres and faithfull loues shall moralize my song. 9.7 Unit End Questions (MCQ and Descriptive) A. Short Answer Questions 1. Write a note on heroic couplet. 2. Write a note on spensarian stanza. 3. What is a dizain stanza? 4. What is a Blank Verse? 5. Write a note on Ottava Rima. B. Long Answer Questions 1. What are stanza forms? 2. Explain heroic couplet in detail. C. Multiple Choice Questions 1. How many lines does a Spensarian stanza have? (a) Seven (b) Eight (c) Nine (d) Ten CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

202 English Literature - I 2. Blank Verse has______ which the free verse doesn’t. (a) meter (b) rhyme scheme (c) fixed number of lines (d) meaning 3. What makes the difference between a couplet and a heroic couplet? (a) Meter (b) Two lines (c) Rhyme (d) Found in epic or long narrative poetry 4. What is a Dizian stanza? (a) With five lines (b) With six lines (c) With ten lines (d) With seven lines 5. Quintain is __________lines stanza. (a) four (b) five (c) two (d) no fixed number of lines Answers 1. (c), 2. (a), 3. (d), 4. (c), 5. (b) 9.8 References 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanza 2. https://owlcation.com/humanities/Stanza-forms-in-poetry 3. https://www.thoughtco.com/heroic-couplet-definition-4140168 4. https://www.thoughtco.com/blank-verse-poetry-4171243 5. https://www.britannica.com/art/Spenserian-stanza 6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spenserian_stanza 7. http://www.literarydevices.com/stanza/  CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

UNIT 10 COMPOSITION Structure: 10.0 Learning Objectives 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Formal Letter Format 10.3 Informal Letter 10.4 Letter to the Editor Format 10.5 Letter to the Editor 10.6 Application Writing 10.7 Difference between Letter Writing and Application Writing 10.8 References 10.0 Learning Objectives After studying this unit, you will be able to understand how to write formal and informal letters. You will also understand how an application needs to be written. The purpose of an application formal writing is dependent on the subject. Writing a university application letter, for example, is intended for you to get into a school to pursue your education as a step to reach your dreams. In any target that you aim for your application letter, the common ground purpose of why you are doing it is to get in. The fact that you are applying means you are expressing your will and intention to get a position or a slot. That is why you cannot just write a half-baked product. You need to give it with your best shot. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

204 English Literature - I 10.1 Introduction Letter Writing A letter is a written message that can be handwritten or printed on paper. It is usually sent to the recipient via mail or post in an envelope, although this is not a requirement as such. Any such message that is transferred via post is a letter, a written conversation between two parties. Now that E-mails (Advantages and disadvantages) and texts and other such forms have become the norm for communication, the art of letter writing has taken a backseat. However, even today a lot of our communication, especially the formal kind, is done via letters. Whether it is a cover letter for a job, or the bank sending you a reminder or a college acceptance letter, letters are still an important mode of communication, which is why it is important that we know the intricacies of letter writing. Types of Letters Let us first understand that there are broadly two types of letter, namely Formal Letters, and Informal Letters. But then there are also a few types of letters based on their contents, formalities, the purpose of letter writing etc. Let us have a look at the few types of letters.  Formal Letter: These letters follow a certain pattern and formality. They are strictly kept professional in nature, and directly address the issues concerned. Any type of business letter or letter to authorities falls within this given category.  Informal Letter: These are personal letters. They need not follow any set pattern or adhere to any formalities. They contain personal information or are a written conversation. Informal letters are generally written to friends, acquaintances, relatives etc.  Business Letter: This letter is written among business correspondents, and generally contains commercial information such as quotations, orders, complaints, claims, letters for collections etc. Such letters are always strictly formal and follow a structure and pattern of formalities.  Official Letter: This type of letter is written to inform offices, branches, subordinates of official information. It usually relays official information like rules, regulations, CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Composition 205 procedures, events, or any other such information. Official letters are also formal in nature and follow certain structure and decorum.  Social Letter: A personal letter written on the occasion of a special event is known as a social letter. Congratulatory letter, condolence letter, invitation letter etc are all social letters.  Circular Letter: A letter that announces information to a large number of people is a circular letter. The same letter is circulated to a large group of people to correspond some important information like a change of address, change in management, the retirement of a partner etc.  Employment Letter: Any letter with respect to the employment process, like joining letter, promotion letter, application letter etc. Fall under this category. Letter Writing Tips Now that we have learned the basics of communicating via letters and the types of letters as well, let us focus on some tips for the actual letter writing. 1. Identify the type of letter: This obviously is the first step of the letter writing process. You must be able to identify the type of letter you are to write. This will be dictated by the person the letter is addressed to and the information that will be conveyed through the letter. Suppose you were writing to the principal of your college to ask for leave, this would be a formal letter (Types of formal letters with samples). But say you were writing to your old college professor catching up after a long time. Then this would be a personal (informal) letter. 2. Make sure you open and close the letter correctly: Opening a letter in the correct manner is of utmost importance. Formal letters open with a particular structure and greeting that is formal in nature. Informal letters can be addressed to the person’s name or any informal greeting as the writer wishes. Even when closing the letter, it must be kept in mind what type of letter is being written. Formal letters end respectfully and impersonally, whereas informal letters may end with a more personal touch. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

206 English Literature - I 3. Establish the main intent of the letter: Once you start writing, make sure to get to the point as soon as possible. Especially in formal letters, it is important to immediately make clear the purpose of the letter. 4. Be careful of the language: A letter is always supposed to be polite and considerate. Even if it is a complaint letter, the point must be made in a careful and courteous manner. So it is necessary to use polite expressions and civil language in all types of letters. 5. Length of the letter: The other important factor to be considered is the length of the letter you are writing. It should be kept in mind that formal letters are generally to the point, precise and short. Lengthy formal letters tend to not have the desired effect on the reader. The length of an informal letter is determined by the message in the letter and the relation to the recipient. A letter is one person’s written message to another pertaining to some matter of common concern. Letters are of two types – 1. Formal Letter 2. Informal Letter Formal Letter A letter written for a formal purpose is called a Formal Letter. It addresses a serious issue. Let us discuss the types of formal letter - Types of Formal Letter 1. Letter to the editor 2. Letter to the Government 3. Letter to the police 4. Letter to the principal 5. Order letter 6. Complaint letter 7. Inquiry letter CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Composition 207 8. Business letter 9. Application letter 10.2 Formal Letter Format Format of a Formal Letter includes: The following points need to be taken into consideration while writing a Formal letter- (a) A Formal Letter strictly follows the prescribed Format for writing a Formal Letter. (b) Use of colloquial words, abbreviations and slang language should be restricted while writing a Formal letter. (c) A Formal Letter must be precise and to the point. (d) The Subject line is very important in a Formal Letter. The Format of a Formal Letter is as follows – 1. Sender’s address: The address and contact details of the sender are written here. Include email and phone number, if required or if mentioned in the question. 2. Date: The date is written below the sender’s address after leaving one space or line. 3. Receiver’s address: The address of the recipient of the mail (the officer/principal/editor) is written here. 4. Subject of the letter: The main purpose of the letter forms the subject. It must be written in one line. It must convey the matter for which the letter is written. 5. Salutation (Sir/Respected Sir/Madam). 6. Body: The matter of the letter is written here. It is divided into 3 paragraphs as follows - Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself and the purpose of writing the letter in brief. Paragraph 2: Give a detail of the matter. Paragraph 3: Conclude by mentioning what you expect. (For example, a solution to your problem, to highlight an issue in the newspaper, etc). CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

208 English Literature - I 7. Complimentary Closing 8. Sender’s name, signature and designation (if any). Sender’s address Date Receiver’s Address Subject Salutation Body of the letter Complimentary closing Sender’s Name, signature and designation 10.3 Informal Letter A letter written for an informal purpose is called an Informal Letter. It is written for a casual purpose. Let us discuss the types of Informal Letter - Types of Informal Letter: 1. Letter to parents 2. Letter to siblings 3. Letter to friends CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Composition 209 4. Letter to classmates 5. Letter to neighbours For complete details please see: Informal Letter Format, Examples, Topics. What is Informal Letter? Format of an Informal Letter The following points need to be followed while writing an Informal Letter- (a) An Informal Letter does not strictly follow the prescribed format. (b) The language of an Informal Letter must be friendly and casual. (c) An Informal Letter can have extra information. (d) The Subject line is not required in an Informal Letter. The format of an Informal Letter is as follows – 1. Address: The address of the sender is followed by that of the receiver. 2. Date: The date is written below the address after leaving one line. 3. Salutation/Greeting (Dear/Hi/Hello) 4. Body: The matter of the letter is written here. It is divided into 3 paragraphs as follows - (a) Paragraph 1: Beginning (b) Paragraph 2: Main content. (c) Paragraph 3: Ending. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

210 English Literature - I 5. Sender’s name and signature. Address Date Salutation Body of the letter Sender’s name and signature Sample Letters 1. Write a letter to the Mayor of your city seeking a solution to the problem of water logging in your area. You are Raj/Rani of Dharma Colony, Ramgarh. 14/8, Dharma Colony Ramgarh. Date: 23 August 2018 The Mayor, Ramgarh Subject: Complaint regarding the problem of water logging in Dharma Colony. Sir/Madam, I am Raj, a resident of Dharma Colony. The residents of the area are facing a lot of problems due to water logging. Every year in the monsoon season, the area gets filled with water as the drainage system CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Composition 211 gets choked. We have requested the area committee many times, but the situation is still the same. The residents’ lives have become miserable as many water - borne diseases have spread. All the houses are submerged, and we are facing a tough time. Please consider the issue as serious and find a solution at the earliest. Yours Sincerely, Raj 2. You are Garima/Gaurav. Write a letter to your friend Sanjana/Sanjay, inviting her/him to your birthday party. Give details regarding the day, time, venue, etc. Add interesting details like theme, dress code, etc. 45, Jan Marg Delhi. 33, Khan Gali Delhi. Date: 21 August 2018 Dear Sanjay, Hi! You are invited to my birthday party on 25th August. The party will be at Archie’s Place, Nehru Park from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. As the party is based on ‘Spiderman’ theme, please wear a dress in red/black colour combination. It will be fun as I have arranged a Mask game, a ‘Spidey’ web game and a never – seen – before neon light and music show. I am very excited as I will wear the special Spidey costume designed by my sister. Please come as it will be good to have your company. Also, bring your brother Saurav. Waiting for your confirmation. Gaurav 10.4 Letter to the Editor Format The format of a letter to the editor of a Newspaper is as follows – 1. Sender’s address: The address and contact details of the sender are written here. Include email and phone number, if required or if mentioned in the question. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

212 English Literature - I 2. Date: The date is written below the sender’s address after leaving one space or line. 3. Receiving Editor’s address: The address of the recipient of the mail i.e., the editor is written here. 4. Subject of the letter: The main purpose of the letter forms the subject. It must be written in one line. It must convey the matter for which the letter is written. 5. Salutation (Sir/Respected Sir/Madam). 6. Body: The matter of the letter is written here. It is divided into 3 paragraphs as follows - Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself and the purpose of writing the letter in brief. Paragraph 2: Give a detail of the matter. Paragraph 3: Conclude by mentioning what you expect from the editor. (For example, you may want him to highlight the issue in his newspaper/magazine). 7. Complimentary Closing. 8. Sender’s name, signature and designation (if any). 10.5 Letter to the Editor Q.1. You are Radha G, member of NGO AWAAZ. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily for a public movement to clean the Yamuna river. (You must introduce yourself, describe how the people are to be blamed for polluting the river, and suggest the need for installing water treatment plant to clean the river). A. 33, Jal Vihar Wazirabad, New Delhi - 33 Dated: 17 July 2017 The Editor Hindustan Times New Delhi. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Composition 213 Subject: Need for people’s movement for a clean Yamuna. Dear Editor, I am Radha G, member of NGO AWAAZ. I am writing to you in order to highlight the deteriorating condition of river Yamuna. The city of Delhi is getting contaminated water from river Yamuna. The residents are to be blamed for this. They pollute the river with garbage, sewage and filth. The river water is full of bacteria, plastic, chemicals and other waste materials. It is unfit for consumption. The people have been demanding a Water Treatment plant. The authorities have not yet responded to the repeated requests. I request you to highlight the problem in your newspaper and arouse public interest. We all need to get together in order to get the plant set up in the area. Thank You. Yours sincerely, Radha G Member AWAAZ 10.6 Application Writing What is Application Writing? Application Writing is the process or the act of writing documents in relation to an application. It can be for a job, an internship, or a university application. It is an important writing skills to be familiar of, because it could one day win you that spot that you have long dreamed of. Writing an application letter requires a mix of talent and skills. Take for example, a job application. You need to know what are the things that you need to write. You cannot just say whatever comes into your mind. You need coherence and logical reasoning as you write. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

214 English Literature - I 10.7 Difference between Letter Writing and Application Writing These are two of the common writing procedures that most of you are probably familiar with. However, what is really their difference? They actually differ in their purpose. Letter writing could be anything that falls within narrative writing, description, and explanation, while an application writing is a mix of explanation as well as conviction. When you are applying, you need to convince the reader that you are most qualified among the rest of the applicants. You need to explain as well why they have to choose you. You also need to provide them with sufficient data and factual reason for your claim. Importance of Application Writing One of the many reasons why most job applicants fail is that, their application writing is not good enough to impress the employer. Even if you have a good resume writing use and you have the scholastic records to show how good you are, but if it does not reflect on the simplest thing to do, which is application writing, you will not get through. The application letter will reflect how good you are with your interpersonal writing skills and how persistent and determined you are in getting that job. Writing the Letter of Application  Write a compelling first paragraph. Write something that draws the interest of your reader, in this case, the hiring manager. Most application letter examples end up in the dust bin because they are devoid of appeal. To avoid this, treat your first paragraph like a breaking news article by opening with a declarative statement.  Inform the reader about your enthusiasm for applying for a position in the company. Demonstrate to the hiring manager about your familiarity with the company’s work and how you would perfectly fit for the position applied for.  Mention where you discovered the information about the position you are applying. Make some calls and research to find out if you have an acquaintance in the company. It is always great to have a reference on the inside. Do not hesitate to name drop, especially if the person granted you permission to do so. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Composition 215  Elaborate why hiring you will benefit the employer. A job vacancy usually opens when the company has an issue which needs solving. As an applicant, it is your job to solve this issue among other things.  You can refer to your resume where you have enumerated your accomplishments, experiences, and skills. From this, you can use an example or two and elaborate on them. These show that you are very much qualified for the role.  Provide a brief summary of your strengths, experience, and qualifications. The second paragraph of your letter should provide a summarized description of your experiences and abilities to demonstrate why you are the perfect choice for the job.  Highlight the most significant parts of your professional career. Although your most recent accomplishments would be a good place for you to start, you might have a past experience which perfectly fits the required qualifications of the job. If you need to dig deeper to prove your worth, then do so.  Create an image of yourself which is not on your resume. Resumes typically depict what you have done during your last assignments or jobs. As an applicant, you would also want the hiring manager to see the person behind these accomplishments.  In maybe two or three sentences, express your thoughts on how your previous company has personally made an impact on you and how this dream job application will, in one way, shape your future. Showing this human side of your proves that you are more than the facts printed on paper. Finish up your Application Letter  Create a brief summary explaining why you are the best candidate for the position in just one sentence. It is best to end your letter with a polite reminder to your prospective employer why you are the best applicant for the job and this gesture may earn you an interview. But do this succinctly in just one meaningful sentence.  Provide a gentle invitation to reach out to you. Make an invitation to your reader about wanting the chance to speak more about the vacant position. It is not redundant to give your contact information again just for emphasis. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

216 English Literature - I  Also, do not forget to thank the hiring manager about any consideration that he will make, then end the letter with a courteous statement like “looking forward to hearing from you at the earliest convenience” or something equally pleasant.  Sign off. This step can, at times, be very frustrating, especially if you do not know what’s considered appropriate. Using a tone that is too formal may have a tinge of insincerity and it might not fit the overall style of the letter itself. Just be sincere without sounding offensive, period.  Finally, after signing off, write your complete name and affix your signature. If your word processor has been set up for a signature, you may insert this underneath your name. Or you can print out the final version of your letter then affix your signature. For a letter of application sample, a signature is optional. Leave Application Format Which things to mention while writing a Leave Application?  Salutation  Subject  Reason for your leave  Period (Number of days) of your leave  Contact information Let us see some formats for leave applications one by one: Leave Application for Office Asking for a casual leave from your boss is really a hard nut to crack. But, a good leave application can make things smooth between you and your boss. While writing a leave application for office, it is important to mention the subject and proper reason for leave. Below is a sample format for writing a leave application to your office: CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Composition 217 Sender’s name and address: Date: Receiver’s name and address: Subject: Application for leave from [start date] to [end date]. Respected Mr./Mrs. [Name of the recipient] (or Sir/Madam), I am writing this application to request for leave from office. Actually, I have to attend a family function at [name of the place]. For attending the same, I want leave from [start date] to [end date]. It is really important for me to attend this function, being a responsible member of the family. After attending the function, I will be joining back the office on [date]. I have cleared all the priority tasks for the upcoming week and have delegated my colleague, [Name of the colleague] for any urgent matters. As for attending the function, I have to go to Mumbai, therefore, I will have to leave early on the evening of [date] to be in time at the airport and avoid further delays. Please consider my leave application and approve the same for the aforementioned period. I shall be really grateful to you. Yours Sincerely, [Name] [Signature] Sick Leave Application for Office We all are humans and can fall sick on any particular day and this state of not going to the office for work usually comes without any prior notice. Usually, it is advised to write a sick leave application letter to inform your boss. In some circumstances, a medical certificate from a certified doctor may also be required. Sender’s name and address: CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

218 English Literature - I Date: Receiver’s name and address: Subject: Sick Leave application. Respected Mr./Mrs. [Name of the recipient] (or Sir/Madam), I am writing this application to notify you that I am suffering from severe viral infection and therefore, I need sick leave from work. I caught this infection last night and I will not be able to come to the office for at least [number of days]. As notified by my doctor, it is best that I take rest and recover properly before resuming work. The letter from the doctor is also attached for your reference. Kindly grant me a leave for [number of days] days. I will be available on phone in case of any priority or urgent cases. Please contact me as per your convenience. For urgent matters, I have informed [Name of the colleague] to handle them to ensure that all deadlines are met. I hope you will understand and grant me a leave for aforementioned period. Waiting for your approval. Yours Sincerely, [Your Name] [Signature] CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Composition 219 Sample Application for a Job 214 Park Street Cupertino, California Phone: Email: March 01, 2012 Dear James Carter, HR Manager Pearl INC. 685 Beaumount Street Dear Mr. Carter: I am writing to you in response to an advertisement for a mechanical engineer which appeared in the Times of India on Tuesday, Feb 21st . As you can see from my enclosed resume, I have the experience and academic qualifications necessary to meet the position’s requirements. I especially would like to point out that I did my BE in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Mumbai. Immediately upon graduation I was hired by a leading printing company. During the two years that I worked with them, I further improved my knowledge and skills in the printing and packaging industry and gained exposure in the installation machines. My employer also thought highly of my abilities that he promoted me to the position of chief mechanical engineer after my first year of employment. I am certain that in addition to my qualifications and experience I will be able to bring excellent work habits and judgment to this position. What is more, I will be able to carry out my responsibilities with minimal supervision. I look forward to meeting you in person so that we can further discuss the requirements of the position. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, (Handwritten signature) James Mathews Comprehension Passage The word comprehension means the ability to understand what you listen or what you read. It is an exercise which aims at improving or testing one’s ability to understand a language. Try to remember your English class at your school. Each day you were taught new lessons. The stories, the poem, the questions, and answers were unseen to you before you read them. Similarly, in a comprehension test, you are given a passage or a paragraph or two. These CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

220 English Literature - I paragraphs show the idea or mood, concerning issues, their solutions that the author provides. Your main task is to answer the questions asked from the passage. Misconception Regarding Comprehension Test There are some misconceptions related to the way of answering the comprehension test. These misconceptions are:  It is possible to understand the key idea of the paragraph by just reading the first and the last sentence. But this is not always correct.  Reading the questions first will help to understand the paragraph better. This is also not always true because: It is not possible for a person to remember all the questions. Also, the questions are sometimes indirect in nature. The order of the questions is not always in accordance with the progression of the paragraph. It is advisable to avoid these misconceptions in order to get better insights about the passage. Requisite Skills To develop a better level of comprehension, one requires certain skills:  Logical ability  The ability to infer  Analytical ability  Reasoning ability  Ability to understand the main motive or the idea of the author  Reading speed  Vocabulary power  Remembering some important information from the paragraph otherwise, we need to refer the paragraph again and again which will consume more time. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Composition 221 Important Strategy to Solve Comprehension Passages  Read the passage as fast as possible.  Get involved with the paragraph to understand it.  Underline important lines or parts of the passage to answer the questions. It will also help to understand the main idea of the passage or the tone or mood of the author.  Try to translate a complex line in an easy one in your own words and your own language. This will help you in analyzing the main idea of the paragraph and in seeking the cause and effects of the passage.  Underline or mark the keywords. These will help you to discover the logical connections in the passage and help in understanding it better.  Try to understand some certain unfamiliar words by reading the line thoroughly. The theme of the line will make you understand the meaning of the words.  Determine the main idea, tone or mood, inferential reasoning, and other details from the paragraph.  Do not assume anything based on your personal belief.  Look back at the paragraph when in doubt.  Read the questions and all the alternatives provided and choose the most appropriate one. Example Read the passage and answer the questions that follow : Mike and Morris lived in the same village. While Morris owned the largest jewelry shop in the village, Mike was a poor farmer. Both had large families with many sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. One fine day, Mike, tired of not being able to feed his family, decided to leave the village and move to the city where he was certain to earn enough to feed everyone. Along with his family, he left the village for the city. At night, they stopped under a large tree. There was a stream running nearby where they could freshen up themselves. He told his sons to clear the area below the tree, he told his wife to fetch water and he instructed his daughters-in-law to make up the fire and started cutting wood from the tree himself. They did not know that in the CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

222 English Literature - I branches of the tree, there was a thief hiding. He watched as Mike’s family worked together and also noticed that they had nothing to cook. Mike’s wife also thought the same and asked her husband, “Everything is ready but what shall we eat?” Mike raised his hands to heaven and said ” Don’t worry. He is watching all this from above. He will help us.” The thief got worried as he had seen that the family was large and worked well together. Taking advantage of the fact that they did not know he was hiding in the branches, he decided to make a quick escape. He climbed down safely when they were not looking and ran for his life. But, he left behind the bundle of stolen jewels and money which dropped into Mike’s lap. Mike opened it and jumped with joy when he saw the contents. The family gathered all their belongings and returned to the village. There was great excitement when they told everyone how they got rich. Morris thought that the tree was miraculous and this was a nice and quick way to earn some money. He ordered his family to pack some clothes and they set off as if on a journey. They also stopped under the same tree and Morris started commanding everyone as Mike had done. But no one in his family was willing to obey his orders. Being a rich family, they were used to having servants all around. So, the one who went to the river to fetch water enjoyed a nice bath. The one who went to get wood for fire went off to sleep. Morris’s wife said,” Everything is ready but what shall we eat?” Morris raised his hands and said,” Don’t worry. He is watching all this from above. He will help us.” As soon as he finished saying, the thief jumped down from the tree with a knife in hand. Seeing him, everyone started running here and there to save their lives. The thief stole everything they had and Morris and his family had to return to the village empty handed, having lost all their valuables that they had taken with them. Question 1: Why did Mike and his family decide to rest under the thief’s tree ? (a) Being a large family, they knew that they could easily defeat the thief. (b) It was a convenient spot for taking a halt at night. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Composition 223 (c) There was a stream nearby and enough wood to build a house. (d) That was the only large tree that could shelter their large family. Solution: (b) It was a convenient spot for taking a halt at night. (a) is incorrect as they did not know that a thief was hiding in the tree. (c) is incorrect as nothing has been mentioned in the passage about the amount of wood (d) is incorrect as nothing has been mentioned about the number of trees. Question 2: Which of the following best describes Morris ? (a) He was a rich businessman. (b) He bullied his wife. (c) He paid his servants well. (d) He was greedy and imitated Mike. Solution: (d) He was greedy and imitated Mike. Question 3: What did Mike mean when he said “He is watching all this from above”? (a) He had spotted the thief and wanted to scare him. (b) He was telling his wife to have faith in god. (c) It was just a warning for his family members to stick together. (d) He was begging the thief to help his family. Solution: (b) He was telling his wife to have faith in god. Question 4: Why did the thief return to the tree? (a) To wait for Mike to return. (b) To set up a trap. (c) To wait for Morris’s family. (d) Not mentioned in the passage. Solution: (d) Not mentioned in the passage. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

224 English Literature - I Question 5: How did the fellow villagers react to Mike getting rich overnight? (a) They were jealous of him. (b) They were very excited. (c) They followed his example. (d) They envied him. Solution: (b) They were very excited. Passage: The economic transformation of India is one of the great business stories of our time. As stifling government regulations have been lifted, entrepreneurship has flourished, and the country has become a high-powered centre for information technology and pharmaceuticals. Indian companies like Infosys and Wipro are powerful global players, while Western firms like G.E. and I.B.M. now have major research facilities in India employing thousands. India’s seemingly endless flow of young, motivated engineers, scientists, and managers offering developed-world skills at developing-world wages is held to be putting American jobs at risk, and the country is frequently heralded as “the next economic superpower.” But India has run into a surprising hitch on its way to superpower status: its inexhaustible supply of workers is becoming exhausted. Although India has one of the youngest workforces on the planet, the head of Infosys said recently that there was an “acute shortage of skilled manpower,” and a study by Hewitt Associates projects says that this year salaries for skilled workers will rise fourteen and a half per cent, a sure sign that demand for skilled labor is outstripping supply. How is this possible in a country that every year produces two and a half million college graduates and four hundred thousand engineers? Start with the fact that just ten per cent of Indians get any kind of post-secondary education, compared with some fifty per cent who do in the U.S. Moreover, of that ten per cent, the vast majority go to one of India’s seventeen thousand colleges, many of which are closer to community colleges than to four-year institutions. India does have more than three hundred universities, but a recent survey by the London Times Higher Education Supplement put only two of them among the top hundred in the world. Many Indian CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Composition 225 graduates, therefore, enter the workforce with a low level of skills. A current study led by Vivek Wadhwa, of Duke University, has found that if you define “engineer” by U.S. standards, India produces just a hundred and seventy thousand engineers a year, not four hundred thousand. Infosys says that, of 1.3 million applicants for jobs last year, it found only two per cent acceptable. Questions: 1. Which of these could you infer according to the passage? (a) Wages in the developing countries are less as compared to wages in the developed countries. (b) Wages in the developing countries are more as compared to wages in the developed countries. (c) Wages in the developing countries are same as wages in the developed countries. (d) None of these. 2. What does “American jobs” in the last line of the first paragraph of the passage imply? (a) Jobs provided by American companies. (b) Jobs held (or to be held) by American people. (c) Jobs open to only American citizens. (d) Jobs provided by the American government. 3. According to the passage, why India does not have enough skilled labour? (a) The total amount of the young population is low. (b) The total number of colleges are insufficient. (c) Students do not want to study. (d) Maximum universities and colleges do not match global standards. 4. What can you infer as the meaning of ‘stifling‘ from the passage? (a) Democratic. (b) Liberal. (c) Impeding. (d) Undemocratic. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

226 English Literature - I 5. What is an appropriate title to the passage? (a) Growing Indian Economy. (b) Higher education in India. (c) India’s Skill Shortage. (d) Entrepreneurship in India. 6. In the third sentence of the third paragraph of the passage, the phrase “closer to community colleges ” is used. What does it imply? (a) Near to community colleges. (b) Like community colleges. (c) Close association with community colleges. (d) None of these. 7. According to the passage, what is the paradox of the Indian economy today? (a) The economic progress is impressive, but the poor (earning one dollar per day) are not benefited. (b) The economic progress is impressive disallowing the government to take tough decisions. (c) There is not enough skilled workforce and the government does not realize this. (d) Government is not ready to invest in setting up new universities. 8. Why are salaries for skilled workers rising? (a) Companies are paying high to lure skilled people to jobs. (b) American companies are ready to pay higher to skilled workers. (c) Entrepreneurship is growing in India. (d) There are not enough skilled workers, while the demand for them is high. Passage: The Kingdom of Spain was created in 1492 with the unification of the Kingdom of Castile and the Kingdom of Aragon. For the next three centuries, Spain was the most important colonial power in the world. It was the most powerful state in Europe and the foremost global power during the 16th century and the greater part of the 17th century. Spain established a vast empire in the Americas, stretching from California to Patagonia, and colonies in the western Pacific. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

Composition 227 Spain’s European wars, however, led to economic damage, and the latter part of the 17th century saw a gradual decline of power under an increasingly neglectful and inept Habsburg regime. The decline culminated in the War of the Spanish Succession, where Spain’s decline from the position of a leading Western power to that of a secondary one, was confirmed, although it remained the leading colonial power. The eighteenth century saw a new dynasty, the Bourbons, which directed considerable effort towards the institutional renewal of the state, with some success, peaking in a successful involvement in the American War of Independence. The end of the 18th and the start of the 19th centuries saw turmoil unleashed throughout Europe by the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, which finally led to a French occupation of much of the continent, including Spain. This triggered a successful but devastating war of independence that shattered the country and created an opening for what would ultimately be the successful independence of Spain’s mainland American colonies. Following a period of growing political instability in the early 20th century, in 1936, Spain was plunged into a bloody civil war. The war ended in a nationalist dictatorship, led by Francisco Franco which controlled the Spanish government until 1975. Questions: 1. What was the result of Napoleonic wars? (a) A small part of the continent was occupied by French people. (b) Spain was occupied by the French. (c) War of independence was unable to yield any positive result. (d) American colonies were destroyed after the war. 2. What is the meaning of the term ‘culminated’? (a) Follow a particular path. (b) Guide or transform. (c) Reach the highest point. (d) Introduce on a grand scale. CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

228 English Literature - I 3. What is the summary of the passage? (a) The rise and fall of a national empire. (b) The downfall of successive regimes in Spain. (c) The history of Spain. (d) Spain in eighteenth century. 4. What occurred in the latter part of 17th century? (a) War of succession confirmed the leading position of Spain. (b) Spain was no longer regarded as the ruling colonial power. (c) A vast empire was established in Europe. (d) Power steadily declined under Habsburg regime. 10.8 References 1. https://www.toppr.com/guides/english/writing/letter-writing/ 2. https://www.examples.com/education/application-writing.html 3. https://www.successcds.net/learn-english/writing-skills/letter-writing-format-formal- letter-informal-letter-samples-topics.html 4. http://templatelab.com/letter-of-application/#Letter_Of_Application_Samples 5. https://www.toppr.com/guides/business-correspondence-and-reporting/comprehension- passages/introduction-points-ponder/ 6. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/comprehension-passages/ 7. https://www.successcds.net/learn-english/writing-skills/leave-application.html 8. http://www.perfectyourenglish.com/businessenglish/application-letter-sample.htm  CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

MODEL QUESTION PAPER B.A English Literature - I Time: 3 Hrs Marks:100 Q.1. Answer any three of the following questions in about 150 words (30 marks) (i) Why Shakespeare is not of a particular age but for all times. (ii) Explain William Wordsworth as a nature poet. (iii) Give an estimate of Tennyson as a poet. (iv) Why is Maya Angelou’s poetry considered as “anthems of African Americans”? (v) Why are Elizabeth Jennings best poems not descriptive but exploratory of relationships? Q.2. Answer any four of the following questions in about 150 words. (40 Marks) (i) Give the significance of the title. ‘The Education of Nature’ (ii) Explain the imagery in the poem ‘All things will die’? (iii) What is Maya Angelou's poem \"Still I Rise\" about? Why is it important? (iv) Explain the speaker’s sense of guilt in the poem ‘Grandmother’? (v) Write a critical appreciation of the poem \"Where the Mind Is Without Fear\" by Rabindranath Tagore? (vi) The poem “Refugee Mother and Child” touches our hearts with love and compassion and enhances the dignity of motherhood. Comment. Q.3. Answer any four of the following questions in about 75 words: (20 Marks) (i) Explain the ‘narrow’ domestic walls in Rabindranath Tagore’s “Where The Mind Is Without Fear,” (ii) Describe the scene at the refugee camp in the poem ‘Refugee Mother and the Child’ (iii) What is a heroic couplet? (iv) Write a note on Shakespearean sonnet? CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

230 English Literature - I (v) Why is the speaker reluctant to go to school in the poem ‘The School Boy’? (vi) How will Lucy experience the vital feelings of delight, according to Wordsworth? Q.4(A). (5 marks) (i) Write a letter to your friend inviting him for a week end trip to a nearby forest sanctuary. OR (ii) Write a letter to the Principal of your college requesting him to start a canteen in the college. Q. 4.(B). (5 marks) You are a mechanical engineer. You are interested in the post of the engineer advertised by Valco Industries. Write an application for the post of engineer to Valco Industries Limited, Plot No 184, Industrial Area Phase I, Chandigarh, 160102.  CU IDOL SELF LEARNING MATERIAL (SLM)

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