My Academic Space...

Dear I MA Students,

2010-09-15T23:15:00.001-07:00

Dear I MA Eng Lit., Students,
Your I CIA Marks will be displayed shortly on this blog.
Regards,
Rufus

I MA English - Assignments - Reg..:

2009-10-28T09:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Students of I MA English Litt.,

The following are the marks for your assignments as part of your paper - "The History of Language".

Aparna, K - 80

Gladys Lydia - 80

Koil Thangam Addlin - 80

Parvathy Nair - 80

Smitha Susan Zachariah - 80

Allen David Isaiah - 80

Dinesh, A - 80

Roland Rencewigg - 80

Clarifications/Corrections, if any, can be made to me personally/by email/ or by phone on or before Friday, 31 October 2009.

Regards and all best wishes,

Rufus

Standard Tips for writing a good CIA Test..:

2009-10-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

Exams are meant to provide you a with a practical and periodic assessment to check what you have learned and what is missing, and as such it is designed to take the best out of you - your potential - your creative abilities and the way you present them with pen and paper. In short, it is designed to challenge! It's also common knowledge that you will not be able to write as much as you know. So, how to give your best in an exam? Just try some or all of these points below:

1. Begin early: You, dear student, are the central element in your education (no matter who you may be). If this is the night before your exam, what follows may be too late. In future, make every effort to stick with the program. Read the syllabus; attend lecture; keep up with the reading; ask questions. If you need help, ask: See your Professor during Office Hours or before or after class. If you have a disability, inform your instructor early in the semester and make appropriate arrangements well in advance of Exam Day. But in any case, prepare yourself for the exam now. Work on your reading, writing, and study skills. Don't wait for the next exam. Do it now. You are the principal player in your education. Accept your responsibility. Please don't say no one told you.

2. Remember: It takes two to learn and it is likely your professor is not an ogre! A good question from you during class would be welcome. If you have any other kind of problem or concern, discuss it with your instructor before or after class or during office hours. Communicate your concern. In the meantime, do your job. Learn to listen critically, develop skills in taking notes, develop good study habits.

3. Importance of Study Sheets: Have a study sheet always! If you have a study sheet in hand and you have reviewed your lecture notes, the next job is to review them again focusing on what the question asks you to do. To be sure, you will have to write something. But what? First, as a rule, the more intelligent prose you write the better. Quality is always the key. So, think before you write. Good writing is succinct(brief). As a rule it is re-written writing. But you have only one shot with an in-class essay! To be on target aim to be prepared.

4. Going to War: That means getting your thoughts organized in order to write clearly. Your essay should have good organization. As Aristotle suggested: A Beginning; A Middle; An end. If 'The Philosopher' and 'Master of Those Who Know' does not impress you, then recall the standard issue of the United States Army:

i. Tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em;
ii. Tell 'em;
iii. Tell 'em what you told 'em.

Writing a CIA Test is the academic equivalent of going to war, well, anyway, defending something worthwhile. Boy Scout or NCC Cadet..! Be Prepared.

5. What to include?: If your thoughts are organized, what do you include in your essay? In general be specific. A good essay has a thesis: It says in simple sinewy prose: I will argue that.... A good essay uses carefully selected examples. Like a good poem or a good piece of science or a good historical argument, memorable essays make a general claim supported by specific examples.

6. Time is short: Because time is short your essay should show economy of expression. Make it lean and to the point. Truth is simple. Writers kid themselves more often than they fool their readers.
Be simple, direct, detailed. With Democritus 'Don't speak at length, speak the truth.' Fifty minutes is short, thirty minutes is twenty minutes shorter. So you must select in advance what you judge worthy of your time.

7. Finally, number all your pages: (they're worth the time spent!). Try not to over-write (especially question numbers!), and always see to it that you make your presentations memorable.

["Show me your answer sheet and i'll tell you who you are!" goes the adage! Indeed, your Answer sheet reflects you!]

Write a good and concise introduction to the essay lasting ½ to 2/3 of the first page. Why is this crucial? Examiners are human (oh yes!) and they will form an impression, willy nilly, of whether yours is a 1st class, second class or a weak answer before they turn from the first page. Your intro, therefore is a chance for you to show that you have all the knowledge and skills they are looking for and the rest of the essay will simply confirm it. Bring the essay to a close neatly but don't write a long and fatuous closing paragraph ("thus it can be seen that...") unless you really do have a number of threads left to tie together.

These skills are not natural and, to a great extent, the hope is that there's nothing like a bit of intensive practice to hone these skills to perfection.
Wish you all the very best!

[Thanks a ton to Prof.Robert Hatch. Well, you're words are a real shot in the arm, Professor!]

2009-09-22T02:31:00.000-07:00

Editorial analysis could have been a bit more profound in outlook.

Illustrations/examples, wherever possible, adds to the charm of your answers.

More of logical coherence and sequencing, with focus on spelling and syntax, helps enliven your answers.

Marks: 62/100

2009-09-22T02:28:00.000-07:00

Logical sequencing of ideas and structured/balanced views help in presenting a good answer.

Could have concentrated a bit more on neatness and on a few spelling mistakes that are interspersed within the answers.

Marks: 64/100

2009-09-22T02:25:00.000-07:00

Coherent structuring and logical sequencing would have helped a lot in writing a well-planned answer.

Subject-verb concord, typography and spelling need special attention.

Marks: 58/100

2009-09-22T02:22:00.000-07:00

Logical coherence and sequencing of ideas both within sentences and within paragraphs, with proper illustrations at places, helps spicing up your answers.

Comments can be more critical, with in-depth analysis.

Marks: 68/100

2009-09-22T02:18:00.000-07:00

Logical sequencing of ideas within paragraphs, coherence within sentences, and proper use of syntax helps in enlivening your answers.

Neat presentations always have their own value. Focus on tense concord and spelling helps a lot.

Marks: 48/100

2009-09-22T02:13:00.000-07:00

The Editorial analysis needs a bit more in depth commentary. Concentration on spelling and syntax aids in enlivening your answers.

Logical coherence would have helped in giving a structured and well-sequenced essay.

Marks: 68/100

2009-09-22T02:09:00.000-07:00

More focus on typography and illustrations at places, would have enhanced the appeal of your answers.

The question on 'functions of language' could have been a bit more textual in presentation.

Marks: 72/100

2009-09-22T01:40:00.000-07:00

Functions of language are too broad in outlook that they could not come up to meet textual parameters.

More of critical focus/in-depth (especially in the Editorial analysis) comments would have been an added advantage.

Marks: 52/100

2009-09-22T01:37:00.000-07:00

Logical sequencing and coherence within ideas in sentences and paragraphs helps enliven your answers.

Focus on syntax, spelling and grammar would have made the difference.

In-depth critical focus/comments would have been be a weightage in terms of marks.

Marks: 62/100

2009-09-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

Additional focus on the Editorial page, and illustrations (at places) would have served to spice up your presentations.

Marks: 64/100

2009-09-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

A little more of insight and focus on the Editorial page, and illustrations/examples, would have served to highlight your presentations well.

Marks: 70/100

2009-09-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

Critical, indepth commentaries would have served to give a better focus to your presentations.

Coherence and illustrations, would have been an added advantage.

Marks: 54/100

2009-09-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

Functions of language needs a bit of textual significance too. Illustrations would have added to the charm of the presentations.

Indepth commentaries with a critical bent of mind would have been an advantage.

Marks: 66/100

2009-09-21T10:09:00.000-07:00

Added illustrations and examples, wherever possible, would help in enlivening the essays.

Marks: 72/100

2009-09-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

Focussed comments, in-depth critical perspectives, coherence between sentences, syntax structure, help in enhancing your presentations.

Spelling and vocabulary need additional attention.

Marks: 52/100

2009-09-21T10:04:00.000-07:00

Concentrate on your syntax, coherence between sentences, spelling, typography and tense coordination.

Critical commentaries need a bit more of depth.

Marks: 56/100

2009-09-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

'Functions of Language' are very broad in outlook. Being textual helps. A bit more of depth in comments/critical views add to the enlivening of your essays.

Marks: 60/100

2009-09-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

Good perspective/insights. Kudos. A bit more of depth and coherence in commentaries would help in enhancing the appeal of your essays. [SCRIBE]

Marks: 76/100

2009-09-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

Improve your sentence structure, logical coherence, and vocabulary for better essays.

More depth in commentaries/critical views will be an added advantage.

Marks: 40/100

2009-09-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

A bit more of elaborate illustrations would add to the charm of your presentation.

Marks: 72/100

2009-09-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

More illustrations, topical allusions and coherence between ideas would spice up your presentations.

Sometimes, careless spelling mistakes and typographical errors creep in, which can be avoided.

Marks: 72/100

I CIA - I MA Marks - Reg..:

2009-09-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Students of I MA English,

Your I CIA Marks for the Paper on 'The English Language' are being uploaded on our related academic blog HERE.

For a commentary and topical analysis of your answer sheets, along with your marks, CLICK HERE.

King Whitney once famously remarked that Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.

So, for a change, and for once, your names have not found a place in the mark statement at all. It's up to you to identify your handwriting and thereby your marks. All the best.!

Regards,
Rufus

2009-09-21T08:20:00.001-07:00

Functions of language is more broad in scope and could have been more textual - with illustrations, examples and topical allusions.

Coherence - connectivity - between sentences and paragraphs would have added to the charm of the presentation.

Marks: 62/100

2009-09-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

A bit more of depth in analysing the editorials, enhances your presentation lots.

Illustrations, topical quotations, examples can be used wherever necessary, especially in the 'Functions of language' to add spice to your essay.

Marks: 66/100

2009-09-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

Concentrate more on your spelling, syntax, typography, and coherence/coordination between sentences.

Improving on your verbs and having more of a critical focus helps in presenting a good essay.

'Functions of Language' lacks the scope and illustrations.

Marks: 40/100

2009-09-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

A little more of depth in your comments would enhance your presentations.

'Functions of language' are more broad in perspective, and being textual helps.

Concentrate on typography, avoid elliptical (shortened) writing, and also try to come down on your spelling mistakes at one or two places.

Marks: 62/100

2009-09-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

Concentrating more on syntax, sequencing, connecting ideas in a coherent/logical way helps enhance your essays.

Take note of the few typographical errors that have seeped into your essay.

Analysis of the Editorial could have been a bit more comprehensive/elaborate.

Use illustrations/examples for 'functions of language' for a more authentic presentation.

Marks: 56/100

2009-09-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

Comments could have been more critical, with proper sequencing between ideas.

Using new paragraphs for giving new ideas/thoughts augurs well for the essay.

For 'Functions of Language,' more illustrations/examples would have authenticated, fine-tuned your essay better.

Marks: 60/100

2009-09-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

Concentrate on spelling, focussing more on critical presentation, and clarity of purpose.

The functions of language are very shallow in structure, and could have been more textual. (David Crystal's point of view)

Always try adding illustrations/examples to spice up your essay, as they always stand your essay in better stead.

Marks: 56/100

2009-09-21T07:44:00.001-07:00

Use of proper nomenclature and ilustrations (examples) enhances the scope of your essay.

Concentrate on improving your language, spelling and typography errors.

Tense concord and avoidance of elliptical (shortened form) writing would be an advantage.

Marks: 64/100

2009-09-21T07:36:00.001-07:00

The question 'Comment on the quality and content of the Editorial page in any two English dailies' requires a bit more of elaboration. You have the potential to improve on your writing skills.

For the question on functions of language, a bit more of illustrations would have added to the essence of your essay.

Marks: 62/100

2009-09-21T07:31:00.000-07:00

Editorial analysis could have been a bit more focussed and elaborate.

Functions of language were quite broad in scope - should have been more text-based.

Marks: 60/100

2009-09-21T06:01:00.000-07:00

Analysis of the Editorial page could have been a bit more elaborate and critical.

Marks: 58/100