Trịnh Thị Thu Loan

TRINH THI THU LOAN 10E20

CRITICAL THINKING – ENTRY 1

Item 1. The thorn bird.

“There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to out- carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain …. Or so says the legend.”

(Colleen McCullough, The Thorn Bird, 1977, the first and the last page)

       Rhetorical devices: Metaphor

The thorn bird in the story refers to someone who dares fight or suffer great agonies, even sacrifice their lives for their purpose. The thorn bird pays his life for finding a thorn tree because of the only reason which is impaling his heart upon the longest, sharpest thorn. His action refers the great pain and sacrifice in those courage people’s lives. These people and the thorn bird have a common which is their courage and sacrifice.

       Effects of the rhetorical devices

Using a bird to refer someone, the author makes readers moving easily because of a short story. These readers think a lot about and admire the small but courage bird. They wonder why a small bird can suffer a great agony for its purpose and people can do that or not. Therefore, they would live more enthusiastic, they would be more courage and willing to pay the cost of a terrible pain or more for their lives’ purpose.

       Message

People should be courage to face to difficulties or agony and dare to sacrifice their lives for their own purpose. The message of the author from this story is that “Do not go back, always go toward and should sacrifice all you have for your purpose”.

Item 2: Poem

My Hero

By Keri

You may not consider yourself,

But you may very well be

A leader, a winner,

For all the world to see.

In the eyes of others,

You are a martyr.

You have received recognition,

And you have worked harder.

But why? Why all the praise?

I have done nothing but kept my word,

To a dear friend who needed me,

In every incidence that occurred.

But friend, I tell you, you are a hero.

You helped me see the light.

When I had no eyes,

You saved me, and you were my sight.

•        Rhetorical devices:

- Simile:  you - a leader - a winner - a martyr - a hero - my sight

- Rhyme: be - see, martyr - harder, word - occurred, light -sight

- Rhetorical question:  But why? Why all the praise?

- Overstatement:  When I had no eyes

- Repetition: you

•        Message:

Those most valiant in life don't always hold a sword or leap tall buildings. Sometimes, they are those who simply know how to care.

ITEM 3: Picture

1. Rhetorical devices:

- Irony (sản phẩm đa cấp X……. chất lượng chỉ có trời biết ),

- Oxymoron ( Tốt- Nổ )

2. Message:

- There are lots of people don’t know clearly about the Multi-level Marketing. Besides, the quality of the goods in Multi-level marketing is a big problem with the consumers. So, the consumer must be careful with Multi-level Marketing.