Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Arts and Humanities

English Vocabulary: Social Action and Community Engagement

Unit 4: Social Action Vocabulary

• Attend a rally: asistir a una manifestación
• Appeal: recurrir
• Campaign
• Campaigner
• Charity
• Donate / Donation
• Fundraising event: evento para recaudar fondos
• Fundraiser: recaudador de fondos
• Go on a march: ir a una marcha
• Raise awareness of: concienciar / sensibilizar
• Raise funds / money: recaudar fondos
• Sign a petition: firmar una petición
• Sit-in: sentada
• Sponsor: patrocinar
• Sponsorship: patrocinio / apadrinamiento
• Take part in a [cause/event]
• Volunteer
• Voluntary work

Unit 4: Key Collocations

• Animal charity
• Beach clean-up
• Cancer research
• Computer game
• Death penalty
• Endangered species
• Free debate
• Homeless person
• Informed decision
• Political engagement: compromiso político
• Legal age:

Cultural Acceptance of White Lies

In my society, telling small lies is often accepted and even expected in daily interactions. People commonly use “white lies” to avoid hurting others’ feelings or to be polite. For example, it’s typical to compliment someone’s cooking even if you didn’t enjoy it, simply to be respectful.

While constant lying is frowned upon, these social lies are seen as necessary to maintain harmony. I believe this is generally a good thing—telling the absolute truth can sometimes cause unnecessary pain. As long as the intention behind the lie is kind, I think it plays a useful role in communication and relationships.

Graffiti: Art Form or Act of Vandalism?

Graffiti has long sparked debate. Some see it as vandalism,... Continue reading "Social Ethics, Urban Art Debate, and Professional Writing Examples" »

Types of Narrator

Definition: The kind of voice telling the story, categorized by perspective (participant/observer) and trustworthiness (reliable/unreliable, omniscient/objective).

Examples of Narrative Voice

• In Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral,” the narrator is unreliable; his judgments about Robert reveal his own ignorance, not the truth.
• In Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants,” the narrator is objective, refusing to interpret events and forcing readers to infer the emotional stakes.

Metaphor

Definition: A figure of speech comparing two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”

Example: In John Cheever’s “The Swimmer,” Neddy’s journey through neighborhood pools is a powerful metaphor for life, aging, and decline.... Continue reading "Essential Literary Terms and Analysis Techniques" »

Essential Literary Terms and Dramatic Devices

Figures of Speech and Irony

• Irony: A contrast between expectations and reality.
• Verbal Irony: A comment where a character says one thing but means something else.
• Situational Irony: When one thing is expected but something unexpected occurs.
• Dramatic Irony: The audience knows more than the character does.
• Paradox: An apparent contradiction that is somehow true.
• Conceit: A fanciful figure of speech connecting dissimilar things (often an extended metaphor).
• Allusion: A reference to a person, place, or event from history, literature, or politics.

Poetic Forms and Structure

• Sonnet: A fourteen-line lyric poem in iambic pentameter.
• Turn (Volta): The point in a sonnet with a change in tone or argument.
• Blank Verse:

Analyzing Ad Mood and Emotional Impact

The advertisement targets specific demographics, such as *young adults*, *parents*, or *luxury seekers*. It cultivates a specific mood, perhaps *excitement*, *relaxation*, or *urgency*, and aims to evoke feelings like *nostalgia*, *joy*, or a *desire for success*.

Advertising Design Principles and Visuals

The advertisement's design incorporates principles such as *axial balance* or *asymmetrical balance*. Elements are strategically arranged to *draw attention to a central figure* or *guide the viewer’s eye across the page*. The relationship between visual components and text can be *cohesive* or *contrasting*. Spatially, the ad might *utilize white space to emphasize the product* or *appear densely packed... Continue reading "Dissecting Advertisements: Key Elements of Persuasion" »

The Role of Clothing in Self-Expression and Culture

Clothing is more than just a practical necessity; it plays a significant role in self-expression and the reflection of cultural identity. People often use their wardrobe choices to express their personalities, emotions, and beliefs. Whether through casual wear, formal attire, or unique fashion trends, the clothes we wear can communicate a lot about who we are without saying a word. In a world that values individuality, clothing offers an important way to showcase personal style and make a statement about one's identity.

Clothing and Cultural Identity

In addition to personal expression, clothing is deeply tied to culture. Different cultures have unique clothing traditions that signify status,... Continue reading "Clothing: Self-Expression, Culture, and Identity" »

Fundamental Parts of Speech

• Noun – Names a person, place, thing, or idea. Examples: dog, freedom, London, anger
• Pronoun – Replaces a noun. Examples: he, she, it, they
• Verb – Describes an action or state of being. Examples: run, think, is, seem
• Adjective – Describes a noun. Examples: cold, mysterious, beautiful
• Adverb – Describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb (often ends in -ly). Examples: quickly, very, silently
• Conjunction – Joins words or clauses. Examples: and
• Preposition – Shows direction, location, or relationship. Examples: in, on, under, beside
• Determiner – Introduces a noun. Examples: the, a, some, many
• Interjection – Sudden exclamation. Examples: Wow! Oh no! Hey!

Key Literary Devices and Rhetorical Techniques

• Metaphor

  Describes

Distinguishing Story Structure From Plot

Story Structure (S.S) refers to the overall framework or organization of a story, including how the narrative is arranged and presented. Plot, on the other hand, is the sequence of events that make up the narrative of a story. Think of plot as the "what happens" and story structure as how those happenings are arranged.

Types of Novels

Novels can be categorized into various types based on genre, theme, or style. Some common types include:

• Romance novels focusing on love stories.
• Science Fiction novels exploring futuristic or speculative worlds.
• Mystery novels centered around solving a crime or puzzle.
• Historical novels set in a specific historical time period.
• Literary novels focusing on character development

Week 2 Key Terms

• Futurism:
• Social Actors

Citation: For a generation often accused of being passive and totally preoccupied with their own selves, their digital devices and social media, young people are ready to show that there is another side to their life trajectories—that they are future-makers. (Spyrou, 2020, p. 3)

Week 3 Term/Citation

Settler Colonialism: When people from a place of imperial power move to a region and displace those indigenous to the land through genocide, expulsion, or segregation. (Spencer & Sinclair, 2017).

Biopolitics – When a population is being treated as a problem.

Week 4 Citation

• Bodymind Difference - A way of challenging the idea that the body and mind are separate. Disability is an identity that is not solely

Acting Terminology: Core Concepts

• Acting – The art of bringing a script to life through performance.

• Playwright – The author who writes the script for a play.

• Representational Style – A style of acting that aims to create the illusion of reality, where actors do not acknowledge the audience (e.g., no direct eye contact).

• Presentational Style – A style of acting where actors directly address or acknowledge the audience, breaking the fourth wall.

• Fourth Wall – The imaginary, invisible wall that separates the actors and the stage from the audience.

• Character – The specific role or persona portrayed by an actor in a performance.

• Audition – A competitive process where actors perform for a role to demonstrate their suitability.

• Characterization