02 MIND YOUR LANGUAGE

Queries relating to language skillsDo you find grammar confusing? Do you get stuck with words when

writing a letter, an essay or a blog? Do you have a fear of public speak-ing? Or do you simply want to improve your communication skills? TimesNIE is here to help you to master the intricacies of the English language.

Just shoot us your queries on toinie175 @gmail.com

“Do not believe what your teacher tells youmerely out of respect for the teacher”

Gautama Buddha

a late bloomerMeaning: Someone who is slower thantheir peers to develop in a particular field .Example: It was only when my brotherturned 35, he found a stable career heloves. I guess he was just a latebloomer.

a needle in a haystack Meaning: Something that isdifficult/impossible to find because itis hidden among many other things. Example: Finding the piece of paper Ineed in this huge pile of documents islike looking for/trying to find a needlein a haystack.

as fresh as a daisy Meaning: Healthy, energetic, youthful. Example: I might look awful first thingin the morning, but after a cup of tea andsome meditation I’m as fresh as a daisy.

out of the woodsMeaning: Out of danger. Example: The nation’s economy is notout of the woods yet.

the grass is always green-er on the other sideMeaning: Other people’s situationsalways seem superior to one’s own.Example: You cannot possibly want toleave your job because you think youcan become a singer. The grass isalways greener on the other side.

to beat about the bush Meaning: To approach or discuss amatter without directly getting to thepoint, to put off getting to the point ina conversation. Example: He didn’t beat about thebush, but came straight to the heart ofthe problem.

to have green fingers/agreen thumb Meaning: To have gardening skills.Example: My grandfather had greenfingers. He could grow anything.

to let the grass growunder your feet Meaning: To delay in taking anaction/opportunity.Example: I used to let the grass growunder my feet, and I missed out on a lotof opportunities.

a ray of sunshineMeaning: Something is a ray of sun-shine if it brings happiness to someone.

Example: Reading good books is a rayof sunshine for me when I feel gloomybeing stuck in a particular situation.

neck of the woods Meaning: A neck of thewoods is a neighbourhood ora district, usually rural.Example: I’m surprised tosee you in this neck of thewoods.

weather a stormMeaning: If you weathera storm, you survive adangerous event or dealwith a difficult situation.Example: That was thehardest year of my life,

but in the end I was able toweather the storm with the

support of my family.

it’s a jungle outthere

Meaning: A threatening environ-ment where it is difficult to survive. Example: Working in that company isso difficult. It’s a jungle out there.

make a mountain out of a molehillMeaning: To exaggerate the severityof a situation; to make a lot of fussabout nothing.Example: You are just making a

mountain out of a molehill, you justgave a wrong answer, it doesn’t meanyou’re not going to qualify to the sec-ond round.

A shrinking violetMeaning: A shy person.Example: She loves appearing on tele-vision and is no shrinking violet whenit comes to expressing her views.

steal (one’s) thunderMeaning: To garner the attention orpraise that one had been expecting orreceiving for some accomplishment,announcement, etc.Example: I didn’t mean to steal yourthunder, but I just had to tell your momabout your promotion.

a voice (crying) in thewildernessMeaning: You’re a voice in the wilder-ness, or a voice crying in the wilder-ness, if you’re expressing an unpopu-lar opinion or insight.Example: He had warned about theeconomic collapse but at that time hispleas were like a voice crying in thewilderness.

Under a cloudMeaning: If someone is under a cloud,they are suspected of having donesomething wrong.Example: He left the company under acloud of suspicion.

IDIOMS ABOUTNATURE

Think about your optionsConsider whether writing a letter toyour principal is the best option tosolve your specific problem. For someissues, there might be more effectiveways to fix what’s wrong. For eg, if youlost your coat on the playground, youshould check in the office’s ‘lost andfound’ section rather than writing acomplaint to the principal.

Take notes that define theproblem Whether you’re writing a letter to yourprincipal about a bully, or a not-so-goodschool policy, it is important to thinkabout what the problem is and why itbothers you. You’ll need a clear under-standing of the issue to write an effec-tive letter. Make a list of reasons whyyou think the issue needs attention.Ask yourself a few questions. Is thisissue important enough to take it to theprincipal? Is there someone else whocould help me with this problem? Canmy principal do anything to solve it?

Consider the impactIn your notes, jot down the ideas onwhy the issue affects you or people youknow. For instance, perhaps you thinkthere’s not enough time to eat lunch.Flesh out why that is a hardship: yourush through your meal and as a result,get hungry again.

Begin writing a draft ofthe full letterYou can type your response on the com-puter or pen it down. The main goal is tojust start writing so that you have some-thing to work with.

Introduce yourselfYou need to let your principal knowright away who wrote the letter thathe/she is reading. Begin with anintroduction that identifieswho you are and why you arewriting to the principal. Youcan write something simple

like, “My name is Ashish. I’m in classVIII, and I am upset about the shortlunch period.”

Address your desired outcomeAsk yourself what is the point of writ-ing this letter? What action do you hopeyour principal will take when he/shereads the complaint? If you don’t tellyour principal, they will come up withtheir own remedy – and it may not bewhat you want.

Use a positive toneYour letter should be polite and mature.Remember that you are addressingyour principal. Show respect and a cer-tain degree of tact and maturity – itmustn’t seem that you are trying tocoerce your principal into doing what

you want.

Review your draft Correct the letter for a final version andmake two copies, one to hand in andone for yourself. If you submit a hand-written letter, make sure it is legible.This may mean re-writing the letteronce you’ve made all the corrections.

Hi friends. We are

Always be as freshas a daisy anddon’t beat aboutthe bush or letthe grass growunder your feet.Here are moreidioms based onnature and naturalphenomena...

Complaint letterto PrincipalHave you ever thoughtof writing acomplaint letter toyour principal butnever had thecourage or guidance?Don’t worry! We arehere to help you...

INTERACTIVE EXERCISE Write a letter to your schoolprincipal, complaining about thepoor quality of food served in thecanteen.

How to write a perfect INTRODUCTION

1. THINK OF A “HOOK”:Your first sentence should

pull the readers in, making them want toread the essay because they are fascinat-ed, intrigued, or even outraged. Openingwith a catchy saying or provocative sta-tistic can be helpful, but make sure youdon’t wander too far from your essay’soverall purpose. You can sometimes posea question as a hook.

2. KEEP IT SHORT AND SIMPLE: Yourintroduction should give the necessarybackground to understand your topic,but it shouldn’t get too far into specifics.You won’t need to use quotations in anintroduction. If you notice that your in-troduction is getting long and detailed,you may need to move some of that stuffinto your body text.

3. CRAFT A UNIQUE, ARGUABLE THE-SIS: The thesis is the heart of your en-tire essay. It is the argument or pointyou’re making. Remember, then, thatthe best theses are specific, provable,

and striking. They givethe reader a reason tokeep reading. Go aheadand start relativelybroad, then narrow down toyour thesis, but make sureyou’re still on the topic.

4. DON’T REPEAT THETITLE: Assume that thereader has already readthe title. You don’t needto write it over and overagain. Instead, take ad-vantage of yourchance to rein-force that titleand set thestage for theremainder ofthe article. Letthem knowloud and clear why it’simportant for them to knowthe information you cover inyour article.

5. USE THE WORD “YOU”AT LEAST ONCE: The word“you” is a powerful one. Ittells the reader that you,the author, is writing the

article with them in mind.You empathise with them, you care

about them, and you want your pieceto resonate with them. It’s a simpletrick that establishes a crucial con-nection with your reader.

6. CHANGE YOUR INTRODUCTIONLATER, IF YOU NEED TO: A common

error students make is to write the in-troduction first, then the essay, and notgo back to re-read the introduction. Some-times, your essay’s argument evolves asyou write. Don’t be afraid to go back andmake changes where necessary! Startby thinking about the question (or ques-tions) you are trying to answer.

Writing an introduction for anarticle or essay is tricky. Agood introduction mustmaintain the fine balancebetween hype and content,and yet maintain a level ofcuriosity to draw the reader.It also sets the tone for thedirection that the article will

take. Put on yourthinking caps and begin!

Mellifluous: A sound that is sweet andsmooth, pleasing to hear.

Ineffable: Too great to be expressed in words.

Hiraeth: A homesickness for a homeyou can’t return to, or that never was.

Nefarious: Wicked, villainous, despicable.

Epoch: A particular period of time inhistory or a person’s life.

Sonorous: An imposingly deep and full sound.

Serendipity: The chance occurrence ofevents in a beneficial way.

Limerence: The state of being infatuated with another person.

Cacophony: A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.

Candour: The quality of being open andhonest in expression.

Curmudgeon: A surly person.

Euphemism: A gentle word or expres-sion used in place of one considered tobe overly harsh or blunt.

Frivolous: Without serious purpose or value.

Gargantuan: Enormous.

Gregarious: Particularly sociable.

Hyperbolic: Exaggerated.

Incendiary: Intended to stir things up.

Ineffable: Too extreme to be expressedin words.

Irrevocably: In a way that can’t bechanged or reversed.

Amazing words you must know

Somnambulist: A person who sleepwalks.