II semester English material

The Felling of the Banyan Tree

DilipChitre

Summary
Unit-1

DilipChitre was born in 1938 -2009 as a Teacher, a painter, and a magazine

columnist. His major works are in Marathi; his poems reflect urban sensibility, and
he translated many books from Marathi to English. a respected versatile artist and
filmmaker are known as one of India's most popular modern poets The Felling of
the Banyan Tree was first published in his book Traveling In A Cage, 1980.

It is an autobiographical poem, The Felling of the Banyan Tree focuses on a

particular time in a family's history when a drastic decision has to be made by the
father. This decision involves the demolition of houses on a hill and the cutting down
of a huge tree which has stood for centuries in the same spot. The poet says that his
father asked all the tenants to leave their houses so that all the houses can be
demolished. All the houses except the one in which the poet's lived with family and
a banyan tree, which was considered sacred by their grandmother. In this process,
the sheoga, the oudumber and the neem all were cut down.

Only the banyan remained it lastly for sometime more and the old house with old
memories the grandmother and tree, the one that stood so tall, whose roots were so
deep here and there, was a big problem. The poet's father had ordered to cut down
the banyan tree as well. The tree was three times bigger than the poet's house. The
circumference of his trunk was fifty feet. Its aerial roots, touching the ground, we're
thirty feet long. So at first, all branches were cut. As a result, insects and birds began
to leave the tree. Fifty men cut the thick trunk of the tree continuously. Everyone got
to see the rings in the trunk of that tree, which were showing the age of the banyan
tree as about two hundred years. Poet as well as others too saw this slaughter in terror
and fascination.
Poet forward expresses that soon thereafter he moved from Baroda to Bombay (now
Mumbai), where there was no tree. If someone was there, it was only in the dream,
in the hope of turning it into reality touching the where the trees are difficult to be
found except a few ones and those too cramming for space in the congested place.

Important questions

1. What is the significance of the last four lines of the poem? How does it relate
to the rest of the poem?
2. What is the attitude of the speaker towards the cutting of the banyan tree?
What lines and words in the poem reveal this?
3. Could the banyan tree be seen as a symbol? If so, what do you think it might
symbolizes?

The Bet
Anton Chekhov

Summary

Anton Chekhov was born in 1860 a brilliant Russian short-story writer who has the
knowledge to write about human loneliness and frustration he has a great identity in
world literature “The Bet” is a powerful short story published in 1889 about a banker
and a lawyer who make a bet with each other.

The story begins on a dark autumn night when the old banker was walking up and
down his study and remembering the party he had given fifteen years before. There
were many gentlemen there and the topic had somehow steered towards capital
punishment. The journalists disapproved of the death penalty. The banker disagreed
because capital punishment gives instant death whereas lifelong imprisonment is
slow killing, day by day. t the death penalty versus life in prison. Anton Chekhov.

One of the guests said both of them to be completely immoral as the State cannot
give or take life. A young lawyer of twenty-five gave his opinion that he agreed on
both to be equally immoral, but if he had to choose, he would choose life
imprisonment because then, he would be alive which raised a discussion among the
crowd. The banker bet two million against the young man that he won’t be able to
say in solitary confinement for five years; the young man said that instead of five,
he would spend fifteen and the bet was made.

The young man decided to spend the years in one of the lodges in the banker’s
garden. For fifteen years, he would stay within the lodge, he won’t be allowed to
meet any human being, hear a human voice or receive letters and newspapers. He
could have a musical instrument and books and was allowed t write letters drink
wine, and smoke. The only relation with the outside world was to be made through
the little window made purposefully for that object. He was to stay there for exactly
fifteen years,

For the first year, he was severely depressed and lonely. He played the piano
continuously and refused to take wine and tobacco as he wrote in one of his letters,
that wine excites his desires, and tobacco spoilt the air of his room. He also read
some light fantasy and romantic books. During that time, he wrote the banker a letter
in six languages, during the tenth year read the Gospel again and again. In the last
two years, he read a vast quantity of books such as natural sciences, Bryon or
Shakespeare, books on chemistry, medicine,and philosophy.

If the lawyer stayed complete fifteen years the banker has to give his hard-earned
two million to him so that Banker started a conspiracy theory when everyone was
asleep, he entered the lawyer's room to kill him banker found a letter on the table
Then he read the writing on the page which said that the man was not interested in
earthly pleasures, now that he has seen what spiritual pleasure is. He had decided to
leave the two million by leaving five hours before the fixated time.

The banker laid the letter and kissing the man on the forehead went out. The morning
after, the watchmen told the banker. He had seen the man climb out of the window
into the garden, and disappear. The banker made it known to everyone that his
prisoner had fled. He also took the letter and put it in a fireproof safe.

Important questions
 1. What was the bet? Both the banker and the lawyer make various choices
during the course of the story. What are these choices?
2. Write a detailed character sketch of the banker. is there any change in his
character at any point in the story?
3. Summaries – in your own words – the lawyer’s attitude and feelings towards
humanity at the end of his fifteen years confinement. What did he believes
was wrong with society? What made him feel this way?

Oxymoron and Hyperbole

Oxymoron: - An oxymoron is a figure of speech that close together for contrasting
elements that appear to be contradictory. It combines words that have opposite
meanings or which convey seemingly different sense.

Exercise I

Underline the oxymoron in the sentences given below.

1. The room was filled with a deafening silence.

2. Five soldiers were wounded in friendly fire.
3. The clown was seriously funny.
4. I had to do it: I had no choice!
5. He was the most learned fool in the country.
6. You are clearly confused by the explanation.
7. This is old news
8. Did you bring the original copy?
9. She is deeply superficial.
10. That dog is pretty ugly.
11. His quite passive aggressive.
12. The tabloid printed an article on unpopular celebrities.

Hyperbole: - is figure of speech is a figure of speech in which exaggeration is

used for emphasis or effect.

Exercise I

Underline the hyperbolic expression in the sentences given below.

1. The suitcase weighted a ton.

 2. She is as skinny as toothpick.
3. We had to wait forever the bus.
4. I died ofembarrassment.
5. What’s for dinner! I’m starving!
6. I have a million things to do.
7. She’s as slow as a turtle.
8. I could sleep for a year.
9. It was the most amazing sight ever.
10. I am hungry I could eat a horse.
11. I can’t live without him.
12. That lecture went on forever! I was bored to death.
13. I’ve told you a hundred times to wash the dishes.
14. This is the worst day of my life!

Main verbs and Tenses

Exercise I

Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the verbs in brackets. (There may
be more than one correct form in certain cases.)

1. How have you been doing? (do)

2. The best days of my life is/ was (be) the ones I spent (spend) at college.
3. Keep guessing (guess) the answers till you get them right.
4. Were you paid/pay(pay) attention to what was being said?
5. Surajloves (love)going to parties with his friends.
6. I have read (read) many books in the last one year.
7. Sheila is(be) working (work) very hard these days.
8. She has been wearing (wear) this expensive watch for quite some time
now.
9. The children are (be) beginning (begin) to enjoy their projects.
10. The last candidate interviewed has scored /had scored (score) much better
than the rest.
11. Jyothinevertells (tell) lies for she really hates (hate) them.
 12. When I heard (hear) his version of the story, I was (be) extremely shocked
(shock).
13. He graduated (graduate) from law school after having
completed(complete) eight semesters.
14. Students who take (take) down notes end up scores (score) well in the.
exams.
15. Teaching (teach) moral values at the right age is (be) very important.
16. Asif has been teaching /teaching (teach) for six years at the computer
institute by the time his father retires
17. My friend promised to drop in next week, but I don't think he will be able
to come as he travels (travel).
18. Before Saba became (become) an engineer, she dreamt (dream) of
becoming a singer.
19. Raman has been living (live) in Chennai for 10 years.
20. My brother is a writer. He writes (write) novels. He has been writing
(write) novels since 1990 and written (write) nine novels so far,

Paragraph writing Essentials

Writing Paragraph prompts: Using the Four Essential Elements.

1. Order 2. Support 3. Coherence 4. Style
• Writing paragraph takes practice a Good Paragraph
• Composed of sentences, but not random sentences. A
paragraph is a group of sentences organized
• Around a central topic. In fact, the cardinal rule of
paragraph writing is to focus on one idea. A solidly
• Written paragraph takes its readers on a clear path, without
detours. Master the paragraph,
 • A basic paragraph structure usually consists of five
sentences: the topic sentences, three supporting sentences,
and a concluding sentences. Bur the secrets to paragraph
writing lay in four essential
• Elements, which when used correctly, can make an okay
paragraph into a great paragraph.
• Paragraph begins with the topic sentence. Every paragraph
has one single, controlling idea that is
• Expressed in its topic sentence, which is typically the first
sentence of the paragraph. A paragraph isunified around
this main idea, with the supporting sentences providing
detail and discussion.

Decision - making
In life we are constantly making decisions. A person who makes timely and we and
well – considered is more successful than others.

There are some important steps to take a good decision

1. Create a constructive environment

2. Generate good alternatives
3. Explore those alternative
4. Choosing best alternative
5. Recheck the decision
6. Deliberately taking decision
 A walk by Moonlight

Unit-2

Henry Derozio

Summary

A Walk by Moonlight', Derozio recalls how a moonlight night walk with his friends
proved to be a transforming experience. The silent moon, the dancing leaves, and
the song of the wind created magic (the magic of feeling the moonlight) around them.
He feels such a night was a happy spot place for memory to rest. The natural world
fills our hearts with intense and speechless thoughts/feelings. The poet's inward
spiritual vision within the inside eye perceives the glories treasure of immortal
never-ending life that seem to appear only in dreams. When the poet realizes that he
is allied to the blessings of nature he experiences bliss happiness or joy on earth. In
such a sympathetic state he can't bear to crush the grass beneath his feet because he
can hear and feel its voice heartbeat.

Derozio not only recounts an experience but also vividly describes the effect of such
an experience on his mind and heart. The effect is profound and mind-blowing, and
the experience radically changes his perception. He relates about his walk back home
on a moonlit night with his friends whom he loved and esteemed and who were like-
minded.

The poet was returning home one night with three of his friends after visiting another
friend. The night was a ‘lovely night’ for the ‘moon stood silent in the sky’ and the
‘clouds divided’ ‘in homage to her worth’. She robed the dancing leaves with ‘silver
weaves’. The poet feels that such a night was one of those ‘happy spots’ of memory
of his past which never burns or fades away.

The poet gradually moves from the physical description of the night to what the
scene does to him. The ‘song among the winds’ made the poet focus his thoughts.
The night created magic around them. They not only ‘saw’ with their eyes but ‘felt’
with all their senses the beautiful moonlit night. In this mood, the mystery of life
was heightened and it evoked in their hearts awe and ‘holy mirth’. The scene brought
about a mood which in turn made the poet’s mind alert and awake. Such a mind, the
poet thinks, is a ‘light’ to itself. It perceives better and everything looks lovely. In
such a state one apprehends the spiritualness of the permanence of ‘all that cannot
die.

The poet then views nature – night wind, stars, and the moon – not as inanimate but
as full of life. Such a state has his ‘inward eye’ open to glories that seem to appear
only in dreams. The bliss of heaven is experienced here on earth by the poet. The
peak of perception that the poet arrives at is when he feels his human heart ‘gently
bound’ to everything and forming ‘of all a part’ which in other words is communion
and interconnectedness with the whole of nature. The flowers, the stars, and the sky
are then not ‘cold and lifeless as they seem’.

The poet reaches a climax in his experience which is expressed in the last stanza. In
that moment of deep spiritual insight and heightened sensitivity, the poet feels that
he cannot ‘crush’ the grass beneath his feet for he can ‘hear’ its heart ‘beat’. The
rhyme and the meter make the poem flow smoothly enhancing the theme of the
physical beauty of a moonlit night and its soothing, and spiritual and psychological
effect on the poet’s soul.

Important questions

1. Comment on the speaker’s view of the relationship between man and nature?
2. Discuss the relationships that come upon the speaker during his walk.
3. Write a character sketch of the speaker in the poem.

How the Corona virus sparked the wave of Innovation in India

SreevasaSahasranamam

SreevasaSahasranamam studies entrepreneurs and innovators he tackles big

challenges, especially in emerging markets across India have responded quickly to
the challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. A host of new innovations, some
emerging from start-ups that have been incubated by universities, There are a
number of reasons for the quick response, including the urgency of the humanitarian
situation and a proactive approach to crowdsourcing ideas from the government.
India also has a wealth of trained engineering talent and helps foster what’s
called jugaad – a frugal innovation mindset to find hacks to problems with limited
resources.

Robots, apps, and ventilators

Around the world, social distancing and contact tracing have been the buzzwords of
the response to COVID-19. A particular problem as lockdowns begin to ease will be
how to stop the virus spreading in public spaces such as airports or bus stations

Asimov Robotics, a start-up based in Kerala, has deployed robots at entrances to

office buildings and other public places to dispense hand sanitiser and deliver public
health messages about the virus.

Other robots are also being deployed in hospital isolation wards to carry food and
medicines, which eases the pressure on medical staff.

In early April, the Indian government launched a COVID-19 tracking app called
AarogyaSetu which uses GPS and Bluetooth to inform people when they are at risk
of exposure to COVID-19. The app was launched before a similar initiative from
tech giants Google and Apple got off the ground.

Start-ups including KlinicApp and Practo are providing COVID-19 tests at home
and online consultation with doctors through their platform.

These ventilators would need medical regulatory approval before they could be
deployed.

Start-ups are also supporting the government’s public information campaign on

coronavirus by developing technology platforms to disseminate government
notifications. The Kerala state government launched an app called GoK-Kerala
Direct using a platform developed by QKopy.

It sends COVID-19 updates and travel information via phone notifications, and via
SMS to older phones for the less than half of India’s population without
smartphones. These messages are delivered both in English and in Malayalam, the
local language.
The hygiene of public spaces is another area of notable innovation. Start-ups such
as Aqoza technologies and PerSapien claim they have developed chemical
formulations that disinfect public spaces.

Aqoza’s approach, developed during an outbreak of Nipah virus in Kerala in 2018,

is a water-based sanitiser disinfectant, while Airlens minus Corona from PerSapien
is a machine which the company claims dispenses ionised water droplets to oxidise
the viral protein.

Another startup, Droom, claims it has come up with a special anti-microbial coating
called Corona Shield, which inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria,
algae, yeast, moulds, and mildew on the surfaces of vehicles. It is being tested by
police in Gurugram in Haryana state.

Start-ups such as MarutDronetech have partnered with state governments to test the
use of drones to monitor adherence to social distancing rules. Drones are also being
used to deliver medical supplies and even check people’s temperature using thermal
imaging.

Connecting people

Second, crowdsourced platforms have also proved to be an My conversations with

some of these entrepreneurs and innovators from India have highlighted a good
example of the triple helix model of innovation: Integrating efforts between
universities, industries (start-ups) and the government, in response to COVID-19.

Although the active involvement of engineering volunteers from universities and

industry is the lifeblood of these innovations, two other enabling factors are also
particularly crucial. First, intermediary organisations help to bring the three groups
together.

For instance, the national government’s Department of Science and Technology has
set up a task force to map technologies developed by start-ups related to COVID-19.
It is also funding start-ups to develop relevant innovations such as rapid testing for
the virus.

Another example is that of the Kerala Start-up Mission (KSUM), a government-

supported entrepreneurship development agency.

It launched initiatives such as “Breath of Hope”, which brings together an

interdisciplinary volunteer team of IT professionals, biomedical engineers and
doctors to develop innovative medical devices. Start-ups such as Asimov Robotics
and QKopy are part of KSUM.

important channel for bringing together the wisdom from universities, industry and
government.

The national government launched the COVID-19 solution challenge on March 16

that invites innovators to offer ideas and solutions for tackling the pandemic.
Industry associations such as the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and
Industry collaborated in an online hackathon to develop non-medical solutions for
COVID-19.

Similar crowdsourced platforms from start-up incubators such as BreakCorona

received 1,300 ideas and 180 product solutions within two days of launch.

In another effort, volunteers set up an online crowdsourced portal called Coronasafe-

Network, a real-time open-source public platform containing details on COVID-19
precautions, tools and responses which serves as a useful starter-kit for innovators.

Crowd sourcing ideas

Second , crowd sourced platforms have also proved to be a important channel for
bringing together the wisdom from Universities, industry and government, the
national government launched the COVID -19n solution challenges started similarly
crowd sourced platforms from start-up incubators break corona .
Important questions

1. What reasons does Sahasranamam provide for the speedy development and
deployment of the innovative ideas listed in his essay?
2. What factors common to most (if not all) of the innovation listed in this essay?
Discuss the importance of these common factors.
3. Do you agree with the proverb ‘Necessity is the mother of innovation? How
valid is the saying in the context of this essay? Give a few examples of an
urgent need driving innovation.

Loan words
Loan word is a word taken from a foreign language

Language/ culture Loanwords borrowed into English

Arabic Algebra, bazaar, giraffe, sultan.
Chinese Language Kung Fu, tea, typhoon
French Ballet, beef, café, salon
German Fest, loafer, noodle
Indian language Avatar, banyan, guru, jungle
Italian Balcony, casino, studio, violin,
Japanese Karate, tsunami.

Auxiliary Verbs
Fill in the blanks with the correct auxiliary verbs from the given choices.

1. Where were your friends going yesterday?( are, was. were, did)
2. That car has always been my favourite. (was, has ,is have)
3. Whom are you meeting this afternoon? ( have, are, were, did)
4. My team hasn't yet lost a match.( didn’t, hasn’t, has. Won’t)
5. He is going to be angry when he finds out.(will, might, is was)
6. My aunt doesn't like driving- she prefers to be chauffeured instead. ( will,
does, doesn’t may)
7. Gayathrididn't enjoy the movie. It wasn't interested. ( did, hasn’t didn’t
might)
8. I love the seaside, but I don't know how to swim.(can’t do, may don’t)
9. Where did you see my phone?( is, have, did are)
10. Mehrajhasn't reached yet; he's late as usual. (has, hadn’t hasn’t wouldn’t)

Sequencing
Sequencing means putting in a certain order, sequencing gives writing a logical
flow, making it easy to read and understand.

Structure: -sentences should be arranged in some kind of order. This order may
be

• Chronological
• Spatial
• logical

Holistic Health
The concept of health as relating only to the physical body is
questionable. The notion of holistic health which is a combination of
Physical, mental, social, and spiritual
A person who has physical strength but is socially aggressive is bound
his/her physical power to oppress others. A powerful intellect may
misuse intelligence in a similar manner.
A positive mental attitude is also conducive to holistic health.
 A Different History

Sujata Bhatt

Summary

Unit-3

‘A Different History’ by Sujata Bhatt – The poet addresses the movement

of culture across the globe in the very first line, by mentioning the Greek
God Pan. She talks about cultures moving with people and lifestyles by
implying that the God Pan has not seized to exist but simply moved to
India. By saying this Sujata Bhatt also indicates that there is a similarity
between the cultures of the east and the west.
The poet says that the gods in India roam disguised as snakes and
monkeys. By this she indicates that all the elements of nature, flora and
fauna, are worshipped here. Bhatt also sheds light on the fact
that Indian culture is very deep rooted. She shifts her attention from
worship of animals and nature to reverence and respect in India. She talks
about customs and behaviour by mentioning trees being treated as sacred
in India and how it is a sin to treat books shabbily.

While talking about Indian customs and traditions, she uses a book as an
example. She keeps repeating that it is a sin to treat books without respect,
slam them down on a table or touch one with the foot or toss it around
while still on Indian customs and behaviour, she reveals how it is very
important in India to be careful, and not disturb the Goddess who resides
in books, “Saraswati”.
She indicates how religion is dominant in the region by describing the
Indian attitude towards something as common as a book. She talks about
the need for Indians to respect books so that they would not offend the
tree sacrificed to make the paper. Bhatt addresses a number of key issues
through rhetoric. Using language as strain of culture and a representative
of the people, she asks the reader to understand and identify with the fact
that people across the globe at some time or the other have been
oppressors or the oppressed.

Bhatt asks the reader to try and analyse and find a rational explanation as
to why after the damage of invasion the foreign culture continues to linger
in India. She personifies India as having a face and a soul, and refers to
colonization and injustice as a long scythe. She addresses the preference
of English over native languages by addressing the youth in India and the
unborn, who are preferring the foreign language at the cost of the
extinction of native Indian languages and dialects.

Important questions
1. What do you think is the central them of the poem?
2. What do you think the title of the poem means? How does it connect
the poem?
3. Which language /has not been the oppressor’s tongue? What do you
think the poet is trying to say here? Do you agree with poet? Justify
your answers.

Nobel Lecture
Toni Morrison
 Summary

Toni Morrison was born under the name Chloe Anthony Wofford in Ohio
in February 1931. Her parents were both from the Southern United States
and that culture heavily influenced her upbringing. Even though her
writing is not a direct reflection of her life, her life did influence her work.
For instance, beloved, arguably her most famous novel, is set in Ohio. Her
maternal grandparents’ stories became the inspiration
Nobel Prize Lecture begins with Morrison speaking in first person about
a story from many cultures’ folklores about an old, wise woman. Morrison
shares that in the version she knows, the story is about an African
American woman, the daughter of slaves. Then, she launches straight into
the fable, which centers on a conversation between this old woman and a
group of children.
The youngsters have come to make a mockery of the woman, even though
she is well-respected by many for her wisdom. They ask her one question:
if the bird they hold in their hands is living or dead. The old woman is
blind; she responds with the riddle that either way, it is in their hands.
After this, she closes her mouth and launches into a long reverie, which
Morrison narrates. She thinks about the bird: a symbol of language. Her
thoughts centre on the power of language, for good or for bad.
Eventually, the children become frustrated with her pithy answer and her
long silence, and launch into a soliloquy of their own. They implore the
old woman for a narrative to guide them. They, too, know the power of
language, illustrating their point with a story about a wagon of slaves.
When they finish speaking, the old woman responds that she trusts them
at last because now it is clear that they understand the power of language.
Important questions
1. What, according to the author, is the significance of the blind
woman’s answer? Answer in your own wards.
 2. What question did the young people in the story pose to the blind
woman? Why?
3. What are the characteristics of a dead language as outline by
Morrision?
Portmanteau words
A portmanteau is formed by combining two or more existing words
that all relate to a single concept.
Examples
1. Advertorial = advertisement + editorial
2. Biopic = biography + picture
3. Blog = web+ log
4. Edutainment = education + entertainment
5. Emotion= international +network
6. Malware= malicious+ software
7. Multiplex= multiple + complex
8. Motel= motor + hotel
9. Pixel = picture + element
10. Smog= smoke+ fog

Grammar

Non – Finite verb: - A non –finite verb is not affected by tense, person or number
there are three types of non – finite verb: infinitives, gerunds, and participles.

Infinitives are the most basic form of a verb, often preceded by the word ‘to’ they
may function as adverbs, nouns or adjectives.
 • I struggle to understand .( function as adverbs)
• To exercise is good for the body. ( functions as noun)
• I do not have time to enjoy dinner. ( functions as adjectives )

A gerund is a verb ending in ‘– ing’ which functions as a noun.

• I love swimming
• Travelling is my favorite hobby
• Are you interested in singing?

A participle is a verb ending in’ – ed or –ing’ and is used as an adjectives.

• The movie was interesting. ( present participle)

• Eating freshly pickedfruits is for health. (past participle)
• Ladakhis fascinating we are all excited to be going there .( present and past
participle)

Underline the non-finite verbs, if any in each of the sentences below.

1. He gave me a pen to write with. (Infinitives)

2. It was a sight to see.( Infinitives)
3. I want to buy some vegetables.. (Infinitives)
4. Barking dogs do not bite (Gerund)
5. She was wearing a designer outfit. . (A participle)
6. I had my car polished. ( A participle)
7. Finding the door open, my mother went inside.(gerund)
8. The proposal had been examined today. (A participle)
9. Nitya is doing her homework at the moment.( A participle)
10. Vardhan has finished his exams ( A participle)
Descriptive writing

A descriptive essay is an artistic writing form. Here, the writer has to write in such
a way that it forms a picture in the mind of the reader. The writer may describe a
person, place, or object, or be reminiscing a memory. The descriptive essay strives
to communicate a deeper meaning than description; it has to be such that the reader
experiences himself in the happening of events. The reader feels personally touched
with the painting of the writer's words.
 • To sum up, there are some criterions of descriptive writing. They include:
• Writing chronologically: all events must be coherent
• Using a figure of speech: words or phrases that aren't literal but have a vivid
meaning
• Use more strong verbs than technical term: she walked leisurely is better than
she sauntered.
• Use sensory details of touching, seeing, feeling etc.
• Think before writing, and end with revising and correcting.

Conflict Resolution
A conflict is a difference of opinion, a clash, quarrel, dispute or
tension between one or more persons or groups of people. Conflict
resolution is a way for two or more parties to find a peaceful solution to a
disagreement among them. The disagreement may be personal, financial,
political, or emotional. When a dispute arises, often the best course of action
is negotiation to resolve the disagreement.

Conflict Resolution Strategies:

• Don't Ignore Conflict.
• Clarify What the Issue Is.
• Bring Involved Parties Together to Talk.
• Identify a Solution. .
• Continue to Monitor and Follow Up on the Conflict.

How I became a public Speaker

G.B Shaw

Summary

George Bernard Shaw was born in the year 1856. He was a famous Irish dramatist,
critic and novelist. He was well known for his plays, often called as problem plays
because all of them deal with the social vices which affect human lives. He was
awarded the Noble prize for Literature in the year 1925. Before taking his public
speaking career, he knew nothing about public oration and meetings.

When he spoke for the first time, he became nervous and failed in that endeavour.
After many efforts he won success in the art of oration. He went to the meeting at
Zetetical society with his friend Lecky. It was his first experience. There was a
debate going on. He stood up and blabbered something towards the speaker. He was
able to estimate his reply as a meaningless one. He felt ashamed of it. So, he joined
the society and attended every meeting. At the starting, his speeches were ignored
by the members of the society. But, the members gradually started to hear his
speeches. He perfected his oration techniques progressively by hard work.

He visited all sorts of meeting held in London. He joined and delivered speeches in
all the debates. He spoke in streets, parks and associations. He never missed any
opportunity. He took part in all debates at various societies, clubs and associations
of London. Very soon, he found his giddiness and nervousness faded away from
him. By this way, he secured his freedom of speech.

Shaw never got money for his orations because, he lectured on controversial topics
in politics and religion. Sometimes if the place was in a long distance, he would get
only money for travelling in the third class compartment. At one meeting while he
was speaking, a man yelled at him saying everyone should not hear the talk of a
hired professional. As a reply, Shaw on the spot offered his emoluments for five
pounds to him. The men who shouted at Shaw shocked to hear it. Then, Shaw
explained him that he had come to this place to give lecture at his own expense. He
also added, he never got money to any of his speeches from the organizers

At once occasion, Shaw was delivering his talk at St. James Hall in London. At that
time, a hostile group entered the room. They were anti-Fabians. In a few minutes,
they all broke up the meeting and insisted to make their leader as the chairman of
the meeting. Shaw scored their notion and dealt with them carefully.
He got perfection in community training along with platform techniques. He got a
great success as a public speaker. On the contrary, H.G.Wells who was a gifted
writer and thinker never practiced this talent. At one meeting, H.G.Wells tried to
insult the Fabian society. But Shaw by his talent as a platform artist defeated Wells'
views.

He cured his nervousness by his regular practice on public speaking in a gradual

manner. He delivered speeches on various themes till to the age of eighty five. All
of his speeches were highly commanding and tend everyone who hears them. His
socialistic views were reformatory and made the people aware of the social
conditions of London.

Important questions

1. Write a note of various aspects of public speaking that Shaw focused on as he

was striving to become an effective orator, citing suitable examples.
2. Based on what you have read, trace the development of Shaw as a public
speaker.

Vocabulary
Simile and metaphor:-

A simile is a literary device used to compare two different things in an attempt to

make a description more interesting or vivid. Such comparisons are made through
the use words ‘like’ or ‘as’ the examples below.
 • His air is as black as coal. hair compared with coal
• She is as brave as a lion. a person compared with a lion
• Her eyes sparkled like diamonds. Eyes compared with diamonds

Some more examples

• The water was as black as night

• She was as busy as a bee and had no time o relax
• The room was so warm it was like a sauna.
• She moves with such grace , like gazelle
• My love is like a red rose.

A metaphor is another literary device, similar to a simile, used in descriptive

writing unlike a smile, which compares two different things.

• This city is a concrete jungle. Equating the city with a jungle.

• Her words were poison. Equating the horrid nature someone’s words
with poison
• The entire world’s a stage equating the world we live in with the idea
of it being a stage on which we will perform.

Some more examples

• You are the light of my life.

• How old are these computers? They’re practically dinosaurs!
• They were covered in a blanket of flowers.
• London is a melting pot.
• The wheels of justice grind slow.

Adverbs
Adverbs are words used to modify verbs, adjectives, and other
adverbs. They add meaning to word they modify.

Examples
• The old man walks slowly. Adverb slowly modifies verb walks.
 • This place is very peaceful. Adverb very modifies the adjective
peaceful.
• The news came quite suddenly. Adverb quite modifies the adverb
suddenly.

Exercise I
Fill in the blanks with the suitable adverbs, using the adjective
in brackets as clues.

1. Come quickly before it finishes! (quick)

2. Although he is a well student, he did not do good in the exam (good)
3. Telugu is my mother tongue. I speak it fluently (fluent)
4. He did not complete the course as easily as he thought he
would.(easy)
5. I reached on time because I left home earlier or earliest (early)

Argumentative writing
The aim of argumentative writing is to convince your reader that the position you
have taken on a subject is right. When writing a passage of this kind, you must state
your position in clear terms,

Argumentative Essay guidelines

• Pre-Write/Outline.
• Make sure you begin each paragraph with a topic sentence.
• Make sure every topic sentence (and therefore, every paragraph)
relates directly back to your thesis statement.
• Use effective transitions between paragraphs.
• Re-read your paper!

Ethical Behavior
Ethics is a subject relating to contextual moral principles that
control and influence one’s behavior and attitude. in other words, it
is the knowledge of the difference between right and wrong.
Knowing and acting on the difference between what is desired and
what is desirable,
Ethics is a relative concept, because truth depends on (1) the context
(2) the person (3) the motive.

Prepared by
Saggurthi: Kishore Raja
Assistant professor
Dr.B.R Ambedkar college
Hyderabad