Saturday, March 16, 2013

Making a Pitch for the Narrative Essay

Write a short (100 to 150 word) pitch for your narrative essay idea. Why would we be interested in the person you chose? What makes this person interesting? What influence have they had on you that is interesting to others?

Please bring a copy of your pitch to class on March 27, word processed and printed.

23 comments:

Brad said...

My Uncle Gav

My Uncle Gav provides a good example of a life lived long, and, for the most part, well. He was a kind of “still waters run deep” guy who didn’t say much. Gav expressed his nature physically—on Hollyburn and Garibaldi as a young man; at Silver Star after retirement —from his teen years right through to his 92 birthday. He skied beautifully. His story, of career and schooling denied by the depression and war years, of diligent work at a job beneath his intellect, of 28 years of joyful skiing in retirement, would be of interest to many who live in the shadow of the mountains that he loved. I learned many things about living well from my Uncle Gav.—121 words

Unknown said...

Mike the dirty Roofer,

Mike lived a hard life as a child, growing up in a very impoverished environment. Mike struggled through his youth with physical abuse from his alcoholic father; whom in part led him to his own struggles with substance abuse. Mikes struggles through his issues leading him to financial success, and emotionally stability. Mike’s story is a story of inspiration as he came from such a low place in society, and later becoming an important and respected man in the community. Mike never let his ego take over when he experienced financial success. Mike still wears ripped jeans, dirty shoes, and continues to drive his old work truck that looks as if it was pulled straight out of the Pacific Ocean [absolutely covered in rust]. I learned many valuable life lessons from Mike and continue to aspire to be more like Mike. Mike’s story was inspirational in my life, and hope his story can inspire others.
-160 words

Unknown said...

My friend Chee Hoe

My friend Chee Hoe, from Malaysia, has inspired me in some positive ways. He is a remarkable leader with a strong personality, and therefore some people dislike him. I knew him two years ago — from the president of student union to a M.B.A(Master of Business Administration) student. He ended his degree course with the result of first class honor. He told me he had a poor result when he was in high school. Chee Hoe helped the school built up a brilliant fame by running activities. He leads outstandingly. His activities, with the theme of multiculturalism — our school has diverse students from different countries, always combine students to work together. The best thing I learn from him is how to pursue your goal no matter how hard the situation is.

-130 words

injapark said...

A Mistake Brings Me a Good Friend

My friend, Kanzaki, is an unforgettable person in my life. I was influenced by her in many ways and granted special favor from her. I believe that it was fate that I met her in Japan. One day, an unexpected incident was miserable but crucial to begin our friendship. I think this happening may be interesting to those who have some language problems like me. In addition, I believe this story could give motivation to people who struggle with difficulties in their lives. I would like to write this, my old story, through this narrative essay in order to recall her and reflect on my life in Japan.
- 111 words

Evelyn said...

Evelyn
English 12 Pitch
March 27, 2013

My friend Dali
Friends come and go, but true friends stay. My friend Dali is an amazing woman because of her courage, determination and integrity. I admire her fearless ability to attack life’s challenges gracefully, and with respect and positive attitude. Long before our children were born, Dali and I spent time together vacationing, attending social functions and most of all sharing a wealth of pertinent personal secrets-as most women do. A few years ago, her over a decade marriage fell-apart and she was devastated. Even though heartbroken, she held her head high, and never spoke ill about her ex-husband. And in one of my visits to her house, while drinking coffee in her kitchen -as usual, she had a sullen look on her face. “I’m dying inside; but I won’t allow that to happen,” she said and she did. From her I learned to be optimistic and strong especially during tough times, (which is almost impossible to do).
-157 words

Unknown said...

Teenage memories — Jun

Jun was my best peer and friend in my secondary school days in 1980s, and he was a shy and diligent student in the school. Jun was good at literature, and his works always appeared on the board. Jun’ thought got the enlightenment in the vibrant 80s of China while he studied in the university. He engaged in the democracy movement in 1989, and he finally gave up his own political ideals after that defeat. I spent numerous times with Jun in my teenage days. I shared his defeat and also experienced the common happiness. I still remember the fans that we shared in the cabin of Jun’s grandmother. I believe the years that I was with Jun have imprinted on my memory and have affected my life because that is the place that has dreams.

-136 words

prudent said...

My Dad
I would like to describe my dad in my narrative essay for three raisons. First, Father’s Day is coming up on June 16th, 2013. Universally, we all have a dad. My father passed away in 2011, and I would like to write about him as a celebration of his life. Second, my dad was a man who always provided for his family and I would like to elaborate on this in my essay. He had a large family, ten children and a wife to feed. It was difficult for an African person growing up in a poor country to support and provide for his family. My dad overcame such obstacles. Third, I would like to discuss in my essay how my dad taught me how to be a better man by showing me a good example and by spending time with me. I’m very excited to write a narrative essay about my dad.
154 words

Hongxin Guo said...

My Dear Teacher
Professor Shaw was a wonderful teacher that I ever seen and the idol of mine. He taught us “Engineering”. Decades later, I am still very surprised that his effect to my life is so deep and lasts so long. In the class, he was a serious scholar full of knowledge and wisdom. In the private life, he was a kind elder man to guide and tutor his young students systematically. While we make some progresses, he smiled radiating happy like a child. At this time he became the best friend of mine rather than a teacher. Sometimes he gave us scolding like the lightning, but we all knew that due to love. He died “unusually” in that “revolutionary ages”. The impression about him was stamped on my mind and the epitome influence was so profound that still encourages and pushes me forward nowadays.

zahra said...

My father

My father’s life was full of ups and downs. He tasted the bitter of lack of father and started working when he was only a child. He had to waiver of his properties and start from zero during his life. But, the point that caused me to write about him, is his interesting reactions in front of the difficulties. He never let the problems to make him scared, disappointed, or glum; conversely, he challenged more strongly, learned from his experiences, and tried to love and enjoy his life even in the hardest situation. I admire his great potential in starting again and his high self-confidant that led him to the success and happiness. I supposed my father’s life story to be an appropriate sample of a capable person who made a positive difference in his life.-138 words

Kelly said...

My mother

As far as I can remember, my mother isn’t easily satisfied and has complained a lot. I would say that most of the time she is unhappy. I guess it’s because there are too many conflicts in her life. For example, she is a person, who thinks having a degree is very important; however, she couldn’t attend a university. Another example is that she has been angry with my grandmother about her arranged marriage. Despite this situation, my mother still dedicates herself to my family. Thus, I have to admit that I appreciate her, and care about her, but I don’t like her personality-it’s a complicated feeling. Things have been changed gradually since she began to lose memory a few years ago, and I don’t know whether it’s unfortunate or not. ---131 words

Unknown said...

My friend Satnam

I have a long association with my friend Satnam. We joined the same department twenty five years ago. He was very hardworking and sincere person, always ready to help others. However, he had one drawback of excessive drinking. Once he consumed alcohol, it was difficult to believe that he was the same person. Whenever, I talked to him about this problem, he always answered that he would take care in future. This problem affected his married as well as social life. Friends started avoiding him, because they knew it would be difficult to tackle him after drinking. But with the passage of time, he realized about his problem and stopped drinking. Now, he is altogether a different person, enjoying life with his family. He always inspired me to believe that if you have determination and willpower you can overcome your drawbacks.
147words

Nadezhda said...

Human Experience

I was a very young girl when my grandfather Fedor lived with us. However,childish recollections are brightest and most truthful and always remain in my memory.He lived in a hard time: starving, two wars, and Stalin's dictatorship. Through those harsh events my grandpa had never given up and looked forward. In the Russian-Turkish War he was taken captive by Turkish soldier and sat in a prison as a Russian prisoner. During World War 2 his oldest son was killed by German soldiers on the battlefield. Six children are dead (from starving) when Ukraine was occupied by the Germans. The loss of his children was the most difficult for him. I am glad that I knew my grandfather when he was alive. He could save superior character traits during his life. - 133 words

Unknown said...

My daughter, Olivia, is a special and warm-hearted girl. She is hard on herself but she is very passionate on helping people. Unlike some of fashionable teenagers, she has never spent money on buying new clothes. She wouldn’t mind to wear stained or broken clothes. I have never seen a person like her who keeps using pencil until it is shorter than two centimeters. On the other hand, she is generous to her friends or people in need. In school, she is willing to teach her friend musical theory and ignore her lunch. Moreover, I am touched when she tell me that she takes a very good care of her hair because she is going to donate her hair to children hospital after it has grown to 10 inches. She also plans to train herself and run for fundraising for cancer research. I am very pound to have my sweet daughter, and I have learnt a lesson from her. 160 words

Unknown said...

A Person Who Changed Lives

When I first went to highschool, my class was a mess (most students smoked, drunk, and some even did drugs), until the day our new literature teacher showed up. It is amazing how this person managed to change the life of 30 teenagers.If it wasn't for him most of us would have probably ended up in the streets (like most of our other teachers expected). In the first few weeks no one liked him, but after succeeding in highschool we all appreciated his efforts. 26 of us went to university; three went to med-school,five to law, and 18 to Engineering. This person was an inspiration for all of us. He thought us how to be successful individuals in the community.Moreover, he thought us how to respect our selves and have high self-esteem. He is not the kind of person that you meet every day.
149 words

Unknown said...

When I was a little child every child in our family called him “vampire.” However, when I was a teenager he was guidance in my life. He is my uncle, Kevin who has a big influence in my life. He taught me what was the most important thing in life. He usually wears a big smile whenever how difficulty the situation he faces; He always shows his tender solicitude to make everyone around him feel warm. My mother says: “he is a perfect husband.” Once she told me when I meet person like him then she will feel relieve to let me marry him. Since we are just ten years difference we are like friends somehow. Moreover, He also likes a father gives me lots encouragement and support.

Unknown said...

My Best Friend

“My sweetheart” or “my darling” is the way I show my feelings for him. But, clearly, we are totally straight since we both had girlfriends when we started to give nick names to each other. He is Rong - friend who can’t be replaced by anyone. With him I was no longer childish. Everything just went fast, even I only knew him for 3 years, and we turned out to be best friend. He is the wisest person I have ever known. He always sees his life with positive attitude. People surrounding him would feel delightful. Even I had come to Canada for 2 years; his way of looking life is still stick in my heart.

116 words

Unknown said...

Takeuchi – A Japanese volunteer teacher

Rather than regarding her as a Japanese teacher, I think she’s an ordinary housewife who’s full of Japanese elements; however, her character traits (hard-working, good mannered and the vagueness of speaking style) make me gain insight into what’s important in learning a new language. When she first time appeared in front of me, I had arrived at Japan for only one week and I couldn’t speak Japanese at all; simultaneously, she knew little about my language. It was quite funny when we tried to explain something. Moreover, since she always loved to take me join local festivals and events, I had to be immersed in the Japanese culture. In addition, her vagueness of speaking style made me be puzzled and questioned. Unexpectedly, her behaviour makes me understand Japanese culture first and then learn Japanese quickly. ---135 Words

Ismael said...

The little genius

I have always doubted Freud's personalty theory which proposes that children including infants have personalties. It was until that day, I was eighteen and I suddenly woke up to notice that we had a new member in our household. It was my little brother Adam. Adam is a very bright little creature, he was able to distinguish sounds and gestures when he was only a month old. Moreover, he can understand two languages and count to five in both languages while he is only sixteen months old. He is also funny and attractive, he has an oval face with bushy, curly, chestnut-brown hair; almond bright eyes; and a rosy face. Adam brought joy and motivation to my boring life. He is the torch that lighted our house. 130 words

Serena K. said...

A Mischievous Man

“There’s a flower missing!” I screamed one day morning, watching carefully on my lovely orchid. Ten, white, fully bloomed flowers have been boasting their beauty for more than 2 weeks. And, now one of the biggest flowers in the middle is gone; moreover, there was no fallen fatal or trace of the missing flower on dark brown floor - it was too clean mysteriously. “I didn’t do anything,” Alex talked back at me sipping on a cup of hot coffee in the kitchen. Suddenly I remembered that he was watching Fraser River through the window where I put my orchid last night. (I like enjoying their bright cream colored flowers near the window with greyish cloud outside because dark background makes flowers shiny.) He stood behind me, and touched the orchid carelessly; at that moment, another flower fell off to the floor. His face becomes funny whenever I discover his accidents, and it was one of them. (157 words)

Unknown said...

My wife
I think she is a very good woman. She is really religious, honest, and diligent. Every day in the morning, she goes to church to pray for her family and neighbours. After returning from church, she studies English 10 and Accounting 12 at Pearson Learning Centre in New Westminster. Her English level is pretty low though she is doing her best. Actually, she failed 3 times. But, she seems to be very happy and enjoys her life under the finest weather and people. The most important thing she is inputting her effort is to care the youngest son, now grade 10.(106 words)

Unknown said...

My friend Karolin
Karolin was an international student from Germany who studied at my high school for a year in 2011. I have been friends with here for almost three years now and I now consider her to be one of my closest friends, even though we live so far away from each other we try our best to keep in touch by talking over Facebook or on skype. I have learned a lot from her, one of the greatest things she taught me was that even tough someone isn’t in the same country as me that doesn’t mean that they wont be there for you when you need them. I wanted to Wright about Karolin because she is the first of many friends that I have that don’t live in the same country as I do.
134 words

Unknown said...

My step-father, John

John is a sixty-year old-fashioned man, but he has a new Blackberry touch phone, which is protected by a fancy case. He’s not only my step-father, but also my mentor. He did an unforgettable thing. He is a Caucasian man who didn’t know any Chinese, but he met a Chinese woman who didn’t know any English on the Internet. Because of his curiosity, he got through all the difficulty and met her in China. They were communicating by using an English to Chinese dictionary and some hand gestures. He is a stubborn man, but honest. He learned some Mandarin and married my mother. After that, he became one of the important persons in my life.

Unknown said...

Ride of a lifetime

When I was a kid I have always wanted it a big brother to look up to, to teach me about life, and protect me from bullies. Gulled was that big brother I have always wanted it. I have known him my whole life but haven’t met him until the summer of 06 in Toronto. Gulled was a very smart man and was very good in sports. Gulled lived most of his life in London UK and he had that swagger about him that is untouchable. Gulled and I went on a much exited adventures around Canada; that changed my life forever.

-- 107 words