Outlines

Politics and the English Language:

I.                    Introduction (Examples of Bad Passages)

A.      Excerpt from Prof. Harold Laski’s Essay in Freedom of Expression

B.      Excerpt from Prof. Lancelor Hagben’s Interglass

C.      Excerpt from Essay on Psychology in Politics (New York)

D.      Excerpt from a communist pamphlet

E.       Excerpt from a letter in Tribune

II.                  Common Errors

A.      Dying Metaphors

B.      Operators on Verbal FalseLimbs

C.      Pretentious Diction

D.      Meaningless Words

III.                Translation for Good English to Modern English

IV.                Nature of Modern English Writings and Writers

V.                  Modern English as seen and used in Politics

VI.                Correcting the Mistakes of Modern English

VII.              Improving Political Chaos by Improving Modern English

“A Hanging”

I.                    The Prison where He Lies

II.                  The Prisoner is Taken Out

III.                The Dog that Stopped the Convoy

IV.                The Narrator’s Realizations about the Prisoner

V.                  The Prisoner’s Hanging

VI.                The Life after the Death

Stting on the Passenger's Seat

I walked back straight to my dorm, Kalayaan, after my Eng 1 class. There was a food stall on my way back and I wanted to grab a bite. But for some reason, I continued to walk, staring at the stall the whole time. I was like a child being dragged by my mother. I wanted to speak out, but my body ignored my thoughts. He wanted to walk and go on. I felt trapped inside my own body. I can see what was happening, but I can’t control anything nor feel what my body wants. An observer somewhere far away. Realizing this, I surrendered and let my body do what he wants. I didn’t see it, but I knew he smiled back at me. Instead of being dragged, I decided to just follow. Before I realized it, I was in front of my door.

When I opened it, I saw my bed, with its arms wide open, waiting for me to hug it back. I surrendered myself to it, laid flat at its warm embrace. At that moment, my body let me take the wheel once again, letting me drive my body, not the other way around. That’s when I felt all the sweat running through my whole body. My breathing was long and deep. I took in every inch of air I could gather; filling up the deepest corners of my lungs with air, but it was never enough. My feet and legs throbbed hard, shivering like kids that ran through the rain. “Oh, now I get it.” I said to him with a smile. I closed my eyes and let my body bask in the rest it deeply deserved.

Childhood Memory

On a Sunday noon, a couple and their cute baby boy was strolling inside a nearby mall. It was their weekly habit to go somewhere or do activities as a family on Sundays. The baby wore his favorite jumper every Sunday, since he knew that Sundays are special days. Well, this one’s a bit more “special” than others.

When the baby felt his little tummy rumble, he knew it was time for one thing and one thing alone – chicken! So he pulled the arm of his mother and let out a loud, but insanely cute, cry. “Chee-ken! Chee-keeen!” The father saw a nearby Shakey’s restaurant, and without a second thought, he decided to bring his family there to fill their empty stomachs, and shut the little critter up. A basket of fried chicken with potato mojos was the obvious choice. Without asking, the father ordered for such. But as he was ordering, the baby gasped as he looked at the menu. A towering glass of red liquid goodness left the baby in awe. It’s a strawberry milk shake. He hastily called for his father and pointed to the picture of the shake. The father said it was too big for him, but the baby didn’t flinch. The argument went on for about a minute, with the mother just laughing at his two boys quarrelling over a shake. It was obvious who won, though.

The milkshake came after a few minutes, about the same time as the chicken and mojos. It was taller than the baby’s head! The father chuckled and joked at the child’s choice. The baby, though can’t understand what exactly his father is saying, can tell that he’s in a very embarrassing situation. Prideful as the baby is, decided to finish the shake on his own. Half-way through and cold sweat was running through his face. He knew it was too much for him, but looking at the smirk at his father’s face, he didn’t stop in his ordeal. Struggling through every sip, small tears built up on the side of his eyes. But, a baby with a mission is not easy to bring down. Still, struggle as he may, it was an impossible feat from the start. He finally burst out and puked everything out. The table was a mess and so were his parents. He cried loud enough to be heard by the whole restaurant. Some of the shake even seeped out through his mouth and nose. Instead of scolding their child, the parents let out a light laugh then wiped their poor baby’s tears...and all those other nasty stuff on his face.

"The Extra Bed" Review

Before reading the text:

By the title itself, “The Extra Bed”, we might infer that a “main” bed exits, but we will be focusing on the “secondary” one. It seems to give importance to something that is less looked upon. I can also tell that the essay may revolve to a place that gives rest because of the word “bed”. I can think of the “extra bed” as a place where guests or visitors may come to rest because the “main” bed is already occupied by other people of higher importance. Through this, I can say that it will show us the significance of things or people other than the one in the center of attention.

After reading the text:

• Author - Carmen Guerrero Nakpil is the author of “The Extra Bed”. She came from a prominent family of writers and medical people. This may explain how well-versed she is in her essay. She might also be a frequent visitor in hospitals because of this.
• Date and Place – It was written after the World War 2. This explains why she visited the hospital frequently. It was still quite a hostile period just after the World War 2, where tons of people were injured. Some may even be her friends or relatives, giving her more reason to go to hospitals.
• Title – The title “The Extra Bed” implies that there is the presence of a “main” bed. This means the essay would focus on something or someone that is not often focused on or given attention to. She would like to explain that even though the “extra bed and its occupant” is not foced on, it still is significant nonetheless.

Dear Someone

A lot of people said to us when we were still in I-Bl. John the Good that high school is just a short trip that lets us enjoy life and we should make the most of our limited time. It’s only recently that I realize what it truly meant.

It must have been fate that I asked your name in our 1^st Filipino class. From that simple meeting, who knew that I would find the brother I never had. Even though we met several people along our stay in high school, I could never compare my experiences with them from our long, late-night talks over the phone. Having someone to listen is a blessing, but having someone like you to scold me for my mistakes is another blessing altogether. You might say it’s a silly excuse, but my rudeness towards you is simply my way of expressing how close I am to you. Even with the cloak of evil that I wear in front of you, I always reach out my helping hand whenever you needed it right?

Our nonsensical “adventures” when we were young are now just rare get-togethers in Kruhay shows. Our long calls are no just short text greetings. Even though the quantity is now lessened, I am sure the quality will be better than ever. Many say you’ll forget your friends in high school, but I am sure both of us will never forget a brother we found ourselves.