Entry 1_Hoàng Thị Mỹ Hạnh

Item 1: Poem

If I Had My Life To Live Over

By Erma Bombeck

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ...

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.

Rhetorical devices:
-  Rhyme: over to dinner, light a fire, day – sprayed, kids kissed
- Repetition: I would have, less while watching television - and more while watching life.

Message:
You cannot live your life over. Therefore, appreciate everything around you before it is too late.

Item 2: Story

A 10-year-old boy decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move. “Sensei,” (Teacher in Japanese) the boy finally said, “Shouldn’t I be learning more moves?” “This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you’ll ever need to know,” the sensei replied.

Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training. Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. “No,” the sensei insisted, “Let him continue.” Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament.

He was the champion. On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.

“Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?”

“You won for two reasons,” the sensei answered. “First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.”

Rhetorical devices:
- Metaphor:
The boy: each of us
The left arm was lost: our own weakness
-   Climax:
The boy won his first two matches => the boy was now in the finals => he was the champion.
-   Parallelism:
His opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced.

Message:
Sometimes your greatest weakness can become your greatest strength.

Item 3: Cartoon

Rhetorical devices:

-         Symbol:
The white dove: symbol of peace
The soldier: symbol of war
-         Metaphor :
The white dove: people love peace all over the world.
The soldier: The United States invaded Iran.
-         Irony

Message:

The white dove is trying to offer peace to the soldier who is going to fight. Nevertheless, it seems not to be effective.
______________________________

[1] http://www.kalimunro.com/If_I_Had_My_Life_To_Live_Over.html
[2] http://www.moralstories.org/boys-weakness/
[3] http://www.truthdig.com/images/eartothegrounduploads/La_paz_pide_un_chance5.jpg