Word Choice is Critical

Word Choice is Critical Words have power. To quote Rudyard Kipling, Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind. As with any drug, words must be used carefully, with forethought and precision. Joseph Joubert said, Words, like glass, obscure when they do not aid vision. As writers our goal is to convey meaning or illicit feelings in our readers, to clarify rather than obscure. Therefore our word choice is critical.Word choice involves several considerations. Perhaps the most obvious of these is grammar. It is common today to hear entertainers and other public figures use poor grammar, or use a word incorrectly based on some new slang definition. This has become so pervasive that many have adopted the same speech style without even realizing it. It might be a matter for debate whether such a slovenly attitude toward the rules of language is ever acceptable in spoken communication. For written forms of communication, the issue is less ambiguous. While it may be acceptable when writing dialogue in works of fiction, in most forms of writing it is inappropriate. In the same way, words or expressions that are offensive to a particular racial, religious, ethnic, or other groups should be avoided. A word of caution is in order in this regard. Even if you would never even consider the use of anything offensive in your writing, you might still give offense. Many expressions have double meanings, one of which is rude or vulgar. Are you aware of these? If there is even a chance that something might be understood in the wrong way, its best to choose a different expression.Problems with grammar can also arise out of ignorance. It can be argued that literacy is on the decline, and has been for many years. Sadly, this seems to have affected every facet of society, including those who make their living as manipulators of the written word. In addition, many find themselves asked to express their ideas in a foreign language, often English. This can be a challenge. Even when a writer spea ks the second language well, the formal structure required of the written language is stricter and the audience is usually less forgiving. If you belong to either of these groups, what can you do? In a word, read. Read everything that you can get your hands on in that language (obviously trying to choose things that are well written). This is the same principle used when initially learning a language, total immersion. It is the same way that a baby learns to speak. However, when applying this method as an adult, there is a difference. A baby starts from scratch. As an adult with poor grammar, you have to first break your bad habits. One way to accomplish this is to notice the differences in the way you construct sentences compared to the way theyre constructed in what you read. Look at sentences the way a carpenter looks at a house. Dont just look at the whole, see the pieces. Dont just hear the meaning conveyed, peer beneath the surface at the structure. This means slowing down, an alyzing every word and its place in the sentence. The best way to do this is by reading out loud. Reading out loud can help you to feel the rhythm and flow of the words, allowing you to eventually make them your own.Another aspect of sentence structure is sentence length. In general, short, simple, concise sentences are more effective than long, complicated, run-on sentences. They have an immediate impact. If you want to make an important point, put it in a short sentence. State it simply. If you do, your readers will remember it. Several short sentences in a row can also be very effective, like multiple quick punches from a boxer. Of course, some of this effectiveness is lost if every sentence you write is short. Variety increases readability.This is also true for individual words. Instead of always saying that the weather was cold, why not say that it was chilly, frosty, icy, wintry, or glacial? Instead of saying that the man was fat, why not say that he was plump, chubby, stout, or portly? And instead of saying that the new analytical method was more effective, why not say that it was more efficient, successful, useful, or valuable? Using a variety of synonymous words helps to keep your readers interested in what you are saying. It can also do more than this. The English language has a rich vocabulary. Synonyms are words that have the same or similar meanings. Similar is the key word in this definition. Whats the difference between being stout and chubby? Is there a difference? As a writer, youd better know.In addition to its denotation or dictionary definition, what connotation is conveyed by a word? What feelings does it evoke? For example, the words house and home can both be defined as the structure where a person or family lives, but at the end of a long day, to which would you rather return? Heres a more personal example - which would you rather be, slim or thin? Thin or skinny? Skinny or emaciated? Emaciated or skeletal? These words mean basically th e same thing, but the subtle differences in connotation can add shades of color to your writing. Be aware of these shades of color; your word choice will influence the emotions of your readers. Direct this influence by a conscious and careful selection. Instead of saying that the hero walked out of the room, why not say that he stormed out? Instead of saying that the words were painful, why not say that they tore into her heart? And instead of saying that the car crashed, why not say that it was crushed like an empty beer can?Of course, while an expanded vocabulary is laudable, one must nevertheless remain circumspect that the objectives of ones written communiqué not become ensconced in nebulousness and obfuscation. Why are you writing? Ultimately, whatever youre writing, your goal is communication. Your vocabulary should serve that goal. Your writing should not simply be a canvas for your vocabulary; your vocabulary should serve as a palette with which you paint a clear picture i n your writing. Throwing words into your writing that your readers are unlikely to understand is like an artist throwing paint on a canvas at random; individual spots of color may arouse curiosity, but the overall impression will be one of confusion. The first sentence in this paragraph is an example. Congratulations if it made perfect sense to you, but be aware that most readers will find similar sentences frustrating if you insist on writing them. Ernest Hemingway once commented on this subject. He said, Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words? He thinks I dont know the ten-dollar words. I know them all right. But there are older and simpler and better words, and those are the ones I use. So use the best words for the job, ones that put your reader in the picture but allow him to understand what hes seeing once he gets there.Its bad enough to use words that your readers dont understand, using words that you dont understand is worse. If you do so, your readers will lose respect for you. This is especially a problem with non-fiction since they will begin to wonder whether the accuracy of your writing can be trusted.Words are tools. You might say that they are the only tools that every living person in the world uses on a daily basis. Learn to use them well. Learn what each tool does and how it can be employed most effectively. Learn the subtle differences between similar tools and how to select the correct one for the job. Learn what combination of tools will be most effective at accomplishing your objective, conveying ideas, feelings, and shades of meaning to your readers, helping them to become immersed in your story, to comprehend your technical writing, and, always, to remember what you have written. By choosing your words carefully and using them with skill, you will become a craftsman who can be proud of your finished product.

Alienation during the Victorian Era - 2655 Words

Alienation Many characters during the Victorian to early Modern literature era were alienated. Causes of alienation during this time period included familial separation, social class or gender restrictions, and self-isolation from society. These characters may display the common causes of alienation, but ared still connected to their families and society. Some characters may alienate themselves, yet find that they can never truly separate from family and/or society. While on the surface many characters may seem to be alienated, it is clear that every character is not alienated and is connected through familial ties, love, or money. Characters were alienated during this time period due to four main causes: family, social class, gender,†¦show more content†¦Dorian separates himself even more from society as commits himself to â€Å"eternal youth, infinite passion, pleasures subtle and secret, wild joys and wilder sins† (Wilde 77) after the death of his temporary love, Sibyl Vane. He follows a destructive path of selfishness and soon begins to have no consideration for others as he shows no remorse after Sibyl’s death. Dorian is by himself without any help from other people because of his selfish ways. Dorian’s hedonistic views only allow him to seek the pleasures of an â€Å"exquisite life† (Wilde 100). This isolation of other views causes Dorian to continually sin because of the pleasure seeking throughout his life and will ultimately cause his death. Another self-isolation of life includes Stephen Dedalus, in James Joyce’s Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man who le ads a story of alienating himself from early childhood to adulthood. From childhood, he is alienated from his large family as he is sent to a Jesuit boarding school where he has a hard time with other students as he felt his body [too] small and weak amid the [other] players (Joyce 8), and is very unhappy there. As an adult and the artist stage in his life, Stephen goes to study at university and feels alienated from Ireland. Stephen rejects Irish politics andShow MoreRelated Comparing Hap by Thomas Hardy and The Second Coming by Yeats1410 Words   |  6 PagesComparing Hap by Thomas Hardy and The Second Coming by Yeats      Ã‚   Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was one of the great writers of the Late Victorian era. One of his great works out of the many that he produced was his poem Hap, which he wrote in 1866, but did not publish until 1898 in his collection of poems called Wessex Poems. This poem seems to typify the sense of alienation that he and other writers were experiencing at the time, as they saw their times as marked by accelerating social and technologicalRead MoreSummary Of Gods Grandeur845 Words   |  4 PagesConflict among contexts of the Victorian era, Catholicism and Gerard Manley Hopkins, has shaped Hopkins’ distinctive poetic exploration of religious faith in his poems. However, paradoxically he also challenges the role religion has played in making Victorians repress their natural desires, which compels them to doubt God’s ability. These are clearly evidenced in two of his famous Petrarchan sonnets, the nature poem, ‘God’s Grandeur’ (1877), and the â⠂¬Ëœterrible sonnet’, ‘Carrion Comfort’ (1885-1887)Read MoreAmoretti Xxx : My Love Is Like To Ice, And I To Fire By Edmund Spenser1598 Words   |  7 PagesAs the times change, the media created during those times change as well, and either consciously or subconsciously reflect the ideals and attitudes of society. Specifically, writers have deconstructed, examined, and put love poetry back together; writers have provided varying opinions and interpretations regarding the motif of love. In the Elizabethan Era, poets idealized love and ignored all potential hardships. In the Victorian Era, the concept of problematic relationships had gained popularityRead MoreEmotion in Emily Dickinsons â€Å"My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun†1109 Words   |  5 PagesThis poem was written by American poet, Emily Dickinson, who was born in the 1800. This was the period where art was based on emotion; the â€Å"Romantic Period†. She was also born in the Victor ian Era, where women had to be shackled to their pedestals and most had to be married by age eighteen. They were not allowed to vote, or earn money. This information should help the reader better understand the poem. When writing the poem â€Å"My Life had stood—a Loaded Gun† Dickinson thought of what format to useRead More Modernism Essay801 Words   |  4 Pagesedu/elab/hfl0255.html) Modernism was rebellion against not only the repressive principles of the Victorian era but also the emergence of the fast-changing, materialistic corporate society. The period preceding modernism held up Victorian virtues, which accepted the worldview of everything being ordered, neat, stable, and meaningful. While fundamentally optimistic, Victorian culture featured hypercritical moralism as it had a very narrow, strict viewpoint. Modernism eschewed suchRead MoreModernism: Just another Word for the 20th Century599 Words   |  2 Pagesrise of modernism, one must understand the eras that came before it, namely the Romantic Period and the Victorian Era. Romanticism is mostly concerned with subjectivity. Poets and others such as composers drew inspiration from their own experiences and feelings. They exalted emotion over reason and senses over intellect. Romanticists also loved (drew inspiration from) nature and often used it in their poems or compositions. Whereas in the Victorian era (which came after the Romantic Period), theRead MoreGuilt and Corruption in Great Expectations1598 Words   |  7 PagesGuilt and Corruption in Great Expectations The Victorian era is often cited as England’s golden age; however, beneath the trappings of silk and gold lay a society of greed and corruption. The rich lived a lifestyle of luxury and indulgence by exploiting the labor of the poor. Charles Dickens saw the injustice of the class system in Victorian society and worked to highlight the immorality of the upper class through his literature. Because Dickens himself had experienced both poverty and wealth,Read MoreTable For Ladies, By Edward Hopper, And His Wife1031 Words   |  5 Pagesfor Ladies isn’t considered a festive scene. The figures in this piece keep to themselves. This painting evokes a sense of isolation and alienation, which is a very popular motif in Hopper’s paintings, most significantly Nighthawks. Despite the contrasting colors and lighting of the painting, both include figures demonstrate this feeling of isolation and alienation. In Nighthawks, the restaurant is set in a quiet corner in town wher e the subjects don’t seem to be interacting with one another. TheyRead MoreSexual Orientation, By Sarah Waters1825 Words   |  8 Pagesexample of how history and fiction can intertwine. Waters wrote this novel in the 1990’s, but set it in London during the Victorian Era. In order to create a realistic narrative, Waters had to ensure that it was historically accurate, even down to the societal impact of Margaret’s sexual preferences. Though it was not overtly discussed, the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries marked the era in which â€Å"†¦homosexuality in its modern form truly began to emerge†(Willett 351). From the start of Affinity,Read MoreThe Evolution Of Medicine During The Early Nineteenth Century1537 Words   |  7 Pagesimprovements of medicine have also had an effect on certain historical events. The cycle of medicine building the future and the future building how people treat medicine, has been a key descriptor in the twenty-first cent ury, but finds its base in many Victorian era practices. Beyond the evolution of the various medical technologies that people take for granted today, there has also been a change in the ethics and morals embodied by today’s doctors—from Hippocrates and the symbolism behind the caduceus (the

Heritage, a Theme in Alice Walker´s Everyday Use - 652 Words

Alice Walker sets Everyday Use as a story of a mother and two daughters where the older daughter, Dee, is coming home to visit them after being away for a while. Walker sets the tone of the story by displaying how poor and uneducated the family is and how Dee while growing up was always looking for better things never appreciating the aspects of her life. As the story develops, the focus of the story is on a set of quilts made by the mother from pieces of clothing that belonged to her grandparents and the personal battle of who should really keep them in order to appreciate the heritage behind them. In Everyday Use a person can see how Maggie and Dee differ on the fact that heritage is a characteristic of pride that a person displays every day of their life versus a fad for a specific period of someones life. While growing up Dee was always resentful of the lifestyle that she had as it did not measure to the better things she was always dreaming of. While the mother recounts the story of when their original house burned to the ground, she mentions how Dee stood there concentrating at the way the house slowly disappeared in the fire since she hated the house that much (Walker 298). This aspect sets the tone of how Dee was never willing to embody the characteristics of her life growing up, and it can be seen how she was ashamed of where she came from as later she writes her mother in a letter of how she will always try to visit them, but she will never bring herShow MoreRelatedEveryday Use - the Gift of Family945 Words   |  4 Pages Everyday Use is a short story that teaches a value lesson of heritage, inheritance, the past, and one’s family. For some the lesson maybe perceived as an illustration to develop the natural instinct of valuing our family and our past as objects of everyday use. However, the lesson that Alice Walker conveys to her readers is to understand that the value of heritage is within the eye of the beholder. Within this paper I will explain the strategies; I think the writer uses to convey particularRead MoreThe Importance Of Family Heritage By Alice Walker1100 Words   |  5 Pagesof Family Heritage One of the most inspiring authors in American history is Alice Walker. Walker is the youngest child in a sharecropper family that found her overly ambitious and highly competitive (Walker 609). This gave her a strong fighting attitude, which allowed her to make positive changes in an extremely racist society. Unfortunately, when she was young, Walker was accidentally shot in her right eye with a BB gun while playing â€Å"Cowboys and Indians.† This accident caused Walker to lose herRead MoreAn Analysis Of Alice Walker s Everyday Use989 Words   |  4 PagesEnglish 102 22 January 2015 Heritage: The Various Interpretations in Alice Walker’s â€Å"Everyday Use† According to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2015), heritage is defined as, â€Å"traditions, achievements, beliefs, etc., that are part of the history of a group or nation† (â€Å"Heritage†). Heritage takes on mixed meanings for different people as a consequence of life experiences and belief systems. Alice Walker’s â€Å"Everyday Use† utilizes characters with varying ideas of â€Å"heritage† to enlighten the world ofRead MoreEveryday Use By Alice Walker1655 Words   |  7 PagesIn â€Å"everyday Use,† Alice Walker tells a narrative of a mother’s frustrating relationship together with her two daughters. At this facet, â€Å",Everyday Use†, tells that how a mom little by little refuses the cursory values of her older, successful daughter at the aspect of the useful values of her younger, much less lucky daughter. On a deeper outlook, Alice Walker takes on the theme of heritage and its norms as it applies to African-Americans. Everday Use, is set inside the late ,60s or mid ,70sRead MoreEveryday Use By Alice Walker1102 Words   |  5 Pagespoem â€Å"Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers† can be read similar to Alice Walker s short story Everyday Use† both are compared by the women’s ways of showing their strengths and how they identify their values, expressions and strength. Advertised in the general outlines of the plot, both literary themes talks of a quest for freedom, the characters identity and self-expression. Adrienne Rich â€Å"Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers† Alice Walker â€Å"Everyday Use† Comparison Paper Analyzing the two types of literatureRead MoreEveryday Use By Alice Walker1372 Words   |  6 PagesEverday Use† research paper In â€Å"everyday Use,† Alice Walker tells a narrative of a mother’s frustrating relationship together with her two daughters. At this facet, â€Å",Everyday Use†, tells that how a mom little by little refuses the cursory values of her older, successful daughter at the aspect of the useful values of her younger, much less lucky daughter. On a deeper outlook, Alice Walker takes on the theme of heritage and its norms as it applies to African-Americans. Everday Use, is set insideRead MoreEveryday Use By Alice Walker996 Words   |  4 Pagesstory â€Å"Everyday Use† by Alice Walker, the author describes different ideas about one’s heritage. Culture and heritage is at the main point of the story â€Å"Everyday Use† by Alice Walker as symbolized by the quilt. The bond that Mother and Maggie share is brought by their common talent to make works of art like quilts. Dee does not have similar capacity because she does not appreciate manual labor nor believes in her heritage. The idea of pride in culture, heritage, and family is the main theme of theRead MoreEveryday Use By Alice Walker1372 Words   |  6 Pagessociety as a whole, but more specifically in the African American Community. Alice Walker gives slight insight into   what being forced   to assimilate is like. She says in her short story Everyday Use: She will stand hopelessly in corners homely and ashamed of the burn scars down her arms and legs eyeing h er sister with a mixture of envy and awe. Statements such as these are a regular occurrence in her works. Walker often speaks on the ever so disheartening topic of cultural assimilation and theRead MoreAn Analysis of Alice Walkers quot;everyday Usequot; Essay929 Words   |  4 Pagesp An Analysis of Alice Walkers Everyday Usep Alice Walkers novel, The Color Purple, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1982. This novel, in addition to her short story collections and other novels, continue to touch the emotions of a vast audience. This ability, according to critics, has solidified her reputation as one of the major figures in contemporary literature (Gwynn 462). Born to sharecroppers in Eatonton, Georgia, in 1944, Alice Walkers life was not always easy. Her parents strived toRead MoreReaction to Everyday Use1455 Words   |  6 PagesReaction to Everyday Use Marion Graham English/125 November 12, 2012 Reaction to Everyday Use Everyday Use is a short story written by Alice Walker about a family of three, Mama, the narrator, Maggie her youngest daughter, and Dee, her eldest daughter. Both daughters are completely

Communicating in Forums †Anthony’s Dilemma Free Essays

Communicating In Forums – Anthony’s Dilemma Carla Landes Gen/105 September 25, 2011 Arianne P. Bellizaire Communicating In Forums – Anthony’s Dilemma To me, it is very important when speaking in class forums that I choose my inclusive phrasing well. One should never make assumptions when communicating in forums and phrase comments as if in a â€Å"professional† setting. We will write a custom essay sample on Communicating in Forums – Anthony’s Dilemma or any similar topic only for you Order Now When posting most of my responses to discussion questions, I try to address a specific person and usually not the entire class and base my response accordingly. The first error that I feel Anthony made in his response to the class was â€Å"Hi guys. † It appears in the phrasing of his greeting that Anthony assumed the class was all male. Although, this does appear somewhat sexist, I however would not take offense to this type of greeting per say as it is typically a gender-friendly greeting. I do feel that the rest of Anthony’s response regarding his experience at the company conference was quite sexist, namely, how Anthony was surprised that the female or â€Å"lady† as he called her had â€Å"many good things† to say. I personally would not have mentioned the gender of the speaker, but just referred to the â€Å"speaker† at the conference. Most of Anthony’s discussion response focuses more in context with males attending this conference just by using some of his descriptive phrases such as â€Å"the good ole boys† and only mentioned the male managers, which would lead one to assume there were no female managers present. Anthony should have used language such as â€Å"Hi Class† or Hi All. † Also, Anthony could have been more inclusive with his descriptions of the managers, such as, â€Å"The managers and their families. I would think that Anthony’s concern over not offending anyone to me shows that had he had a face-to-face conversation in the same language, the response may not have been interpreted as sexist. Anthony could have clarified himself differently in his response. In conclusion, Anthony’s response was non-inclusive language and phrasing. His first mistake and my instruction to Anthony would be never rush when communicating in a group forum. Instead of rushing through the assignment, Anthony should have waited to post his response. Choose phrasing very carefully and leave opinions and emotions out of the post. How to cite Communicating in Forums – Anthony’s Dilemma, Essay examples

Final Study Guide free essay sample

Psychological tests a pertain only to overt behavior b always have right or wrong answers c do not attempt to measure traits d measure characteristics of human behavior 2 The specific stimulus on a test to which a person responds overtly is called a(n) a overt event b answer c item d scale 1 Jeremy lost his job very unexpectedly last year, and for a short while he was not as confident as usual This change in his level of confidence was representative of a trait b state c abnormal behavior d ability 4 An individual test a involves a single examiner for two or more subjects b involves only tests of human ability c can only be given to one person at a time d involves more than one examiner for a single subject 5 A group test a can be given to multiple people by one examiner b can only be given to three people at a time c involves a group of examiners for a single subject d involves only tests of human ability 6 Previous learning can best be described as a achievement b aptitude c intelligence d ability 7 The potential for learning a specific skill can best be described as a achievement b aptitude c intelligence d ability 8 Ones general potential, independent of prior learning, can best be described as a achievement b aptitude c intelligence d ability Final Exam Study Guide Psychological Test Measurement 2 9 Achievement, aptitude and intelligence can be encompassed by the term a human potential b human traits c human personality d human ability 10 Structured personality tests a require you to produce something spontaneously b require you to choose between two or more alternative responses c involve an ambiguous test stimulus d involve an ambiguous test response. The main purpose of psychological testing is to evaluate a covert behavior b individual differences c personality traits d overt behavior 12 Projective personality tests a provide a statement, usually of he self-report variety b require the subject to choose between two or more alternative responses such as true or false c are unstructured d are structured 13 Tests that measure an individuals typical behavior are called a ability tests b personality tests c intelligence tests d group tests 14 Tests that provide a statement, usually of the self-report variety, and require the subject to choose between two or more alternative responses, are called a group tests b individual tests c structured personality tests d projective personality.

Marvel Comics and Toy Biz free essay sample

Were the problems caused by bad luck, bad strategy or bad execution? Marvel had six principle lines of business i. e. Sports Entertainment Cards, Toys, Childrens Activity Stickers, Publishing, Confectionery Consumer Products and Licensing of characters. While carrying on operations in these lines of business, Marvel ignored the alternative means of entertainment which were trending e. g. video games. Moreover, interest of collectors in comic books was reduced which was not addressed by Marvel. So it was the bad strategies of Marvel which caused it to file for Chapter 11. Question 2 a)Will the new restructuring plan solve the problems that caused the Marvel to file for Chapter 11? The plan suggested by Perlman has three parts: Investment of $350 million by Andrew Group Investments made by Andrew group will relax the Cash flow position of Marvel. It will increase its net cash reserves, after acquisition of Toy Biz, by $33. 5 million Acquisition of Toy Biz Toy Biz is engaged in business of manufacturing toys based on Marvel characters. We will write a custom essay sample on Marvel Comics and Toy Biz or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It generates cash flows of approximately $60 million per annum which can be used to service Marvel’s debt. Moreover, profits of Toy Biz help to offset more than 100 million of net operating losses of Marvel. Exchange of public debt Third part is to exchange $894 million debt for equity. This will relax the burden of interest payments. Marvel is facing problems of decreased revenue profits and there is a risk that it may violate some bank loan covenants. Acquisition of Toy Biz will help Marvel in setting off losses. Moreover, by converting loans to equity it will reduce debt servicing which will help to reduce risk of bankruptcy. New investment by Andrew group will help it to resolve current cash flow problems. b)As Carl Icahn, would you vote for the proposed restructuring plan? After announcement of proposed restructuring plan and sale of bonds by Fidelity and Putnam, price of Marvel stock and zero coupon bonds fall significantly. Although, Carl Icahn purchased bonds at deeply discounted prices yet, after announcement of restructuring plan price of bonds further decreased. Since revised plan caused the bond prices to fall and will cause loss to Carl Icahn, he should not vote in favor of this plan. Question 5 a)Why Fidelity and Putnum sold their bonds? After meeting with chairman of Andrew group, both investors realized that after the restructuring of Marvel, market value of shares will drop. Since bonds were secured by equity, forecasted fall in value of equity created a risk that collateral will not be sufficient to pay off debts. So both investors sold bonds in order to avoid anticipated losses. b)Why did Marvel’s zero coupon bonds drop on Nov 12, 1996? Sale of bonds by Fidelity and Putnum right before the announcement of restructuring plan gave a message to other bond holders that these two investors must be having some insider information that an unsuccessful restructuring plan will be announced. Due to this market sentiment, price of Marvel’s bonds fall.

Lost Sister Essays

Lost Sister Essays Lost Sister Essay Lost Sister Essay There is a specific design of words, images, and metaphors involved in the creation of a poem, and this stands true for Cathy Song’s poem Lost Sister.   Even the title of the work suggests to the reader the importance of family, for the poem is a dedication to heritage in the word ‘sister’ and the idea that the sister is somehow lost (here with the title of the poem the reader does not yet know in what way the sister is lost) the poet Song suggests an idea of Diaspora, but in this instance not necessary a separation from place but a definite separation from home since the sister is lost.   The poem then, at the very beginning tells of family and the poem itself extrapolates the concept of Diaspora of home tied in with family.The poem tells of heritage, of two generations of Chinese women.   This is a common theme in many other Chinese works of literature as in Gish Jen’s work and Amy Tan, and in Song’s case, the theme of family and Diaspora is what wields power in the poem and allows the readers to feel a sense of empathy for the characters.   The characters in Song’s poem are dichotomized between the generation of women who have chosen to leave China in hopes of finding a new life in a different land, and the group of women who choose to stay in China, to maintain their heritage in their native land.   Thus it is clear that the poem exemplifies how these two groups of women, although separated by time, and distance somehow stay true to their heritage and thus they maintain their familial ties with one another through their culture.The poem goes on to mark the difference between lifestyles of these two generations of women who have made different choices:   in China, the women are treated as second class citizens, and they maintain their culture through icons such as being quiet as in the line â€Å"gathered patience† (Song Lost Sister).   In the next generation, and the continuation of Song’s poem, the women break away from this traditional Chinese way of thinking, and their lives are westernized from living in America.   This westernization evolves into the women being treated as equals, as having a voice finally (this is very important in Song’s poem, the concept of a Chinese woman having a voice).   However, tension does arise in the poem between these two generations and the judgments the former more traditional Chinese cultured women make on these westernized women as can be read in Song’s line, â€Å"diluting jade green with the blue of the Pacific† (Song Lost Sister).The poem further dichotomizes as Song tells of the difference between these two generations and how the first generation compromised freedom for their traditional Chinese lifestyle and how the second generation however loses some of their culture because of their lack of exposure to traditional Chinese ways, as Song writes, to walk in shoes the size of teacups, without breaki ng† in respect to the Chinese American woman gaining freedom and she simultaneously states that these women are lost from their familial ties.One main motif of the poem can be found in the element of jade which is referenced many times in Song’s poem, even the peasants named their first daughters Jade (Song Lost Sister) and again, a jade link   (Song Lost Sister) which is in reference to the tie between these two generations.   Thus, both generations are lost to one another and in Song’s poem there seems to be no restitution between the two.   They are both lost from their culture, from their needed experience of finding freedom and stepping out of their ‘teacup’ shoes and walking in the same line as men instead of maintaining their silence.Song’s poem gives the reader a dichotomized view of Chinese women in a generational sense, a culture, and the space in between the two of not only an ocean but the change of thoughts in the exposure o f new western traditions.   The ‘jade link’ between these two women is their strongest bond, despite their differences, the expansion of time between them and the distance of an ocean.BibliographySong, Cathy.   Lost Sister Online.   http://mclibrary.nhmccd.edu/lit/catsong.html