We have to do a 2 minute oral presentation, speak as if we are the composer of the text and address the following:
"What concept of Courage is portrayed in you text?"
"How have you conveyed this concept of courage in your text?"
It can take great courage to see yourself or a situation that you find yourself in, for what it is. The article Unforeseen Turn, depicts the journey of Jeremy McGhee following his motorbike crash, which resulted in a spinal cord injury leaving him a paraplegic. He then founded the charity Fight2Walk to help mentor those who also suffer from spinal cord injuries. There are various concepts of courage portrayed in the text and they are shown through a variety of literacy techniques.
Courage is strength during crisis and trauma. The use of effective imagery, "could taste iron ... body grated against the pavement, skidding to a ragged halt ... he lay there, stunned". These words encapsulate the pain and suffering that he went through and felt when he tumbled over the handlebars of his motorbike. Through his strength to overcome the greatest hardship faced in his life, he demonstrated exceptional bravery.
Perseverance through tough times reflect upon a persons resilience and determination. The use of the rhetorical question "What would life be like without the use of his legs?" allows the reader to see how worried Jeremy is and the problems that he will be facing when the true extent of his injuries are known. Recognising the hardships that you will come face to face with and showing determination and resilience to pull through these hardships shows how courageous a person can be.
Courage is when people push their body and mind beyond their limits. Through the use of a common expression 'Jeremy didn't allow himself to see the glass as half empty for long', we understand that jeremy is being optimistic and that he has chosen to 'accept his life at it is and move forward rather than wallow in misery'. Having an optimistic attitude when facing difficulties in life, whether physical or mental, means that these difficulties can be overcome.
Extreme situations can bring out courage in the most unlikely people. Through the use of the puns 'the wheels started turning for jeremy' and 'see a need for an organisation to help people get back on their feet', it makes the reader aware that 'he is not one to lay down, even after he'd been knocked pretty hard' and that he wants to reclaim his life. Through facing and adversity and overcoming it, people come out stronger then before.
Physical and mental courage were the two main concepts that were explored throughout the text as it had to do with the strength of Jeremy overcoming the news of being a paraplegic and then to go on and do a great deal of good with the injury that he had whilst still leading a normal life. He lived by the motto 'although life doesn't always go as expected, it doesn't mean you can't continue to live'.
The article, Unforeseen Turn, depicts the journey of Jeremy McGhee following his motorbike crash, which resulted in a spinal cord injury leaving him a paraplegic. He then founded the charity Fight2Walk to help mentor those who suffer from spinal cord injuries.
Courage is strength during crisis and trauma. "He knew his ribs were broken because he could taste iron from the blood in his mouth." ***What is he doing at this moment? He is analyzing the situation as a paramedic! Most persons would not have this reaction. I didn't get the feeling that he was in a lot of pain per se. Read through the 1st paragraph again.***
Courage depends on our resilience and determination. Having an optimistic attitude when facing difficulties in life, whether physical or mental, strengthens that determination. Through the use of puns 'the wheels started turning for Jeremy,' 'an organization to help people get back on their feet,' and 'not one to lay down,' the author reflects Jeremy's high-spirited attitude. Facing adversity with a smile on his face, he's able to come out stronger than before the accident.
Courage also means not allowing adversity to change our character. 1st example: He goes skiing as soon as he is discharged from the hospital. 2nd example: Although he is sitting in a wheelchair, he opens the door for an old lady at the bank. ***What does this moment say about his character? Caring? Sensitive? Generous? Good-natured?***
He lives by the motto, 'although life doesn't always go as expected, it doesn't mean you can't continue to live'. Courage is not leaving the path after we've been pushed off by adversity.
** Enjoyed reading the essay. I feel that you didn't write it as an oral exercise though. The puns you use are great examples from the text. I add a little more analysis. Also, the question says to speak as if you are the composer. That means you need to say, "I say this... and that... here... and there..."
Criticisms:
--A Rhetorical question is a question that is not meant to be answered. The question that you use is NOT a rhetorical question. The author answers the question in the text. Let me give you an example of rhetorical questions.
While lying on the ground Jeremy says, "Why didn't I pick up the dry-cleaning this morning?"
Addressing an audience at a Fight2Walk fund-raiser, Jeremy says, "What can't we do as paraplegics?"
--Imagery is NOT used in the 1st sentence.
"He knew his ribs were broken because he could taste iron from the blood in his mouth." It is a vivid description of the circumstance, but there's no imagery there.
Here's an example with imagery:
"He knew his ribs were broken because he could taste snippets of aluminum foil inside his mouth."
Obviously, aluminum foil isn't there, but the gustatory imagery leaves the reader with a heightened sense of the feeling.
?? I don't know if you can get bonus points, but I found at least two grammatical errors in the article.
-- "...in a enlightening ray"
-- "...people who's challenges far surpass his own."
