both writers give similar advice, and both use images to emphasize their main ideas. but each writer uses a different form of writing to communicate his message: robert e. lee wrote a letter, while langston hughes wrote a poem.

compare the two forms of writing, and answer this question:

which did you find more persuasive, the letter or the poem? why?

think about these questions as you prepare your response. use specific examples from the texts.

which piece was easier for you to understand?

which piece gave stronger reasons and evidence?

which piece drew the reader's attention most toward an image?

which piece inspired you more? why?

answer:

the poem by hughes will be somewhat persuasive, but robert e lee was an army general, so he will always have more persuasion to get away from the war.

(also great profile pic i love x)

i believe that hughes' "mother to son" was more persuasive because she is explaining that times are hard, and life is not perfect. she refers to her own experiences to encourage her son. the stairs are a great metaphor-or is it simile? - and it really shows compassion that she has for her son's hard times.

"mother to son" uses the conceit, or extended metaphor, of a staircase to symbolize the hardship of the mother's life. her metaphorical "staircase" has made for difficult climbing—it has exposed tacks, splinters, gaps, and places where the carpet is completely worn down. this is contrasted with a crystal staircase in the famous line "life for me ain't been no crystal stair." a crystal staircase symbolizes an easy, affluent, sparkling life, while the rickety staircase the mother speaks of symbolize a difficult one.

recent brain research has shown some surprising benefits as a result of formal musical training. learning to play a musical instrument appears to develop parts of the brain that can even influence academic results. the studies indicate that the earlier a child begins training, the more benefits there are. one such study showed that children who began musical studies before the age of seven had a more developed brain in the region where language production and auditory processing take place. scientists believe there is mounting evidence to show that early musical training can improve brain function.

explanation:

there are several different forms of presenting this; each has a very specific format. plays have a very simple format; teleplays, for television shows, or screenplays, for movies, have more complex and strict rules for formatting.

drama

the first of these to be written for the express purpose of being performed were created by the greeks. many of our modern terms derive from greek origins.

comedy

in the greek sense, a play that doesn't end in death. in modern usage, refers to a play that is humorous.

tragedy

in the greek sense, a play that ends with the death of at least one of the main characters. in modern usage, refers to a play that doesn't have a happy ending.