Samuvel Sankari

                 A.J. Cronin (1896-1981) was a medical man turned writer. His best known work “The Citadel” exposes the corruption in the medical profession. His works are noted for their deep humanity. This story “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” takes its title from one of Shakespeare’s early plays. It speaks of the silent heroism of two poor boys.                 The narrator met two boys at the outskirts of Verona. They were selling wild strawberries. The driver, Luigi advised not to buy anything from them. Though the boys were shabby in appearance, their brown skin, tangled hair and dark earnest eyes attracted the narrator and his friend. They found that the two boys were brothers and their names were Nicolo and Jacopo. The narrator brought the biggest basket of fruits from them. Later the next day morning, the narrator saw the boys doing shoe shining. From the bo...

                  Count Leo Tolstoy was a great Russian writer of novels and short stories. His works embody a moral vision based on love of God and Man. His short stories read like parables and are often based on Biblical texts. “The Three Hermits” was published in 1886. The title refers to its three central character who are unnamed simple monks living on a remote island. They are spending their life in prayer and contemplation for the salvation of their souls.                 A group of pilgrims were travelling from Archangel to the Solovetsky Monastery in a ship.   A Bishop who was one among the pilgrims saw a fisherman pointing out at something in distance. The Bishop went near him and asked what he was talking about. The fishermen said about the three hermits who were living in a distant island. The Bishop asked more det...

Group discussion is a goal directed form of communication. It is different from group conversation. A small group of people meet to share information, solve problem and arrive at a decision. The main purpose of group discussion is to share information, to arrive at the best possible solution to a problem, to make best possible decision, and to provide a wide range of information.  There are different types of group discussion. The common types are Panel and Symposium. A Panel consists of four to six expert members. It’s a formal discussion before an audience for which the topic, speakers etc. have been selected in advance. They share information and opinions. Whereas in a symposium four to six members present short, prepared speeches. Towards the end, the members discuss the ideas. Some other types of group discussion are Private Group discussion, A Standing Committee, An Ad Hoc Committee, A Round Table Discussion, A Progressive Group Discussion. Private Group discussion is the m...

 The purpose of writing a film review is same as of book review. Film review analyse the effectiveness of the plot, theme, acting, direction, special effects, musical effects, cinematography and all other elements that created the movie. i.                      The first step in writing the review is to watch the movie without any distraction. Watching the film second time helps to get lot more details about the movie. Most film reviewers take note as they watch the movie. ii.                    The second step is to evaluate the movie. It is like giving an opinion about the movie. The reviewer should also give impartial details and allow the views to make their own mind. iii.                   Express you...

Evaluating a book is an exercise in comprehension, background knowledge, judgement and writing skills. Your task is to produce a well written account of your reaction to the book – to comment on its merits and demerits. To describe or summarise the content of the book may be helpful. The first step is obviously to read the book, not the summary of the book or a set of study notes. Read actively rather than passively. That is think constantly about what you are reading, argue with it, challenge it, predict the next turn in the plot or argument or so on. Jot down notes on your responses while reading. Once you have finished reading, make notes of your overall impression. If necessary you can do some further reading, for instance a book that gives the historical background of the novel or a critical essay of the novel. Above all be fair and sincere. Don’t Praise a work simply because other readers and even experts have done so. Don’t criticize it unnecessarily. Don’t condemn a book simply...