EXPANSION OF IDEA
‘Expansion of idea’ is a short composition. One is expected to take the idea embodied in a proverb, a maxim, a quotation, a saying, a slogan or an idiom and elaborate on it in the form of paragraphs.
Template for ‘Expansion of Idea’ :
1) Title - A suitable title is essential/
2) Introductory paragraph - (1st paragraph) : A suitable introduction should be given, through which the reader knows what you are going to write about. This paragraph may contain the topic sentence with a brief explanation.
Topic sentence : A sentence that expresses the main idea or central theme of the piece of writing.
3) Core content - (2nd paragraph) : The topic sentence / the central idea is explained in detail. You can
add relevant experiences, brief instances and anecdotes. There should be unity in the ideas and clarity of thought. Discourse markers may be used to maintain coherence and a logical link in the ideas.
Discourse Markers : Discourse Markers are words or phrases that play a role in managing the
flow and structure of oral or written communication. They link the narrative or conversation.
They also emphasise and explain what you are saying. Thus, they bring clarity to the communication, besides adding to its beauty.
Some examples of Discourse Markers : anyway, nevertheless, therefore, similarly, thus, by the
time, on the other hand, oh, well, now, you know, I mean etc.
4) Concluding paragraph - (3rd paragraph) : The whole composition is summed up concisely. Another proverb / saying with the same meaning as the one you are writing about may be used. For example, if the given sentence is ‘Birds of a feather flock together,’ you may end with a similar one
like ‘A man is known by the company he keeps’.
* Expand the idea inherent in the following proverbs :
Sample Activity:
1) A Bad workman blames his tools.
Sample Answer:
A. A bad workman blames his tools.
When a workman does not have required skills for a particular job, or does not use his skills in the
right way, he will not succeed. He then starts blaming his tools saying that the tools are faulty, hence he has failed. He fails to accept his shortcomings or take the responsibility for his failure. He tries to cover up his lack of skill by putting the blame on the tools at his disposal. This is applicable in all spheres of life. A person who is talented and good at his job will know how to use the opportunities at his disposal. Even if these opportunities are not very good, he makes the best use of them and succeeds. On the other hand, a person who is lazy, does not use the opportunities provided to him, however good they are, and then fails. It is rightly said by someone that a pessimist always find a difficulty in every opportunity whereas an Optimistic always find an opportunity in every difficulty. A bad workman conveniently finds
someone or something to blame for his failure. He does not want to admit that it is he himself who is at
fault. It does not matter what ‘tools’ we have, what matters is the way we use them; the use we make of
our opportunities. For doesn’t everyone know that a ‘bad dancer blames the floor’ ?
2) One should eat to live, not live to eat - Franklin.
A. One should eat to live, not live to eat.
Nothing is more important in life than good health. We cannot be really happy and contented without good health, and our health depend to a large extent on what we eat, and how much we eat. we must have a balanced diet as per our body requirements. Our purpose of eating should be to maintain our health, and not as an activity in itself. We must eat to nourish our bodies, not just for the enjoyment of our palate. People have the tendency to take meal full of plates and most of the time it is wasted. We must always remember that" Money is ours but the Resources belong to the society." We must not waste food. Millions of children die each day around the world due to lack of Food or Malnutrition. According to the statistics,45000 children die each day around the world due to starvation.
If we ‘live to eat’ we are being gluttons. We are eating not because we are hungry, but for some
other reason like boredom or depression, or plain greed. Too much of anything is bad’ while eating too, we must always eat in moderation. It is applicable everywhere as a pinch of salt is the key. Or we will slowly but surely become obese. This will lead to a multitude to health problems. We will be prey to a variety of diseases, and we cannot enjoy life if we are ill. Instead, if we eat just what is needed to live a healthy life, if we eat in moderation, if we eat to life,
we will remain healthy and wealthy. For, it is truly said ‘Health is wealth.’
3) If winter comes, can spring be far behind ? - Shelley.
A. If winter comes, can spring be far behind ?
This line is from P.B. Shelley’s famous poem ‘Ode to the West Wind,’ in which the poet depicts the terrible effect of the west wind in different spheres and seasons. As seasons are cyclical and they effuse.
It is extremely cold throughout the winter in many countries. Roads are blocked by snow,
temperatures go down freezing point, and it is difficult to even go out. Senior citizens, children and sick people suffer because of the intense cold. This goes on for some time. It can be related to good times and bad times. Every cloud has a silver lining. After the tunnel, there is light.one fine day, the winter is over and it is spring. New leaves sprout, flowers begin to bloom, birds begin to chirp and the numbing cold vanishes. The gloomy days are over. It is bright and pleasant again. Similarly, in life, periods of sorrow, misery and despair have at last to come to an end. and happier days have to make their appearance. One should not be worried about the obstacles and difficulties.one must realise that the path of success is always full of thorns. The long night is followed by the bright day. Hence, we must always be optimistic and positive about our lives. we must have self-confidence and a positive attitude, and look forward to a better tomorrow. There is no need to get depressed or lose hope. For, if winter comes, can spring be far behind ?
4) Beauty is truth, truth is beauty - John Keats
A. Beauty is truth, truth is beauty
Through this statement, the poet Keats explains his ideals of beauty and truth. In his eyes, real beauty lies in things that are true. Anything that is not true, that is , anything that is false, is not beautiful. Beauty lies in the beholders eyes. The poet means to tell us that if we are true to our work, honest and sincere in what we are doing, it will turn out to be beautiful. Whereas, if we are false or dishonest, if we are corrupt, the outcome of our work or life will never be beautiful. It may be successful or beautiful superficially and temporarily, but in the long run one will see the true colours. Mythology has always shown us that all that is true is successful in the end. Hence, you must always be truthful in your life, and honest and sincere in your work. This will make people respect you, trust you and love you. What could be more beautiful than that ? Besides,
haven’t we always seen that honesty is the best policy ?Let the truth prevail. Let there be light. Let the darkness of ignorance be dispelled with light.
5) Fool rush in where angels fear to tread - Alexander Pope.
A. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
The line ‘Fools rush in where angels fear to tread’ by Alexander Pope refers to foolish and inexperienced people trying to do things that cleverer and more experienced people refrain from doing. Here, where he talks of ‘angels’ it means intelligent, experienced people. Experience is the best teacher, but a wise man always learn from the mistakes of others. He may not wait for the unsuccessful experience.
A person, before doing or saying anything, should look around him to see if anyone has done it before, and what the consequences have been. He should weigh the pros and cons. Only when he is very sure that what he is doing or saying will be successful, should be proceed. For example. if someone new to the business tries to open a bakery in an area where others more experienced then him have failed. he too will most probably fail. He should survey and do some research before attempting such a thing. He should learn from the experiences of others. Life is too short to make all the mistakes ourselves.
Hence, a person shoulder ‘look before he leaps’. He should first analyse the merits and demerits of what he is doing, and then decide to do it or not. Only then will be succeed.
EXERCISE:
Expand the idea inherent in the following proverbs quotations :
1. Rom was not built in a day.
2. Old is Gold.
3. Cut your coat according to your cloth.
4. Time and tide wait for no man.
5. Every dark cloud has a silver lining.
6. Empty vessels make more noise.
7. Little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
8. All work and no play makes, jack a dull boy.
9. Rolling stone gathers no moss.
10. Nothing succeeds like success.
11. Health is wealth.
12. Ask not what your country has done for you,
Ask yourself what you have done for your country.
13. Practice makes man perfect.
14. A stich in time saves Nine.
15. Necessity is the mother of invention.
16. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
17. Charity begins at home.
18. Handsome is as handsome does.
19. ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever.’ - John Keats.
20. ‘The world has enough for every man’s need, but not for every man’s greed’. - Mahatma Gandhi.
