Yesterday, I had a workshop session with my college students. We laboured for two hours to work on how they could improve the quality of the homework they had submitted. Although it was tedious work, the students were fantastic in that despite the protests having to correct five to twenty times of different sections of their written work, the end result was most satisfying. Some were resistant to my input e.g. in the use of the word 'monochrome' instead of 'black and white' but in the end, they acquiesced to my advice with regards to the importance of conciseness, concreteness, completeness, correctness and clarity of ideas. Students were required to construct a topic sentence for each paragraph and had to follow paragraph development techniques taught in class and to substantiate their arguments with relevant and concrete examples. Word limit is a minimum of 600 words.
It is my pleasure to showcase the following student's work. Although she was the only one who did not hand up her assignment, I did not give her a piece of my mind. Instead, I encouraged her to give of her best in drafting her essay whilst I went round working with the various individuals. Certainly, it is a good piece of work and testimony of how we must never give up in the face of challenges. Well done, A.! I am really very proud of you. Keep up the good work!
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Discuss the importance of colour in the world of nature.
Imagine living in a monochrome world. We would have to live with the bleakness, the dullness and the unattractiveness of such a life. Colour gives the extra boost not only in one's life but also in the world of nature as well. It has the power to sway our thinking, change our actions and and cause different reactions from various individuals. Let us consider the importance of colour.
The beauty of nature can only be described through its colours. Without colour in nature, it is impossible for its natural landscapes and wondrous scenery to catch one's eye. We could not tell the significant beauty between the Grand Canyon and the tropical rainforests in the Amazon when seen in a monochrome view. Picture those luscious green trees in the thick rainforests of the Amazon and the bright blue sky. How about picturing the gigantic brownish-orange crater in front of you, like the one in the Grand Canyon, with rocks of different shades and tone of the same colour creating that deserted planet environment. Now, with those picturesque views in your mind, imagine seeing it in only one colour. Will you be able to tell the natural God-given beauty of those landscapes?
Besides, colour also serves as a tool of survival especially in the area of camouflages. It allows an otherwise visible organism or object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. For example, consider a tiger's stripes and a butterfly camouflaging itself as a leaf. The predators of the animal kingdom like the tiger use it as a strategy to pounce on its prey. The preys on the on the other hand use camouflage as a form of self-defense. However, not all animals have the ability to camouflage itself and thus making nature far more interesting and harder to predict. This helps maintain the balance of nature.
"Go forth and bear fruit". Not a surprise to many, colour helps in the process of reproduction among a handful of animals in the animal kingdom. This is common among birds. For example the male Magpie species will make small nests and place shiny or colourful objects on their nests to attract the female Magpies. Another example would be where there are a group of birds that decorate their nests with blue colour objects. However, the splendid thing about this is that each bird had its own favourite colour. Interestingly, the male species in the animal kingdom are also the better-looking and more colourful ones. The male and female birds are attracted to one another based on the same favourite colour of the other. Perhaps this is where the term 'soul mates' originated?
Furthermore, colours are also needed for the sake of differentiation. Most fishes are differentiated based on their colour. An example would be the Angel fish. Scientists have proven that through their variety of colours, they are able to identify not only their species but their location and origin as well. In addition, this importance can be seen when it comes to curing those bitten by poisonous snakes in the rural areas. Different coloured snakes represents its own species. Thus, making it essential for a doctor to know the detailed description of a snake that bit its patient before providing them with a cure. For if not cured in time, those patients could die.
In conclusion, colour is evidently important in the world of nature. When one begins to ponder on these things, we begin to appreciate its beauty. Looking around at the beautiful shades of colours entwined with one another makes us realise how delicately nature was painted. The best portraits in the world would be those that can be seen outside our windows. Look carefully at the detailed shades and tones of green on the leaves or the light and dark hues of brown on the bark of a tree. Observe some of the flowers that until today modern painters cannot find an exact colour to match what they see in front of their eyes. Therefore, one does not need to spend a huge amount of money on painted portraits but simply take a walk in a park and enjoy the hidden mysteries of colour. (696 words)
-written by A.N. and posted with her permission-
Next post will be up by 10pm the latest. Sorry - I have been very busy with work and household chores even though it is a public holiday in Penang. Do leave a comment to share your thoughts and responses. Thanks! Enjoy the rest of the evening. Cheers!
ahoo With a creative God so awesome and mighty, even the earth is just his footstool. No human can ever comprehend the awesomeness of God that everything we have on earth are the work of the ever living God.
The beauty of each plant and its leaf, we cannot find two leaves of the same colour, exact shape and size. Neither can we find fruit from the same tree by the same size, shape and sweetness.
In everthing we are to give thanks. For the beauty of creation is just one miracle but the infinite God that created human to be in His image (likeness) is far more loving than we could ever imagine. Every single aspect of colour represent an almighty God of creativity that none can compare nor come near to Him.