Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education of Republic of Uzbekistan

Strategy and Style 

5)  Twain‘s thesis, which appears in paragraph 1, is presented in an obvious and       

straightforward manner. How does it help determine the organization of the rest of the 

piece? 

6)  The first paragraph is filled with descriptive language that captures a subjective, almost 

rhapsodic, view of the river. How would you characterize the language found in paragraph 

2? 

7)  What use does paragraph 2 make of the details Twain has already introduced in paragraph 

1? 

 Suggestions for Short Writing 

8)  Brainstorm a list of metaphors and similes that Twain might have used to describe the 

Mississippi River. For example, ―the Mississippi River is a ------,‖or ―the Mississippi River 

is like a -------―. 

9)  Write the copy for a travel brochure for a steamboat holiday on the Mississippi. 

 

          Suggestions for Sustained Writing 

10) Select a person or place you have known for a long time. Have your views on this individual 

or place changed significantly over the years? For better or worse? Explain. 

11) Twain‘s training as a pilot seems to have had a negative effect in that it took the romance 

out of his view of the river. However, learning more about a subject may enhance one‘s 

appreciation of it. Can you relate an instance from your own experience to illustrate this notion? 

For example, mastering the fundamentals of swimming may have given you the confidence you 

needed to try skin diving. Turning your first engine may have motivated you to learn more 

about auto mechanics in general. 

12) In a sense, Twain may be hinting at his disillusionment over his life as a pilot. Have you 

ever become disillusioned with a job? What were the causes of this disillusionment? Explain. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

62