Day 9 Writing Homework
Prompt:
Return to your previous feature article draft on the school canteen. You will now expand this piece into a complete feature article (500–600 words) that develops a deeper message or theme using advanced writing techniques.
You are not just adding more — you are shaping the article into a layered narrative that moves beyond surface description. Your revised article must include:
A refined opening (you may reuse your previous hook, but enrich it with stronger language or symbolic meaning)
A symbol or extended metaphor that runs through the piece (e.g. the canteen as a machine, a stage, a heartbeat, a memory bank)
A body that weaves in: Specific observations or short anecdotes (e.g. routines, characters, small conflicts)
Subtle commentary on something bigger (e.g. change, community, time, unseen labour)
A conclusion that reflects on the symbolic meaning, connects back to the introduction, or leaves the reader with a final thought or image
Late submissions will not be marked.
Please upload your homework as a comment below:
- Due Date : July 19, 2025
- Feedback will be shared in 3-5 days
4 thoughts on “Day 9 Writing Homework”
Long before the bell and long after!
The canteen was awake at 6:30 am, long before the first locker slams, laughter echoes through the corridor and the school’s metal gates even open. The cooks moved in a fast and quiet way. The biting of the chilly morning breeze bundled them in hats, jackets and scarves in the -2 degrees weather. The fought it off by the steam of the delicious food in the air. The aroma of hot dogs, burgers, fries, soda, pizza and cheesy mac and cheese made the air smell exactly like what a canteen should be like—warm, tasty, and alive. The scent was so aromantic, it makes your mouth water. The pan sizzling near the fire kind of sounded like fireworks in New Year Eve. The sparks below the pan looked like shooting stars with each making a silent wish. The tiled walls seemed smooth like the canteen cooks cooking. It even had a colorful canteen menu with lots of different types of food.
In the menu, it said that the food is too good that you might want 1000000 of each dish. What’s even more impressive? They serve high quality food for a low price like 50 cents to a dollar! Cute little creatures like ants came to join in eating the food. They sneakily take little munches of bread, cheese and sauces. That is exactly why some of the bread is munched up, or a little bit of your sauce has gone missing. Now you know who to blame. It’s not just a canteen that prepares food. They do hard work, making the most delicious food ever. So, when the school gates creak open and footsteps echo down the hallway, the canteen is already alive — a place where the day begins long before the gates open.
The school gates creaked at 9 am sharp. Student’s laughter and chatting bounced and echoed in the hallways. They put their bags down and were ready for class to begin. The bubbling in the student’s tummies reminded them about lunchtime. A couple hours later of waiting, it was the student’s favorite part_ Lunch time!
Everyone had something delicious. Some had hod dogs, some had creamy mac and cheese, and a few lucky ones got pizza the size of a teachers face– all to themselves. Every student, including me had lots of flavor in each bite, always mouthwatering for more. The gooeyness of the mac and cheese put cheese sauce on student’s faces. All the food looked so good, even the teachers were so tempted to take a bite. The hot dog had three different sauces: ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise. Some kids even said that it’s the best food ever. The pizza had lots of different toppings that the students loved. There were lovely peperoni, creamy cheese, juicy tomato, sweet pineapple and a hint of chicken. The crust was so crunchy while the actual pizza was the right type of chewiness like it should be. Everyone was chatting and eating.
To soon, it was the end of the lunch break. But we know everyone enjoyed the lunch break and it’s something we will have tomorrow again.
Please see the attached PDF for your feedback.
1- 10-D9 – Abrita
Culinary Corner Canteen
The canteen workers pull up at the staff carpark at exactly 7:43AM. They sigh, as they see so many band and dance students pull up, too. They walk into the kitchen, nodding a hello to the teachers, and put their bags down. The two burly, jock-like-looking men roll in boxes of prepared meals, and two other people bring in vegetables and chicken. From that second on, the workers turn into chefs on masterchef, flipping the pan, calling out recipes, and shuffling around the tiny kitchen. At the 8:40 bell rings, students start pouring in, and playing, as the canteen ladies are still working their heads off.
At recess, two of the workers were standing outside the canteen, calling class names, when the rest were chopping up carrots, and apples, ready for lunch.
“4W! 5T! Guys! Someone has to collect these tubs! Come on!”
One by one, the students disappear, class, by class, down the rolling hills. But then, students come bawling into the canteen, screaming, and claiming that they don’t have their recess. The canteen workers just roll their eyes, and try to calm the student down, as they take out a packet of popcorn, and throw it to them.
Finally, after making all the orders, they finally have some free time, and walk to the staffroom together. As some of them pull out a stack of uno, and the others are watching TV, or playing chess, they huddle around the tables together, like one large family. As they laugh, they forget about all the hubbub that’s going to happen at lunch, and enjoy their free time.
They walk back to the canteen, minutes before the bell, to get all the lunch orders into their tubs. As the bell rings, lunch tub monitors rush up the hill to get to the tubs first. As the children scream, and shout, the workers pick up a bucket, quite briskly, and try to get rid of them as fast as they can, before everyone runs up to get their ice blocks. Without a moment’s hesitation, they stand at the window, and hand out pre-ordered icy treats, before taking orders from children with cash. The children disappear down the hill, one by one, and the canteen ladies start packing up. They throw out useless boxes, and bring leftover food back into the truck. After a day’s toil, they finally get some time with friends and family, and go back home, or relax with friends at the cafe.
Please see the attached PDF for your feedback.
1- 10-D9 – Audrey Gu