TASK 4. DRAFT

 

       My Cousin’s Birthday on the Beach 

      Chrisail and Grail had always been close siblings, born just a year apart. They grew up spending most of their summers at the beach, and they always dreamed of having a beach birthday party. This year, their dream came true. Their parents agreed to rent a beach house and throw a joint birthday party for both of them.

     On the day of the party, the beach was crowded with people, but their parents had reserved a private section for their party. The siblings and their friends spent the morning swimming and playing games in the water. Chrisail’s best friend had brought a volleyball, so they set up a net and played a few games. Meanwhile, Grail and his friends were building sandcastles and digging a moat around them.

      Around noon, the parents set up a picnic table with food and drinks. There were sandwiches, fruit, chips, and soda. Chrisail’s mother had also made a beautiful cake with vanilla frosting and blue sprinkles, decorated with seashells made of white chocolate.   

    After lunch, the siblings opened their presents. Chrisail was thrilled with the new earrings and necklace her parents had given her, and Grail was ecstatic with the new surfboard he had been eyeing for months. They also received gifts from their friends, including a new beach towel, a frisbee, and a kite.

     As the day wore on, the beach started to empty out, and the siblings’ friends had to leave. But Chrisail and Grail were not ready to go yet. They asked their parents if they could stay a bit longer, and their parents agreed as long as they stayed together. The sun was starting to set, and the sky was painted orange and pink. Chrisail and Grail sat on the beach, watching the waves crash against the shore. They talked about their favorite memories of past beach trips, and how much they loved each other.

    Suddenly, Grail jumped up and ran to the water’s edge. “Come on, Chrisail! You have to see this!” he yelled. Chrisail ran after him, and they both stood ankle-deep in the water, watching as a school of dolphins swam by, jumping and playing in the waves. Chrisail and Grail looked at each other and smiled. This was the best birthday party they had ever had, and they knew they would never forget it.

   As they walked back to the beach house, hand in hand, they saw their parents waiting for them on the porch. Their mother had brought out a camera and asked if they wanted a group photo. Chrisail and Grail stood in the front, arms around each other’s shoulders, and their parents stood behind them, smiling proudly.

  Chrisail sat on the sand, her eyes trained on the horizon where the sky met the sea. Grail approached her, frowning. “What’s wrong?” he asked, sitting down beside her.

“I just feel like this whole party is a disaster,” Chrisail replied, her voice heavy with disappointment. “The weather is awful, the cake is ruined, and nothing is going right." Grail put his arm around her shoulders, offering comfort. “It’s not a disaster,” he said reassuringly. “We’re all still here, we’re all still having fun. That’s what matters, right?” 

Chrisail sighed, leaning into her brother’s embrace. “I guess you’re right. I just wanted everything to be perfect.”

Grail chuckled. “Nothing is ever perfect, sis. But that’s okay. We just have to make the best of what we have.”

      Later that night, after a dinner of pizza and ice cream, the siblings were exhausted but happy. As they got ready for bed, they talked about how much fun they had had and how grateful they were for each other.

    As Chrisail drifted off to sleep, she thought about how lucky she was to have a brother like Grail. Even though they had their sibling squabbles, they loved each other more than anything in the world. And as she fell asleep, she knew that they would always remember their special beach birthday party.

   This scene is significant because it highlights the importance of dialogue in conveying the characters’ emotions and strengthening their relationships. Through their conversation, Chrisail and Grail express their frustrations and concerns while also providing comfort and support to each other. The dialogue serves as a means of character development, showing the reader the dynamic between the siblings and how they navigate challenging situations.

     The scene also reinforces the story’s themes of resilience and perseverance. Chrisail’s disappointment and frustration represent the obstacles that the characters face, while Grail’s comforting words represent their ability to overcome adversity and find joy in the moment. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of communication and empathy in building strong relationships, even in the face of difficulty.

   Overall, this scene demonstrates the significance of dialogue in driving the story’s themes and character development. It shows how conversation can provide insight into the characters’ motivations and emotions while also moving the plot forward. By including this scene, I hope to create a more nuanced and engaging story that resonates with the reader.

    The ocean is a powerful symbol in the story as it represents both the unknown and the uncontrollable. The ocean is vast and deep, representing the complexity of life and the universe. It can be calm and peaceful, but it can also be tumultuous and destructive. The ocean’s presence at the beach party is significant because it creates a sense of both beauty and danger. As the weather turns and the waves grow larger, the ocean becomes a source of anxiety for the characters. Its unpredictability reflects the unpredictability of life and highlights the importance of adaptability and resilience. The ocean also symbolizes the characters’ ability to overcome challenges and work together to overcome obstacles. Overall, the ocean is a powerful and multifaceted symbol that reinforces the story’s themes of perseverance and resilience.

    The birthday cake is an important symbol in the story as it represents both celebration and disappointment. The cake is the centerpiece of the party, representing the joy and excitement of Chrisail’s birthday. However, when the weather turns, the cake becomes damaged and ruined, representing disappointment and the loss of something special. The cake’s transformation throughout the story represents the characters’ emotional journey as they learn to accept and appreciate what they have, even when things don’t go as planned. The cake symbolizes the fleeting nature of happiness and the importance of cherishing the moments we have. Additionally, the cake’s eventual repair and restoration represent the characters’ ability to overcome adversity and work together to salvage something that is meaningful to them. Overall, the cake is a powerful symbol that reinforces the story’s themes of perseverance, resilience, and the fleeting nature of happiness.

    One example of a figure of speech I intend to use in my composition is a metaphor. In particular, I plan to use a metaphor comparing the stormy weather to the tumultuous emotions of the characters. The sentence where I plan to use this metaphor is: “As the winds whipped and the waves crashed against the shore, the characters felt as if they were being tossed around by the storm, their emotions mirroring the chaos of the weather.”  

    I chose to use this metaphor because it emphasizes the connection between the characters’ internal struggles and the external environment. The stormy weather serves as a reflection of the characters’ emotions, highlighting the intensity and turbulence of their experiences. The metaphor also provides a vivid and memorable image for the reader, making it easier for them to connect with the characters and understand the gravity of their situation. By using this metaphor, I hope to create a deeper emotional resonance for the reader and add layers of meaning to the story.    

     Chrisail is the protagonist of the story and the reason for the beach birthday party. She is a sweet and sensitive girl who is excited about her special day. Chrisail is well-liked by her friends and family and enjoys spending time with them. She is devastated when the weather starts to turn and her party appears to be ruined. However, as the story progresses, she learns to appreciate the effort that her brother Grail puts in to salvage the party. Chrisail’s character is important because she represents the emotional center of the story. Her reactions and feelings drive the plot and provide a relatable perspective for the reader. Chrisail’s development throughout the story is also essential because it shows how she matures and learns to appreciate what really matters.

Grail is Chrisail’s older brother and the co-host of the beach birthday party. He is a resourceful and practical person who tries to make the best of any situation. Grail is aware of how important the party is to his sister and is determined to make it a success, no matter what. When the weather turns, Grail quickly comes up with a plan to move the party to a nearby shelter and then creates a makeshift grill to cook food. He also tries to cheer up Chrisail and keep the other guests entertained. Grail’s character is important because he represents the problem solver in the story. Without his quick thinking and creativity, the party would have been a total disaster. Grail’s actions also demonstrate the importance of family and the value of going above and beyond to make someone else’s day special.

The story will be written in third-person point of view with a limited perspective. This means that the narrator will describe the events from an external perspective and will only reveal the thoughts and feelings of one or a few characters, rather than everyone. The chosen angle is omniscient, which means that the narrator will have access to the thoughts and feelings of the chosen characters but will not insert their own opinions. This point of view and angle were chosen because they allow the reader to experience the story through the eyes of the characters while also providing a broader perspective on the events. Using a limited perspective creates a more intimate connection between the reader and the characters, making it easier for the reader to empathize with them. Additionally, the omniscient angle allows for a more complete understanding of the motivations behind the characters’ actions, which is important for fully appreciating the story’s themes. Overall, this point of view and angle will provide a balanced and engaging perspective that will draw the reader into the story and allow them to experience the events as they unfold.

The story is set on a beach in the summertime. The beach provides an idyllic and fun backdrop for the birthday party and allows for a range of activities and experiences. The setting was chosen because it has a timeless quality that allows the reader to relate to the story regardless of when they are reading it. Beach parties are a universal experience that many people can relate to, regardless of their background or culture. The summertime setting also provides a sense of warmth and happiness that is essential to the story’s tone. The beach represents a place of joy and relaxation, making it the perfect location for a celebration. The setting also provides a sense of freedom and escape, which is important for the characters’ development. The beach provides a break from their daily lives and allows them to let loose and have fun.

 Overall, the beach setting was chosen because it provides a versatile and relatable backdrop that allows the story’s themes to shine through. It creates a sense of timelessness and universal appeal that will make the story accessible and engaging to a wide range of readers.

In addition to the symbols and figure of speech I’ve already mentioned, I plan to use imagery to convey the mood and atmosphere of the story. For example, I may describe the storm clouds gathering on the horizon, the waves crashing against the shore, and the sand swirling in the wind. This imagery will serve to immerse the reader in the environment of the story and create a vivid sensory experience.

I also plan to use foreshadowing to build suspense and tension throughout the story. For example, I may drop hints about upcoming conflicts or plot twists, such as the potential for a character to be injured in the storm or the possibility of a surprise guest arriving at the party. By using foreshadowing, I hope to keep the reader engaged and invested in the story, anticipating what will happen next.

Finally, I may use flashbacks to provide context and backstory for the characters. By showing glimpses of the characters’ past experiences and relationships, I hope to deepen the reader’s understanding of their motivations and actions. Flashbacks can also serve to reveal new information and plot twists, making the story more compelling and surprising.