The order of operation is a rule that clarifies in which order operations of a mathematical expression should be performed. For example, if the expression is 1 + 2 × 3, the result will be different depending on if you add or multiply first.

Writers mark these explanatory clauses off by round or square brackets, or by commas, dashes, or little lines. As far as its purpose is concerned, this verbal unit provides extra information, interrupts the syntactic flow of words, and allows readers to pay attention to the explanation.

Parentheses are used to enclose incidental or extra information, such as a passing comment, a minor example or addition, or a brief explanation. The writer may choose to put additional information within parentheses or to set off the text using dashes or commas.

Grace Chua’s poem, “(love song, with two goldfish)” describes a basic love story that yields no happy ending. In this “song”, male wants female, but the female wants more than what the male can provide. A difference in desires is established.

PART A: How does the structure of the poem contribute to its meaning? The first three stanzas show the male fish falling for the female fish, and the last two stanzas reveal his unanswered feelings.

Up to line 10, How is the fishbowl described in the poem? The bowl is comfortable and the male fish considers it his home. The bowl confines both fish to the same space. The bowl provides depressingly little space for the fish.

2 Theme: A Message, Not a Summary What is the difference between theme and summary? A theme is the truth about life revealed in a story. A summary explains what happens in a story.

The theme is the underlying meaning or the point on which the entire work is based that the author wants to convey to the readers. Topic refers to the word or sentence, which states the main subject of the work, i.e. the one with which the entire work is related. What is it?