Expansion of An Idea
Expansion of An Idea
'Expansion of an idea' is a short composition. You are expected to take the idea embodied in a proverb,
an -epigram, a quotation, a saying, a slogan, an idiom or a thought-provoking question and elaborate on
it.
In an essay you are expected to write about all aspects of the topic that is given to you. In 'Expansion of
an idea, you are expected only to explain what the idea is with the help of a short discussion and
illustrations. Here you are expected to write down your thoughts in about 100 to 150 words. You may or
may not be given a few points to help you along.
Like an essay, 'Expansion of an idea' should have a proper beginning and an ending. The ideas should
flow, one into the other. You may write down your thoughts in Just one paragraph or in two or at the
most three. Do not attempt too many paragraphs.
Do not begin your composition by saying, ‘The given proverb means that....’.Let the meaning come
through your explanation or discussion or in your summing up.
Examples:
Once it was raining very heavily. It didn’t seem that it would stop. There was no means of transport to
my home coming that way. I wondered how I would reach home. A classmate happened by in a car. He
asked me to get in and reached me to my home. From that day on he became one of my best friends.
Indeed, a friend in need is a friend indeed!
I have found that many people talk about friendship, but when you need them in the time of crisis,
somehow they are not to be seen anywhere. Those who stand by you when you are really in trouble are
your true friends. It is these people whom you must help when they too are in trouble.
Life is all about being there for others. Life is all about caring and sharing. Do not be taken in by people
who talk big and fancy words about friendship. Instead someone who renders you a service is a real
friend.
The wisdom of the proverb guides everybody to live and work within their means and to avoid possible
shame or punishment resulting from living beyond their means.
A young man sometimes handles a razor blade carelessly, cuts his finger, allows the cut to go septic and,
when the pain is unbearable, consults a doctor. The doctor prescribes a prolonged and costly treatment.
Would it not have been better for him to have taken due precaution while using the blade? We can
always protect ourselves against common ailments and diseases with proper precautionary, preventive
measures.
Very often, something within us makes us ignore the possibility of trouble, even after we have seen the
first symptoms of trouble. The result, is that the trouble is aggravated and we regret our neglect when it
is only too late. The proverb ‘Prevention is better than cure’ advises us to take precaution so that the
trouble does not affect us at all.
The proverb has universal application. By preventing a machine, a building, a road, a bridge, and so on
from deteriorating by proper maintenance and timely repairs we can avoid any possible disaster. Health
authorities should take prompt, quick and effective steps against the outbreak of epidemics and there
will be to epidemics resulting in mass misery and extensive remedial measures. Even at the national
level, many problems that we are facing today would have been non-existent had the government acted
firmly, promptly and boldly at the very start.
The proverb stresses the need for foresight and precaution in dealing with all our problems. This is
certainly a lot better than finding remedies later on, which may be costly and give us mental any as well.
This press impressed upon us the truth that man can live being a part of nature, and not necessarily
apart from nature.