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On Turning Ten Comparison

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“Being Sixteen” by Michael Khan and “On Turning Ten” by Billy Collins are two poems that capture the essence of growing up and the transitions, changes that come with it. Although both poems are written by different authors, they share similar themes and describe similar aspects of adolescence. Both poems communicate to us the challenges of turning the big ages and being in adolescence. Comparing "Being Sixteen” and "On Turning Ten”, We see these two poems from different perspectives. Khan showcases the struggle of being a teenager, experiencing change in friendships and rejection. On the other hand, Collins shows a young 10-year-old boy shifting through childhood and letting go of his innocence.

Being Sixteen, written by Michael Khan is a poem that depicts the challenges and …show more content…

"Being Sixteen" is more focused on the present, while "On Turning Ten" is more reflective and introspective. In "Being Sixteen," the speaker is navigating the challenges of adolescence and trying to find their place in the world, while in "On Turning Ten," the speaker is reflecting on the loss of innocence that comes with growing up. In ‘Being Sixteen’ Khan narrates ‘Like treetops that trap, which shows the amount of freedom he has. The amount restriction he feels. While in ‘On Turning Ten’ it shows a freer mood which the words ‘As I walk through the universe in my sneakers.’ In terms of structure, both poems are written in free verse and have a conversational tone. This style of writing allows the reader to connect with the speaker and feel the emotions they are experiencing. However, "Being Sixteen" is more fragmented in its structure, with short lines and choppy sentences that reflect the disjointed nature of adolescence. In contrast, "On Turning Ten" has longer lines and a more flowing structure that reflects the speaker's contemplative

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