Blog No 7/8 - School v/s University life

Hello everyone,

Hope you are having a good week ! I know you are all tired, but hang in there. We have a very short time to go before this semester ends :)

For this week's blog, please find the prompt and instructions below :

How is the first year of university different from high school ?



Compose an essay in which you develop your point of view on the above topic given in the prompt. Support your position with solid arguments and examples. 

Your 5 para essay should look like this :
Paragraph one: Thesis ( introduce the topic plus state how it is different) -not more than 2 sentences

Paragraph two :  Focus on the learning environment -Please do not write more than 5- 7 sentences in all

Paragraph  three : Focus on the social life ( It could be either on campus or off campus or both )  Please do not write more than 5- 7 sentences in all.

Paragraph  four : Focus on any other difference of your choice. ( Some ideas could be schedules, expenses, commuting, fashion etc etc ) Please do not write more than 5- 7 sentences in all. 

Paragraph  five : Conclusion ( not more than 2-3 sentences)

 

CHECKLIST :

 

 1. As usual, EVERY body paragraph must follow paragraph structure : topic sentence, supporting details, concluding sentence.

2. You must use at least 10 different linking expressions or connectors.

3. DO not write more than the maximum limit of sentences.

4. It is okay to use ' you' or the third person for generalizing, but not ' I', ' my' etc..

5. Ideas should not be repeated.

6. Check for punctuation, capitalization and grammar mistakes before posting.

7. You must read three other blogs and post comments on a specific idea in your classmate's writing in minimum 15 words..not just ' Nice post !" , " So true" , " I agree" etc..

8. Use a suitable image or video to go with the topic.

9. The link to your completed post must be sent to the class email not later than Friday, June 5, 2015 at 11.30 pm. Comments on your classmates' post must be made  no later than Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 11.30 pm.

10. If you don't understand anything, please send me an email on Wednesday itself and I will reply to you. Remember a stitch in time saves nine.

Blog Post No. 6 Global environmental issues

               

              Air pollution is the biggest environmental hazard in our world today. Consciously or unconsciously we are damaging the air which is a vital element of our environment. 

               

             There are two main causes of air pollution although the vast majority of them can be attributed to man. Firstly we burns fuels, that creates smoke and the smoke is being mixed with air. For instance, emissions from our automobile engines contain both primary and secondary pollutants. Secondly we are cutting plants indiscriminately for constructing new infrastructure. The plants are called factory of oxygen, receiving carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. For the destruction of trees, carbon dioxide and carbon mono oxide and other harmful gases are increasing, which is ruining the ozone layer. As a result ultraviolet ray is getting access to our environment which will cause catastrophe for all living beings. Thus, air pollution is caused fundamentally because of human actions.

                                                                                     

           Prevention methods for air pollution can either come from government (laws) or by individual actions.One thing that the governments can do is invest in wind energy and solar energy, as well as other renewable energy to minimize burning of fossil fuels, which cause heavy air pollution. Another solution would be for us to encourage our family to use the bus, train or bike when commuting. If we all do this, there will be less cars on road and less fumes. Finally, people should work on having greener areas in their communities. For example, in Santiago, there are many public parks that the authorities have made for the people. That is why prevention interventions are always a better way of controlling air pollution.

                 

         To sum up, although air pollution is an enormous threat to our planet, becoming aware of the causes and taking the right steps to control it will benefit mankind in the long run.

              

 Here is your prompt : In your opinion, what is the most serious environmental problem we face? What are the causes and effects of this problem ? What can people do to correct this problem?

Use the same structure as the last time:

Introduction 1-2 sentences naming and introducing the environmental problem

Body Paragraph #1 - Causes and effects of the problem ( must include topic sentence + minimum 4 supporting sentences + concluding sentence)

Body Paragraph #2 - How can people correct this problem ( must include topic sentence + minimum  4 supporting sentences + concluding sentence)

Conclusion 1-2 sentences( must not introduce any new idea here)

Please read my sample writing to identify and understand the above structure. You are free to use expressions like : One cause/reason is that...another cause/reason is that...

Deadline to post the blog and write comments on any three of your classmates' work is Friday, May 22 at 11 pm

Blog number 4 and 5

Good morning students,

It's time for Blog 4/5. Remember the handout on the health system in Chile that we discussed in our last reading class? Well, after reading that thoroughly, you will write an opinion piece. Here is your prompt :

Statistics show that on a ranking system of the most improved health systems in OECD countries,  Chile placed 23rd while the US placed 24th. Despite bigger efforts made by the US, both countries have a life expectancy of 78 years. Some people think the reason is that the health care system in Chile is quite successful. Do you agree that the health reforms in Chile are one of the best in the world? Why or why not ?

Para 1: Start with thesis ( topic plus your stand).     1 or 2 sentences
Para 2: Argument one plus supporting reasons and examples.  5 or 6 sentences
Para 3: Argument two plus supporting reasons and examples.  5 or 6 sentences
Para 4: Conclusion that restates the thesis.  1 or 2 sentences

Remember:
Every paragraph must begin with an indent.
Every paragraph must focus on ONE main idea.
Every sentence must begin with a capital letter.
After you finish, pull out your punctuation sheet, and make sure your commas and periods are well placed.Check for spelling mistakes and grammar errors.
Most importantly, you MUST make reference to some ideas from your handout. Use at least 8 to 10 new and interesting words that we saw in the handout.

I am happy to check your drafts if you bring them ready to class next Tuesday, May 12, 2015. Deadline for blogs and comments on three different people is on Thursday May 13, 2015 at 12 am.
Anything posted after that will not be graded.

Blog Post No 3- Paragraph Writing Assessment

  Hey folks, 

Today is your very first summative blog evaluation. Take a deep breath 
and do your best !

Instructions :

•  Please select any one topic from the ones given below and write minimum 2 well structured paragraphs for it. 

• You need to comment on any three classmates' work after you finish your work. 

• Read the rubric attached to understand the scoring system. 

• Blogs posted after 12.00 pm ( section 201) and after 1.30 pm ( section 200) will not be graded. 

   Topic 1 : Most people have strong feelings for certain types of music. The easy availability of radios, tape decks, cd players and stereos enables most people to hear music almost every day. In addition, many people enjoy playing their own instruments or singing in order to create their own music. Others just enjoy music as a background. What role does music play in your life?

Topic 2 : Although no two of your friends will be exactly alike, there are probably some qualities that you demand of all your friends. Discuss two or three of these qualities and why they are important to you.

Topic 3 : There is a lot of debate these days about the role of colleges in the modern world. Some people believe a university degree should simply prepare students for lucrative jobs. Others believe a college should be helping students develop a broad intellectual curiosity and a sense of social responsibility. What do you believe is the main purpose for obtaining a college education? Explain.  ( Opinion essay : bonus points for attempting this topic successfully, using format learned in class ! )

Criteria x 2                          4                                          3                                                       2                                                 1
Topic  Sentence Topic sentence is well written, correctly placed, and introduces the topic. Topic sentence is complete and introduces the topic. Attempt was made to write a topic sentence but it is not effective at introducing the topic. Topic sentence is unclear and incomplete, and is not introducing the topic. Supporting Detail Sentence(s) Paragraph(s) have 4 or more supporting detail sentences that relate back to the main idea. Paragraph(s) have 3 supporting detail sentences that relate back to the main idea. Paragraph(s) have 2 supporting detail sentences that relate back to the main idea. Paragraph(s) have 0-2 supporting detail sentences that relate back to the main idea. Concluding Sentence Conclusion is clear, complete, sums up the paragraph and relates back to the topic sentence without copying exact words. Conclusion is complete, relates to the topic, but is simple. An attempt was made to conclude, but is incomplete or does not relate to the topic. No clear conclusion.
	Spelling and Grammar errors	0-2 Spelling or grammar errors in the entire post	3-5 spelling or grammar errors	6-8 spelling or grammar errors	More than 8 errors in the entire post
	Punctuation	0 commas and periods errors	1-2 commas and periods errors	3-5 commas and periods errors	6 or more commas and periods errors
	Task Completion	All instructions followed and task fully completed	Some instructions not followed well but task completed	Partial completion of task / instructions not followed	50% of task is incomplete

 

Blog Post No. 2 - Free Theme

                             
                 Mi nombre es Nehita !

    

                    In Chile, it`s very common to include an article (la for female, el for male) before a person’s name, especially  for women, and particularly when referring to a friend or relative. After a bit of research I learned that this is not standard Spanish, and it tends to provoke smirks from Spanish speakers from other countries. It did sound a bit funny in the beginning as in English, we can never say `The Monica is here" or " I am going to meet the Anthony"

                         The usefulness of double first names was something I never understood. Although confusing at first, I began to value their existence later.  They actually help you to identify one person from another. Maria Fernanda is not the same as Maria Teresa or Maria Ignacia. Having double first Chilean names can actually have its own rewards.

                       Another baffling moment was when I realized that  most of these names can—and often are—made diminutive by adding an “ita” for women and “ito” for men. I don’t know where these names came from, but almost everybody has a nickname in Chile. Those unfortunate ones whose names cannot take an " ita" or  "ito" need not worry. They still can pick from a list of Cotes, Pachis, Betos, Patos, Pipes and more. As  for me, well, in Rome do as the Romans do...So, please celebrate my Chilean name with me: Nehita.

Alright class,  now it`s your turn to write your blog post on a free theme. You can pick anything related to Identity or World Cultures and write at least two good paragraphs. You must follow the order of paragraph development we learned in class - topic sentence, supporting sentences and a concluding sentence.

Blog Post No. 1- Autobiography

Hello class,

         Welcome to our first blog of the semester ! You all know me as Miss Neha Jagwani, but today I want to share a little more about myself with you.

          I was born and raised in the city of Mumbai, India where I lived with my family until I was 24 years old. In 2001, I moved to Chile to start a family with my ex husband. My family includes my parents, my elder brother, my elder sister, myself and my younger sister. Although we all live very far from each other, what makes us strong is our unspoken love for each other.

          My elementary and high school was called Canossa Convent School that had strict nuns and teachers who taught me the value of discipline. All my schooling was done in English in India. I later earned my Masters in Teaching Degree from Universidad de Tarapaca in Arica, Chile. Additionally, I studied the CELTA from the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.

          In my leisure time, I enjoy traveling, experimenting in the kitchen and taking naps. Oh, and I also love learning new languages. Next week I am going to start a course in Japanese..woot, woot !

         My expectations for this year are to help you all successfully reach your language goals. I really look forward to a bright and positive semester with all of you !

As the first post of this semester,  I am excited to have you write your auto biographies.
You have to include:

- Birth info
- Studies info (elementary/high school/ univ)
- Family Info
- Hobbies
- Expectations from this course- Others...

> Number of words: 150 (minimum)
> Make comments on three of your classmates posts