Oral Presentation

    After thinking carefully about my group performance on writing, I arrived at some specific points to analyze. Firstly, we prepared a power point presentation which was very interesting and helpful for us, as we used it as guidance during our performance. The audience looked at our power point presentation and took notes. Secondly, the group read the whole chapter and then we divided it so it was easier to develop our part. As a result, I could understand the whole chapter and also what I had explained. In my opinion, it was a good group performance.
  Regarding to my own presentation, I could analyze some points and I could make connections between my performance and the English foreign language classes. Personally, I provided new examples about the theory. However, I found it difficult to think about them. I also realized that when I was in front of the class I had forgotten to take into account the proper intonation. Nevertheless, I paid attention to pronunciation and I made constant eye contact with my partners and the teacher. The theory I read could be connected with the English foreign language classes because according to Celce Murcia,  we as students need to anticipate the readers’ needs. For example, I found highly clear the concept that as writers we have to take into account our audience and the context in which our writing is being done. Another concept that could be related to the English classes is that the writer has to make plans or drafts, to present arguments and arrive at a well- supported conclusion. These concepts are related to what we have done in class.

Mortal Weapons (improved version)

 
                                                           MORTAL WEAPONS

   The Syrian civil war started in 2011 and has extended until nowadays. This conflict is a war between the Syrian armed forces and Bashar Al-Asad president. The rebels, who are against the government, ask for democracy, freedom and the respect of human rights.  Chemical weapons were used in Syria during the month of August. It is believed that the Syrian government used these weapons in Damascus where a conflict between the government and rebels took place. As a consequence of this attack, international military forces want to make an intervention in Syria. Some countries, such as the United States, want to take part in the Syria conflict with the aim of protecting the Syrian civilians from the mortal weapons and punishing Syria for using them.
    To begin with, the United States´ president wants to intervene Syria for several reasons, arguing the civilians protection. Firstly, it is suggested that the United States is able to take position in Syria because in that country there is a humane necessity and Obama, the United States´ president, is in democracy favour. Secondly, there is an international law that forbids the use of chemical weapons and as a consequence, the United States wants to avoid the use of them. Thirdly, Obama also mentioned that his country has a moral responsible role in the Syria conflict due to the fact they are a great global power. Fourthly, Barack Obama´s mentioned “United States is not the policeman of the world but with a modest effort can prevent children die poisoned by toxic gas” (New Hampshire´s discourse, September 2013) and affirmed that the Syrian government is responsible for the use of chemical weapons. He is also conscious that if the United States intervened in Syria, it would end up in a future conflict between these countries.
    Another point to consider is that Russia and the United States have made an alliance with the aim of Syria´s disarmament, stating civilians´ protection. At the beginning of the conflict, Russia was opposed to any military action in Syria whereas the United States was in favour. However, nowadays Russia is working with the United States on a United Nations Security Council Resolution. Both countries ask the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCLU) to approve procedures for Syria´s behaviour. It consists of giving Syria a period of time to destroy their chemical weapons. This punishment, Syria´s disarmament, is the consequence of using them in Damascus. Putin, Russian president, mentioned that if both countries can avoid force against the attacks in Syria, it would strengthen mutual trust and cooperation on critical issues. Contradictorily, the United States and Russia have the biggest stockpile of chemical weapons equipment in the world.
    Finally, the Syrian government denies the use of chemical weapons and does not accept an international intervention. The government claims that the rebels were the ones who used that sort of weapons. The Syrian vice Chancellor said “Syrian government position will not change even if there is a Third World War. No Syrian can sacrifice the independence of their country” (September, 2013) as a response to international threat attacks. It was also said by the Syrian government that it would have been illogical for the Syrian army to use weapons of mass destruction in an area where its soldiers were present. It is difficult to prove who used the dangerous weapons, both the Syrian government and the rebels deny the responsibility.
    To conclude, Syria is not witnessing a battle for democracy, but an armed conflict between government and opposition groups. There are many unknown interests in this conflict; for example; it is not known what the real interests of Russia and the United States intervening Syria are or who the ones that used the mortal weapons were. There is a doubt whether the Syrian government or the rebels used the weapons.  The only thing that is real is the fact that civilians are suffering and dying and they should be protected.

Entry # 12

                                                        MORTAL WEAPONS

The Syrian civil war had been started in 2011 and extends to nowadays. This conflict is a war among the Syrian armed forces and Bashar Al-Asad president. The rebels, who are against the government, ask for democracy, freedom and the respect of the human rights.  During these days the conflict has take place with the use of chemical weapons. It is believed that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons on August 21st  in Damascus where a conflict among the government and rebels took place. This attack is the cause of the international military force wants to place in Syria. Some countries, such as United States, take part in the Syria conflict with the aim of protecting the Syrian civilians of the mortal weapons; punishing Syria for their used.

First of all, it had been suggested that United States can take position in Syria because in that country there is a human necessity and Obama, United States´ president, is in democracy favour. There is a an international law that forbids the use of chemical weapons and as a consequence of this,  the United States wants to stop the use of them. Obama also mentioned that his country has a moral responsible paper in the Syria conflict due to the fact they are a great global power.

Secondly, it could be argued that United States with Russia´s help could assist Syrian civilians. In Barack Obama´s discourse in New Hampshire, he mentioned “United States is not the policeman of the world but with a modest effort can prevent children die poisoned by toxic gas” and affirmed that the Syrian government is the responsible of the chemical weapons used. He is also conscious that if United States intervenes in Syria, it would be a danger to the Syrian country. Furthermore, Russia was opposed to any military action in Syria. However, Russia starts working with the United States on a United Nations Security Council Resolution. Both countries asked the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCLU) to approve procedures for Syria´s behavior. It consists in giving Syria a period of time to destroy their chemical weapons. This punishment is the consequence of the used of them in Damascus. Putin, Russian´s president, mentioned that if both countries can avoid force against the attacks in Syria, it would strength mutual trust and cooperation on critical issues. Nevertheless, United States and Russia have the biggest stockpile of chemical weapons equipment in the world.

Finally, the Syrian government denies the use of the chemical weapons and does not accept an international intervention. The government claims that the rebels were the ones who used that sort of weapons. The Syrian vice chancellor said “Syrian government position will not change even if there is a third world war. No Syrian can sacrifice the independence of their country” as a response to threats international attacks. It was also said by the Syrian government that it would have been illogical for the Syrian army to use weapons of mass destruction in an area where its soldiers were present.

To conclude, Syria is not witnessing a battle for democracy, but an armed conflict between government and opposition. There are many unknown interests in this conflict; for example; it is not know the real interest of Russia and United States intervening Syria or who were the ones that used the mortal weapons. There is a doubt if it was the Syrian government or the rebels who used the weapons.  The only thing that is real is fact that civilians are suffering and dying; they must be protected.

Argumentative Thesis Statement.


Sources:

Adam P (September 20th, 2013). How to destroy Syria's chemical arsenal. BBC News. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24116042 Accessed on September 23rd, 2013.

Adam P (September 20th, 2013). Syria rebels agree Azaz ceasefire. BBc News. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24173618. Accessed on September 21st, 2013.

(September 12th, 2013)  Analysis of Putin's plea to Americans over Syria. BBC News. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24063187.  Accessed on September 17th, 2013.

(September 21st, 2013) Q&A: Syria chemical weapons disarmament deal. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23876085. Accessed on September 23rd, 2013.

Syrian Civil War. Wikipedia.org. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian-civil-war Accessed on September 17th, 2013.

Syria conflict. BBC News. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17258397. Accessed on September 20th, 2013.

US President Obama: 'No decision yet' on Syria strike. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23875121 Accessed on September 24th, 2013.


Outline:
Introduction:  Thesis Statement
     Some countries, such as United States, take part in the Syria conflict with the aim of protecting the Syrian      civilians of the mortal weapons; punishing Syria for their used.
Supporting material: arguments
                 -United States can take part in Syrian conflict.
                 -United States and Russia can help civilians.
                 -Syrian government opinion.
Conclusion:
Syrian civilians must be protected.

Entry # 11

   Metacognitive Analysis

  Along this year I think that my writing process has improved and I have acquired enough tools to expand my writing skill. For example, the planning stage. This one is important to succeed in writing assignments. In the past, I used to start writing without clear ideas but now I make minds maps to organize my thoughts and then I brainstorm my ideas. Later on, I start to write. Other examples of the tools that I have acquired could be the topic sentence and the concluding one. They are significant for the creation of a good piece of writing and they have to be connected for the coherence of the text. All these tools help us to develop our potential as writers.
Knowing the different types of paragraphs is significant to the organization of our ideas and success in the writing process.  Firstly, when I am writing I am more conscious of what type of paragraph I want to develop and I make sure not to mix them. Secondly, I have become aware of how to design the body of the paragraph correctly, that is to say, the supporting material that creates cohesion along the paragraph. Recognizing the differences among paragraphs help me to flesh them out and also improve my writing skill.


 Vocabulary:
Design- vb
  1. to work out the structure or form of (something), as by making a sketch, outline, pattern, or plans
 2. to plan and make (something) artistically or skillfully
 3. (transitive) to form or conceive in the mind; invent
 4. (transitive) to intend, as for a specific purpose; plan
 Expand -vb
1. to make or become greater in extent, volume, size, or scope; increase
2. to spread out or be spread out; unfold; stretch out
3. (intransitive) often followed by on: to enlarge or expatiate on (a story, topic, etc) in detail
 4. (intransitive) to become increasingly relaxed, friendly, or talkative
5. to express (a function or expression) as the sum or product of terms
Significant - adj
1. having or expressing a meaning; indicative
2. having a covert or implied meaning; suggestive
3. important, notable, or momentous
4. of or relating to a difference between a result derived from a hypothesis and its observed value that is too large to be attributed to chance and that therefore tends to refute the hypothesis
Flesh 
Phrasal verb- flesh something out. To add more details or information to something.


 Sources:
• Cambridge Advanced Learner´s Dictionary (2009). Cambridge. Cambridge University Press
• Word Reference. Retrieved from: http://www.wordreference.com/. Web. Accessed on: September 14, 2013

Everything you need to know when writing an essay

Entry #10

                                                   THE ART OF INCLUDING

   Art is not only a form of expression but also a way to include people into society, such as prisoners, disabled or the poor. Artistic expressions can bring about the growth in the levels of self-esteem and confidence and more importantly the felling of being helpful. Nowadays, there are private artists and non-governmental organizations that fight to make it possible. All in all, art is a means for human beings to express themselves; it is a way of sharing their feelings with others. 

   Art is considered the expression or application of human creative skills and imagination. The production of works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. Nevertheless, art can also be a way of inclusion; the artistic work not only means the creation of works such as paintings or sculptures; literature, dancing, acting or music could also be considered other forms of art. They are a tool for people to be part of a society.

    Art as a means for inclusion has many positive effects. Some of these positive effects reflect growth in the levels of self-esteem and confidence, a sense of self-determination and control. In addition to this, “artistic expressions can bring about changes that will improve the levels of people and communities. These can become a tool for dialogue and participation” (UNICEF, 2008). It is also important the feeling of freedom to develop people´s own ideas. What is more, art is relevant for human beings due to the fact that they can be immersed in that amazing world, develop a strong sense of ownership of the final product and also develop artistic and creative skills. The most important effect that art can create whatever the discipline, is the feeling of being helpful. 

    Art is also regarded as an instrument for social inclusion for the excluded. Art has the power to integrate people to a group who share the same characteristics. This magnificent expression integrates the vulnerable: like prisoners, disabled or the poor. For example, in Argentina, there are choir, guitar and percussion workshops, targeting persons deprived of their freedom. Another example in this country could be the foundation called DISCAR that understands the art as an inclusive tool. DISCAR offers art workshops and courses for people with disabilities; because they believe that the courses are a way of developing individual skills and a way of social inclusion. Art gives people the opportunity to develop communication among them. Apart from this, it also strengthens the human rights.

    Nowadays, many artists and non-governmental organizations are committed to inclusion. One example of this is Milo Lockett, an Argentinean artist who works with children with the aim of integrating them into society. He persuades children to appreciate the art and the environment. Milo Lockett also works with children with Down syndrome and together they paint kindergardens. In a newspaper interview Milo Lockett (2009) mentioned: “I am interested in changing the reality of the people at least for some hours. When somebody paints, draws or dances he/she has something to share”. Another example of art as a tool for inclusion could be a non-governmental organization called CREAR VALE LA PENA  that develops a policy of social transformation through art, to reverse the exclusion and lack of opportunity that affect children and young people living in conditions of exclusion. According to Sanguinetti Inés (2008), director of CREAR VALE LA PENA, “art is a strategy that contributes to ensuring social transformation and equity rights”. CREAR VALE LA PENA and Milo Lockett are good examples of considering art as a human right.

     In conclusion, art is a means of inclusion, a way for people to be part of a group sharing the same characteristics. What is more, art has many positive effects especially the feeling of being helpful. In Argentina, as in many parts of the world, we could find some examples of artists and non-governmental organizations who work for the inclusion of people to the society, with the aim that these people could have something to share with the world. Basically, art is a universal language through which humans beings express themselves and communicate with others.

REFERENCES

·         Cambridge Advanced Learner´s Dictionary (2009). Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.

·         Felsenstein, M. (January 17, 2009). Milo Lockett: Un artista plástico al servicio de la imaginación infantil. La Nación. Retrieved from http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1090253-milo-lockett-un-artista-plastico-al-servicio-de-la-imaginacion-infantil  Accessed on: July 6,2013.

·         Fundación Crear Vale la Pena´s website. Retrieved from www.crearvalelapena.org.ar Accessed on: July 6, 2013.

·         Fundación Discar´s website. Retrieved from http://www.fundaciondiscar.org.ar/talleres_cursos.htm?gclid=CNWzwqS4nLgCFSUV7AodpRsArQ Accessed on: July 6, 2013.

·         Jermyn,H.(2004) The art of inclusion. Retrieved from http://thamesvalleypartnership.org.uk/somethingbrilliant/wp-content/uploads/art-of-inclusion-jermyn.pdf  Accessed on June 26,2013.

·         Programa Arte en las cárceles. Retrieved from http://www.cultura.gob.ar/acciones/arte-en-las-carceles/ Accessed on: July 6, 2013.

·      UNICEF.  Arte y Ciudadanía. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/argentina/spanish/ArteyCiudadaniaWeb.pdf  Accessed on: July 6,2013.

Entry # 9

Nowadays, we have the cell phone all time with us; for this reason is important that we can become aware of avoiding the use of this technological instrument when we are driving. Using a cell phone on the road can risk our life and the life of pedestrians because it affects the driver´s ability; as a consequence, there is an important relation between the use of cell phones while driving and fatal accidents. The laws that had been created to punish the offenders are not sufficient; for this reason as citizens we need to ask for strict laws that regulate the phone use to make our roads safer and to protect us from irresponsible drivers.

Entry # 8

                                              THE CHOICE OF IMMIGRATE

Many people decide to start a new life in a foreign country for different reasons. Firstly, the main reason for immigration is that many countries have economic problems as well as not stable jobs. Sometimes people decide to leave their family and travel alone, which is not easy. Secondly, other cause for moving to another land could be that dwellers do not feel safe in the place where they are living. Thirdly, generally when tourists spend a holiday time on a foreign region they fell in love with it and decide to start a new life there. To conclude, people have many different reasons to leave their homeland and start over their lives in another country.

Entry # 8

Immigration.

Many people decide to go to another country for different reasons, to try new opportunities. Firstly, the main reason for immigration is that many countries have economic problems as well as not stable jobs; so people have to go away to find a stable one. Sometimes people decide to leave their family and travel alone, which is not easy. Secondly, other reason of immigration could be that people do not feel safe in the place where they are living. Thirdly, generally when people spend a holiday time on a foreign country they fell in love with it and decide to start a new life there. To conclude, people have many reasons to immigrate but the decision of starting a new life in other country is not an easy one.

Entry # 7

                                                                    My paragraph
                                                                 IN MY COUNTRY.

In my country, you can visit many different landscapes; there is a good variety of sightseeing. For those people interested in the mountains, they can visit San Carlos de Bariloche which is located in Rio Negro, Argentina´s south. It would be a wonderful option to visit San Carlos de Bariloche in winter, when the mountains are covered by snow. It seems to be a wonderful white desert. For those who want a warmer weather, they can visit the Argentina´s north. It has a beautiful landscape and Argentina´s north is known for its red land. It is wonderful to see the place architecture. So, you need to decide what type of landscape you like most and visit it.

                                          My partner´s topic and conclusion sentence
                                                        IN MY COUNTRY.

In my country, landscapes in the south and the north are options to take into account depending on your likes. For those people interested in the mountains, they can visit San Carlos de Bariloche which is located in Rio Negro, Argentina´s south. It would be a wonderful option to visit San Carlos de Bariloche in winter, when the mountains are covered by snow. It seems to be a wonderful white desert. For those who want a warmer weather, they can visit the Argentina´s north. It has a beautiful landscape and Argentina´s north is known for its red land. It is wonderful to see the place architecture. In Argentina, what you have to do is to choose which landscape you wanted to visit to.

Analysis

Changing the topic sentence and the conclusion one does not vary the meaning of the paragraph. In my opinion my partner´s topic sentence is better than mine because in it is explained the differences between the north and the south but the conclusion sentences are similar. In both paragraphs there is no used of synonyms or antonyms. The elements mention in the topic sentence and in the conclusion one are mention in the paragraph.

Entry # 6

                                                        WRITING STRUCTURED PARAGRAPHS

Elements for succed in Academic Writing:

 Formal style

 Correct punctuation

 Paragraphing

Paragraph:

 Definition: A distinct section in a piece of writing  indicated by a new line

 Types: Explanatory, descriptive, persuasive and narrative

 Elements:

·         Each paragraph must start in a new line

·         It is focused on one main idea

·         It must be well organized

 Qualities for a successful paragraph:

·         Unity:

o   Topic sentence: Main idea of the paragraph

       + Parts:

                                                                                I.            Topic: Subject of the paragraph

                                                                              II.            Controlling idea: Specific comments about the main idea

                                                  + Position:

                                                                                 I.          At the beginning of the paragraph

                                                                               II.         Elsewhere in the paragraph

                                                                             III.         At the end of the paragraph

·         Coherence:

o   How sentences are related to each other

o   A paragraph is coherence if the details make it easy to read

o   It is achievable

                                                                                I.            If bridges are created from one sentence to an other

                                                                              II.            By repeating key words

                                                                            III.            By using pronouns

                                                                            IV.            By using synonyms

                                                                              V.            By using transition words

·         Development: Details on evidence to support the topic sentence and illustrate points with examples

 TEE RULE:    T (TOPIC SENTECE)

                   E (EXPLANATION OF THE TOPIC SENTENCE)

                   E (EXAMPLES OR EVIDENCE)

 Types of paragraph:

·         Introductory paragraph:

o   States topic of assignment and comments on its importance

o   States main argument

·         Concluding paragraph:

o   Summary of what it has been said before

o   The most important paragraph

o   Summarizes the main points in very few sentences

o   States main conclusions

o   Satisfies the readers

o   DO NOT:

                                                                                I.            Introduce new material

                                                                              II.            End with a generalization

                                                                            III.            End with a quotation

                                  PARTS OF A PARAGRAPH: ENGLISH ACADEMIC WRITING

Paragraph:

v  Topic sentence:

o   The subject of the writing

o   Interesting topic with our opinion on it.

v  Body:

o   Heart of the paragraph

o   Gives more information about the topic

o   Supporting arguments

o   Details: Order by importance and chronology

v  Closing sentence:

o   Remains the audience about what they have been reading

o   Keeps the audience thinking about the topic

o   Restates the topic sentence but in a different way

o   Summarizes the ideas of the paragraph

o   Final comment of the topic

 Sources

Massey University, Writing Structured Paragraphs. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w183qB0KDFg&feature=player_embedded. Accessed on May 29, 2013.

AlexESLvid, Parts of a Paragraph - English Academic Writing Introduction. Retrieved from:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCuExRE6N-4&feature=player_embedded Accessed on May 29, 2013.

Students:
             Grieco, Mayra Rocio.
             Pérez, Marianela.

SHE IS A WRITER

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie grew up in Nigeria. Her work has been translated into thirty languages and has appeared in various publications, including The New Yorker, Granta, The O. Henry Prize Stories, the Financial Times, and Zoetrope. She is the author of the novels Purple Hibiscus, which won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, and Half of a Yellow Sun, which won the Orange Prize and was a National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist, a New York Times Notable Book, and a People and Black Issues Book Review Best Book of the Year; and the story collection The Thing Around Your Neck. Her new novel, Americanah, is being published around the world in April and May 2013.

A dangerous single story.

Knowing a single story about a person, a country or a culture could be very dangerous. Broadly speaking, when we are children, we are very vulnerable to incorporate things as unique; as a result, we create a single story. Firstly, the single story creates stereotypes which are not totally true due to the fact that they are incomplete. The single story emphasizes the differences between humans rather than their similarities. Secondly, the single story is related to power. Thus, powerful countries can manipulate the non-powerful ones because power is the ability to tell the story of a person, to make the definitive story of that person. However, stories can also be used to humanize, to repair the dignity of people because a person has many stories to be told. Finally, when humans realize that there is never a single story about any place or any person, they begin a kind of paradise, understanding that their differences make them valued persons. To conclude, it is important to be aware of the danger of having a single story and that we have to know the different stories of a place or person to understand and to know the truth.

The power of literature.

Books and literature have something in common: the ability to show us that we are not alone. To begin with, writing is not a private act, in fact, it is a public one. We always write to an audience. However, being creative implies being not entirely in control of the writing situation at all, the artist could forget about the audience because he is ruled by inspiration and emotion. In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie words “logic can convince us but is in fact emotion that lead us to act; we are emotional beings”.  Secondly, literature is never just words. Literature gives a message, its role is to instruct and delight. Apart from this, literature helps us to see other people´s life style and opinions, as well as, helping us to realize how similar humans are, even though their differences. Thirdly, the realistic literature is not the real story itself, however, it is closed enough to the real world, as well as, transmitting the sensibility of citizenship.  The realistic literature helps us to realize that we share a common and equal humanity owing to the fact that humans always wanted to be valued. The reading of human stories makes us become alive in bodies that are not ours. To conclude, realistic literature remains ourselves that we are not alone mainly because we share our lives with people. Persons always have something in common, as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie mentions, “to be human is to be valued” and every person wants to be valued.

Sources:

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie´s website.

 Retrieved from:  http://chimamanda.com/  Accessed on May 21, 2013.

Sentences in context

A dialogue between two friends:

-       What about going to the Caribbean next summer?

-       I think it´s a great idea.

-       Let´s find out the price of the hotel.

-       Do you think Darlene would like to come?

-       I don´t know. Darlene is as miserable as ever, and Jackie never comes to visit us. Anyway, I´m sure you don´t want to hear about my problems, so let´s get back to those holiday plans.

-       I think it would be a good idea that Darlene came and spent a good time with us.

  

A dialogue between two friends:

-       Hello, Darlene! How are you?

-       Hi, Peter! I´m fine. What about you?

-       Everything okay. Did you see the bike race yesterday?

-        Yes, after working, I spent the rest of the day watching the cycling on television. By the way talking about bikes, have you got yours mended yet?

-       No, I will get it next week.

-       So, when you get it, tell me and we can go cycling to the park.