"Each year hundreds of words are dropped from the English language.
Old words, wise words, hard-working words. Words that once led meaningful lives but now live unused, unloved and unwanted.
Today, 90% of everything we write is communicated by only 7,000 words. You can change all that. Help save the words!"
-- http://savethewords.org
I came across this intriguing website and it's definitely worth a visit. Developed by Oxford Dictionary, savethewords.org aims to raise people's awareness of words that are in danger of being removed from the dictionary.
The background of savethewords.org is a jigsaw puzzle itself, consisting of obscure words. Click on any of the words in the background,and its definition pop up in a separate window. You can register with the website to receive a new word each day through your email, learn how to use a word in different situations as well as to find a random word and adopt it!
Explore around the website and you may find a few gems that you can use in future.
--MT
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Assignment 2: Someone who has touched your life
Have you heard of the story of Hachiko?
It was made into a movie last year starring Richard Gere. You can catch the movie trailer on youtube.
This heartwarming true story is an American adaptation of a Japanese tale about a loyal dog named Hachiko. This very special friend would accompany his master to the train station every day and return each afternoon to greet him after work. Sadly, his master departs one day, passes away and never returns to the station. Hachiko faithfully returns to the same spot at the station the very next day, and every day for the next nine years to wait for his beloved master.
During his daily visits, Hachiko touches the lives of many who work near and commute through the town square. He teaches the local people love, compassion and above all unyielding loyalty. Today, a bronze statue of Hachiko sits in his waiting spot outside the Shibuya station in Japan as a permanent reminder of his devotion and love. (140 words)
source
Now, let's take a closer look at the above extract.
The main idea that the writer wants to put across to the readers is the unwavering loyalty Hachiko shows towards its master. How did the writer do that? What are the supporting details provided to justify his point?
The first paragraph gives EVIDENCE of Hachiko's unyielding devotion and love for its master, while the second is an ELABORATION on how its affection has inspired and taught people never to forget the ones that they loved.
So far, you've learned how to use EXAMPLES and EXPLANATION to give additional details to your writing. You can further enhance the content of your writing by employing the two other methods as shown above - EVIDENCE and ELABORATION.
When you're making a statement or putting across a point, you may want to use EVIDENCE or proof to back up what you want to say.
Eg.
Hachiko is loyal. (IDEA)
Hachiko shows his loyalty by returning faithfully to the train station each day to wait for his master for nine years after his master's death. (EVIDENCE)
When you want to develop and expand on an idea, you may use ELABORATION to describe the impact and the consequences this idea may have on others.
Eg.
Hachiko is loyal. (IDEA)
Hachiko's loyalty has influenced the town greatly by showing them the meaning of love and devotion. (ELABORATION)
The people in return built a bronze statue of Hachiko as a reminder of his loyalty. (ELABORATION)
Here's Assignment 2:
Think of someone who has influenced you greatly. It can be someone you know on a personal note, someone who has made his mark in his field of work, or even a fictitious character from a novel or a movie that has shaped your thinking. Now, what exactly is the value that he or she embodies?
What you need to do for Assignment 2: Write about a person who has influenced you greatly.
1. Name this person and the value that he or she displays.
2. Write a paragraph using EVIDENCE to support why this person exhibits the value that you've claimed.
3. Write a second paragraph to ELABORATE on how this person has influenced other people, including you.
4. Expected word length of your entry should be around 100 to 150 words. Keep to the word restriction. This will help you to focus on giving a concise write-up of what makes this person extradordinary, instead of producing a lengthy account which is full of repetition and irrelevant information.
Some pointers before you start:
Take note, this extraordinary somebody can be anybody under the sun. Think President Obama and his charisma, how he has given hope to a nation in times of economic uncertainty. David Beckham is a postive influence for the perserverance he displays in soccer training. Do you know he takes 500 free kicks a day without fail to perfect his crosses on the pitch? Closer to home is our latest Singapore Idol Sezairi Sezali who dares to follow his dream. How about your your dearest and nearest? Is there anyone who has made a difference to your life?
You may want to use the following format to help you in your writing.
The person who has influenced me greatly in my life is ..... (name of the person). The value that this person has shown is ..... (value).
This person is remarkable because ...... ...... (evidence).
What makes this person different from the others is that ...... ...... (elaboration).
For the better writers, you may not want to use the above structure. In fact, we would rather you not use this format. Think of how you can make your write-up believable and personal since this person has touched your life in certain ways. Draw the readers' attention to your writing such that they want to find out more about this person. Be creative. There is always more than one way of presenting an idea to the audience.
Deadline for the completion of "Assignment 2: Someone who has touched your life" is 9th April, Friday. Remember to post a comment onto this post when you're satisfied with your post.
Many of you have already completed your first assignment. Keep up the good work. We are currently in the midst of grading your entries. Please submit your entries to your first assignment if you've not done so and do sound out to your respective teacher if you need help. Like I've mentioned before, help is just a question away.
In the meantime, do have a restful break in the March holidays!
-- MT
It was made into a movie last year starring Richard Gere. You can catch the movie trailer on youtube.
This heartwarming true story is an American adaptation of a Japanese tale about a loyal dog named Hachiko. This very special friend would accompany his master to the train station every day and return each afternoon to greet him after work. Sadly, his master departs one day, passes away and never returns to the station. Hachiko faithfully returns to the same spot at the station the very next day, and every day for the next nine years to wait for his beloved master.
During his daily visits, Hachiko touches the lives of many who work near and commute through the town square. He teaches the local people love, compassion and above all unyielding loyalty. Today, a bronze statue of Hachiko sits in his waiting spot outside the Shibuya station in Japan as a permanent reminder of his devotion and love. (140 words)
source
Now, let's take a closer look at the above extract.
The main idea that the writer wants to put across to the readers is the unwavering loyalty Hachiko shows towards its master. How did the writer do that? What are the supporting details provided to justify his point?
The first paragraph gives EVIDENCE of Hachiko's unyielding devotion and love for its master, while the second is an ELABORATION on how its affection has inspired and taught people never to forget the ones that they loved.
So far, you've learned how to use EXAMPLES and EXPLANATION to give additional details to your writing. You can further enhance the content of your writing by employing the two other methods as shown above - EVIDENCE and ELABORATION.
When you're making a statement or putting across a point, you may want to use EVIDENCE or proof to back up what you want to say.
Eg.
Hachiko is loyal. (IDEA)
Hachiko shows his loyalty by returning faithfully to the train station each day to wait for his master for nine years after his master's death. (EVIDENCE)
When you want to develop and expand on an idea, you may use ELABORATION to describe the impact and the consequences this idea may have on others.
Eg.
Hachiko is loyal. (IDEA)
Hachiko's loyalty has influenced the town greatly by showing them the meaning of love and devotion. (ELABORATION)
The people in return built a bronze statue of Hachiko as a reminder of his loyalty. (ELABORATION)
Here's Assignment 2:
Think of someone who has influenced you greatly. It can be someone you know on a personal note, someone who has made his mark in his field of work, or even a fictitious character from a novel or a movie that has shaped your thinking. Now, what exactly is the value that he or she embodies?
What you need to do for Assignment 2: Write about a person who has influenced you greatly.
1. Name this person and the value that he or she displays.
2. Write a paragraph using EVIDENCE to support why this person exhibits the value that you've claimed.
3. Write a second paragraph to ELABORATE on how this person has influenced other people, including you.
4. Expected word length of your entry should be around 100 to 150 words. Keep to the word restriction. This will help you to focus on giving a concise write-up of what makes this person extradordinary, instead of producing a lengthy account which is full of repetition and irrelevant information.
Some pointers before you start:
Take note, this extraordinary somebody can be anybody under the sun. Think President Obama and his charisma, how he has given hope to a nation in times of economic uncertainty. David Beckham is a postive influence for the perserverance he displays in soccer training. Do you know he takes 500 free kicks a day without fail to perfect his crosses on the pitch? Closer to home is our latest Singapore Idol Sezairi Sezali who dares to follow his dream. How about your your dearest and nearest? Is there anyone who has made a difference to your life?
You may want to use the following format to help you in your writing.
The person who has influenced me greatly in my life is ..... (name of the person). The value that this person has shown is ..... (value).
This person is remarkable because ...... ...... (evidence).
What makes this person different from the others is that ...... ...... (elaboration).
For the better writers, you may not want to use the above structure. In fact, we would rather you not use this format. Think of how you can make your write-up believable and personal since this person has touched your life in certain ways. Draw the readers' attention to your writing such that they want to find out more about this person. Be creative. There is always more than one way of presenting an idea to the audience.
Deadline for the completion of "Assignment 2: Someone who has touched your life" is 9th April, Friday. Remember to post a comment onto this post when you're satisfied with your post.
Many of you have already completed your first assignment. Keep up the good work. We are currently in the midst of grading your entries. Please submit your entries to your first assignment if you've not done so and do sound out to your respective teacher if you need help. Like I've mentioned before, help is just a question away.
In the meantime, do have a restful break in the March holidays!
-- MT
Sunday, February 28, 2010
please rob me not
Do you have a Twitter account?
If your answer is yes, you might want to think twice the next time you tweet about your whereabouts. That's because the information you share on social networking websites like Twitter could potentially leave you with much less than what you have. When you tell people where you are, you are also telling everybody else where you're not. The last thing you would want anyone with cruel intentions to know is the very fact that your house is empty when you're out.
PleaseRobMe, a controversial website which was launched this week, is exactly what the name suggests. To prove their point, the people behind the website list down the people who have unwittingly given away information about their whereabouts on the internet. It's amazing how people can divulge such sensitive information freely on the worldwide web, you may say. If you come across a friend who did exactly the same thing, you may want to tell him or her about this website and that someone is probably keeping close tabs on your pal.
Remember, it's better to be safe than to be sorry.
-- MT
If your answer is yes, you might want to think twice the next time you tweet about your whereabouts. That's because the information you share on social networking websites like Twitter could potentially leave you with much less than what you have. When you tell people where you are, you are also telling everybody else where you're not. The last thing you would want anyone with cruel intentions to know is the very fact that your house is empty when you're out.
PleaseRobMe, a controversial website which was launched this week, is exactly what the name suggests. To prove their point, the people behind the website list down the people who have unwittingly given away information about their whereabouts on the internet. It's amazing how people can divulge such sensitive information freely on the worldwide web, you may say. If you come across a friend who did exactly the same thing, you may want to tell him or her about this website and that someone is probably keeping close tabs on your pal.
Remember, it's better to be safe than to be sorry.
-- MT
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Magic of Advertising
It's great to see that most of you have got on board Project BloggingRocks2010 and the responses for Topic 1 are streaming in. Don't forget to leave a comment to my previous entry when you're satisfied with your post. At the same time, some of you have yet to add me. Please let me know if you encounter any difficulty getting started. Help is just a question away.
Previously, we've looked at how consumers are won over by advertisements for a plethora of reasons. Advertising no longer merely focuses on the product itself. Instead, they are selling to us an entire package of ideas and beliefs. The magic of advertising lies in its power at targeting our inner feelings and convincing us to buy something without us realising it. For instance, Coca-cola came out with this witty clip featuring 2 college students at the library. Why did they choose the setting of a library? Was it a deliberate decision? Will the effect be lost if the setting is changed? Why teens? How about the song Strange Love that was used? Does it refer to the amorous relationship between the two teens or something else? These are probably some questions you may want to ponder through in analysing an advertisement. When you catch a commercial on the tube or browsing through the printed advertisements of a magazine the next time, make a mental note and ask yourself what strategy was employed to persuade us into buying the product.
In the meantime, I wish you all the very best in the upcoming CT1. Good luck!
Previously, we've looked at how consumers are won over by advertisements for a plethora of reasons. Advertising no longer merely focuses on the product itself. Instead, they are selling to us an entire package of ideas and beliefs. The magic of advertising lies in its power at targeting our inner feelings and convincing us to buy something without us realising it. For instance, Coca-cola came out with this witty clip featuring 2 college students at the library. Why did they choose the setting of a library? Was it a deliberate decision? Will the effect be lost if the setting is changed? Why teens? How about the song Strange Love that was used? Does it refer to the amorous relationship between the two teens or something else? These are probably some questions you may want to ponder through in analysing an advertisement. When you catch a commercial on the tube or browsing through the printed advertisements of a magazine the next time, make a mental note and ask yourself what strategy was employed to persuade us into buying the product.
In the meantime, I wish you all the very best in the upcoming CT1. Good luck!
--MT
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Blogging Rocks 2010 - Checking in, Assignment 1
According to blog-tracking website Technorati, 175,000 new blogs are created worldwide daily. This means that in every second, 2 new blogs are born. (Read more here.)
Why do people blog?
Netizens blog for a variety of reasons. Bloggers typically view blogging as a testimony of the important events that have occurred in their lives. Some write about the things they do for a living, such as the Island Caretaker's Blog. Some write about the places that they have been to. Some blog about what they eat. Many others simply write about what happened in their daily lives, no matter how trivial it may be. What is important to bloggers is the fact that the event or experience is deemed worthy to be shared with the rest of the world.
When one is blogging, it is important to realise that one is adding to the large corpus of shared knowledge on the internet. What you post online can be viewed by many others. Hence, while blogging can be a pleasurable experience, it is necessary for one to exercise responsibility and respect in the course of one's blogging journey.
Moving on, you may have realised from the news article "Should people post photographs of bad behaviour on the Internet?" (Straits Times, 2 Jan 2007) that there is an increasing number of netizens who put up snapshots and video clips of people in embarrassing situations. The proliferation of photo sharing portals like Stomp, Flickr and Youtube serves to encourage more of such behaviour.
Should we encourage such a behaviour? Do we really need such information? Where do we draw the line between content that should be shared with the public and what ought to be reserved for private viewing? Are we growing a culture of surveillance on the internet? That brings us to our first topic of discussion.
Assignment 1
Should we post photographs and videos of bad behaviour on the internet?
What you need to do:
1. State your stand clearly with a main argument whether you are in favour of the above statement. Convince the readers of your blog entry why they should agree with you. Remember to include a topic sentence and give supporting details (examples and explanation).
2. Choose an opposing argument. Provide a counter-argument as to why this opposing argument is invalid. Likewise, you will need to provide supporting details for your counter-argument.
Your entry should contain 2 paragraphs: 1 main argument and 1 counter-argument. The expected word length should be at least 100 words.
Make use of the editing function to write and re-write your entry. Do not be easily satisfied with your first draft. There is no perfect writing, but your writing will definitely get better with more editing.
Remember to leave a comment to this entry when you're done. The deadline for your first assignment is on 9 March 2010.
Have a pleasant blogging journey!
Why do people blog?
Netizens blog for a variety of reasons. Bloggers typically view blogging as a testimony of the important events that have occurred in their lives. Some write about the things they do for a living, such as the Island Caretaker's Blog. Some write about the places that they have been to. Some blog about what they eat. Many others simply write about what happened in their daily lives, no matter how trivial it may be. What is important to bloggers is the fact that the event or experience is deemed worthy to be shared with the rest of the world.
When one is blogging, it is important to realise that one is adding to the large corpus of shared knowledge on the internet. What you post online can be viewed by many others. Hence, while blogging can be a pleasurable experience, it is necessary for one to exercise responsibility and respect in the course of one's blogging journey.
Moving on, you may have realised from the news article "Should people post photographs of bad behaviour on the Internet?" (Straits Times, 2 Jan 2007) that there is an increasing number of netizens who put up snapshots and video clips of people in embarrassing situations. The proliferation of photo sharing portals like Stomp, Flickr and Youtube serves to encourage more of such behaviour.
Should we encourage such a behaviour? Do we really need such information? Where do we draw the line between content that should be shared with the public and what ought to be reserved for private viewing? Are we growing a culture of surveillance on the internet? That brings us to our first topic of discussion.
Assignment 1
Should we post photographs and videos of bad behaviour on the internet?
What you need to do:
1. State your stand clearly with a main argument whether you are in favour of the above statement. Convince the readers of your blog entry why they should agree with you. Remember to include a topic sentence and give supporting details (examples and explanation).
2. Choose an opposing argument. Provide a counter-argument as to why this opposing argument is invalid. Likewise, you will need to provide supporting details for your counter-argument.
Your entry should contain 2 paragraphs: 1 main argument and 1 counter-argument. The expected word length should be at least 100 words.
Make use of the editing function to write and re-write your entry. Do not be easily satisfied with your first draft. There is no perfect writing, but your writing will definitely get better with more editing.
Remember to leave a comment to this entry when you're done. The deadline for your first assignment is on 9 March 2010.
Have a pleasant blogging journey!
--MT
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