Kick Start Writer

How do I write an argument essay?

2007-07-25T15:44:00.000-07:00

It always helps me to see writing samples of something I need to write, so here are a few links that explain more about argument essays and give you examples.

Explanations:

http://www.writefix.com/argument/ (This site explains the format you should use step-by-step. Click on on of the sample essay links on this page)

http://www.writefix.com/argument/ (you can view sample outlines and possible topics here)

Sample essays:

http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/hacker/arguing.htm

http://www.eslminiconf.net/february/story2.html

Here's a website that have other sample essays as well:

http://www.rscc.cc.tn.us/owl&writingcenter/OWL/Types.html

A note about using outside sources:

If you want to use information from another source, great! But, you need to cite that source (include where you got the information from). Be careful not to use the same phrases as that source does, or you are plagiarizing. Read this website about plagiarism:

http://cctc2.commnet.edu/mla/plagiarism.shtml

Should the Masi change their culture?

2007-07-24T14:04:00.000-07:00

In class today, we looked at a short film depicting the village of a Masi tribe. We also read about some of their customs and learned that they have preserved their culture from outside influences. But should all of their practices be protected? If you're a woman's rights lobbyist, I don't think you'd think so. The Masi circumcize women before they get married and they have to share husbands with other women. All of the wives do not live together, but are required to build their own huts out of cow dung when they get married. As they enter married life, the neighbors ridicule them with insults to remind these new brides that they must submit and serve their husbands. Should we really just stand by and let the Masi women be treated this way? Sure, in exchange for serving their husbands, they get protection and food, but can't those things be provided without making women lowly creatures? What's wrong with men only having one husband? Are they afraid one will not be able to satisfy them? Or is there really an inbalanced ratio of men to women? Just because the Masi culture has been preserved for hundreds, maybe thousands of years, doesn't mean that it has honorable values. But before we all jump to conclusions about these people, we certainly need to hear their perspective.

What points do you agree with or disagree with? Please leave your comments.

Movie Review: Evolution

2007-07-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

Student note: notice my use of the passive tense, particularly with modals when I give my opinion about the movie. Write a review of a movie you've seen on your blog using as many modals in the passive voice as you can.

A while ago, I watched the scientific comedy, Evolution, which was released in 2001.

The movie is about alien life that rapidly evolves in a creator left by the crash of a meteorite from outer space. Two community college professors are asked to investigate the crash site, but when the government finds out that alien life is developing, the job is taken away from them. Unwilling to let their discovery be stolen, they sneak around to investigate and find the alien creatures evolving into enormous beings that soon threaten to overtake the earth.

This movie certainly would not appeal to everyone because it has dumb humor, but the idea of a meteorite sparking the growth of alien life on earth certainly stirs the imagination. Personally, I don't think the planet should have been saved by the dumbest students in class. That was a bit too unrealistic for me. I realize that comedies are not supposed to be viewed realistically, but I would have been pleased if the students who didn't understand the course material had failed the class. Perhaps that's the teacher coming out in me. Actually earning one's grade should be enforced at all schools. So, those two students who helped defeat the alien invasion should have been rewarded but their A's in the class ought to have been changed to failing grades because they couldn't pass the exams.

Watch the movie and see what you think.

ELI's Renaissance Festival

2007-07-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

Students: notice my use of the passive voice. I also used quite a few modals- can you spot them?

Last Saturday my husband and I journeyed back in time as we participated in ELI's annual summer Renaissance Festival. I was impressed by all the costumes and activities so many people volunteered to put on for us.

When we first arrived, we saw fighters battling each other on the front lawn. We learned that each fighter's armour was made by the fighter, so each one looked different.

After we watched the fighters for a while, we looked in each of the tents. Soon we were asked to sit down at a strange-looking table to play an ancient game similar to Backgammon. People used to play this game to bet money. I would have lost money if I betted any, but my husband would have been awarded with some extra cash.

From there we wandered to the next tent. I was intrigued by the paintings and calligraphy a woman in a gold crown was making so I stopped to talk to her for a while. I found out that the awards she makes are presented to people in her kingdom that are receiving an honor.

Behind all of the tents on the back lawn was another sport. Painted archery targets had been set up. Aiming and shooting lessons were given to those who wanted to try shooting a bow and arrow. The targets were hit some of the time, but most of the time the bows went sailing into the grass.

Before we left, we decided to cool off indoors and listen to some relaxing music. We listened to two songs that were played on the harp. That harpist must have practiced many years to play that well!

I hope you have a chance to attend a Renaissance Festival sometime-- it was more fun than I expected.

-All pictures were taken by my husband, Jon.

Garden woes

2007-07-15T07:08:00.000-07:00

Note for my students: notice my use of modals

This weekend I worked on our yard and garden. Because I've been busy lesson planning and grading the past couple of weeks, I haven't tended to my garden very much. In order to keep it healthy, I realize I have to not only water it when the soil gets dry, but I must also pull weeds right when they start to pop up and keep the bugs off as well.

I've done a good job of watering, but when I took a closer look at my plants, I found two different kids of insect eggs on the leaves. I should have paid more attention to those bugs! Luckily, I killed the eggs before they hatched. I could have had more insects than I wanted in a couple of days! After removing the eggs, I sprayed my garden with some vegetable safe insect killer. Hopefully that will keep the bugs away for a while.

When I went over to my friend's house yesterday and looked at her garden, she told me to watch out for the Japanese beetle, so when I got home I went out to my garden to see if they were in our yard too. I didn't find any on my garden, but I found a bunch of them in the bushes not far from my garden. I will have to keep an eye on them so they don't attack my garden. My husband thinks we should buy bug bags to hang in our yard to kill them. If we don't do that, by the time we want to eat our vegetables, we may not be able to.

Here are some pictures of the Japanese beetle and the damage it has already done to some of the bushes.

About Me

2007-07-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

I'm an ESL teacher in Delaware who created this post to kick start my students in their writing careers. Hopefully my students will find blogging gives them a new found passion for writing. I'm excited to hear their opinions and learn more about their countries and experiences in America.

As far as my background is concerned, I started my teaching career in Vietnam and have been teaching English to non-native speakers for 5.5 years. My favorite subjects to teach are American Culture and writing. Although most teachers don't like to teach writing and most students don't like to write, this subject is great because writing gives students' a voice and an anvenue to express deep thoughts.

Other passions I have include making and editing short videos, playing soccer, and playing the guitar. This summer I also took up gardening, though I feel in over my head at times. My small garden out back was more work than it looks like to set up. I'm hoping it will yield vegetables I can eat by the end of the summer.