We've been working on opinion essays, so this seems like a good opportunity to say my opinion about a few things.
Because of the expected energy shortage this summer, many businesses, including our university, are trying to conserve electricity. One of the ideas being considered in Japan is to go to daylight savings time. Many countries already do this, as it apparently saves energy by utilizing the natural sunlight more efficiently. Personally, I doubt it would be worth the trouble in Japan. Schedules would have to be re-written, and it's kind of troublesome to have to go forward or back an hour. Check out this article and give your opinion about it:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110628i1.html
On a totally unrelated topic, we all know that the number of elderly people in Japan is increasing. Did you know that because there are more old people, there are more old people committing crimes? Police have noticed a surge in the number of elderly people arrested for shoplifting. Some writers describe it as an epidemic. I believe that if the number of elderly increases, it's normal to expect the number of crimes committed by the elderly to increase proportionately. Check out this article and tell me what you think:
http://blog.japantimes.co.jp/yen-for-living/reported-epidemic-of-elder-shoplifting-may-not-be-what-it-seems/
Finally, what do you think of the new AKB48 member that was created by computer graphics? I think that in the near future, young people will not need "real" idols. They will be satisfied with computer generated idols that sing computer generated songs. What do you think about it?
http://www.japanprobe.com/2011/06/26/aimi-eguchi-cg-idol/
Write your opinion on one of the topics above in the comment box below.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Sample student "How to ..." essay
How to Travel in Kyoto
by S.Y.
Summer vacation is drawing near. You can do a lot of things in the summer. What do you want to do? Where do you want to travel? There are many famous places in Japan. I think one of the best places is Kyoto. Now I will tell you how to travel in Kyoto.
First, before going to Kyoto, buy an easy map of Kyoto. Kyoto is a very complex place, so you may lose your way, especially if it's your first visit. Books about travel in Kyoto are sold at any bookstore. There will surely be a map inside. Glance at the books at the bookstore and choose one that fits you and you'll get the best map. Of course, I already have one.
Next, check the places you want to visit. If you don't check them, they may be closed. It is too unlucky. Also, in Kyoto, there are festivals anytime and anywhere. The festivals are historic and traditional. You don't want to miss them. And don't forget to take pictures!
Finally, prepare well. If it rains or you get injured and you're not prepared, your mood will be low. It is important for you to prepare an umbrella and a first-aid kit. If you have to share them with your friends, they will be pleased. Forewarned is forearmed!
To summarize, you must prepare in advance. Before going to Kyoto, buy an easy map, check the places and prepare well, including an umbrella and a first-aid kit. Then I have no doubt you will enjoy traveling. But the best way to enjoy Kyoto is by going with a friend.
by S.Y.
Summer vacation is drawing near. You can do a lot of things in the summer. What do you want to do? Where do you want to travel? There are many famous places in Japan. I think one of the best places is Kyoto. Now I will tell you how to travel in Kyoto.
First, before going to Kyoto, buy an easy map of Kyoto. Kyoto is a very complex place, so you may lose your way, especially if it's your first visit. Books about travel in Kyoto are sold at any bookstore. There will surely be a map inside. Glance at the books at the bookstore and choose one that fits you and you'll get the best map. Of course, I already have one.
Next, check the places you want to visit. If you don't check them, they may be closed. It is too unlucky. Also, in Kyoto, there are festivals anytime and anywhere. The festivals are historic and traditional. You don't want to miss them. And don't forget to take pictures!
Finally, prepare well. If it rains or you get injured and you're not prepared, your mood will be low. It is important for you to prepare an umbrella and a first-aid kit. If you have to share them with your friends, they will be pleased. Forewarned is forearmed!
To summarize, you must prepare in advance. Before going to Kyoto, buy an easy map, check the places and prepare well, including an umbrella and a first-aid kit. Then I have no doubt you will enjoy traveling. But the best way to enjoy Kyoto is by going with a friend.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Cars Should Be Abolished
Can you imagine your life without a car? At first, you would probably think that life without a car is impossible. Cars are convenient and we rely on them a lot in our daily lives. But if you really think about it, cars are not really necessary. Any of us can adapt to life without a car, and our lives would actually be better. The truth is, cars are not good for us, and we would be better off without them. Cars should be abolished.
First, our lives would be safer without cars. Young people often drive too fast and get in car accidents. If cars were abolished, all young people would grow up safely. Also, the number of people who drink and drive is increasing. If cars were abolished, all drunk people would have to take public transportation. There would no longer be any accidents due to drunk driving.
Next, we would use less energy and have less pollution. Cars in Japan and other developed countries are improving their gas mileage, but cars still cause more pollution than public transportation. Without any cars on the roads, our air would be so much cleaner, and the gases that cause global warming would be reduced. This is an important point for the future of everyone.
Finally, we would get more exercise by walking and riding bicycles. Now, we often rely on cars to go a short distance, but without cars, we would have to get around on our own power. Walking or riding a bicycle is good for our health. We will burn calories, exercise our heart, and improve our condition. The problem of people being overweight will be a thing of the past.
Many people think they cannot live without a car, but they would soon find many benefits to life without cars. Our lives would be safer, we would have less pollution, and we would get more exercise. People all over the world would soon appreciate a cleaner, safer, quieter world. We would all live longer, and one day our kids will say, “What were they thinking in those days? Why would anyone need their own car?”
__________________
What do you think?
Do you agree with the opinion above? Whether you agree or disagree, write your opinion in a short paragraph in the comment box. OR you can choose a topic from the list I gave you for the Opinion Essay (#4) and write a short paragraph. OR you can go to the Japan news sites, find a recent topic that interests you, and write a short paragraph about it.
First, our lives would be safer without cars. Young people often drive too fast and get in car accidents. If cars were abolished, all young people would grow up safely. Also, the number of people who drink and drive is increasing. If cars were abolished, all drunk people would have to take public transportation. There would no longer be any accidents due to drunk driving.
Next, we would use less energy and have less pollution. Cars in Japan and other developed countries are improving their gas mileage, but cars still cause more pollution than public transportation. Without any cars on the roads, our air would be so much cleaner, and the gases that cause global warming would be reduced. This is an important point for the future of everyone.
Finally, we would get more exercise by walking and riding bicycles. Now, we often rely on cars to go a short distance, but without cars, we would have to get around on our own power. Walking or riding a bicycle is good for our health. We will burn calories, exercise our heart, and improve our condition. The problem of people being overweight will be a thing of the past.
Many people think they cannot live without a car, but they would soon find many benefits to life without cars. Our lives would be safer, we would have less pollution, and we would get more exercise. People all over the world would soon appreciate a cleaner, safer, quieter world. We would all live longer, and one day our kids will say, “What were they thinking in those days? Why would anyone need their own car?”
__________________
What do you think?
Do you agree with the opinion above? Whether you agree or disagree, write your opinion in a short paragraph in the comment box. OR you can choose a topic from the list I gave you for the Opinion Essay (#4) and write a short paragraph. OR you can go to the Japan news sites, find a recent topic that interests you, and write a short paragraph about it.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Summer Heat is Upon Us!
We had some cool weather for a while in May, but Japan's famous heat is now upon us. Staying cool will be a challenge. It's especially hard to stay cool in the commuter trains. Fortunately, I get to sit, because I get on at a "shihatsu" station. I bring extra t-shirts to school so I can change into them after a class. Teaching makes me feel warmer than ever. What are your tips for staying cool in the summer? Please give me your suggestions. Tell me "How to stay cool this summer."
If you'd rather comment about a recent news item, you may do that. Here's the link to the page with news sites:
Japan News Online
If you'd rather comment about a recent news item, you may do that. Here's the link to the page with news sites:
Japan News Online
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Sample Essays & More
Students in Essay Writing class are doing a great job this year. Attendance is good, and everyone is writing a lot and creating some very nice essays. Let's take a look at some student writing so we can understand better what other people in class are doing. I am just using the students' initials so they won't be embarrassed!
My Special Thing: My Cell Phone
by S.K.
My special thing is my cell phone. I started to want my own cell phone when I was a schoolchild. I couldn't get a cell phone at that time, so I borrowed my mother's cell phone. I continued to use her cell phone while I was home, so she couldn't use it. She stopped letting me borrow it. Then I started sending mail from a PC. But many friends had their own cell phones when I was a junior high school student, so I wanted my own cell phone, too. My sister also wanted her own cell phone. We asked my mother to buy a cell phone for us. Our mother said, "If you can improve your grades, I will buy you cell phones." We studied very hard and helped our mother. In the end, I couldn't improve my grades, but my sister could. I was upset. However, our mother said, "I will buy you both cell phones because both of you studied very hard." I was lucky, so I will try to take care of my cell phone.
Recently I found that cell phones are useful when an earthquake hits. I was on a train alone when the earthquake hit, so I worried about my family and my friends. But I was safe and I got the earthquake information by my cell phone. so I could be relieved a little. And now everyone can make charitable contributions from their cell phones, and I can leave messages to victims to cheer them up.
My cell phone is the most important communication too for me. I am shy, so I can't talk face to face with people easily. So I use e-mail and blogs and so on for good communication. Recently, I am not so nervous to talk face to face. I also like listening to music and watching TV on my cell phone. I think that having a cell phone is indispensable to me.
Rice is Better than Bread
Comparison essay by K.F.
Rice is better than bread. First, rice is healthier than bread. If you have a staple diet of rice as well as the dishes that go along with rice, you can get all essential nutrients easily. And the dishes that go well with rice contain nutrients that prevent lifestyle diseases. If you want to keep healthy, you should have a staple diet of rice. However, you have to make sure that you have a balanced diet.
Second, rice is more enjoyable than bread. There are a lot of dishes that go well with rice. For example, pickles, natto, Chinese food and so on go well with rice. And there are various ways to eat rice, such as a rice ball, a bowl of rice topped with chicken and eggs cooked together, mochi and the like. So you can enjoy having rice in many different ways.
Finally, rice makes you smarter than bread. There are three reasons. First, rice contains a lot of lecithin, which improves memory and concentration. Second, rice is more firm than bread, so you have to chew it well. To chew well makes your brain active. Third, rice keeps you going longer than bread, so you can concentrate longer.
Article Link:
Here's an interesting article and video on CNN about the seniors in Japan who are willing to sacrifice themselves to work on the nuclear power plant. These people deserve our admiration and appreciation, so let's learn more about them.
Today we will begin a new essay called a "How to ..." essay. You can see sample essays by students from last year if you click on the link below.
How Not to Be Late, by F.S.
How to Be a Great Guitarist, by Yuta
If we have time today, we will blog and prepare for the "How to ..." Essay by writing a one-point advice on How to Make Someone Attracted to You. Please write your comment in the box below. You don't have to write your name, but you can if you want to.
My Special Thing: My Cell Phone
by S.K.
My special thing is my cell phone. I started to want my own cell phone when I was a schoolchild. I couldn't get a cell phone at that time, so I borrowed my mother's cell phone. I continued to use her cell phone while I was home, so she couldn't use it. She stopped letting me borrow it. Then I started sending mail from a PC. But many friends had their own cell phones when I was a junior high school student, so I wanted my own cell phone, too. My sister also wanted her own cell phone. We asked my mother to buy a cell phone for us. Our mother said, "If you can improve your grades, I will buy you cell phones." We studied very hard and helped our mother. In the end, I couldn't improve my grades, but my sister could. I was upset. However, our mother said, "I will buy you both cell phones because both of you studied very hard." I was lucky, so I will try to take care of my cell phone.
Recently I found that cell phones are useful when an earthquake hits. I was on a train alone when the earthquake hit, so I worried about my family and my friends. But I was safe and I got the earthquake information by my cell phone. so I could be relieved a little. And now everyone can make charitable contributions from their cell phones, and I can leave messages to victims to cheer them up.
My cell phone is the most important communication too for me. I am shy, so I can't talk face to face with people easily. So I use e-mail and blogs and so on for good communication. Recently, I am not so nervous to talk face to face. I also like listening to music and watching TV on my cell phone. I think that having a cell phone is indispensable to me.
Rice is Better than Bread
Comparison essay by K.F.
Rice is better than bread. First, rice is healthier than bread. If you have a staple diet of rice as well as the dishes that go along with rice, you can get all essential nutrients easily. And the dishes that go well with rice contain nutrients that prevent lifestyle diseases. If you want to keep healthy, you should have a staple diet of rice. However, you have to make sure that you have a balanced diet.
Second, rice is more enjoyable than bread. There are a lot of dishes that go well with rice. For example, pickles, natto, Chinese food and so on go well with rice. And there are various ways to eat rice, such as a rice ball, a bowl of rice topped with chicken and eggs cooked together, mochi and the like. So you can enjoy having rice in many different ways.
Finally, rice makes you smarter than bread. There are three reasons. First, rice contains a lot of lecithin, which improves memory and concentration. Second, rice is more firm than bread, so you have to chew it well. To chew well makes your brain active. Third, rice keeps you going longer than bread, so you can concentrate longer.
Article Link:
Here's an interesting article and video on CNN about the seniors in Japan who are willing to sacrifice themselves to work on the nuclear power plant. These people deserve our admiration and appreciation, so let's learn more about them.
Today we will begin a new essay called a "How to ..." essay. You can see sample essays by students from last year if you click on the link below.
How Not to Be Late, by F.S.
How to Be a Great Guitarist, by Yuta
If we have time today, we will blog and prepare for the "How to ..." Essay by writing a one-point advice on How to Make Someone Attracted to You. Please write your comment in the box below. You don't have to write your name, but you can if you want to.
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