Busy Thursday!

Good afternoon! I'm worried that you don't have enough to do in class, so I have a long list of things for you to do today!

To Do List, Thursday, June 28

1) Check out the Reddit post Kevin made last week about wearing surgical masks:
http://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/vd85d/what_do_you_really_think_about_surgical_masks/
The post has 21 comments, including one from Brazil! Only one of our Essay Writing students posted here (thanks, Daiki!), but you should check out the page to see what people are saying about this topic.

2) Pass in your Opinion Essay. But before passing it in, please check if you ...

• capitalized the title
• have good paragraph shape (block style or indent style, but not both)
• have space between lines (double spaced)
• put one space after a period, comma or question mark
• included an introduction and a conclusion
• summarized your 3 reasons in the conclusion

3) Read the "How to ..." essays by some of your classmates below (scroll down).

4) Do Kevin's handout on sentence combining - The Snowboarder.

5) Do the exercise on the back re. expressions with "get".

6) Read the post of your choice from Japan Probe and write an opinion comment here in the comment box below. There are several interesting posts, but I recommend "Sh*t Gaijin Never Say". However, the humor may be a little difficult, so feel free to choose a different one. Remember to write your name at the end of your post so Kevin can give you a point. - Kevin

7) Finish any 2nd or 3rd drafts of past due essays, or write your Opinion Essay if you haven't finished it. Remember to always include the previous version (blue ink copy) when you turn in a revised essay.

You have a lot of things to do, so please be busy! Kevin will talk to some of you about your writing. Feel free to ask him questions during class time. Ciao!

Some “How to ...” Essays from 2012

How to Spend a Happy Summer Vacation
by Y. H.

The summer vacation is drawing near. What are you going to do during the summer vacation? Go to the beach or mountains with your friends or family? Perhaps you don't have any plans yet. But you want to make good use of your holiday, don't you? I'll tell you how to spend a happy summer vacation!

First, you should make your schedule. Confirmation of your plan ensures you don't slack off. Moreover, new plans won't clash with old plans. And you can do your homework deliberately.

Next, you should finish your homework. You should not do all your homework late in the vacation, because there is a possibility you will not finish it. It is tiresome, but after you finish it, you can pass every day without worrying.

The final step is the most important thing. You should use insect repellent! Mosquitoes are especially dangerous. If you are bitten by them, you can never enjoy the summer! If you have ever been bitten by mosquitoes, you understand you must be sure to avoid insect pests!

To summarize, there are three simple steps to spend a happy summer vacation. Make your schedule, finish your homework, and use insect repellent. If you don't have any plan, you risk spending all day sleeping. Summer vacation is a special holiday. Have a good summer!

____________________________________

How to Enjoy Life
by K. S.

Japan is now in the middle of a depression due to the Tohoku earthquake disaster. As a result, Japan has a heavy atmosphere. This is a serious problem. I think that people should try to enjoy life more at such a time. People need to  think about how to enjoy life. Now I'll tell you how to enjoy life.

First, have a goal and a dream. If you can fulfill them, you will have a sense of fulfillment. A person feels joy when he fulfills a goal or a dream. Even if you can't fulfill them, your efforts will carry their own reward someday. A small goal or a small dream may be sufficient. It's important to attempt doing something.

Next, have some hobbies. You can be devoted to one hobby or enjoy many hobbies. You will be able to refresh yourself by doing your favorite thing. A hobby will make your time significant. If's wasteful if you don't spend time on an interesting thing because life is only lived once.

Finally, make a best friend. I think this is the most important point. For example, if you have money or you're in a bad condition, or if you break up with your sweetheart or have a bad day, you can change your attitude if you have a trusted friend. Friendship lasts forever.

To summarize, there are three simple steps to enjoying life. Have a goal and a dream. Also, have some hobbies and make a best friend. If you follow these three points, you will certainly enjoy life.

____________________________________

How to Refuse a Flirt
by K. A.

I want to show you how to refuse a flirt. The long summer vacation is coming soon, so someone will try to pick you up somewhere, such as at the sea or in the city or at the place where you stay, and more. There are not only good guys, but also bad guys. If you are caught by a bad man, your pleasant vacation will become spoiled. Now I will tell you how to refuse a flirt.

First, you should ignore the man, because if you react, he will get carried away, and he will be more persistent. If he begins to talk, he will not stop. Be careful.

Next, if he questions you persistently even though you have ignored him, you should escape from there. Flirts usually give up when the girl runs away. So run, run, run! But if you cannot run away because, for example, you are wearing high heels or you have bad health or the man runs after you, you should go to the next step.

Finally, this way is the last means. First you should say, "I am not alone. Actually, I am two people." Naturally, he will say, "What? What do you mean?" And let's make the decisive blow that puts an end to him. You should say, "I have a baby in my womb." This phrase is very effective!! Almost all flirts will give up and run away at last.

To summarize, there are three simple steps to refuse a flirt. If you are spoken to by a stranger, you should ignore the man at first. If it is useless, you should escape! As a last resort, you become an actress. The name of the role is "pregnant woman." If these methods are used, you can reject a flirt 99% of the time. Please try this if an uninteresting man addresses you. Have a pleasant summer vacation without wasting your time on a flirt!!!
____________________________________

Introducing Opinion Essays 2012

Kevin will distribute the following handouts on Thursday, June 21. 
If you are absent, be sure to get them from him or from another student.

1) Opinion Essay organization diagram
2) Sample Opinion Topics 2012
3) Sample Opinion Essay (Cars Should Be Abolished)
4) Transitions Chart

There are also two sample Opinion Essays from years past on the previous blog post. Just scroll down.

During class time, Kevin will give you two ways to write an opinion comment. You should do one of them.

1) http://www.reddit.com/r/japan
Kevin will explain how to create an account. You should then write your opinion re. Kevin's post on Surgical Masks. You have to be registered in order to post a comment or reply to a post. The interesting thing about commenting here is that people from all over Japan and even the world may see your comment and reply to you. They are not always polite (but usually they are). I would like to suggest that you show your comment to Kevin first on Google Docs so we can check spelling and grammar. If your comment is well-written, you are more likely to get an upvote or a reply. You don't need to write your real name on the comment. Your log in name is all you need.

2) On this English Every Day blog site. Read the article below from The Japan Times. It's about the trend of young men in Japan trying to look pretty. Write your opinion in the comment box, like we often do, and don't forget to write your name at the end. - Kevin
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120619f2.html#.T-KFxpEmQvs

There is actually a third option, which is to comment on the Japan Times article above on Reddit. Kevin will explain how, if you are interested.

Sample Opinion Essays from Years Past

TV is Good for Children
by Junna (2010)

Do you like to watch TV? There might be a lot of people who answer “Yes.” I also think so and I think that TV is very good for everyone. Of course, TV has a good influence on children. You might think that it is best that children play outside, but it is more important that children watch TV. I'll explain the reasons.

First, children can relax by watching TV. Everyone might have a favorite television program. Some children like cartoons, baseball games or music programs. When you watch your favorite program, you will be happy. Specifically, when you watch a comedy show, you can laugh very much and it cheers you up.

Next, children can know many things by watching TV. Children know only a few words and there aren't so many children who watch news. But it is possible to learn by watching news, so parents should show children news. Then children will remember many words and will be able to gain knowledge.

Finally, children can enjoy watching TV with their family. For example, children watch a quiz show with their parents. It is also good to watch sports games and support the team together. Then the family's atmosphere will improve. If you don't have a good relationship with your child, you should watch TV together. The family's relations will be good if you do so.

TV has various good effects on children. Children can relax and know many things by watching TV, and parents and children can be amused by TV. If you agree, you should try this right now. But don't show your children the late programs. It is good when the time to watch TV is firmly decided, because children should go to sleep early. If you keep to the schedule, your child will be a good child.

_________________________________

Study Abroad is the Most Effective Way to Improve English
by K.I. (2011)

We have to study English when we are students. While we are studying in Japan, our pronunciation is not so good. Some people choose to go abroad for study. It is really useful for our skills. Study abroad is the most effective way to improve our English.

First, if we study abroad, we can speak English everywhere. If you do a home stay, you have to use English all the time. Also, you can speak with native speakers anytime, anywhere. However, if you do not communicate with your host family well, you might be in trouble about your daily life.

Second, by living abroad, we can know about a foreign country firsthand. It is truly a case of killing two birds with one stone. We can develop our global perspective. After you come back to Japan, you can still practice English with your foreign country friends.

Third, by studying abroad, we can develop not only our English skill, but also our personality. When we study abroad, it might be the first time for us to live on our own, so there may be many problems about study, living, and human relationships. We will experience many things which we have never done before. Therefore, we learn to solve our problems by ourselves. We can be more effective in handling adversity.

It is possible to learn English in Japan, but by studying abroad, we can speak English everywhere, we can learn about another country, and we can develop our personality. I think study abroad is the best way to study English. It costs a lot, but it is well worth it. If you have enough money and time, you had better study abroad, not in Japan.

Review of Capitalization Rules (Again!)

We have talked about capitalization rules many times in class. Please save Kevin a lot of stress by remembering the 4 basic capitalization rules. Following the rules means you don't put capital letters anywhere you like in a sentence. You only put them where a rule requires them.

1. Capitalize the first word in a sentence.
* Please note that this means you DON'T capitalize the 2nd word in a sentence unless there is another rule that says you have to!

2. Capitalize names. This includes names of people, cities, countries, universities, holidays, etc.

3. Capitalize the pronoun "I".
* Please note that you DON'T capitalize "it" unless it is the first word in a sentence.

4. Capitalize titles
* Please capitalize every word, not just the first word.

Here are actual examples from the last essay. Find the errors and correct them.
_______________________________

Before that, You will fail it.

To tell the truth, It is bad for everyone to cram before an examination.

I think it’s risky If we can’t do something like that.

Finally, Are you a person who wants to hate your lover you fell in love with once?

Next, If they question persistently even though you ignored him, you should escape.

Next, Sometimes cry.

(title)    How to keep a healthy body

Next, You should not eat out too often.

you should not eat a lot of food and you should eat low calorie foods.

First, You shouldn’t eat junk food. Second, You should do sports. Finally, You should imagine yourself thin.

There is nothing special there. No forever 21, No Coach, No famous buildings.

Next, You should find a hobby.

Furthermore, It’s helpful for you to do a part-time job.

where do you eat lunch in Enoshima?

And It is simple and can be cooked in a little time.

finally, put eggs into a pan and mix them.

I think that Dogs are better than cats.

The Latest TVs are big, and the pictures are very clear.

To Do List for June 7

Good afternoon, everyone!

Those who are finished with classwork and essay revisions should read an article on the following blog site and write a comment in the comment box below.

http://www.japanprobe.com/