Sample Narration Essays with Dialog

A Quarrel

Narration Essay by S.Y.

I have a sister who is 17 and lives with my family in Osaka. She will go to junior college in Tokyo, so we will live together in Kanagawa next year. Now I live by myself in my grandparents' house because my grandparents moved to Hokkaido. I'm happy my sister will come here!!

One night, I called her in order to discuss our living arrangements.

"What are you going to bring here?" I asked her. "I hope you don't bring large things, like a bed and so on."

"Why can't I bring my bed? I want to sleep in my bed!!" she said.

"Why?" I replied. "The house is too small! There is no place for your bed. We will sleep on futons," I answered her.

"Really? Well ... my des-" she began.

"No! It's too big!" I was immediately opposed. "You should think before you say anything," I said.

Suddenly she was silent. I thought she understood what I said, but she asked me, "You have a bookshelf, don't you? Did you throw it away?"

I was surprised.

"It's not mine," I said. "It's our grandfather's, you fool!"

I was angry, so I hung up the phone without saying anything else.

Now it's two weeks later, and she still doesn't answer the phone. I guess she is angry, too. I feel I was childish to shout at her. I wish she would answer my call. I would say to her, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talked to you that way."

I hope we can make up soon.

_________________________________________

Always Write Your Name on Your Food

Narration Essay by Y.M.

I have an older sister. She loves food, especially sweet foods, like cake and cookies. We often quarrel about food. This story was the most shocking for me.

One night, I bought a piece of chocolate cake. It was a limited time sale, and the cake looked very delicious. I decided that I would eat it the next morning, and I said to my mother, "I will eat this chocolate cake tomorrow morning, so I will not need breakfast. Don't eat it!" I was looking forward to eating it, but I forgot about my sister.

In the morning, I got up early and I was very excited. I looked for my chocolate cake, but it was gone! I asked my mom, "Do you know where my chocolate cake is?"

My mother said, "I don't know. Maybe your sister ate it?"

I asked my sister, "Did you eat my chocolate cake?"

My sister said, "I'm sorry; please forgive me!" But I was so upset that I absolutely couldn't forgive her, and I told her so.

She said, "I will certainly buy you another chocolate cake plus more cake, so please forgive me for this!"

I said, "OK, so please buy me one chocolate cake and one cheese cake!" She promised to get two pieces of cake for me.

That night, my sister brought me two pieces of cake. Again, I decided I would eat them the next morning. In the morning, I got up early and I was very excited. I looked for my two cakes, but again they were gone. I was sure my sister ate them again. I asked her angrily, "Did you eat my cakes? You are crazy!"

But my sister said, "Wait! I don't know what happened! I didn't eat them!

I asked my mother, "Did you eat my cakes?"

My mother said, "I'm sorry. Your father and I ate them."

I was very, very sad. I said, "You should buy me four cakes!" My mother and father agreed.

Finally, I could get four cakes, and I wrote "Yukiko" on the cake box. I could eat four cakes at last. I was very satisfied, and I decided I would always write my name on my food in the future.

_________________________________________

A Special Present

Narration Essay by S.K.

It was hard to buy things when I was a child because I didn't have a part-time job or any way to get money. But I wanted to buy toys and clothes. I could only get presents at special times, like Christmas and birthdays.

I used to go to swimming lessons. There was a shop that I loved on the road we always took. I always looked at the shop from the car window. One day, I fell in love with a stuffed toy at first sight.

"I want that stuffed toy," I said, but my mother said, "No!"

I pestered my mother for the stuffed toy, so my mother promised, "OK, if you get the best time at the next swimming meet, I will buy this stuffed toy for you."

I practiced so hard. I got a gold medal, but I couldn't get my best time. I was very sad.

My mother said, "Congratulations on your gold medal! You practiced hard, so I will buy the stuffed toy."

I was very happy, and we bought it on our way home.

I still have the stuffed toy now. I didn't get it as a Christmas or birthday gift. It is important to me because I got it by working hard. I will treasure it forever.

_________________________________________

It's Important to Communicate

Narration Essay by K.I.

I studied in Canada when I was a third year student at Tsurumi University. I used the home stay system there. My host family was so nice. I had a Canadian father, mother, younger brother and two young twin sisters. We seemed to be a real family. I had my own room, of course. In the house, there were two bathrooms. One of them had a bathtub and the other only had a shower. I used the shower. In Japan, I always soaked in a bathtub and I love taking a bath. However, I was in a foreign country where they have no habit of taking a bath, so I thought I had no choice.

One day, before I went back to Japan, we finished eating supper and talked about what I wanted to do after I arrived in Japan. My Canadian mother asked me, "Kyoko, what do you really want to do first after you get back to Japan?"

I answered, "Well, I want to eat natto with rice!!! But I also want to soak in a bathtub in my house for a long time."

Then my Canadian father said, "Kyoko, do you like to take a bath? I didn't know that. I thought you didn't like to spend time in the bath. I'm sorry. You should have said so, or we should have asked you about it."

Actually, they said I could use everything and feel at home when I first met my host family. However, I was reserved a little bit with them. I regretted that I did not say I wanted to take a bath. I think typically Japanese think others can understand our feelings even if we don't say anything, so we don't put it into words. Now I think we have to talk more with each other without giving the wrong impression. If you do so, you will not have the same regret as I do.

Links to Sample Narration Essays

Some students have not turned in Narration Essays yet. If you would like to look at some sample essays, below are links to the ones posted previously.

The Reason I Cook Every Day
My Grandmother's Story
My Friend's Escape
A Spiritual Experience

You should also have two other samples that Kevin gave you as hard copies in class.

Please remember to do the following:
1) Include dialog in your story.
2) Indent each time the speaker changes. If you're using block style, then you need to have a space between each new speaker's quote.
3) Use quotation marks and other punctuation correctly.

There seems to be some confusion with point #2 above. If you look at the example essays Kevin posted, you can see how it's supposed to be done.

This is WRONG:
My teacher said, "Please make a new paragraph (indent) for each new quoted line!" I said, "I don't know how to do that." Then the teacher said that I should look at some examples online. He often tells us this, but sometimes we don't understand him. "You can click on my links," he said, "and you'll find them easily."

This is CORRECT:
My teacher said, "Please make a new paragraph (indent) for each new quoted line!"

I said, "I don't know how to do that."

Then the teacher said that I should look at some examples online. He often tells us this, but sometimes we don't understand him.

"You can click on my links," he said, "and you'll find them easily."

______________________________________

Today ...
1) Do class feedback.
2) Turn in Narration Essay if you haven't already done so.
3) Edit Narration Essay if Kevin returns it to you. Use the quotation style above.
4) Comment on a Tsurumi Eats! restaurant blog. All have been posted.
5) Do 2 Story Builders and 1 Quiz from this Christmas games site.
6) Comment on a Japan Probe article.

Have a great Winter Break! And Happy New Year!

Narration Essays (the last one!) due today

Good morning Essay Writing students! The end of the school year is approaching. Today you will pass in the first draft of your Narration Essay (I hope). After that, you will ...

1) Do an exercise in class re. Direct & Indirect Quotations.
2) Take a look at some Wordle images and possibly try Wordle yourself (Kevin will explain).
3) Look over the latest Restaurant Reviews at: tsurumieats.blogspot.com
4) Check out the most recent Japan Probe articles, choose one, and post a comment here (in the comment box below).

Japan Probe Article Links
No Yakuza Photos, Please: City Calendar Recalled
Dante Carver Caught Driving Without License
Arashi's Atrocious Singing
Map of Around Japan – Common Sense of Japan
Message From Tohoku: We Will Always Remember You
Korean Copies of Japanese Products

You may also choose a different article from Japan Probe or Kyodo News in English, if you prefer.

Turn English into Art!

Wordle is a fun program for turning your English essays or other writing into art. Take any English text, copy it, then paste it into Wordle. You can make some great images. You can also edit them by changing fonts or colors.

Attached are some examples. If you click on the images, you can view them larger. Kevin can tell you how to turn your art into images that you can print or save.

By the way, the images posted here are not just random images. Kevin will tell you what to do in class!

The link to the program is Wordle.net.

Sample Data Essay

The Internship System by S.Y.

Recently, many Japanese university students join in the internship system. Many universities offer it, including Tsurumi University. The internship is a system that allows students to experience working in a company. It helps them prepare to choose a job before they graduate. This system is generally held during summer vacation, so many students work hard to prepare documents and take interviews. The internship system is very popular and useful now, but about 10 years ago, it was not so widespread.

Please look at the bar graph above. The vertical axis is the number of schools, and the horizontal axis shows years from 1996 to 2007. The bars show universities in blue, and junior colleges in red. The number of institutions offering internships has increased steadily. Now the number of universities and junior colleges offering internships is about 90%. This is about 5 times the number in 1996.

This graph shows the growth of universities and junior colleges offering the internship system. In Japan, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology energetically promotes the internship system for university students. A few years from now, joining an internship may become one of the conditions for getting a job. However, I think this condition won't guarantee that you'll get a job.

Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
http://www.mext.go.jp/component/b_menu/other/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2010/04/16/1259257_1_1.pdf

Restaurant Reviews going online soon!

I'll be posting restaurant reviews online as soon as I have edited versions from you along with jpg photos that I can post with them. Watch for them soon at:

Tsurumi Eats!

Today, please finish your restaurant review if you haven't done so and submit it to Kevin. If you are finished, please edit and turn in your final version. If you have done that, please try these online games related to food:

American fast food chain game
Popular food combinations (write the word that makes a pair)
Name the country famous for these foods
Write these foods in 1 minute! (Hint: Make a list on paper first!)

Finally, if you've finished the online activities, read an article on Japan Probe and make a comment in the comment box below.

Solo Karaoke Rooms
Begging Starbucks for free Wi-Fi in Japan
X Japan Concert in Thailand
More radiation testing for food in Japan

Any questions? Ask Kevin.

More About Restaurant Reviews

Today we will look at some Japanese restaurant information on the site, Hot Pepper Gourmet. Please click on this link:

http://www.hotpepper.jp/CSP/psh010/doSpecial?FCS=U013&FCS=U026&SA=SA12&BCS=B002&DN=LU29&FEFLG=&ARFLG=

Kevin will assign you one restaurant from this list. Look at the information about your restaurant. On a piece of scrap paper, translate the POINT into English. Also write one or two sentences that tell some other information about the restaurant. Try to make your description different from other similar restaurants.

Next, in the blog comment box, type the following only. (Do not type the name of the restaurant!):

Your name
1) Point (in English)
2) Other info about the restaurant

When you finish writing, look at what other students have written and try to identify which restaurant matches which description. Write the student's name and the restaurant's name on the paper that Kevin gives you. When you finish, give the paper to Kevin.

You will also look at a sample student Data Essay.

Have a great day!

Sample Data Essay

The Popularity of Social Network Services
by K.F.

Nowadays, you can contact people from foreign countries by using the Internet. Many people around the world make friends through the Internet. And if you register with a social network service, you can make many friends who live in other countries easily. A social network service (SNS) is an online service where you can share some interesting things or activities and maintain contact with your friends.

However, there are many social network service sites in the world. The bar graph above compares SNS website registration. It shows us that Facebook is the most popular SNS site in the world. Facebook was developed in the USA, so it is popular among English speakers. But this popularity does not extend to Japan. A local SNS service, Mixi, is the most popular in Japan, but it is not globally popular. If you want to make friends who speak English, I recommend you use Facebook.

The Internet has developed and we can easily get in touch with people even if they live in other countries. And we can know what friends are doing through an SNS. It is very convenient for people. However, Internet techniques change rapidly. I think there are many people who cannot keep up with the development of Internet techniques in the world. I am one of them.

Source
http://www.webtweet.info/2011/04/16%E3%81%AE%E3%83%A1%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A3%E3%83%BC%E3%81%AAsns%E3%80%81%E3%83%A6%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B6%E3%83%BC%E6%95%B0%E8%AA%BF%E3%81%B9%EF%BC%882011%E5%B9%B4%E7%89%88%EF%BC%89/

Before writing a restaurant review ...

Hi everybody! Some people have already sent me restaurant reviews, but I would like to ask you to pause for a moment and make sure you have everything you need before submitting an article. I introduced the essay last week so you would have enough time, but there is no need to hurry. The 1st draft isn't due until Nov. 17. Let's look at the following list and make sure we have all of these things:

1. Restaurant name
2. Restaurant review title (not the restaurant name only)
3. An original jpg photo of the food, interior or entrance
(You must send the photo to my email as an attachment.)
4. What kind of restaurant is it? Chinese, Italian, Korean, yaki niku, ramen, buffet, sandwich shop, family restaurant, etc.
5. Information about the menu, favorite items, service, staff, specials, atmosphere, prices, etc. If the owner is interesting, tell us about her or him.
6. Complete address of the restaurant (including postal code)
7. Phone number of the restaurant
8. Business hours and holidays
9. Access information (closest train or subway station; how many minutes on foot; simple directions)
10. Web site URL if available

Also, be sure to read the restaurant reviews from last year to understand how they should generally look.

In class today, we will do the exciting Restaurant Review Treasure Hunt! Kevin will give you a handout and you will race to answer some questions. The questions can be answered by reading the restaurant reviews from the Tokyo Food File column at The Japan Times online newspaper (the column on the left). Note that only the following 5 reviews appear on the handout, but in random order:

* Mushrooms and much more in Moto-Yoyogi - Nov. 4
* Who says kaiseki dining has to be stuffy? - Oct. 31
* The most satisfying soba in temple town - Oct. 7
* Proper pizza and past - and yes, it's in Tokyo - Sept. 16
* A taste of Portugal in Tokyo's backstreets - Sept. 2

If we have time, you will blog on a restaurant related topic. Kevin will tell you in class. Have a great day!

Cool, Fall Weather!

It's finally getting cooler in Japan! The cool air feels great after the hot summer we had. I was beginning to worry whether we'd ever feel the normal fall temperatures. On the other hand, cold season is coming, so we all have to be careful and get enough rest. Take care of yourself!

The next essay is not due until Nov. 17, but I will introduce it today so you have enough time to work on it. Next week (Nov. 3) is a holiday, so there is no class. That gives you 3 weeks to prepare! The next essay is a restaurant review. This can be really fun if you do your best. I will tell you about it in class and post more details about it on this site in the future. For now, please check out the restaurant reviews from last year at the special site for this purpose:

Tsurumi Eats!

Also, here is some online grammar practice for you to do during class:
Conjunctions
Connectives

Recently, there have been some interesting international news stories (Libya, for example), but I suppose the offbeat news and entertainment news from Japan are more interesting for students. Following are links to a mix of serious and not-so-serious news stories. Please comment on one, OR scroll down to the student essays posted below and comment on one of them:

Disaster recovery minister calls Tsunami victims "idiots"
Japanese nurse to get death penalty in Malaysia
Erika Sawajiri Snickers commercial
Popular UK fashion brand uses strange Japanese

Please check out these Change Essays from your fellow students:
__________________________________

How My Attitude for Work Has Changed
by K.I.

Most university students have to look for jobs when they become third year students. When I went to Tsurumi University after study abroad and I met my friends, I heard the word "internship" for the first time. I was not totally interested in becoming a member of society yet, and I thought that I did not have to do job hunting yet. However, I decided to go to the placement office then because I was not so busy. After talking with the staff, I learned that nowadays, finding employment is not so easy. I decided to participate in an internship to change myself and become more positive. I wanted to know about the real business world.

And so my life commuting to the placement office began. I talked with counselors many times, and I practiced how to write a resume and how to respond in an interview. Before summer vacation of my third year, I got an internship in the apparel (clothing) industry. The apparel business was harder work than I thought. I had imagined only a gorgeous and simple work before my internship, but in fact, it is difficult to have contact with customers with a smile in high heels all day. When I began, my smile was unnatural, and I felt only loathsomeness for the service industry. My eyes sometimes filled with tears, and days of severe instruction continued. These were such hard days, but my weak points for the service of customers gradually disappeared, and I started to think that talking with customers was fun. My smile became natural, and I was praised by senior staff. On the last day of the internship, I achieved unprecedented sales from a customer I was in charge of.

The time for job hunting began in earnest in the winter of my third year. The job hunting that I had regarded as a pain became very fun and I met various companies and people. These encounters led me in a good direction, and I think I grew up as a person greatly. And fortunately, I obtained a job!

Now I am able to contact people with a smile even if I might be sad. I want to laugh with people any time and the people around me change with my smile.

My way of thinking about work changed dramatically. I thought that I would suffer to earn money, but it was a big misunderstanding. I find pleasure in work now, and I can manage even difficult work if I and other workers encourage each other and change our attitude. After this internship, I found these ideas. That helps my present life and I now spend more substantial days. Even though the internship was hard, I am glad I took part in it. Everything that I learned will stay in my memory and help me in my future life.

_______________________________________

I Changed My Way of Thinking about Contact with Handicapped People
by S.K.

When I was younger, I was not good at being sociable. I was uncomfortable talking to handicapped people in particular because I didn't understand how to communicate with them. I used to have a prejudice. I changed my way of thinking about contact with handicapped people because I met three handicapped people. Now I think that a handicapped person in not different from us except the handicapped people need assistance.

The first disabled person I met rode in a wheelchair and he couldn't talk with us. He needed assistance with everything, so we helped him. For example, I brought his lunch box and I pushed his wheelchair. Then he always smiled. I remember his smiles well.

The second person doesn't have hair, but she is not different from us except for her hair. She is of a cheerful disposition and positive. I made friends with her so she spoke to me many times. She was always dignified even when someone made fun of her and she said, "I have a disease, so I have to accept my fate." I have the best impression from these words.

Finally, I know a person who has autism. My school has a special class for handicapped people. We ate our school lunch and practiced sports day together. I remember particularly practicing sports day so hard. Making progress took more hours for the autistic person than the others. I felt a sense of fulfillment when we could make a good performance.

Many people have a prejudice against handicapped people. If you make contact with them, they are glad for your effort. You would find they are not different from us and they are such kind people. These experiences when I met three handicapped people were valuable, and they changed my way of thinking.

__________________________________

How I Changed My Eating Habits
by C.H.

I used to eat a lot of potato chips, chocolates, hard candy and other junk foods. When I was a high school student, I often went to McDonald's with friends. I particularly liked cheeseburgers, but I disliked vegetables.

Some years back, the skin on my face became rough. Moreover, my face was covered with many pimples. I thought maybe the cause was my unhealthy meals. I tried many cosmetics to make it better afterward, but my face didn't heal. However, my mother recommended making fresh juice. I made fresh juice from apples, lemons, bananas, carrots and soy milk.

After drinking it twice a week, the effect was magical. Fresh juice is a good drink in the morning and at night. Also, I ate fermented soybeans (natto) and soft seaweed in order to cure my face. I became interested in healthy eating habits.

By changing my eating habits, I could improve my condition. My skin is much healthier now. I have been making fresh juice for about 3 years.

More About Graphs

Good morning everyone! How did you do on the data and graphs essay? Was it difficult to write about statistics? If it's any consolation, it will be just as difficult for me to edit your essays, so please think about me this weekend!

Let's spend a little more time on graphs and do some online exercises. These will give us additional practice with English expressions often used when working with graphs.

Line graphs
Column graphs
Bar graphs
Pie graphs

Next, please check the topics below, click on a link of your choice, read the article, and write a blog comment in English. Be sure to say which article you are commenting about and write your name, please.

English articles:
Temperature record of the past 1000 years
Japan vs. U.S. crime statistics
(You can also compare other countries with this site)

English article with Japanese video:
AU vs Softbank network speed

Japanese articles:
Japanese article on 2010 most popular companies for job hunting
Japanese survey on smart phone apps
Japanese survey on types of smart phones people have
Japan smart phone carriers
Japan middle & high school use of cell phones

Traditional Japanese Bonito Fisheries

by CCC

There are many traditional fisheries in Japan, but they are disappearing little by little because it is hard to catch fish by traditional fishing methods. People who catch fish in traditional fisheries are decreasing. In particular, people who catch bonitos by hook-and-line fishing, one of the traditional methods, are decreasing.

Please look at the bar graph (above). The vertical axis shows catches of bonito in tons and the horizontal axis shows years from 1960 to 2008. The bar’s contents shows the proportion of ways to catch bonitos. The dark gray bars at the bottom show the proportion of hook-and-line fishing, and the middle bars show the proportion using purse seine. The top bars show other methods. The largest proportion from 1960 to 1980 is hook-and-line fishing. But from 1980, the proportion using purse seine starts to increase rapidly, and most bonitos are caught by using purse seine now. The catches by hook-and-line fishing in 2000 are the same as in the 1960s.

This graph shows that most bonito fisheries between 1980 and the present use purse seine. Using purse seine catches many more bonitos than catching by hook-and-line fishing, so most fishermen now use purse seine. But hook-and-line fishing doesn’t catch too many bonitos and doesn’t put as much stress on the bonito population. People are talking about whales and tunas, but they aren’t talking about bonitos. If people don’t start to talk about bonitos, they may disappear faster than whales and tunes.

Source

http://database.asahi.com/library2/main/start.php
Kikuzo II visual Asahi Shinbun Database

______________________________

Using Data & Graphs in Your Essays

This week, you need to find a topic that interests you that has some data or statistics that you can present. You should write about the topic and include a graph to help the reader understand the information. There are two basic types of article you can write:

A general information essay with data -
For example, you might choose "cell phones market shares" as your topic, and you might find some data showing which cell phone companies have what market share now. If you have good market share data, you can make a pie chart showing which companies have what percentage of the market. Of course, you also must write in words what all the data means.

An advocacy essay with data -
This type of essay takes a point of view on a topic. For example, I am concerned about shark finning and the decline of sharks around the world. I can write an essay about the problem and show a graph with data on how sharks are declining in the world's oceans.

When you look for data on your topic, please try to use reliable sources. A student blog, for example, would not be considered reliable.

You must also list your sources at the end of the essay in this assignment. If your source is a website, you must write the name of the site, the date if known, and the URL.

When you put the data in your essay, please use the graph function in Word. Part of this assignment is learning how to use the graph function so you have experience with it if you need to make graphs in the future.

Be sure to choose the correct type of graph for the data you want to explain and be sure to represent the data accurately. Think carefully about your data. You can't, for example, simply compare the number of smokers in Japan to the number of smokers in China. Why? Because the populations are so different. It would be better to compare the percent of people in each country who smoke.

Today you will spend most of your time trying to find a topic to write about and search for reliable statistics that can be represented in a graph. Gambatte!

_________________________

Simple Past Tense & Present Perfect Tense

Today Kevin will talk about using the Simple Past Tense and the Present Perfect Tense, as well as how to choose which tense to use. Later, you will practice some online exercises. This is the link to Kevin's web site, where you will connect to the online exercises.

englisheveryday.weebly.com

A random topic, but what do you think of point cards? Do you carry many of them in your wallet? What do you think of this idea?

http://www.japanprobe.com/2011/09/25/fight-against-annoying-point-cards/

Let's check out some recent student essays

Good morning all you bright and cheery Essay Writing students! Today we will take a moment to read some Opinion Essays and How to ... Essays written by our classmates. If we have time, we will blog a comment about one of them later. But first ...

Please do the following ...
1) Correct your "I used to ..." sentence from last week. Kevin will give you a corrected sentence for you to type. Once your new, corrected sentence is online, Kevin will delete the old one.
2) Do Kevin's "I used to ..." practice in class.
3) Read the Opinion Essays and How to ... Essays posted below. Choose one and write a blog comment about it. You can agree with the original opinion or advice, disagree, or just add a comment. It's OK if your comment goes off the topic a bit if the comment has some connection with the original essay. Please write your name or nickname so I know who wrote the comment.

______________________________________

Little Known Music Should Be More Highly Estimated
by M.Y.

What kind of music do you listen to? Many people listen to famous music such as AKB48, KARA, and EXILE. I think they are great, but music is not only famous music! You may think only famous music is good, but it is not true! Little known music should be more highly estimated.

First, people should look for a band or a singer who is not yet famous. A little known band may play a concert in a small live house. People can see the live performance at a low price. They will give a passionate performance and people will surely be enchanted by it.

Next, the music world would flourish. Japanese music industry is made up of pop idol groups. Korean idol groups are also very popular today. But in my opinion, they are selling their looks!!! I think people should listen to little known music which is on the cutting edge. These new innovative groups make their songs earnestly.

Finally, people can enjoy the growth of new bands. They are surely not good performers at first, but they will surely became good performers when many fans visit their live shows. The fans will think, “They are getting better day by day!!”

Almost all people listen to famous idol group music. But I think people should look for a band or singer who is not yet famous. The music world would be flourishing. And people can enjoy their growth. Let's go to a live house and put up our hands and shake our head!!!

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Trains Must Change
by A.K.

Are you someone who rides a train everyday? If so, have you ever been on a train early in the morning? If you travel a long distance to your school or job, you have probably ridden trains early in the morning. Do you feel comfortable on the train? Is there anything that bothers you about trains? The answer is certainly yes. There are too many things that are uncomfortable about trains, so trains must change!

First, trains are too small. There is just not enough space on a train for all the passengers early in the morning. It's true everybody might actually fit in the train, but most of the time it will be so crowded. Sometimes it's so crowded that you can't even move to fix your pants! And from the super-crowded atmosphere, there is less oxygen and the temperature rises. It is hell in the summer. Trains really need to become larger or the number of trains should be doubled. This will make it easier for everyone to travel and to get on the train.

Next, trains have serious safety issues. There is a problem of people falling or jumping in front of trains causing major delays. This is something that does not happen everyday, but it actually shouldn't happen at all. When things like this happen, not only is a life lost, but the plans of those who use the train become completely messed up. Sometimes this happens a couple of times a week! Trains need to have some type of guard rail on the platform that prevents people from falling or jumping in front of the train.

Finally, the trains have a terrible smell. This is the thing that most bothers me and probably others. You feel this especially when the train is crowded. Sometimes the train smells so bad, it's hard to breathe and you feel like you are going to throw up. There are some people who actually get so sick they have to get off the train. The smell is probably coming from all the passengers' sweat, perfume, and whatever they carry around. Once solution for this is to have a big fan to clear the polluted air. This should reduce the bad smell and make it a lot easier to breathe.

For people who use trains daily, the crowdedness, the safety problems that cause delays, and the terrible smell are major problems. That's why train cars should become larger or the number of cars doubled. There should also be guard rails to prevent train accidents, and a fan to clear the air. With these three points actually being executed, the long distress felt on trains will disappear and the daily commute will become just a short comfortable ride for everyone!

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

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.

______________________________________

How to Sleep Better
by K.K.

Sleeping is so pleasant, but you can't sleep well if you are in the habit of playing until midnight. If you get enough sleep, you can concentrate on the next day's classes. I'll tell you how to sleep better.

First, you should be tired at bedtime, so go for a run before bedtime. Running makes you so tired. Running is a healthy recreation, but other sports are ok too. But running can be done anywhere, so it's convenient.

Next, you should prepare in advance for school the next day. If you are already prepared, you will feel relieved and relaxed. Taking a warm bath will help you to relax even more.

Finally, you should stretch. Stretching makes you warm. If you go to bed soon after stretching, you will sleep better.

To summarize, there are three steps to sleeping better. You should run, prepare in advance for school the next day, and stretch. If you can follow these three steps, you will sleep better.

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How to Make a Healthy Body
by Y.K.

I think that recently people are unhealthy. In comparison to the past, people today have changing meal times, less exercise and more stressful living. Various things became convenient and we depend on convenient things. Now I'll tell you how to make a healthy body in this changing and stressful world.

First, try to have a regular life every day. Go to bed early and get up early. Take three meals each day; morning, noon and night. Eat meals at fixed times and don't have an unbalanced diet.

Next, try to get moderate exercise. I think it's good to do sports once a week and stretch every day. In other words, don't take a bus, but go on foot instead. In the case of trains, get off before your destination and walk home.

Finally, don't hold in your stress. If you have stress, you will become sick. To not become sick, you need to blow off stress. Get more sleep, eat more, sing karaoke more. If you don't think about stressful things and do other things, you will relax.

Now you know how to make a healthy body. Get more sleep, take balanced meals, get daily exercise, and don't hold in your stress. You need to continue these three things. Decide a daily target and these steps will be more effective.

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The American Military is Necessary For Japan
by M.W.

Have you ever thought about the American military bases and people in Japan? I'm sure some of you have because we see a lot of news about it on TV or in newspapers. Do you think the American military should leave Japan? If you think so, is it just because all the news on TV or in the newspaper brings up the problems between Japan and the U.S. military? I think the American military is necessary for Japan and I am also going to tell you about a few things that you might not know about the U.S. military.

First, Japan is safer with the American military here. The U.S. will protect us in case another country attacks. Since we lost World WarⅡ, we can't have our own military now. We do have self-defense forces, but I don't believe they can protect this country. And I think even if we have our own military, people aren't going to join. Right now, we are having some problems with the American military about base transfer in Okinawa and so many people are protesting about it. They protest because of the sound pollution, aviation accidents and so on. I understand the feeling of those who live around the U.S. military base. But if we don't have them, how can they protect us since we don't have a military? I will bear with the noise pollution, etc, because I would rather be protected by the American military.

Next, nowadays, many companies hire people who can speak English because of internationalization. But we don't have much opportunity to communicate with foreigners or contact with the outside world. I have some foreigner friends and most of them live on the military base. Although studying English at school helped me, my time with my military friends helped me a lot to improve my English. If I didn't have that opportunity, I don't think I could speak English like I do now. Even If we go to school to study English, a lot of students don't try to speak English. I think it's because they aren't used to talking foreigners, but there are so many chances to talk to foreigners on a military base. For example, many military people teach English at their house on base. It's a great chance to speak to improve your English. And sometimes they have open base for everyone.

Finally, there are Japanese people who work on the U.S. military base and make their living there. Japan is currently in a recession and it's quite hard to find work, especially in Okinawa. Many people who can't find a job can find and work on the U.S. military base. In Okinawa, peoples, who work outside of the U.S. base earn about $25,000 a year, but those who work on the U.S. base earn about $40,000 a year. If the military leaves Japan, many people are going to lose their job and unemployment will be a bigger problem.

The American military is necessary for Japan. I think we will be safer with the U.S. military. Not everyone in the U.S. military is bad. Moreover, lots of Japanese people are working on the U.S military base to live. A lot of people think the American military should leave Japan and that is their choice, but please don't let the media make you think like that and don't stereotype. Think through your thoughts.

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Welcome back everyone!

Greetings Tsurumi University students! How was your summer? I hope you had a great time and are now feeling refreshed! Please tell me some things you did during the summer break!

Personally, I had a really great summer! I spent a few weeks in Virginia, then I flew to San Francisco to chaperon a group of Tsurumi University students at Dominican University in San Rafael, California. I was only there 10 days, but I learned a lot about San Rafael and San Francisco. It was a really fun time for me. You can see some photos from the trip by clicking here.

Now let's talk about today's class. We will do the following:
1) Check out the original comics we made in the last class of the Spring Semester. Just scroll down this page or click on the link from July on the right and find "Original Student Comics." You can do this while I take attendance.
2) Briefly talk about what we did this summer vacation. Please ask 1 question to someone in the class after they tell what they did.
3) Review some of the things we did during the Spring Semester. It's been a while, so we all need reminders about some writing rules and policies. You'll see a list below.
4) Kevin will introduce "A Change in Me" essay. You can read a sample essay written by a student from last year below. Your first draft is due next week.
5) Practice this pattern; "I used to ... but now I ...." Everyone must think of an example and say it to the class. For example, I used to practice my guitar every day, but now I spend most of my free time surfing the Internet.
6) Blog about a change in you. Tell us how you used to do something or believe something, but now that you are older, you don't do that or think like that anymore. You can talk about how you used to play a sport or have a hobby or have a certain belief, but now you have changed on that point (hopefully, for the better!) This topic is fun to think about, and the blog comments and essays are usually interesting to read, so please try to do a good job!

Review of Spring Semester
a. Attendance & grading policy
b. Always give me a 1st draft and final draft.
c. Always save your documents so you can edit and reprint.
d. Carry a current copy of your last essay on a USB drive or on your mail.
e. Essays should have good paragraph shape; don't type 'Enter' after each sentence.
f. There is always one space after a comma or period.
g. Follow capitalization rules
h. Use the correct verb form in your sentences.
i. Make comparisons correctly.
j. Your essays should have an introduction, body & conclusion.
k. Use transition words to link sentences and paragraphs.
l. Combine simple sentences to make complex sentences whenever possible.

"A Change in Me" student sample essay from 2010

How I Changed my Way of Thinking about Our Neighbor, Korea
by Swwie

Although I live in a country which is part of Asia, I used to believe I would not have opportunities to talk with Korean people. When I was young, I thought I might be able to talk to English speakers in the future because I had learned English in school. On the other hand, I had never learned any other languages besides Japanese and English. However, learning English gave me a lot of opportunities to talk with Korean people and changed my way of thinking about them. Now I know more about Korea, even though I live in Japan.

In 2009, I went to Canada to study English and had a lot of opportunities to meet students from all over the world. Of course, there were many people from Japan's neighboring country, South Korea. Before living in Canada, I had actually never talked to Korean people or been friends with them. But when school started, I soon made friends with some of the Korean students. We often chatted in English about the cultures of our countries, and we taught each other some words in our native language. Those times made me interested in Korea.

In 2010, I accidentally found a Korean TV drama, "Kun; Love in Palace," on a Japanese channel and it was really interesting to me. This is not a historical drama but a love comedy, so it is easy for me to understand Korean culture. Soon I began to like it. I gradually became interested in Korean TV dramas. They teach me about pop culture in Korea.

Now I am a person who likes Korea. This semester, I am taking a class about Korea and the culture of Korea. I hope I will be able to speak and write Korean a little through this class. I would also like to visit Korea in the near future.

People tend to dislike things they don't understand well. However, if we take a step to know other people's culture, we will hopefully like them and become interested in them as I am interested in Korea. Knowing about other cultures helps us keep a good relationship with foreigners.

__________________________________

Now please blog about a change in yourself. This may be the topic for your essay, or you can write about something else. I'm looking forward to learning about an interesting change in you!

Original Student Comics

Last week was our final Essay Writing class for the spring semester. We had finished our Opinion Essays, so we spent the last period making original comics at makebeliefscomix.com. You'll find the results below. We hope they bring a smile to your day! - Kevin

HINT! - Click on the images to make them larger!

Original Comics

It's the last day of the Spring Semester! Hopefully, you have all finished your final draft of the Opinion Essay. If so, let's do something fun for the last class before summer holiday. How about making your own original comic at: MakeBeliefsComix.com

Kevin will give you instructions and if we have technical problems, he has a paper version, just in case!

Have a great summer, everybody! Please be careful and return to school safely in September!

Yours,
Kevin

More opinions to comment on

Most Essay Writing students will be revising their Opinion essays today. Those who are late turning in their essays should write a blog opinion comment on one of the topics below or on a different topic from recent Japan news. Here are some topics I found in the last few days ...

Divorce ceremonies increasing in Japan - We all know about wedding ceremonies, but have you ever heard of divorce ceremonies? The couple wear special clothes, attend a ceremony and smash their wedding rings, destroying them. What do you think? Read more here.

Burglaries occurring in Fukushima - Crimes have increased at the homes in Fukushima that have been closed up due to the disaster. Of course, this is bad news for the homeowners. Read the article and give us your comment.

Green tea industry in trouble - Green tea is famous in Japan, but what happens if the tea as far away as Shizuoka is contaminated from radiation? Read the article and give your comment.

China protests Japanese fishing boats at the Senkoku Islands - The Senkoku Islands dispute has been in the news off and on for the last few years. What is your opinion on this territorial dispute? Read the article and comment.

Other Japan news.

More sample student "How to ..." essays

How to Spend a Cool Summer Vacation
by S.K.

Summer vacation is just around the corner. Do you have any plans for this summer vacation? This summer will be hotter than last year. And you know, we must save electricity because of the recent disaster, so I think everywhere will be hot. But all of us want to go out and enjoy summer vacation. Natural places have cool areas like forests and rivers. So I'll tell you how to spend a cool summer vacation outside in the great outdoors!

First, go to a forest. There are shady places with minus ion air. And the air is clean. It doesn't have sulfur dioxide compared to the city, so you'll feel cool and refreshed. If you pitch your tent under a tree, the cool, clean wind will come into the tent and take away the stress of urban life.

Next, you should swim in a river. If you want to cool your body, you need natural water. You can enjoy the water's movement and feel cool. Just get into the river and enjoy playing in it. But please be careful because in the river there are some places that are deep. If you drown, your summer will be ruined!

Finally, summer at night is cooler than in the daytime, and the sky is so clear. Go outside and watch the beautiful sky and listen to the sound of chirping insects. If you are lucky, shooting stars will appear so you can make a wish!

To summarize, there are three steps on how to spend a cool summer vacation. Go into a forest and rest in the shade and minus ion air. Also swim in a river to cool your body, and go outside in summer at night. One final thought; before going to bed, take a shower and feel the air outside the house. You will surely enjoy this summer vacation by following these refreshing steps.

__________________________


How to Avoid Eating Snacks
by S.T.

We often each snacks inadvertently when we are hungry. But if snacks are eaten too much, it is unhealthy and we will grow fat. This is a serious problem. Now I'll tell you how to avoid eating snacks.

First, eat your meals completely and regularly. The person who eats snacks does not eat regular meals. I am sometimes guilty of this. If I eat my regular meals, then I don't crave snacks. Snacks are not a substitute for meals.

Next, don't buy snacks. We often eat snacks because they are in the house. But we won't eat snacks at home even if we're hungry if we don't buy snacks in the first place.

Finally, if you can't endure not eating snacks, then chew gum instead. There is a limit to our endurance because we are only human. In such cases, chewing gum will help you endure not eating. Sugarless gum has no calories, so it's better than eating snacks.

To summarize, there are three simple ways to avoid eating snacks. Eat regular meals, don't buy snacks, and chew gum. If you follow these three rules, you will not want to eat snacks.

__________________________


How to Learn to Speak English
by C.S.

I love English. I entered Tsurumi University's English Literature Course because I wanted to learn English. By learning English, I will gain English skills to use in my future job. I want to exert the greatest possible effort now. I'll tell you how to become a good English speaker.

First, always try to discover interesting new English things. For example, find new English or American singers, listen to English music, read an English book, or watch English movies or TV. I think that studying English should mainly be enjoying interesting things in English. You can feel close to English and you will love it more and more.

Next, make many friends who are native speakers at every possible moment. It's the best way. If you have questions about English, you can ask them, and you may resolve your questions soon. The native speaker will help you understand about the English-speaking world. Native speakers can give you a better understanding of their culture, history, literature and various lifestyle situations.

Finally, the actual experience of going abroad is essential. I suggest that you live abroad with a local family. I have been to England for two weeks and I lived with a family there. It was a valuable experience for me. Whatever difficulty you may meet, the experience will increase your knowledge.

To summarize, you can make definite progress in your English if you follow the above mentioned points. You should look for interesting English things, make many native speaker friends, and go abroad. If you love English, you will make progress for sure. I study English with confidence because I believe in my potential.

__________________________

A student Opinion Essay from 2010 - TV is Good for Children

It's just my opinion, but ...

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Two Months After the Quake

It's been about two months since the big earthquake and tsunami that devastated the Tohoku region of Japan. While things have improved, there are still many problems related to the disaster. The victims from that area have the biggest problems, of course, and our inconveniences here in the Yokohama & Tokyo areas are minor in comparison. But it's interesting to think about how our lives have changed since the disaster. For example, our university has stopped using many elevators. Also, at Tsurumi Station, the escalator going from the bus stop to the 2nd floor is no longer operating. What other changes in your daily life have you noticed since the disaster? Blog about how the earthquake has affected you and your community in the last two months.

If this blog topic doesn't appeal to you, go to the list of Japan News sites from April 20 on this blog and find a news story you would like to comment on. Meanwhile, most students will be revising their 2nd Essay (Comparison).

Paragraph Formats

Welcome back everyone! How was your Golden Week? I hope you had a great time and relaxed a bit; we have a long stretch before summer vacation!

I have some things I'd like to remind you about...

First, your 2nd essay, the Comparison Essay, first draft, is due on Thursday, May 12.

Second, please don't retype your essay when I give you your first draft back to revise. You should make changes on your first draft, which you should have saved in your computer somewhere. Every time you retype, you make new typing mistakes, so it's difficult to make progress towards a perfect final draft. Always save your essays and make corrections on your saved document.

Next, remember that there is always ONE space after a period or comma (or any punctuation mark). If you have no spaces or two spaces, I will ask you to change it. Also remember that there is NEVER a space before a punctuation mark.

Finally, let's talk about paragraph formats. If you'll remember, I told you to choose either of two formats, indent style or block style. Following are examples of both.


Indent Style
This is the most common paragraph style in books and magazines. You will notice that the first line of the paragraph is indented about 4 letter spaces. In Japanese magazines, it's OK to indent just one character space, but in English writing, this doesn't look like an indent. Four letter spaces looks great for English essays!
You'll also notice that there is no space between paragraphs. When you want to begin a new paragraph, you hit Enter on your keyboard, and you'll go to the next line. If you use Tab for your indents, the word processor will indent for you automatically. You can also adjust the indent size if you like.
When we write paragraphs, there is sometimes some space after the last word of the paragraph. This is not a problem.


Block Style

Block style paragraphs are most commonly used in business letters, but in Essay Writing Class, you may use block style if you like. With block style, you'll notice that you don't indent the first line of the paragraph; you just begin typing.

But if you don't indent, how will you know when a new paragraph begins? The space between paragraphs tells you! Notice that in the Indent Style paragraphs above, there are no spaces between paragraphs.

Please remember that I'd like you to choose one format or the other. Please don't combine them! That means, if you indent, please don't make a space between paragraphs. If you use block style, then please don't indent (not even one space!)

Comparison Essays

Today I will introduce Comparison Essays. In a normal comparison essay, you compare the good and bad points about two related topics. In my version, however, we will make is easier by emphasizing the good points of one thing compared to another. To put it simply, we will explain why one thing is better than another thing. For example, we might explain why we think motorcycles are better than cars, or why baseball is better than soccer. Of course, these examples are opinions, but that's OK. We are often called upon in real life and in business to persuade people that one thing is better than another. Today's essay topic is practice in doing that.

To prepare ourselves for the comparison essay, let's blog about something and write why we think it's better than something else. For example, look at the following list:

* Backstreet Boys & SMAP
* Yokohama & Tokyo
* Japanese food & Western food
* traveling alone & traveling with a group
* taking the train & driving
* baseball & soccer

Choose one from a pair above (or a different pair) and explain why it's better than the other. For example, if you like SMAP better than the Backstreet Boys, give 3 reasons why you think SMAP is better.

When you write your complete comparison essay (Essay #2), you can choose the same topic or a different one. The complete essay, of course, will be longer. It will have a thesis sentence, and 3 reasons, but each reason will have a paragraph with specific details and supporting examples. Following is a sample of a complete comparison essay, with a thesis sentence followed by 3 paragraphs that support the thesis. I have also posted a complete essay that has an introduction & conclusion (5 paragraphs). The thesis sentence is in the introduction. The easy (3-paragraph) essay is the homework for this week, but if you wish to challenge yourself, you may write the longer (5-paragraph) version.

Motorcycles Are Better Than Cars (Easy Version)
Motorcycles Are Better Than Cars (Version with Introduction & Conclusion)

Motorcycles Are Better Than Cars (Easy Version)

Motorcycles are better than cars. First, motorcycles are more exciting than cars. When you ride them, you feel the wind rushing into your face and against your body. It makes you feel like you’re going a thousand kilometers an hour. The road is only centimeters below, and you can see the ground racing past as you cruise at top speed. You know you’re challenging death as you lean into every turn.

Next, motorcycles are cheaper than cars. To buy a decent used car, you have to spend at least 400,000 yen. A nice used motorcycle is about half that much! Moreover, the gasoline and parts are cheaper as well. And we usually don’t have to pay for parking. If you’re a student, you can usually save money by owning a motorcycle instead of a car.

Finally, motorcycles have a sexier image than cars. If you buy a used car, maybe you have to get an old, dirty economy car. The image is not cool, and you look like an old man or an old lady driving it. But if you have a motorcycle, everyone will think you are cool and exciting! You can attract girls easily and some people will be afraid of you. Having a motorcycle will make you look like a TV or movie star!

[Original essay by K. Miller, 2010. Copyright. This is an example of a comparison essay with no introduction or conclusion. However, it has a thesis sentence and supporting examples.]