Scenes of Mount Fuji

I have often admired the view of Mount Fuji from the upper floors of the buildings at Bunkyo Gakuin University. Of course, most summer days are not clear enough to see Fuji-san. Recently, I enjoy taking in the view via webcam. This site has a guide to some of the best Mt Fuji Webcams:

http://www.goandroam.com/webcams/japan/mt_fuji/

Last day of class and the start of the break

Today's blog is sponsored by Kojima.

Today we did an exercise in outlining. We used an essay called "Show Me Your Smile" from a student in last year's essay contest. It's a very nice essay. Here is my version of the outline. Yours may be a little different.

All assignments were due today. Last week's timed writing and today's outlining were the main "test". I found that your writing was the best way to check that you understand the content. We have done approximately 12 writing assignments. I think most of you worked very hard.

If you do not see your blog listed on the right, please take a moment to send me an e-mail. You should also be deciding the topic of your essay for the essay contest. Do some brainstorming and send me your best ideas, too, or post them on your blog. For example, my brainstorm may be these things that I am interested in or that I have been thinking about lately: Linux, Aung San Suu Kyi, Chinese human rights abuses, food security, ocean resources, solar energy, travel in Japan, wind energy, the causes of the economic crisis, English spelling reform, Lojban, eliminating nuclear weapons from the world, American politics, climate change, sea level rise, and so on. From this list, I could choose 1 or two and write a thesis statement that would work well for a longer essay. You should try to decide before you go into summer vacation mode! Please send me your idea, or write about it on your blog. Summer blogging will be counted as extra credit writing in the autumn.

Don't forget that if you don't have a computer, you can write messages to your blog using a cell phone! I think it's too hard to write with a phone keypad, but some people don't mind.

Next semester, we will start with the Essay Contest and 8 steps to writing an essay.

Have a good summer.

I'll Be There

You have probably heard the news by now that Michael Jackson died this morning of cardiac arrest. To be honest, I didn't really like Michael Jackson or his solo music very much, but some of the music that The Jackson 5 did in the 1970s was really wonderful! Their biggest hit was the number one I'll Be There in 1970. He was a very talented child star that created a positive multiracial pop atmosphere for America in the 1970s. I grew up hearing this music and I don't know how anybody could dislike this song or this kid.



Do you want to search YouTube for other "Jackson 5" "I'll Be There" videos?

Homework for June 19-June 26

Read Paragraph 1 (My Daily Prison) on page 73 and Essay 1 (Prisoner at Work) on page 74-75. Then, answer the questions on pages 76-77. Type or write the answers on a separate sheet of (A4) paper to hand in. Question 3 should change so that you write your answers on the paper you hand in.

1.
2.
3. => Write (or type) the topic sentences for paragraphs 23, 24, 25, and 26 on your paper.
_
_
_
_
4.
5.
__ a.
__ b.
__ c.
__ d.
__ e.
6.

We will do the Outline exercise (page 77-79) together in class, so prepare it if you have time.

Rainy Season of the Frogs

Recently, the Mainichi Daily News (June 10 & 16), Japan Times (June 17 & 18), and other news media have reported cases of frogs and tadpoles falling from the sky. Frog rain is a strange phenomenon that is sometimes reported around the world. Some possible explanations are that they were sucked up by waterspouts or tornadoes, or that they were vomited by birds.

Speaking of frogs, did you know that frogs and other amphibians around the world are growing extra legs and dying off? There is a fungus that kills them, and it has spread to many places.

Homework for June 19: Cause (and Effect) Paragraph

You will write a Cause/Effect paper (a variation of the assignment on pages 64-65).

> Choose an endangered species. (tiger, elephant, snow leopard, panda, polar bear, etc)
> Do a little research to find out WHY the species is endangered.
> Draw the Brainstorming Box (mind-map diagram) by hand or with software.
> Choose your audience from such possibilities as:
___A group of elementary school students
___A group of junior high school students
___A group of high school students
___A group of university students
___Another audience (please explain clearly who they are)
> Be aware of person (1st, 2nd, 3rd). Specify that.
> Make a Purpose statement:
___Are you trying to persuade somebody of something? If so, what?
___Are you trying to inform somebody of something? What?
___Is it entertainment?
> Prepare a powerful Topic Sentence with a clear Controlling Idea.
> Plan your Supporting Details. (2-4)
> Let’s type it! Double-spaced! A4! Indent! One paragraph. Two paragraphs IF you have two ideas and if one paragraph is too short.
> Keep your paragraph under 200 words.

New Homework assignment: a compare-contrast paragraph

June 5, 2009
New Homework assignment: Write a compare-contrast paragraph.
Follow the plan on pages 58 to 59, but write it on a separate sheet of paper. You may also think about the checklist questions on the Peer Editing sheet on page 167 to help guide your writing. You can write about similarities only, differences only, or both similarities and differences. Check your topic with me if you are not sure. Include your brainstorming and diagramming (mind-mapping). It is best if your mind-map (diagram) has more items in it (probably at least 5 or 10). For compare and contrast, sometimes a table is used instead of a mind-map diagram. Decide who your audience is. Is it 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person? Make a short purpose statement. Write a topic sentence with a clear controlling idea. Your “Supporting Details” will probably be the points that you are comparing. The textbook has some suggestions and here are some other suggestions from me:
__ The differences (and similarities?) between this university and another university
__ The differences (and similarities?) between two similar products (2 mp3 players, 2 hybrid cars, 2 laptop computers, etc)
__ The differences (and similarities?) between two jobs which you have held
__ The differences (and similarities?) between two similar restaurants (2 Thai restaurants, 2 yakiniku restaurants, 2 fast-food restaurants)
__ The differences (and similarities?) between two musicians or bands (you will be describing the sound and other characteristics of the two)
__ The differences (and similarities?) between two movies
__ The differences (and similarities?) between two tourist attractions

Be sure to write a paragraph (not a list of sentences)! Indent! Don't forget the usual things.

Mind-mapping or Diagramming

Mind-mapping (or diagramming) is a technique for brainstorming and visualizing the relations between words or ideas. Wikipedia has an article about mind-mapping. There is also a Japanese [日本語]version. I don't agree with everything it says, though. If you are interested in using computer software to make a mind-map, there are lists of free and commercial software that is available to download and use. Mindmapping.org is an organization that discusses and promotes various uses of mind-mapping.

Homework on May 29 (for June 5)

Description Paragraphs (or Descriptive Paragraphs)

page 54

Activity 2 (on a sheet of paper)

(Use the blank, unlined side)

__ Write your topic

__ Brainstorm (diagramming or mind-mapping)

__ Tell who your Audience would be

__ Write a one-sentence Purpose statement

__ Write your Topic Sentence (with a controlling idea)

__ Write some Supporting ideas

(Turn the paper over to the lined side)

__ Write a Title (centered, underlined, in Title Case)

__ Write a Paragraph of 6 to 12 sentences

The Textbook

Click for the textbook web site.

Make a blog!

Blogging is an optional component of this class that can give you bonus points on your grade. The purpose is to encourage you to write regularly in English about the topics of your choice, but preferably about learning English, school life, events and news in Tokyo and Japan, and so on.

Make a blog with Blogger (or another blogging platform of your choice). You can read some instructions here.

After you have created your blog, send me a message by making a comment to this post. Just click the "Comment" button below. It's easier than sending a mail, but you can send a mail if you prefer. Another very easy way is to click "Follower" -- I will be able to follow the link back to you.

Make a post on your blog! Write something! Are you having a good day? Did you hear any interesting news? How are your classes? WRITE in ENGLISH!!!

You can customize your settings as I explained in class. You control your blog! You may want to change the appearance, make a profile, upload a profile picture, control the comments, decide who can see the blog, and other things.

I have some suggestions for using your (Bunkyo) e-mail here.

Writing 2 Syllabus

Writing 2
Bunkyo Gakuin University
Spring 2009

Class A (10:40-12:10) and Class B (1:00-2:30)
Bruce Brinkman
CTR2
Textbook: From Great Paragraphs to Great Essays

Other materials: Students are also expected to have A4 size paper, pencils and pens of several colors for editing purposes, and access to a computer, word processor, or typewriter (to produce and edit typewritten documents).

Assessment:
Grades will be determined from:
Attendance (20%)
Participation (20%) 10% Self-Assessment & 10% by Teacher
Tests and Writings (50%) Written work and tests
Chat Lounge Report (10%) Visit the Chat Lounge once or more
Learning Journal (10% bonus) Maintain an online journal or blog in English

The schedule may change slightly.
Pay attention in class for announcements of changes to the schedule.
Schedule:

2009 Dates (Friday)
Lesson Plan

Week 1
April 10
Course introduction, Note cards

Week 2
April 17
Unit 1 Introduction to Paragraphs

Week 3
April 24
Unit 1 Introduction to Paragraphs

Week 4
May 1
Unit 1 Introduction to Paragraphs

Week 5
May 8
Unit 2

Week 6
May 15
Unit 2

Week 7
May 22
Unit 2

Week 8
May 29
Unit 3

Week 9
June 5
Unit 3

Week 10
June 12
Unit 3

Week 11
June 19
Unit 4

Week 12
June 26
Unit 4

Week 13
July 3
Unit 4

Week 14
July 10
Last class day!
All written assignments due, self-evaluation, course evaluation.

July 17
No Class

Week 15
July 24
Exam Week (No exam in exam week for this class)

Let’s work hard to develop our English writing power!