My last essay for the test!

The writing class was one of the require subjects this year too. In this class, we were to set up our own blog. It was the first time that I had my own blog. That meant that we had to keep blogging and post on it. We are also required to write some essays and book reviews every week. That was a little tough, because all I had to do was not only writing.

I had expected that I could improve my skills in English grammar and choosing proper words. Last year, my writing teacher gave me advice about grammar and how to express and choose words. However, with this year’s method, I could seldom receive advice from the tutor, so I felt sorry about that. I think, however, this year’s writing class helped me to be independent. Besides, I could get used to using a computer. This is one of good points, I think.

I could learn the importance of planning by myself. It was because we had a norm about the number of word counts. If I had not planed, I would have trouble at the last minute in each semester. I needed to post various stories regularly. I also came to know pleasure of writing and sharing the information with others about my everyday life, vacation, school, classes, friends, exercise, family and foods. I learned how to organize an essay, and it helped me to think in a logical way. I think I am better at typing now, and it must be useful for me in the future.

Finally, I would like to refer to my plans. I still think that we need to study grammar systematically, if we want to make progress in English grammar. Of course, now that is difficult for each of us. However, I would like to be cautious about my speaking and writing from a grammatical view too. I will probably go abroad and stay in other countries again. When I talk to foreigners, I can ask them to correct my English.

I thank the tutors who thought of the plan of our blogging for our writing classes. I felt it was tough class, but I hope what I learn in this class will benefit me. Our writing class and all of required class for 4 English skills end. I will do my best to cultivate my English skills by myself. I will plan about my studies of next year from now on. Thank you very much!

[417 words]

Total here = 1219 words

Portfolio: Second Semester

Student ID: 07104

Until December 22

Portfolio for Writing IV,
Section 1a


(See: Note 1, below)

0.0. Overview

Reviews, Posts, Words, and More

(See: Note 2, below.)

1.0. Essays

(See: Note 3, below.)

Please complete this table with data gathered from essays on your blog. See the Key (below) for definitions of the symbols in row one, and complete columns four through nine with numerical values (0, 1, 2, 3, ...).

1.1. Showcase	Short titles with links	Dates yy.mm.dd	¶	W	C	L	P	M
Website review 08.09.29 (375+ words)	Website Review: Let's take in Fresh English！	08.09.27	6	380	6	1	0	0
Favorite place(-s) 08.10.20 (450+ words)	Essay: ～～ my second home ～～	08.10.11	4	493	0	0	0	0
Mrs. Doubtfire 08.11.04 (500+ words)	MR2-01: "Mrs. Doubt" ― Live with Love and Humor ☆	08.11.01	5	452	4	0	0	0
Community life 08.11.17 (default length*)	Essay2-02: ~Walk in line~ (Community life)	08.11.16	6	610	0	0	0	0
Kumamoto's best-kept secrets 08.12.01 (5+ ¶¶)	Essay2-03: ○●Secret of Kumamoto●○	08.11.30	4	434	0	0	0	0
Learning with computers 2008.12.15 (6+ ¶¶)	Essay: Learning with computers!	08.12.12	7	503	0	0	0	0
Totals	---	---	32	2872	10	1	0	0

Key:

¶: number of paragraphs five (5) or more sentences in length

W: number of words

C: number of comments

L: number of links

P: number of photos or other graphics
M: number of other media included in post
*: "long enough to cover the ... [communities] you choose," Writing Studio Blog, Preparation for Next Essays, 2008.10.29)

1.2. Best Essay

Selection and Assessment: Which of those six assigned essays do you feel is the best that you've written this semester, and why? Remember that a complete answer is better than a short answer, focus on your writing, and give at least two reasons to support your assessment.

• I think the best essay in this semester is "Essay2-02: ~Walk in line~ (Community life)". It is because it shows the main points so clearly. Besides, it has a good conclusion paragraph. The readers can feel the march of time.

2.0. Comments

Showcase	Titles of posts with links	Dates of comments yy.mm.dd	Numbers of words in comments	Qualities of comments**
2.1. Your first comment on your instructor's blog*	0	-	-	-
2.2. Your best comment on a classmate's blog*	Mrs.doubt fire essay	08.11.04	88	"You share a great analysis especially in the third paragraph!" Specific praise
2.3. Best comment by a classmate on your blog*	MR2-01: "Mrs. Doubt" ― Live with Love and Humor ☆	08.11.05	88	"Which is more important for you, humor or love?" An interesting question.
2.4. Most comments on:	Titles of posts with link	Dates of posts yy.mm.dd	Total number of words in comments	Qualities of comments**
2.4.1. Any one of your essays*	Website Review: Let's take in Fresh English！	08.09.27	131	"The BBC site you elected is good and it's one of way to build up our English skill.It's nice idea,jam!" Friendly!
2.4.1.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---	08.10.01	---	---
2.4.1.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	97	"Thank you for your all comments!" and answered all questions. Thankful and informative
2.4.2. Any of your other posts*	MR2-01: "Mrs. Doubt" ― Live with Love and Humor ☆	08.11.01	154	"your essay is really easy to read because first paragraph tells me what you want to write below paragraphs." So specific comment
2.4.2.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---	08.11.12	---	---
2.4.2.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	46	"I...think...love is more important. Everything does have no meaning without love!" (answered a question and shared my opinion) Informative and thankful

----------
* Current semester comments on essays and other posts
** Please list the most important qualities of comments on each type of blog post. That is, explain briefly what makes them good comments.

2.5. Recent comments display

Does your blog display recent comments from blog visitors in a prominent location, for example, in a sidebar, header, or footer widget? Where, or why not? Please explain.

• My blog displays them at the top in a sidebar. It is because I want them to be encouragements for me that others look into my blog!
  

2.6. Additional reflections on comments

• I appreciated the comments which shows specific advice.
• The comments which refer to good points concretely became encouragements for me.
  

3.0. Book Reviews

3.1. Showcase	Short titles with links	Dates (yy.mm.dd)	Words	Comments
Example:	Vampire Killer	07.05.16	39	1
2-01	BR2-01: The Joke Machine	08.08.01	147	0
2-02	BR2-02: Roman Adventure	08.08.05	133	0
2-03	BR2-03: Submarine Adventure	08.08.05	210	0
2-04	BR2-04: Chinese Adventure	08.08.08	161	0
2-05	BR2-05: Flood! ) -:	08.09.28	151	0
2-06	BR2-06: The Three Little Pigs （－：	08.09.28	108	0
2-07	BR2-07: The Fox and the Crow ( -- :	08.09.28	124	0
2-08	BR2-08: The Hare and the Tortoise ( - :	08.09.28	108	0
2-09	BR2-09: The Blue Eye ( - :	08.10.07	172	0
2-10	BR2-10: Superdog	08.10.19	194	0
2-11	BR2-11: Sara Says No!	08.11.14	245	0
2-12	BR2-12: The Umbrella	08.12.06	306	0
2-13	BR2-13: The Barcelona Game	08.12.17	444	0
2-14	BR2-14: Photo Finish	08.12.18	140	0
2-15	BR2-15:Shooting Stars	08.12.18	120	0
2-16	BR2-16: In the Frame	08.12.18	129	0
2-17	BR2-17: The Big Bag Mistake	08.12.20	156	0
2-18	BR2-18: THE LAST PHOTO	08.12.21	194	0
---	---	Totals:	3242	0

Note: Please calculate and list book review Totals for words and comments without including those from the example (above).

3.2. Best Book Review

Selection and Assessment: Which of those book reviews do you feel is the best that you've written this semester, and why? Remember that a complete answer is better than a short answer, focus on your writing, and give at least two reasons to support your assessment.
　　　　

・I think my best book review is "BR2-18: THE LAST PHOTO ". It is because it includes my opinion and questions, instead of a long story plot. Besides, it is so easy to read.

4.0. Blog Layout, Labeling, Linking, & Media

Showcase	Yes	No
4.1. Does your blog display an archive?	○
4.1.1. Does the archive display the titles of posts?	○
4.1.2. Is the archive organized by month?	○
4.1.3. Is the archive at or near the top of the sidebar?	○
4.2. Does your blog have labels displayed in sidebar?	○
5.2.1. Do your labels include these required labels (typed accurately):	---	---
"books" (plural) AND "reviews" (plural)	○
"essays" (plural) AND "portfolios" (plural, without "proto-")	○
"quickposts" (plural, with no space between quick and posts)	○
"links" (plural) AND "media" (plural)	○
"movies" (plural) AND "websites" (plural)	○
"brainstorms" (or "brainstorming"), "essay prep.," AND "free-writing" (or "free-writes")	○
4.2.2. Does your sidebar display other labels?	○
How many other labels have you attached to three (3) or more posts? _24_ other labels attached to three or more posts	---	---
Which labels, and to how many posts each? Please list those labels instead of www, xxx, yyy..., and list numbers of posts instead of n, m, o... (in parentheses), below. abroad (41) classes (20) everyday (75) exercises (7) families (20) favorites (7) foods (31) friends (13) hobbies (5) Holidays (15) introduction (3) Japanese (7) languages (25) leisures (3) lists (8) memories (5) opinions (20) outlines (4) people (6) photos (50) seasons (14) speaking (5) studies (28) tests (6)	---	---
4.3. Links & media	---	---
4.3.1. Does your blog include photos or other graphics?	○
Does your blog profile include a photo or graphic representation?		○
How many of your blog posts this semester include photos or other graphics? _31_ posts including photos or other graphics	---	---
4.3.2. Does your blog include posts with multiple links?	○
How many of your posts this semester include three (3) or more links? _1_ posts including three or more links (including this portfolio!)	---	---
4.3.3. Does your blog include other media?	○
How many of your blog posts this semester include other media? _2_ posts including other media	---	---
What kind(-s) of media have you included in posts this semester? Please list the kinds here: YouTube	---	---
What media content that you originally produced, if any, do your blog posts for this semester contain? Please list and explain each item briefly, and add short links and dates (yy.mm.dd) for reference. I'm sorry, but I produced none.	---	---

4.4. Overall presentation

What have you done to enhance the overall presentation of your blog? List and explain the three most important content, display, formatting, layout, or other presentation changes that you have made on your blog this semester.

1. To emphasize particular words related to the main points in each post, I changed the size and colors of those words.
2. I always tried to share my own opinions on book reviews' posts.
3. I included more space in each post than before, in order to make them easy to see.

5.0. Additional reflections on your blog and your writing on it

Please feel free to include reflections on both spring and fall semester work, as well as on the content of this portfolio (proto-portfolios, showcases, and reflections).

• Sudden homework(essays) was a little tough to complete by the due, after we were told about those essays just on Wednesday.
• The set number of posts in a week seemed to be too many.
• However, I was used to working on my blog in fall semester!
  

6.0. Advice and suggestions for yourself, your peers, and your successors

• To reach the norm of 15,000 words, the key is your efforts during summer vacation!
• You had better use easy phrases, so that others can understand what you write.
• To make your blog interesting and informative, it is a good idea to write about your opinions or the unique traditions and culture of Japan.
  

____________________
Notes:

1. This portfolio template derives from the templates for Writing IIIc and Writing IVc portfolios (2007-08), and Writing III, §§1a & 1c (Fall, 2008).
2. Please use the same code in section 0.0 that you used to embed your proto-portfolios (PPFs) in the footer of your blog, which you should already have revised to display your 2nd (fall) semester PPF first.
   
3. The essays section (1.0. Essays, above) derives from Proto-Portfolio 2-02 (2008).
   

____________________
License:

This portfolio template is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Please attribute to "the Writing Studio Blog" (without quotation marks).

///// End of template (copy from here to "Beginning ..." [above]) /////

Essay: Learning with computers!

Now, we are surrounded by computers. They can be found in factories, airports, gyms, schools, offices…everywhere. We find a lot of things to know. Most of us often use a personal computer, so let’s focus on our use of the computer in our daily life. First, we should know the challenges and problems of it, and then we can focus on its benefit.

What are problems we face? First of all, think of the complexity. When some instruction is presented on the screen, we do not always know what to do. In some cases, the computer does not work fast or properly. These can be very confusing situations. Besides, we must be cautious about the physical influence. The screen exhausts our eyes. We are likely to feel pain on our neck, shoulder and head. We should be careful about the posture.

Let’s focus on what we can do with computers. By using them, we can be connected with other people, especially through the Internet. We can use an e-mail system and Skype and communicate with our friends even overseas. This way is much easier, quicker and in low prices than other ways, like phone calls and letters. If we have our own blog on the Internet, we can post whatever we want to share with others and get comments from others.

By using the Internet, we can access so much information. When we need to write reports and make presentations, we use the Internet to get the latest info. Also, we find out the meanings or conceptions of what we don’t know. It shows people’s opinions and ideas too. Of course, we have to remember the info is sometimes incorrect.

We have so many useful applications. Especially, I use MS Word, whenever I write reports. I think it is essential in every student’s life. Besides, if we remember how to use Excel, it can be one of the really useful tools. Now that the blind typing skill is necessary, we might want to practice it. We can do it too with a computer. It is also possible to enjoy sites of typing practice and studying English for free on the Internet. Many people visit the YouTube homepage and enjoy movies and music for free.

The computer is very helpful to arrange photographs and enables us to reminisce about good memories. It is possible to set the picture on the screen and make your own space. We can charge an iPod and edit the content of it. The computers have so many functions. It is just up to you.

Now that our world is flooded with computers, we need to know what we can do with them. As I refer in this essay, computers have so many functions. Though they are really helpful, I feel the need of caution. A computer could be called ‘time thief’, don’t you think so? I want to find more ways of making the most of them, not using by computers!

[503 words]

Essay2-03: ○●Secret of Kumamoto●○

Hello, everyone. Winter is coming! What kind of clothes will you get this winter? We find various trends in clothes every year, sweaters, one-piece dresses, skirts, coats, jackets and so on. Every year, we have a little different from that of the year before. That is to say, we meet different trends in clothes. Do you have a desire keep up with the fashion every year? Or do you want to lead the fashion for some kinds of clothes? In other hands, many of us must have experienced that clothes we bought have gone out of fashion soon. Needless to say, the things in fashion are not always good, though.

We are to focus on one of well kept secret of Kumamoto. I found a gossip about fashion in Kumamoto, so I would like to handle it in this essay. Once, I have heard that the fashion trends are started in Kumamoto, and clothing companies try to put their new clothing on sale in Kumamoto. Have you heard that clothings which become popular in Kumamoto will also become good sellers in Japan? I wanted to find out whether it is true or not. I had an idea about the measure for it, and I tried to search on the Internet. It was because I wanted to see people’s opinion. However, in fact, I could not find so much information, because there are few reasonable opinions. Some people say bad things and put abusive comments there about Kumamoto’s fashion.

To tell the truth, I don’t really know whether the gossip is true or not. Some people say Fukuoka is still more fashionable than Kumamoto. I thought it was also natural opinion, because Fukuoka is the center of various things, markets, traffic, and economy. Besides, it is bigger than Kumamoto and has more people. In other hands, some people have the opinion that people in Kumamoto understand their own personality and choose clothes which really suit them. Other people say there is no time difference in fashion between Tokyo (the capital of Japan) and Kumamoto.

I think it is true that people in Kumamoto have an interest in fashion as well as those in other cities in Japan. Of course, that depends on each person eventually. However, many of my friends seem to have a great interest in fashion trends. It is widely said that the basic nature of people in Kumamoto is newfangled, that is, tend to prefer new things. (Please check out the link below.) As a conclusion, however, it depends on each person. So many men, so many minds(十人十色).

[434 words]

Total of November = 3191 words

Link = http://www.kininaru-k.jp/bns/back_doc/09122003/tatujin.html

Essay2-02: ~Walk in line~ (Community life)

I would like to introduce my neighborhood and my junior school days. I had lived in Tokyo for some years and moved here, my present neighborhood. In my neighborhood, there were a lot of junior school kids when I came here. We, all of the junior school kids were to go to school in a group. It was primarily for our safety, I think. Each group consisted of some kids and had a leader and a vice leader. I think it was also a community life. I would like to share you some lessons it gave me.

When I lived in Tokyo, we did not have such groups to go to school together. At first, I felt it was strange to have my own group, and I did not like it. It seemed to be troublesome, because we had to get together on time. If I was late, the time for leaving would get behind and I would feel so embarrassed. This is a kind of joint responsibility. I did not like that, but it was important concept in such a situation. However, it was a valuable lesson for me in that it taught me the importance of being on time. This community life also helped me to learn the ways of getting along with other kids. We walked in line and even now it is really memorable for me. I think that keeping order in a community is really important.

When I was in the 3rd grade, my group was made of 7 kids. The members were three in the 6th grade, one in the 5th grade, one in the 4th grade, me in the 3rd grade, and one in the 2nd grade. To me, senior kids seemed to have grown up. After a few years, however, I found myself in higher grades. Then, I have to try to take care of kids in the lower grades. I acted as a vice group leader when I was in the 5th grade, and finally as a group leader in 6th grade. I was not so puzzled about the role, because I had seen how each senior leader acted every year and which way was good for members. It is a kind of ‘tradition’. The role was taken over from seniors to juniors every year.

Of course, the role was not always easy to handle. Junior kids were sometimes late and sometimes fretful or selfish. Some kids walked slowly. I found those problems, but kids were also sweet. I think the experience helped me to have patience and sense of responsibility.

Now, this world is not safe, and we can not tell what happens to us. It can be expected that more and more kids will go to school in their own group for their safety. It is a good measure, isn't it? Some kids must find it difficult to be on time, get along other kids in the same group, and take responsibility. This community can be their pleasure, though it can be worries too. Those experiences will benefit them.

As a conclusion, communities have a great influence on our everyday and whole life! In my case, I learned a lot from the experience. It taught me being on time, getting along with other members in the group, patience, sense of responsibility. I felt the importance of keeping order in my community. Besides, the senior I become, the more responsibility I have. These points are the same in our society too. I will never forget the lessons, and I think I should keep the memories in my mind. It is about my childhood when I went to school in line...

[610 words]

total here = 2230 words

~ Outline for next essay ~

I would like to show the outline for next essay "community life", and arrange the order to write it.


●Intro
　　　　▶Introduction of my neighborhood
　　　　▶　　　　　〃　　　 my group

●Body
　　　　▶My impression at first
　　　　▶When I was a junior kid
　　　　　　　・The time for gathering
・Keeping order in a group
　　　　　　　・Be sleepy in morning
　　　　　　　・Joint responsibility
　　　　▶After I became a senior (a kind of tradition)
　　　　　　　・A vice leader → A leader
　　　　　　　・Sense of responsibility
　　　　　　　・Taking care of juniors (selfish or sweet)

●Conclusion
　　　　▶Summarize the main points
　　　　▶My opinion
　　　　　　　・Now many kids join their own groups for safety in Japan
　　　　　　　・The importance of getting along with other members
　　　　　　　・The influence on everyday life


I have to think of some catchy title too! It is also important. Now that I arranged the contents and the order, I am ready for writing next essay!

[136 words]

Lists for next essay 1 ◎●◯◉

I would like to list some key words here, which remind of my memories!

Neighbors
Childhood friends
Greeting
Remove
Seniors and juniors
(Vice) Leaders
Sense of responsibility
Pick up juniors
Selfish
Sweet
Be sleepy in morning
Oversleep
The time for gathering
Annoyance
Joint responsibility
in a line
The order in line

These are key words. I will try to write a better essay than last one!

[66 words]

Community life!

The topis of next essay is community life. When I hear the words "community life", I have an image for it. It is about my neighborhood. It is the really common community, I think.

When I was a junior school student, all students had to join each group in their way to school. I see junior school kids go to school in each group. The groups are made of some children who live in the same area, that is, they are neghbors each other. Each group has a leader and an assistant leader.

I have both of good and bad memories about my group. Then, I would like to write about it in next essay!

[115 words]

Essay: ～～ my second home ～～

I think I said that my favorite places are my own home and California in USA on this blog before. This time, I would like to focus on the places in California, where I enjoyed staying in this summer. Now, I am thinking of there as my second home. By the way, I know that I do not know that much about there, and ‘California’ has various, various aspects, and it is a so large land. I would like to share only my feeling about my favorite points.

First of all, I couple the name of California with the idea of the great ocean view and sky blue! I can never forget it! The state is on the west coast, and it touches the Pacific Ocean. Besides, the shorelines are different from those in Japan. Most of coastlines in Japan are much irregular. That’s why the beaches in CA are much wider that those in Japan, and we can get great views of Ocean from each beach with no obstruction. We can see a long, long horizon. I think I had not seen such a long one. It is much easier to tell the shape of the earth is round!

I visited the spots on the west coast, LA JOLLA, DEL MAR, OCEANSIDE and so on. There are so many surfers, though I did not try getting into the sea. My new friends love surfing and get in the sea many times a week. They say the sea is a special seat to see sunset. I want to try it someday. I really felt the beauty of the sunset, especially from the beach, although I did not enjoy the dawn. You see the reason? It is because that is the west coast. In other hands, people living on the east coast enjoy the beauty of sunrise. Anyway, the view of sunset from the beach is so special, and I can not help sighing. The second spot that I will bring you to is CORONADO. It is an island situated across the river(?) from San Diego, so we can see the view of San Diego! Especially, the night view is the best!

These two spots gave me the great impression, but the real reason why I feel it is like my second home is in the meeting with people. I stayed with a Japanese woman for a month, and she is just like family. She gave me many advices. Besides, new friends there are really warm, and I do not have to feel constraint. Do you see why I call this place ‘my second home’? Of course, with the word ‘home’, you mean a place you can go back to, don’t you? Then, I mean I am planning of going back there next year, because I promised with them. I am really glad to have such a place. When I arrive there, I am sure that I will say ‘I’m home’!

[493 words]

Outline for Next Essay!

This is the outline for next essay.

Title: Favorite Place
　　

　　●Introduction
　　　　　　　＊Where my favorite place is
　　　　　　　＊Briefly introduce construction of this essay
　　●Body
　　　　　　　＊Three aspects I love
　　　　　　　　　　　　・MEETING/ NEW FRIENDS
　　　　　　　　　　　　・BEAUTIFUL OCEAN & SKY
　　　　　　　　　　　　・INDEPENDENCE? GROWTH
　　　　　　　＊Each reason why those are impressive/ important
　　　　　　　＊How I feel NOW about them
　　●Conclusion
　　　　　　　＊Brief summary
　　　　　　　＊NEXT plan to go there again

I will write the essay by Sunday night and post it on this blog!

[71 words]

Website Review (rewriting): Let's take in Fresh English!

We had the second writing class the day before yeasterday. We read other students' website review and put comments, opinions, questions and suggestions each other. I also received some questions from my classmates. I would like to rewrite the original review today to include the answers to those questions.

Hi, everyone in the Foreign Languages Department! Are you trying hard to learn English? I know, of course, you are trying. How do you study English, then? Recently, I had been thinking about how to learn English, though that is just my intimate affair. I was anxious about my learning English, because some of my friends are to go study abroad next year, but I’m not. Well, I found this site recently. I was thinking that I need listening materials, and I watched English news a little lately. It occured to access websites of ABC, BBC, PBS, that broadcast those English news. I thought BBC's was good. It was just last week, so I haven't make any progress in English yet. Yes, I think I should use this everyday... I'll try as often as I can! I found the good materials in the BBC’s web site, so I would like to introduce it to you this time.

BBC stands for British Broadcasting Corporation. My favorite point about this web site is that it has English learning program. There are so many sites just with English games on the Internet. This site also has many games for kids, but not only that. At the bottom of the page, it has a corner that “Explore the BBC”. You can choose a link, “Learning English” in it. If you click on it, it shows lists with many items, like “NEWS ENGLISH”, “QUIZZES AND EXAMS”, “GRAMMER & VOCABULARY”, and “BUSINESS ENGLISH”.

I have liked to study English grammer since my high school days. Now, however, what I feel that I need are to build my vocabulary and polish my listening skill more. So this time, I will recommend you to use the part of “GRAMMER & VOCABULARY”. You will find an item, “Pronunciation>>”. It has video with a native English speaker. She explained what the good pronunciation is and why we need to learn such a kind of pronunciation. Her British English is so nice and clear, and her advice becomes a good encouragement for us. It must be inducements to you to learn English and make your pronunciation better and clearer.

It will help you to learn modern and practical English! Besides, you might want to get knowledge about world news. You can also listen to the English news stories with video and audio. It makes it possible for you to learn how to express new things in English, that is, new coinages which are used in the modern world.

I am thinking of making use of this site too. We need to take in fresh English in order to communicate in this modern and global society. You agree with it, don’t you? I want to keep trying to make a progress in English like everyone. I will show the address of this web site below, so please check it out! You won’t regret it.

[536 words]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/
The original one: Website Review: Let's take in Fresh English！

Website Review: Let's take in Fresh English！

Hi, everyone in the Foreign Languages Department! Are you trying hard to learn English? I know, of course, you are trying. How do you study English, then? Recently, I had been thinking about how to learn English, though that is just my intimate affair. I was anxious about my learning English, because some of my friends are to go study abroad next year, but I’m not. I found the good materials in the BBC’s web site, so I would like to introduce it this time.

BBC stands for British Broadcasting Corporation. My favorite point about this web site is that it has English learning program. There are so many sites just with English games on the Internet. This site also has many games for kids, but not only that. At the bottom of the page, it has a corner that “Explore the BBC”. You can choose a link, “Learning English” in it. If you click on it, it shows lists with many items, like “NEWS ENGLISH”, “QUIZZES AND EXAMS”, “GRAMMER & VOCABULARY”, and “BUSINESS ENGLISH”.

This time, I will recommend you to use the part of “GRAMMER & VOCABULARY”. You will find an item, “Pronunciation>>”. It has video with a native English speaker. She explained what the good pronunciation is and why we need to learn such a kind of pronunciation. Her British English is so nice and clear, and her advice becomes a good encouragement for us. It must be inducements to you to learn English and make your pronunciation better and clearer.

It will help you to learn modern and practical English! Besides, you might want to get knowledge about world news. You can also listen to the English news stories with video and audio. It makes it possible for you to learn how to express new things in English, that is, new coinages which are used in the modern world.

I am thinking of making use of this site too. We need to take in fresh English in order to communicate in this modern and global society. You agree with it, don’t you? I want to keep trying to make a progress in English like everyone. I will show the address of this web site below, so please check it out! You won’t regret it.

[380 words]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/

Portfolio: THE CORPUS of SPRING SEMESTER!

Student ID: 07104

(last five digits of
your student no.)

Portfolio for Writing III,
Section 1a [or] 1c
(See: Note 1, below)

Until July 13th

0.0. Overview

Reviews, Posts, Words, and More

[embed your proto-portfolios here]

(See: Note 2, below.)

1.0. Essays

(See: Note 3, below[.])

1.1. Showcase	Short titles [+ links]	Dates (yyyy.mm.dd)	¶	W	C	L	P	M
Self-introduction 08.04.20 (250 words)	Writing 3 practice	2008.04.09	2	356	2	0	0	0
Movie review 08.05.04 (300 words)	MR1-1: How to built a good friendship	2008.05.03	4	718	0	0	3	0
University life 08.05.18 (350 words)	Essay: University Life	2008.05.17	6	546	10	0	0	0
Another review 08.06.01 (400 words)	Review 1-04 (Travel): Visit the land of Parisienne!	2008.06.01	5	450	5	0	4	0
Language learning history 08.06.15 (450 words)	Essay: To know others ＆ To know myself !	2008.06.14	5	588	1	0	0	0
5th essay (pending) TBA
Totals	---	---	22	2658	18	0	7	0

Key:

¶: number of paragraphs five (5) or more sentences in length

W: number of words

C: number of comments

L: number of links

P: number of photos or other graphics
M: number of other media embedded

1.2. Best Essay

Selection and Assessment: Which of those essays do you feel is the best that you've written this semester, and why? Please remember that a complete answer is better than a short answer, and give at least two reasons to support your assessment.

• I think my best essay is "Essay: University Life", because it includes my goals for my four years! No aims, no life. It is the same in university life, isn't it? I will not lose the reasons why I came here. Besides, this essay shows the points most definitely. It is also an encouragement for me!
  

2.0. Comments

Showcase	Titles of posts with links	Dates of comments (yyyy.mm.dd)	Numbers of words in comments	Qualities of comments**
2.1. Your first comment on your instructor's blog*	Best Reviews 1.1 (2008): Best [Post] Title (probably)	2008.06.04	26 words	Easy to understand
2.2. Your best comment on a classmate's blog*	Currrrrrry and rice:9	2008.07.08	49 words	Cheerful and friendly
2.3. Best comment by a classmate on your blog*	SUMMER☆	2008.07.08	52 words	Friendly
2.4. Most comments on:	Essay: University Life	2008.05.21	294 words	Original and friendly
2.4.1. Any one of your essays*	Essay: University Life	2008.05.21	294 words	Original and friendly
2.4.1.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---	2008.05.21	---	---
2.4.1.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	162 words	Quickly and in detail
2.4.2. Any of your other posts*	中文上課！	2008.05.28	37 words	Lively
2.4.2.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---	2008.05.30	---	---
2.4.2.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	15 words	Friendly

----------
* Current semester comments on essays and other posts
** Please list the most important qualities of comments on each type of blog post. That is, explain what makes them good comments.

2.5. Recent comments display

Does your blog display recent comments from blog visitors in a prominent location, for example in a sidebar, header, or footer widget? Where or why not?

• My blog displays recent comments at the top of the sidebar. It is because that recent comments are renewed most frequently. If they are on the top, it is easier to look at them.
  

2.6. Additional reflections on comments

• If my classmate put a comment on my blog, it becomes an encouragement for me. I think comments are good.
  

3.0. Book Reviews

3.1. Showcase	Short titles with links	Dates (yyyy.mm.dd)	Words	Comments
Example:	Vampire Killer	2007.05.16	39	1
1-01	BK1-01: Newspaper boy	2008.04.05	104	0
1-02	BK1-02: Pocket Money	2008.04.22	168	0
1-03	BK1-03: The Broken Roof	2008.04.23	163	0
1-04	BK1-04: Don't Be Silly	2008.04.28	122	0
1-05	BK1-05: Dog in School	2008.05.04	175	0
1-06	BR1-06: Victorian Adventure	2008.05.14	114	0
1-07	BR1-07: The Outing!	2008.05.17	108	0
1-08	BR1-08: The New Baby	2008.06.06	113	0
1-09	BR1-09: The New House	2008.06.06	126	0
1-10	BK1-10: The Storm	2008.06.06	140	0
1-11	BR1-11: From Curry to Rice	2008.06.15	174	0
1-12	BR1-12: The Lost Key	2008.06.20	172	0
	BR1-13: Save Floppy!	2008.06.26	130	0
---	---	TOTALS:	1809	0

Note: Please calculate book review words and comments totals without the example (above).

3.2. Best Book Review

Selection and Assessment: Which of those book reviews do you feel is the best that you've written this semester, and why? Please remember that a complete answer is better than a short answer, and give at least two reasons to support your assessment.

• I think my best book review is BR1-09: The New House. It is because I wrote about my own experience and my hope, not about the book.
  

4.0. Blog Layout, Labeling, Linking, & Media

Showcase	Yes	No
4.1. Does your blog have an archive?	○
4.1.1. Does the archive display the titles of posts?	○
4.1.2. Is the archive organized by month?	○
4.1.3. Is the archive at or near the top of the sidebar?	○
4.2. Does your blog have labels displayed in sidebar?	○
5.2.1. Do your labels include these required labels (typed accurately):	---	---
"books" (plural) AND "reviews" (plural)	○
"essays" (plural) AND "portfolios" (plural, without "proto-")	○
"quickposts" (plural, with no space between quick and posts)	○
"links" (plural) AND "media" (plural)	○
"movies" (plural) AND "photos" (plural)	○
4.2.2. Does your sidebar display other labels?	○
How many other labels have you attached to three (3) or more posts? _25_ other labels attached to three or more posts	---	---
Which labels, and to how many posts each? Please list those labels instead of www, xxx, yyy..., and list numbers of posts instead of n, m, o... (in parentheses), below. abroad (9) books (14) classes (17) essays (6) everyday (34) exercises (4) families (16) foods (20) friends (12) hobbies (5) Holidays (13) introduction (3) Japanese (6) languages (22) leisures (3) links (1) medias (2) movies (3) music (2) opinions (7) people (4) photos (18) portfolios (1) quickposts (8) reviews (22) seasons (6) speaking (5) studies (20) tests (6)	---	---
4.3. Links & media	---	---
4.3.1. Does your blog include pictures or other graphics?	○
Does your blog profile include a picture or graphic representation?		○
How many of your blog posts this semester include pictures or other graphics? _18_ posts including pictures or other graphics	---	---
4.3.2. Does your blog include posts with multiple links?		○
How many of your posts this semester include three (3) or more links?* _0_ posts including three or more links (including this portfolio!)	---	---
4.3.3. Does your blog include other media?	○
How many of your blog posts this semester include other media? _2_ posts including other media	---	---
What kind(-s) of media have you included in posts this semester? Please list them here: ... YouTube ... Slideshow ...	---	---

4.4. Overall presentation

What have you done to enhance the overall presentation of your blog? List and explain the three most important content, formatting, layout, or other presentation changes or enhancements that you have made on your blog this semester.

1. ... Layout of the template: I changed it at the tuen of seasons and fitted it to each season.
   
2. ... To be regular: I tried to post on my blog almost everyday.
   
3. ... Informative content: I included my own opinions. For example, I wrote about my own experience and hopes in book reviews, not only the story plots.
   

5.0. Additional reflections on your blog writing

• ... To write diaries every day was so hard for me. It is because I am busy and not used to writing every day. However, I think it was helpful for my English now. To think about the design of my blog is pleasant, but it is on the Internet. That point bothers us, because we need to protect the private information carefully.
  

6.0. Suggestions for your peers and successors

• ... I think what is important is to try to post diaries and book reviews early in a semester. Short posts are also okay, if we keep trying to write on our blogs.
  

____________________
Notes:

1. This portfolio template derives from the templates for Writing IIIc and Writing IVc portfolios (2007-08).
2. Please use the same code in section 0.0 that you used to embed your proto-portfolios in the footer of your blog.
   
3. The essays section (1.0. Essays, above) derives from Proto-Portfolio 2-02 (2008)