In the last unit, we have been asked to find at least 3 articles as a preparation for our final assignment. We have to find articles which contain 11 elements which we can comment on. After that, we have to make a draft based on the elements and then a consultation session have been arranged by our class representative in order to make sure the availability of both lecturer and students. The purpose of the consultation is to find out whether our article is acceptable or not.
After our article has been approved by the lecturer, we have the permission to proceed with our assignment and we have to exchange our assignment with our partner which we have to comment on their work. After we have commented on our partner’s work, we have to submit our work on Friday, 6th November 2009 at 10 am.
Overall of this subject, it has been an interesting topic to learn, even though it gives a headache in the beginning of the semester because we have no clue what this subject is all about, but after all what we have learned and all the presentations that we have present, we begin to understand objective of this subject. In addition, after all the comments that have been made by Mdm. Sharipah, we have gain confident in us for every time we have group presentation. However, there are some elements that always give problem to us when our group got elements 7 and 8 which are perspective and positioning. This is because the elements can be a bit tricky and it is quite a problem to recognize them.
Overall of this lesson I do enjoy it because compare to other two classes, we are lucky because learned this subject in detail.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Unit 8: Drugs or Guns
In the final article for this semester, which is ‘Drugs or Guns’ it tells the audience or readers about conflict that is happening in South Africa. The content of the article basically tells the readers about the decision that the President has to make. Besides that, the writer also includes the choices for the President and also the effects for each decision he make. This article basically was taken in the TIME magazine, dated December 10, 2001. This article was written by Peter Hawthorne in Cape Town. In the beginning of the article, the writer mentioned about controversies that the President and the government have to face which are arms and drugs.
In this article the writer put the South Africa citizen especially the HIV positive pregnant women as the victim. This is because the President is willing to buy arms rather than find ways in order to help HIV positive pregnant women.
The impact towards the readers especially the supporters of the President is that they will realize about the activity of the person they have chose to lead the country. Besides that, their believe towards him will decrease because he did not play his role and responsibility very well. Besides that, the impact is also towards the President himself because after this article has been released, surely his position is at risk. In addition, it also gives impact to leaders from other country because they will be more careful if they have issue to discus in an international meeting. This is because they will think that South Africa’s President will think for his own benefit than other people.
As for use of language, the writer used some political terms. For example, parliament, controversial, and socioeconomic.
In this article the writer put the South Africa citizen especially the HIV positive pregnant women as the victim. This is because the President is willing to buy arms rather than find ways in order to help HIV positive pregnant women.
The impact towards the readers especially the supporters of the President is that they will realize about the activity of the person they have chose to lead the country. Besides that, their believe towards him will decrease because he did not play his role and responsibility very well. Besides that, the impact is also towards the President himself because after this article has been released, surely his position is at risk. In addition, it also gives impact to leaders from other country because they will be more careful if they have issue to discus in an international meeting. This is because they will think that South Africa’s President will think for his own benefit than other people.
As for use of language, the writer used some political terms. For example, parliament, controversial, and socioeconomic.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Unit 7: Dieting
In this unit an article that has been prepared for students to study is ‘Dieting’. This article is very long for students to study and languages that has been used for this article is quite hard because the writer used high lexis and he also used scientific words which related to dieting. In this article, the writer refers to current issue relating to the phenomenon of weight control. In this article, the writer also name different types of dieting. He also includes research and study related to losing weight. The more-you-lose-the-more-you-gain is the writer principle.
In this article, the writer tells the reader about danger of dieting. In addition, the writer also warns the reader about products to lose weight. He also includes that weight loss products are simply not effective. In this article, the writer includes ideal weight chart which are used by health authorities in order to identify weight problems. The writer however come out with a convincing chart which generalizes the problem and for each individual there may be ‘natural weight’ which is higher than their ‘ideal’ weight, in other words is healthy. The writer did admit that he also fail in order to lose weight. He said that it is a great pain to lose weight.
In the beginning of this article, the writer did mentioned that there are many people who are willing to spend their money on weight lose products in order to reach their ideal weight
In this article, the writer tells the reader about danger of dieting. In addition, the writer also warns the reader about products to lose weight. He also includes that weight loss products are simply not effective. In this article, the writer includes ideal weight chart which are used by health authorities in order to identify weight problems. The writer however come out with a convincing chart which generalizes the problem and for each individual there may be ‘natural weight’ which is higher than their ‘ideal’ weight, in other words is healthy. The writer did admit that he also fail in order to lose weight. He said that it is a great pain to lose weight.
In the beginning of this article, the writer did mentioned that there are many people who are willing to spend their money on weight lose products in order to reach their ideal weight
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Unit 6: Invasion of Baby Snatcher
The article that has been set for this unit is the ‘Invasion of the baby snatcher’. In this article the writer, Walter Kirn, focuses on kidnapping children which is getting serious in U.S. and Britain. Besides that, in this article, the writer also included of how the victims got kidnapped. For example, Sarah Payne suddenly missing while playing hide-and-seek with her siblings and was found dead 16 days later. The writer does praised the cooperation that have been given by public which have succeeded bring home one or two victims. This issue received attention from thousands of citizens especially the police force who have worked hard in order to find missing children even though the condition of the children is unknown, whether they are still alive or dead. However, in this article, there is some confusion towards the writer’s feeling. This is because sensitivity that the writer showed in this article was sympathy towards the victims and their family, but, as the story comes to ending, we can see that the writer blamed parents for what happened to their children.
From this article, we can say that there is no way we can stop this crime from getting worse. This is because when one case is solved; there will be new case which will rise. In addition, the writer also included other danger that children will face throughout their childhood, which are abandoned by parents or being dumped onto social services.
From this article, we can say that there is no way we can stop this crime from getting worse. This is because when one case is solved; there will be new case which will rise. In addition, the writer also included other danger that children will face throughout their childhood, which are abandoned by parents or being dumped onto social services.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Unit 5: Exposition
Exposition is a full explanation of a theory in which the writer tries to persuade the readers to believe about something by presenting one side of the argument. Besides that, the writer probably will include finding from a research which had been carried out by the writer himself or by professional. By including findings from research, this will support the stance of the writer in order to persuade the readers to believe and think twice about the issue that writer is trying to deliver. Exposition has been divided into three parts which are; an intro statement, a series of argument and a conclusion.
In this unit, there are useful and interesting information which can be use in order to have a good result of writing. Interesting information that I found in this unit is language features of an exposition. To expose our thoughts and stance, we can use various types of words for example sympathy words in order to show our feeling and attitudes. In addition, we also can use linking words to show cause and effects and also to link with other points of argument.
However, there is some difficulty in this unit which I found a little bit difficult. Hortatory exposition text stage 1 is quite hard to understand because the first stage it tells about a text which represents the attempt of the writer to have the addressee to do something or act in certain way. It is confusing because it did not elaborate more in details.
In this unit, there are useful and interesting information which can be use in order to have a good result of writing. Interesting information that I found in this unit is language features of an exposition. To expose our thoughts and stance, we can use various types of words for example sympathy words in order to show our feeling and attitudes. In addition, we also can use linking words to show cause and effects and also to link with other points of argument.
However, there is some difficulty in this unit which I found a little bit difficult. Hortatory exposition text stage 1 is quite hard to understand because the first stage it tells about a text which represents the attempt of the writer to have the addressee to do something or act in certain way. It is confusing because it did not elaborate more in details.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Unit 4: Argument and Evidence
In unit 4, it explains about evidence in the article in order to supports the writer’s stance. Evidence is information that supports to a conclusion. Anything can be used to determine or demonstrate the truth of a statement. Evidence can be found anywhere, personal experience, magazines, newspaper, internet or surveys.
In the article title, ‘Body language that speaks to muggers’, it is actually an article that based on a survey which was carried out by Betty Grayson and Morris Stein in New York City and Manhattan. Based on their survey, they can show the total of victims that have been mugged. Besides that, nobody can argue with their findings because they can come out with evidence based on their survey and observation which they secretly video-taped people walking in Manhattan’s garment district.
In this unit, it is quite easy for students to find the evidence as it is can be found in the article. This unit is quite interesting because students will be alert and not to missed out any important evidence that they need especially when they want to support their statement or answer. However, it is quite hard because some of the evidence cannot be found in the article and students need to use their logic in order to support their answer
In the article title, ‘Body language that speaks to muggers’, it is actually an article that based on a survey which was carried out by Betty Grayson and Morris Stein in New York City and Manhattan. Based on their survey, they can show the total of victims that have been mugged. Besides that, nobody can argue with their findings because they can come out with evidence based on their survey and observation which they secretly video-taped people walking in Manhattan’s garment district.
In this unit, it is quite easy for students to find the evidence as it is can be found in the article. This unit is quite interesting because students will be alert and not to missed out any important evidence that they need especially when they want to support their statement or answer. However, it is quite hard because some of the evidence cannot be found in the article and students need to use their logic in order to support their answer
Unit 3: Positioning
The concept of positioning follows logically from perspective. Positioning is related with the way in which participants are constructed through the text. ‘Constructed’ is mean by the way the writer gives certain roles to the participants, as if they were actors in a play. Participants are included people and institutions that referred to in the text. The same goes to the intended audience.
In this unit, it is quite difficult to understand because the writer sometimes change the way he or she constructed the participants. For example, at the beginning of the article, the writer condemns the participants but then throughout the article, the writer will slowly comment on the same participants. That way, the writer may confuse the readers to know about his or her position.
Even so, through out this learning process, it is an interesting unit because there are useful information that has been given especially to differentiate between perspectives and positioning. In addition, the article for this unit, ‘Please, let me go to your school’, makes it easier to explain the position of the participants.
For example, the writer constructed the main character, Scarlett, who was rejected by a school which claimed they accept disable students. However, they rejected Scarlett because they claimed that it takes a lot in order for the adjustments for the school to make for Scarlett. The writer condemns the school for their attitude and wrongdoing and also gives false hope towards disable children. As for Scarlett, the writer put her position as an innocent and strong child at a young age. Besides Scarlett, the writer also mentioned about her parents who support her and do anything they can in order to get justice for their daughter and to allow their child to get education just like other children
In this unit, it is quite difficult to understand because the writer sometimes change the way he or she constructed the participants. For example, at the beginning of the article, the writer condemns the participants but then throughout the article, the writer will slowly comment on the same participants. That way, the writer may confuse the readers to know about his or her position.
Even so, through out this learning process, it is an interesting unit because there are useful information that has been given especially to differentiate between perspectives and positioning. In addition, the article for this unit, ‘Please, let me go to your school’, makes it easier to explain the position of the participants.
For example, the writer constructed the main character, Scarlett, who was rejected by a school which claimed they accept disable students. However, they rejected Scarlett because they claimed that it takes a lot in order for the adjustments for the school to make for Scarlett. The writer condemns the school for their attitude and wrongdoing and also gives false hope towards disable children. As for Scarlett, the writer put her position as an innocent and strong child at a young age. Besides Scarlett, the writer also mentioned about her parents who support her and do anything they can in order to get justice for their daughter and to allow their child to get education just like other children
Unit 2: Perspective
Perspective is a stance or viewpoint taken in the text by the writer of the article towards the topic that is published. The perspective of a text usually happens from positive to negative. In other words, the writer may support, criticize or attack the participants in the article. Perspective in the text usually tells the readers something about the beliefs of the writer.
For example, an article titled, ‘Battling the bullies’, can easily explain about the stance of the writer. In this article, it shows that the writer does not approve of bullying in schools. Besides that the writer also does not agree with schools which fail to maintain an effective anti-bullying policy and being irresponsible. In this article, the writer is badly condemning the bullies and the school by using some harsh words to show the stance. In addition, the writer also show sympathy to the victim of bully which showed by Mrs. Watson and her son.
In this unit, it helps students in order to show their stance in their writing. Besides that, it shows how to condemn or commend on the participants of the article. The information given is quite interesting because it helps students to understand more in order to be a good writer and to produce an interesting outcome
For example, an article titled, ‘Battling the bullies’, can easily explain about the stance of the writer. In this article, it shows that the writer does not approve of bullying in schools. Besides that the writer also does not agree with schools which fail to maintain an effective anti-bullying policy and being irresponsible. In this article, the writer is badly condemning the bullies and the school by using some harsh words to show the stance. In addition, the writer also show sympathy to the victim of bully which showed by Mrs. Watson and her son.
In this unit, it helps students in order to show their stance in their writing. Besides that, it shows how to condemn or commend on the participants of the article. The information given is quite interesting because it helps students to understand more in order to be a good writer and to produce an interesting outcome
Unit 1: An Introduction
Critical literacy actually describes a particular approach to reading and writing. It approaches either the reader or writer to understand any texts should not be accepted at face value or treated as having special authority or mystique. Instead, readers should remain ‘critical’ or be aware of the purpose which texts serve and messages they convey. Articles can be in form of academic, on the newspaper, magazine or on the internet.
Unit 1 is an interesting unit because it introduces to students the ability to take a critical approach to one’s own and other people’s writing. An article is produce by the producer in which contains many purposes. For example to inform, to educate, to warn and to explain to the readers. The readers of the article are the consumers who bought or receive the article.
In this unit, lots of information has been given to the students in order to show the criteria that are needed in a good article. Besides that, it shows the beginners of how to write a good article in order to attract the intended readers.
Critical literacy is what a college education is all about. In college, the important is on developing “higher-order thinking”, the active, intelligent evaluation of ideas and information. The main goal is to teach students of how to think, which is how to become independent, self-directed thinkers and learners.
Unit 1 is an interesting unit because it introduces to students the ability to take a critical approach to one’s own and other people’s writing. An article is produce by the producer in which contains many purposes. For example to inform, to educate, to warn and to explain to the readers. The readers of the article are the consumers who bought or receive the article.
In this unit, lots of information has been given to the students in order to show the criteria that are needed in a good article. Besides that, it shows the beginners of how to write a good article in order to attract the intended readers.
Critical literacy is what a college education is all about. In college, the important is on developing “higher-order thinking”, the active, intelligent evaluation of ideas and information. The main goal is to teach students of how to think, which is how to become independent, self-directed thinkers and learners.
Friday, September 18, 2009
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