Response Essay

Miller, Tom, and Parker, Dee (1997). Writing for the Reader: A Problem-Solution Approach

In the article “Writing for the Reader: A Problem-Solution Approach written by Tom Miller and Dee Parker, I think we can identify the structure an article should have, some aspects the writer should follow when writing; in this case, we have the example a “Forum” article. Based on Swales (1992) and Hoey’s (1981) approaches, the article shows us a structure to follow, explaining each step: the situation, the problem, the solution and the evaluation. It seems that this structure should be very useful for readers and in this way I think they can become better critical thinkers.

For the introduction Swales (1992) considers the writer have to investigate, catch reader’s attention by writing articles that are really important for the audience around the world; Swales calls this “establishing a territory”. In addition, the reporter contributes wit the audience by giving possible solutions, Swales names this “establishing a niche” and at the end he considers the writer should give the steps to follow and solve the problem.

Moreover Swales and Hoey’s (1981) approaches are quite similar, just by adding one more step called evaluation. It could be a positive or negative evaluation and when it is negative a new situation appears. A clear example of Forum articles is given in which it is explained step by step and in this way we can analyze the structure, so in my opinion it is easier to understand and analyze Swale’s and Hoey’s structures.

In the problem, the author expresses he is interested in the problem as well as the reader and s/he gives specific details. For example the topic of Janet Niederhauser’s article introduces to the readers what is the article about and while reading people can identify the causes of low motivation. Sentences include cause words and there is a sequence between them. For the solution Niederhauser’s guides readers in the very beginning and to give the solutions she substitutes negative words for positives; in other words, the article changes and the final result is an active and positive article which persuades the reader’s mind.

The conclusion is a short description of the article and the writer can give an example trying to convince reader’s mind. It is very important to catch reader’s attention. Headings and initial sentences keep people reading and the connection between sentences and paragraphs make readers understand the problem(s) they would find in the article and at the end they will find solutions. At the end of the article the main purpose of the writer must be to change reader’s mind trying to change their attitude and become critical thinkers because through reading people learn, discuss and enrich their criteria.

Final Cause and Effect Essay

Technology and English in our Daily Lives

 “Technology, is nothing. What is important is that you have a faith in people, that they are basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they will do wonderful things with them” an amazing quote by Steve Jobs about the ability human beings to learn  interesting tools. The use of technology has pushed adults, teenagers and children to have knowledge in computers and cell phones; at the same time, learn foreign languages like English, which is an important instrument to communicate around the world. In other words, more people learn, more opportunities they will have and new windows are opened, all this just by a click!

One of the most relevant facts in the last 50 years has been changing the improvement in communication process; sophisticated computers, tablets or cell phones and the opportunity to learn foreign languages through them, catches customers’ attention; as a result, people feel the necessity to obtain the newest article at any cost, this become in some way a part of “success”, the next one comes after that, when they are able to use them. According to Greene, (2012) “In today’s society, it is easier to stay connected than it is to disconnect from the world. This trend has bled over into purchasing habits: most users will research new products and services using their tablets or smartphones.

Due to the advances, children, teenagers and adults use computers and cell phones; they are constantly motivated to keep in touch with friends, classmates and co-workers, also  people are interested in learning new languages such as English. Because of distances, technology and English are used to communicate with family, friends or coworkers of any country in an easy way: we can send photos and videos in few minutes; make video calls, conferences, etc, In this way, we share our ideas, plans and feelings with relatives around the world and quickly they know our recent events. For instance some college U.S. students had a weekly e-mail exchange with Latin students for one semester. (Hertel, 2003) explains: “Survey results revealed this student-centered endeavor had the potential to change cultural attitudes, increase knowledge and awareness of other cultures, foster language acquisition, as well as boost student interest and motivation in language and cultural studies”. The ability to use computers and the use of a foreign language give us the chance to visit interesting places virtually, know another cultures, style of living, food, etc.

Therefore when technology and English are develop skillfully, students and people at work can obtain better opportunities in the future. Shyamlee & M., (2012) explains “there are many more opportunities for students to gain confidence practice and extend themselves, especially for ESL students who learn the language for more than just fun. For them to keep pace with ELT and gain more confidence they have to stride into the world of multimedia technology”. Those who have advanced knowledges in technology and English language, are forward people just know something about these matters and people around can notice it.

For this reasons the use of technology and the ability to communicate in other languages like English facilitates people lives. It increases motivation and productivity when young people and adults are interested in the use technology with frequency because real world is a matter of being competent. Technology and English give us the opportunity to obtain information quickly around the world, make business easily, students creativity is higher and everybody can learn about other cultures and countries. This is just a way to demonstrate how a person is able to communicate in a formal or informal way.

References

Greene, N. (2012, December 11). Social Media Strategies Summit. Retrieved from http://socialmediastrategiessummit.com/blog/the-new-consumer-how-social-media-has-impacted-consumerism/

Hertel, T. (2003, May 1). The Journal. Retrieved 2005, from https://thejournal.com/Articles/2005/05/01/The-Advantages-of-Using-Technology-in-Second-Language-Education.aspx?Page=1

Shyamlee, S. D., & M., P. (2012). International Conference on Language, Medias and Culture. Retrieved from http://www.ipedr.com/vol33/030-ICLMC2012-L10042.pdf

Final Descriptive Essay

Bread and Cookies Smell like Christmas

“Jingle bells jingle bells, jingle all the way”… Christmas cheerful songs, the big green trees, the sparkle Christmas lights; and the delicious smell of tamales are part of the most special holiday around the world, but in my family my grandma added one more special dessert: some bakery that she prepared secretly with all her love and we used to eat in Christmas day every year.

In a pleasant and sunny place called Villa de San Antonio in Comayagua, very hardworking people wake up daily to work and make their routine activities specially women who take care of children and keep their houses neat and very organized. Every year, my nice and sweet grandmother was waiting for Christmas to spend time with her lovely family. She was exceptional at cooking.  She used to organize the kitchen and made delicious food. She made appetizing traditional food when family visited her and that was one of the reasons people love staying with her. Her favorite place was the warm and homey kitchen where she used to make up new dishes, sometimes when she cooked she seasoned food with aromatic ingredients and they ended in really savory dishes such as spicy and warm tamales, creamy sweet torrejas and bread. Meanwhile, cooking, she expressed the love for her relatives and neighbors around her.

Moreover at Christmas, her favorite snacks to cook were crunchy chocolate chip cookies and melty glazed bread. In the morning placed on the comfy kitchen, she was preparing her yummy snacks alone and never said the secret of these delicious recipes. I remember all of this and I am craving for little pieces of cookies or a slice of bread. My family and some friends enjoyed the aroma of freshly baked homemade bread in my grandma’s kitchen; however, she tried to hide the bread in her bedroom and all over the house you smelled whatever she made and my cousins used to find it. Unfortunately, her secrets and recipes never were discovered. 

            Finally as a tradition, when the snacks were baked, she asked for some volunteers to taste just a piece of bread and one cookie, but she asked the children who had a good behavior during the whole year. They gave opinions about the texture of the bread or the flavor of the cookies. The next group to taste the special recipe were my mother and her brothers. This time they were asked to remember the best and worst moments they had lived during the whole year and also they expressed what they had learned. The next group to taste her cookies were our close lovely elderly neighbors whom were waiting patiently to taste my grandma’s recipes, they used to say “the dessert”. Tasting the cookies we spent some time to share our lives during the year

Our lives without my dear grandma Conchita are quite different because we miss her company and definitely her food. When I visit bakery shops, I smell many kind of cookies and I have bought some of them but neither the bread nor the cookies taste or smell like my grandmas.  Every Christmas my brothers and I remember her dancing while she was cooking in the kitchen or when she was taking off the snacks from the countryside oven, we just keep those memories in our heart.

 Nowadays, we buy cookies and bread and eat them to celebrate these holidays in her honor. Therefore my family and I enjoy Christmas in town preparing with joy this special time. Usually people cook recipes and prepare everything to share with friends at midnight. This is a different night from other ones because we celebrate Jesus birthday and at the same time we remember those special moments that we shared with our relatives in the past.