Analyzing Arguments

New words
Abide by
Aggrieved
Make amends
Restorative
Deterrent
Griping
Parameters
Status quo

Punishment is only effective with a deterrent effect. If the people on the receiving end of the punishment is afraid of the punishment, then they will be less likely to do things that will lead to receiving that punishment and thus that certain action can be prevented. Punishment can also be restorative so that amendments can be made to compensate the victim. Punishment can also be rehabilitative. For example, skills are taught to criminals so that when they are released from prison, they have the skills to find jobs to support themselves and no longer have to resort to a life of crime.

Point
What is the writer's main conclusion? Be precise: pick out a quote to prove that you have identified the right conclusion
(The writer believes that...)

Fairness
(While I appreciate.../and concede...)

Evaluation
My opinion: agree/disagree
(I disagree that...)

Explanation
My reasons - problems with writer's assumptions, values, evidence, consequences

Elaboration
Substantiate claim that writer's assumption is wrong

Extension
Go deeper into underlying principles and universal values

Reiteration (of point)

An example we did was a short text which stated that people can only develop creativity after their basic needs, such as food and water, has been met.

"According to Maslow's hierarchy,  basic needs need to be fulfilled before people can devote energy to achieving self fulfillment and creativity. However, in times of dire straits, creativity is necessary and vital in coming up with solutions."

My List of Enemies

Hm... This would probably be a fairly long list:

1. Vocabulary
I do read books often but it seems as though I am unable to apply the vocabulary I've learnt into my essays etc. They're all swimming around in my head but that's all there is to it. Furthermore, as I never use the vocabulary often, I tend to forget them easily.

2. Grammar
I seem to have some issues when writing an essay as I kind of switch between past and present tenses in the same essay often without realising it... I guess I just have to pay more attention when I write and read the essay once or twice after I finished writing it to check the grammar and tenses :)

3. Current Affairs
Definitely a HUGE issue! I do read up, though not very often, but the facts don't really seem to stay in my head. I was considering subscribing to TIMES magazine because I heard that they have really interesting articles on current affairs. So maybe that's my next step in improving my general knowledge in current affairs :D

4. Interpretation of text
This is a rather major problem as interpreting the text wrongly may result in the entire analysis of the text going off-track. Hmmm, any advice to tackle this issue?

5. Phrasing of sentences
Hm, I guess it's the issue with phrasing my sentences properly. Sometimes, an idea forms in my head and when I put in into words, the idea kind of loses its meaning and impact...

Yup, that is all for now... If I have any additional "enemies", please tell me about it! :D

Extra:
Use "society" and not "the society"
Use "the academic" and not "academics"
"Although" does not come with "but"

PDD Socratic Seminar

Okay, I haven't posted in ages so I'm really glad I've finally taken out time to update my learning log.

Let's start with the pointers Mrs Seah gave for analyzing poems:

Analyze poems, not paraphrase.
Analyze the craft the poet has used and follow up with why did the poet use that device in the poem.
- Perhaps it's to place emphasis on a particular point?
Poet makes use of sounds with devices such as sibilants, assonance etc to reiterate and draw attention to an important point in the poem.

I stayed back just the other day for a few tips on how to analyze poems without going off track or losingnfocus and here's a summary of the points :)

Annotate
Top Down - SPECS (start from a general theme/subject then narrow down to a more in-depth analysis)
Bottom Up (e.g. Identify repeated imagery and link it to how the poet conveys the themes and how it helps to link to the main theme/subject etc)
Don't analyze it in chronological order
SLIMS
- sounds
- language
- imagery
- metaphors
- structure

Next is about my PDD Soc Sem on "A Holiday" by Margaret Atwood. Well, the poem's theme is mainly about the destruction of nature by humans. A lot of extended metaphors and juxtaposition were used in the poem to provide a better understanding of the message the poet was trying to convey. Before the discussion began, I felt prepared for it and felt confident that I had analyzed the poem well enough. However, as the discussion progressed, I began to realize that my points only scratched the surface of the poem and I seemed to be paraphrasing instead of analyzing the poem. There were certain times when the whole group, including me, kept paraphrasing and going in circles, instead of focusing on a point and doing a more in-depth analysis.

Lastly, I saw this on (posted by Lesley) just a few moments ago and just felt like posting it here for who knows what reason :) It just kind of evoked certain emotions from me and I just wanted to share it :)

Shut your ears and open your eyes. Start appreciating those human beings who persistently gave a damn about you; unlike those who never quite did and were merely great masters at whispering sugared bullshit. Start before you're left with their footprint marks to gaze & regret upon.

L.A. SIA Presentation

Today, we watched two groups present their LA SIA process and reflections.

Mrs Seah emphasized once again that the word "Japanese" was to be pronounced white e emphasis on "Jap". She only reminded us that the word "children" was to be pronounced with a "chill" at e beginning and not "chool". There were also certain word that were not pronounced accurately, such as "presentation" and "their". This has further raise my awareness to not make such mistakes in the future. One thing I enjoy about watching presentations is observing the postures of my classmates who were presenting. I observed certain actions and gestures such as fidgeting and not making eye contact, from which I can be reminded not to do in future presentations.

The Student

Today, we wrapped up the poem and tackled the question of where the tension is in the poem.

The last three lines in the last stanza of The Student, as commented by Mrs Seah, was not very effectively used as it didn't serve much purpose. So, I guess not all poems are necessarily "great works of art".

Sorry Mrs Seah, I'll take a picture of my poem analysis and post online soon! :)

Block Test 2 Reflections

Honestly, I think I did really badly for block test this time... Well, here's today's learning log entry:

Do not use relativism, saying that it is up to the individual and not making a stand

Discourteous: to disregard the sensitivity and sensibility of others

Discourtesy cases:
1. NTU valedictorian
Evidence - said F word in public
Counter - in high spirits
Support - no matter what, we must think before we act/speak

Train Crash in China
- China government buried the train wreck
- seemed like they wanted to cover up the whole incident 

Don't pronounce the "b"s in words like "debt" and "subtle"

Words
1. Pinnacle
2. Valedictorian
3. Situational awareness

Expository Essay Disaster

Today, we ran through the expository essay question and how to go about doing it. I have a really bad feeling about my expository essay. Mrs Seah said lots of people were jogging in circles, which is kind of what I felt I was doing... So, this is the question:

"This is home truly". In this day and age, home should not be defined by one's nationality.
:
We examined Maslow's Hierarchy, which Mrs Seah said was most appropriate to use for this essay's question:

MASLOW'S HIERARCHY
- self-actualization
- self-esteem
- love and belonging
- safety ans security
- food/water/basic needs

We also talked about how we absolutely must include evidence to substantiate our points.

Reasons for Oslo Killing
- the killer is an extreme white right-wing who is anti-Muslim and believes that the nation should only belong to the Aryans

New Words:
Cut-and-thrust - (in this context) sharpening each other's point to ensure accuracy of the point
Nebulous - lacking definition or definite content
Masonry - the craft of a mason (a craftsman who works with stone or brick)
Incumbent - currently holding an office
Multi-culturalism - the doctrine that several different cultures can coexist peacefully and equitably in the same country
Siege mentality - isolating