Leaving comments on blogs is one of the best parts of blogging. Comments give the blogger feedback (hopefully positive!) about their writing, and it’s also a fun way to practice your own English. Giving someone a positive comment on their blog is an easy way to make someone smile!
Let’s practice leaving comments on each other’s blogs. Here are simple step-by-step directions:
- Find your classmate’s blog. You can see them all listed by class here on this site.
- Look over their posts, then find one you like.
- Click the “Comments” link, which is usually at the end of the post (but sometimes at the top)
- Type in the required info: your name, email address, website URL (optional), and an anti-spam code (if necessary).
- Type your comment. Comments can be short, but I recommend making them a bit longer to give you more practice. Try to write what you liked or learned from the post, and ask a question (or two). This will make it easier for your classmate to respond. Oh, and if you find a problem with your classmate’s site, let them know. For example, let them know if you could see the video clip or photo, or if there was some strange-looking text or mistake. This is very helpful feedback.
- Click the “Submit Comment” button at the bottom.
- That’s it! There is no step 7! Enjoy reading your comment. Edit it if you find some mistake.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Hey everyone- Here are the results of our class survey. I hope you find them as interesting as I do. Thanks to your comments, I am clearer about how we can improve this course. Don’t forget these key points:
- Try to check your Gmail account at least once each week outside of class
- Visit our class website when you need support, advice, or to find out about assignments (http://talandisjr.edublogs.org)
- Remember there is NO HOMEWORK in our class if you can come to each lesson. If you miss a class, you will have a bit of homework.
- Our purpose: to improve basic writing skills, learn different types/styles of writing. Also, I want you to learn basic computer and Internet skills that can help you continuing writing and connecting with foreigners after you graduate.
- If the class is too easy or too hard, please see me for help or ask a classmate for help. Also, other teachers can help you with computer questions.
- You can write about anything you want in your blogs, not only on the main topic.
- Write at least 10 blog posts by the end of the year, and put all of our textbook assignments on your blog as well (there will be 6 or 7 in total)
I learned the following things from your comments:
- I need to explain about “important things” more clearly and more often. To do that, I will post more often to this blog and I will send you all more message via Gmail. So, please visit this blog and check your Gmail more often!
- Some students find this class too easy, and others find it too difficult. I will try to support both groups more, but don’t wait for me- If this class is too easy or difficult, talk to me or your classmates.
If you do all of these things, and your attendance is okay, you will pass the course with no problems.
Thanks again for your effort! I hope you work hard and learn a lot in the 2nd term.
Well, the results of your Unit 3 tests are in, and it’s very clear that many of you are capable of writing better friendly messages. Here are some tips on how you can improve your technique and style:
1st paragraph: Capture the moment better
Compare these two opening paragraphs:
1. Hi. How are you? I’m fine. I’m in class now, studying English and thinking of you.
2. Hi. How are you? I’m fine. I’m in writing class now, sitting by the window, writing a letter to you. It’s a gorgeous sunny day outside. I’m listening to my teacher talk in English, and I can’t understand what he is saying. I look outside and see birds flying above the trees and white puffy clouds floating in a bright blue sky. Next period is lunch time, so I can feel my stomach grumbling with hunger. I’m thinking about that delicious ham sandwich I’m going to eat in only 30 minutes! Yummy! In fact, I’m so hungry now I can’t concentrate on the lesson!
So, which is better, number 1 or number 2? Well, I hop you think number 2 is better! Why is it better? Here are a few reasons:
- It’s longer
- It describes the moment more clearly
- It uses the present continuous tense
- It uses many sensory adjectives
So, to capture the moment better in a friendly message, do all of these things more.
Paragraph 2: Telling a focused story
Again, compare these paragraphs:
1. I had a very fun day yesterday. In the morning, I went shopping with my friend at Favore. We browsed around but didn’t buy very much. We ate lunch at Caprichoza, my favorite Italian restaurant. After that, we drove to Toyama City and went shopping around Nishi-cho. Then at night we went to a karaoke place to sing. We met some other friends and had a good time.
2. I had a very interesting experience while shopping with Kozue at Favore yesterday. While we were walking by movie theater, a young woman was yelling at her two small children. She looked angry with them. They were making lots of noise by crying and arguing with each other. I felt kind of embarrassed for her, so I gave her a smile as I passed by. She looked back at me with an exasperated expression. Then suddenly she approached me and said she was planning on seeing a movie with her children, but since they were acting terribly, she didn’t want to go anymore. She asked us if we wanted to use her tickets. I looked at Kozue, and we decided right away to take them. We ended up watching Ponyo for free! It was real fun!
So what’s the difference here? Well, the first one describes one day by listing what was done. It’s okay, but not what we studied in Unit 3. The 2nd one is much more focused- see how it describes one particular incident in great detail? It uses sensory and quantity adjectives, and mixes the past and past continuous tenses. This is how you bring a story to life. Please work on this technique, and your writing will improve a lot!
Paragraph 3: Closing with questions
Compare these two closing paragraphs:
1. I have good friends here, but I miss you very much. Please come and visit me soon! I’m looking forward to going out together again.
2. I have good friends here, but I miss you very much. I hope you are well! When will you come to visit me again? I want you to go out with my new friends. Where do you want to go when you come? Please let me know and I can arrange it. Take care, and write to me in English! Let’s practice.
Why is number 2 better? Well, the big difference is the questions. Asking questions helps your friend respond more easily. So, to improve this part of your friendly message, just ask more questions! Easy as pie. Two or three should be enough.
I hope these tips help you improve your writing. Keep practicing, and you will definitely get better. Remember to use your text book for models and vocabulary. Good luck!
Hello 2nd year writing students! Congratulations on making it through the 1st term! Most of you did fine, but unfortunately 40% of you didn’t! Something is wrong when so many students fail to finish the required work. What happened? Were the assignments too difficult? Too easy? Were the instructions clear enough? Did you get the support you needed? How much effort did you put into the course? How can I do a better job of helping you learn to write in English?
To answer these and other questions, I’ve created a short online questionnaire. Please click on the following link and answer all of the questions. Please leave comments, as well. Use Japanese if you have to. I’m really interested in your honest answers and advice for how we can improve this course and make sure that all of you pass with flying colors!
