Reflection - Critical Reading Skills

Well, as far as I can understand, main idea is the ‘main idea’ of a text, passage, paragraph etc… Pattern of organization is the ‘pattern’ which an author uses to write. For example, cause and effect, time order etc… Fact or opinion is a statement in which we can see whether it’s a fact or an opinion… Bias is a strong leaning either in positive or negative direction… Tone is how an author expresses his/her feelings and purpose is why the author write the story…these are what I understand throughout this semester.

For me, main idea is the most difficult skill because I have to ‘read between the lines’ and make my own sentence which I’m not good at. Pattern of organization would be the easiest skill for me because it can be easily detected.

Main idea is the most useful skill in reading because, of course, we have to know what the author is trying to tell us. I will most likely, possibly, absolutely apply fact or opinion skill in my writing since I love to compare the facts and my thoughts.

How do I tackle the problem of a difficult skill?
Do more exercises probably…

I think we are involved in critical reading when we reflect or give opinion on what we’ve read. Critical reading is important in my future university studies for I will have to think widely and globally later. So, by reading critically now, in other words, understand and remember facts in the world, I would be able to survive in the future… Well, I think so.

I think the most applied skill in reading articles would be fact or opinion because I always look for it since I want to know which one is what.

Reflection - Blogging

Before this, I’ve heard about blog but I had no idea what blog is all about. However, after the hot En. Izaham introduced to me about blog, I know that blog is quite interesting somehow. I think using blog in reading class is very useful and should be continued. After all, it is a good practice for those who don’t use computer often. I strongly agree to recommend other lecturers to use weblog in class. Maybe I would like to recommend other lecturers to respond to class readings using blog so that they will also learn how to use blog since not many lecturers know what blog is.

For me, sometimes using blog to discuss the class readings is helpful but sometimes I don’t think so. It depends on the topic itself and our ability to be immersed in the topic being discussed. I think the class blog, my friends’ blogs and my blog could help me in reading critically because we can share our thoughts, bias against or for and know who our true friends are (somehow).

Which feature of the blogs I find is the most helpful?
Blog archive maybe…
I think posting a new journal is both interesting and troublesome. Why? Because it’s fun but it’s HARD to write a good journal. Regular classroom lesson is much much much more noisy (except for the quizzes) than the blog environment. Well, at least I don’t talk much when using the computer.

On the whole, I maybe, probably, definitely will continue using this blog to express my feeling or do some work…

Purpose & Tone

Article: When the Family Reunion Is Via Remote

Purpose: To inform us about the video family reunion session held between North Korea and South Korea

Example: …via a fiber optic video cable, installed as part of a video family reunion program between the two Koreas this week.

Tone: Sentimental tone

Example: But this could probably be the last time Byun will see his relatives in the North.

Article: Cheating: "But Everybody's Doing It"

Purpose: To persuade students not to cheat

Example: Beyond the anecdotes, experts point to a stream of data - much of it from students themselves - that indicates cheating is rampant.

Tone: Moralizing tone

Example: Cheating isn't new. As long as there have been rules, there has been people intent on breaking them.

Journal 3

Real Danger of Diseases Spreading in Prisons

(NST 20^th March 2007)

Summary

This article tells us about the overcrowding of inmates in prisons in Malaysia. The number of detainees is increasing day by day but prison officers don’t have the power to refuse prisoners. They have to accept new prisoners although the prisons are filled to capacity. This leads to a higher number of sharing personal space (toilet and bathroom) that can be the cause of serious diseases spreading in prisons.

Reflection

All of us can clearly see that prisons in Malaysia have overcrowded. Nowadays, people can’t run from problem and therefore they tend to commit wrongdoings. Many prisons, I think, are overcrowded by those who are under remand. Although some of the cases are small ones, they still have to be locked up because courts are paying attention to big and serious cases only.

When they are too many inmates overcrowding a prison, of course they have to share toilets and bathrooms and their toiletries are limited. I think prisons should provide not only just enough but extra toiletries such as towel, toothbrush and soap. These things cannot be shared for all viruses and bacteria needed for contagious diseases are ‘living here’.

Another problem that needs to be taken into consideration is the lacking of attendant in prisons. The ideal ratio of officer to prisoner is 1:10 but now it is 1:60. it means two things: many people are committing wrongdoings and not many people want to work in a prison. This problem arises as the prison officers don’t have the power to refuse prisoners. I think the laws have to be re-looked since we want the laws to give the authority to prison officers in order for them to refuse new inmates. If this doesn’t happen, then all the prisons in Malaysia will be overcrowded to a critical level.

There are also suggestions like moving prisoners from crowded institution to less crowded ones and building new establishments besides upgrading old ones. I totally agree with this. The responsible authorities keep upgrading and repairing old prisons but they have never added spaces for new prisoners. Can you imagine, day by day, one by one new prisoner come in but the old inmates still don’t get out of jail. There is no space left in prisons.

In conclusion, the government or any responsible authorities have to re-look the laws. If not, the least they should do is supply enough toiletries and medicine for them and also provide enough attendants so that every prisoner and disease can be controlled.

Purpose: To inform the public as well as create awareness among us about the overcrowding in prisons.

Tone: Emotionally neutral.

Bias: Bias against the law that prohibits prisons officers to refuse new prisoners.

Nepalese Sherpas

This article tells us about how the Nepalese porters managed to carry loads weighing almost their weighs.

This article is bias for the Nepalese porters.
Bias for is used when the writer writes something nice or in other word, favors or prefers the topic being written.

Examples:
1. ... the porters of Nepal are even more efficient at their tasks.

2. "It's quite impressive to see those guys walking with such heavy loads."

3. "It's amazing how universal carrying loads on the head is—except in Western Europe and North America."

4. That remarkable ability helps porters to earn a living carting goods great distances between markets in the Himalayan nation.

5. ...the feat is particularly impressive because "they're [generally] not very well equipped [and] have very bad shoes."

6. "It's a good scientific puzzle, how they [conserve] energy when walking."

Journal 2

From Virtual Racer to Reckless Driver (New Straits Times, 20th March 2007)

Summary

This article tells us the result of a study done to see the influence of playing car racing video games over the players. The study proves that driving actions in car racing video games affect people who play them in which these games imply a very high risk of having an accident or severe crash.

Reflection

For me, in this modern era, technology is part of our life. It helps us in communicating, benefits us in business and even gives us entertainment. However, technology that gives us pleasure - to be specific, video games – can bring detrimental effect if used uncontrollably. Nowadays, there are many video games such as Playstation 1, 2 and the latest 3, and also the current version of video games, Wii, which can gives every stage of generation the entertainment needed. Nonetheless, video games have their own effects.

It’s true that some people who drive recklessly are actually influenced by car racing video games. When they play these games, they put their mind and set their eyes 100% on the television. Most of car racing video games include aggressive and careless driving, speeding and crashing into other cars and pedestrians or completing dangerous act using the vehicle. These actions are somehow instilled in their mind and some players even get the feeling to try them in real world. This is the reason why the number of road accident increases day by day.

In the racing games, the vehicle used is modified and is made better especially in the aspect of sound and speed. Some players even think of doing the same towards their vehicles and they don’t care about spending a fortune to modify the automobile and at the same time break the rules.

Parents should control their children’s habits of playing car racing video games and make sure that they are not manipulated by them. Responsible authorities should monitor workshop and ensure that they do not modify cars illegally for the sake of making profit. Every driver especially youth must be responsible when driving and take good care of themselves and not let the emotion takes control of their mind.

True Story - Miracle Girl

1. The distraught mother was told about a breathable fluid that could help ease her child's respiratory distress.
- metaphore : Toni Mancini's attitude was like a distraught mother.

2. ... a breathable fluid that could help ease her child's respiratory distress. A doctor compared it to the liquid featured in the movie The Abyss...
- similes : the breathable fluid was obviously being compared to a liquid.

3. ...liquid ventilation creates a gentler and less invasive environment for the preemie than traditional respirators...
- similes : liquid ventilation is compared to traditional respirators.

4. ...a premature baby's tiny organs are treated more like they are still in the womb.
- metaphore : babies' organ are very small.
- similes : the treatment for a premature baby is compared to the condition they experienced in the womb.

Suraya Al-Attas

1. In theory, IKON Malaysia sounded like a good idea.
- Opinion : sounded like

2. The intention (of IKON Malaysia) is noble.
- Opinion : noble

3. The real artistes of the day see reality shows like Akademi Fantasia as monster makers.
- Opinion : ...see reality shows as monster makers.

4. If you ask me what was the best thing that happened to the industry, I would say it was Mawi.
- Opinion : if

5. Our veterans deserve more respect.
- Fact : Of course we have to respect the elders.

6. ...a talent show called IKON Malaysia — touted as Asean’s biggest —...
- Opinion : touted

7. ...the IKON Media Group, which is co-organising the contest with the Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM)...
- Fact : is co-organising

8. The very green stars of Akademi Fantasia like Mawi, Adam AF2 and Farah AF2 standing side by side with the likes of Zainal Abidin...
- Opinion : green stars
- Fact : standing side by side (they are compared to)

9. The hard part is always to get something going.
- Opinion : hard part

10. But the organisers’ original idea of leaving the fate of the contestants solely in the hands of the public is wrong!
- Opinion : the idea...is wrong!

11. Some of the reality artistes can’t sing, can’t dance, can’t anything... yet they’re out there representing the industry.
- Fact : SOME artistes really can't sing etc...

12. ...the list of reality talent shows we’ve had since 2001: Girl, Are You Ready, Audition, Popstars, Who Will Win?, Akademi Fantasia...
- Fact : the list

Road Fatality

En Izaham, forgive me if I did this task incorrectly.
Motor Vehicle (line graph 1)
The death of female motor vehicle drivers is fluctuate and the numbers are smaller since females are very careful in driving compared to males.

Motor Vehicle (table1)
The number of female involved in motor vehicle crash deaths has increased year by year because many females are working and need to travel to their working place instead of staying at home.

Motor Vehicle (table 2)
The percentage of female motor vehicle crash deaths is still low than male because the number of male driver is still higher if compared to female driver.

Passenger Vehicle (graph 2)
The rate of passenger vehicle occupants deaths had decreased since 1975-2005 among males and females although the number was not similar because they had the awareness of road safety.

Fatal Crash (table 3)
The 30-59 year-olds were involved in crash the most because they have to travel everyday to their work place and as usual the number of males were higher than females' since females were more careful.

Passenger Vehicle (table 4)
There are more females age 40 years and above than male because there are more females who are 40 and above involve in accident.

Alcohol Involvement (table 5)
The proportion of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers with blood alcohol had declined both in males and females since they had understood the detrimental effect on driving under alcohol.

Journal 1

Article from The Star, 21 February 2007
Campaign against fast food

Summary

This article tells us about a campaign against fast food that is to be conducted by the Health Ministry of Malaysia. This campaign aims to educate the public on the bad consequences of eating fast food. The ministry will cooperate with non-government organisations to first ban the fast food advertisement in the local media including mass and electronic. Malaysians are suffering from several diseases caused by eating fast food and the percentage is expected to extend to a larger number in a few years.

Reflection

KFC? McD? Pizza Hut? Burger King? What are the similarities between all of them? They're not just fast food; they are 'silent killers'!!! If you frequently eat fast food - no matter in what ways you're taking it; eat in, take away or even drive thru - you are more likely to have illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney failure (just to name some). So now, the government especially the Health Ministry of Malaysia is planning to conduct a campaign to educate the public on the damaging impact of fast food. For me, I strongly agree and support the government if this campaign is to be conducted because we're not only avoiding the mispend of money to buy fast food and preventing midless use of time loafing at those restaurants but we can also reduce the amount of carbonated drink taken, expose the nutritious yet cheap Malaysian food and strengthen our healthiness.

By reducing our frequent or monthly or weekly visit to fast food restaurants, we can avoid the mispend of money to buy those unhealthy diet. Fast food which is quickly served and delicious entices all generations of people especially little kids and university students. It’s not good for little children to eat fast food often, so by banning fast food advertisement, they can hardly get the info of the latest ‘beef fold-over’ (just to name one). University students will spend their PTPTN money to eat this convenient food; so this campaign is somehow hoped to educate them on the consequences of taking unhealthy diet.
Sometimes, we are mindlessly using our time loafing at the fast food restaurants. Secondary students will loaf there after school and waste their time just to eat and chat at those places. Sometimes, university students do that too. It’s better for the government to carry out such a campaign to control this habit.
Every time or at least almost every time we go to fast food restaurants, the drink served together with the course meal will probably be a carbonated drink. By diminishing our habit of eating fast food, we actually can cut down the amount of carbonated drink taken. When this happens, we are actually strengthening our health gradually and preventing ourselves from becoming a victim of ‘silent killers’.
While the government carries out this campaign, we can help them by promoting or exposing our nutritious yet tasty Malaysian food. Why do we eat ‘cheesy wedges’ when we can eat kuih seri muka which is cheaper and tastier? A plate of nasi lemak is much better and more satisfying than a set of pizza with the mushroom soup. We should eat more Malaysian food rather than be enticed by those unhealthy food.

By cutting down the amount of fast food taken, we could, in a way, strengthen our healthiness. When we take less fast food, we indeed reduce the amount of salt taken by our body. Most fast food contain a high amount of salt and that is not good for our body. This can lead to illnesses mentioned above and a better way to stay out of them is to stay out of fast food.
In conclusion, we should agree and give our full support to the government to conduct this campaign against fast food so that we can save our money and time, drink less carbonated drink and expose our own Malaysian food while strengthening our health.

English Is a Chaotic Language!!!

Ooh, what does this title have to do with me? Alright.. I'm Nor Azila. You guys just have to call me Azila. And ATTENTION to preTESL part 2, 2006/2007 students.. I don't want to be called Maddy anymore!!! Please please please!