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.