A Discourse Approach in Reading Week 15

 29   March   2016 

 Problem and Solution 

Today we studied last lesson  which is Problem and Solution. First, teacher began to explain what it is.

Problem and Solution is a pattern of organization where information in a passage is expressed as a dilemma or concerning issue (a problem) and something that was, can be, or should be done to remedy this issue (solution or and attempted solution). The problem and solution text is frequently cofused with the cause and effect pattern of organization, as cause and effect passages do not propose solutions but rather just explain why or how they happen.

dilemma = a ​situation in which a ​difficult ​choice has to be made between two different things you could do  

We started to read an example that is about teen pragnantcies and analyzed the text.

Example: It seems like there has been a surge in teen pregnancies these days. Teen pregnancies make it very difficult for young mothers to pursue their dreams and meet the demands of an infant. Fortunately, most teen pregnancies can be easily prevented by using birth control; however, even birth control is not 100% effective. The most effective way to prevent teen pregnancies is abstinence, which is 100% effective.

 Source: http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/text-structure/patterns-of-organization/problem-and-solution/

Next, we opened the next page, she read a list of problem-solution markers and we repeated after her. After that, we did the Skill practice by circling the Problem Markers and highlighting the Solution Markers. this below as an example.

Culture shock has been described as a problem afflicting people who live in a culture that is not their own. Its symptoms can range from mild homesickness to a severe depression and disorientation, which can leave a person incapable of coping with even the minor demands of life. The two basic ways to overcome culture shock are spending some time in the new culture and maintaining an interest in it.

* Problem is text that is underlined
   Solution is pink alphabets
   Definitionis red highlight
   Discourse markers are yellow highlight

When we finished exercise, we had a break around 10 minutes for prepared to take a test. the test is quite hard for me, I hope I will past this test.


What did you find easy?
In my opinion, finding the discourse markers is easy for me because it can be noticed easily.

What did you find difficult?
I had a problem from this exercise because I didn't understand clearly and answered wrong during studying.

What did you solve the problem?
I tried to understand,listened to teacher when she explained, and looked for my mistake that why I answered wrong.

What are your attitudes towards the lesson?
In my opinion this lesson is very hard for me because Problem and Solution is similar to Cause and Effect. I should do exercise more and more for comprehension.

A Discourse Approach in Reading Week 14

 23   March   2016 

 Exemplification 

Exemplification writing uses specific, vivid examples for the purpose of adding more information to explain, persuade, define, or illustrate a general idea. Likewise, exemplification provides solid support and strong evidence to prove the writer's main statement. Appropriate examples also create interest in a writing assignment.

We read the text 2 'Fun things to do in Great Falls'. After that, we found the main idea that was 'There are many ways to have fun in Great Falls without spending a Fortune.', highlighted the places in the text. We did exercise by matching the place with the activities, underlined them in the text, and highlighted discourse markers.

Next, we read text 3 which showed the examples of hazards in the home that jeopardize a child's safety and how to eliminate that are
- Can be poison by some houseplants = should be placed high out of the child's reach.
- Chemical products = should be placed out of the child's reach or stored in cabinets with childproof locks.
- Furniture = when they aren't being used, should be folded up or placed against the wall.
- Automatic garage door = should be tested on regular basis to be certain that the reverse mechanism works when the strikes an object.
- Curtain cords = should be tied to avoid possible shocking or strangulation.
- Electrical outlets = can be blocked with plastic plugs.


The topic sentence uses the plural word hazards to signal an exemplification paragraph follows.

What is the text about? = Many hazards in the home and how to eliminate.
Main idea = Many hazards in the home that jeopardize a child's safety can be easily eliminated.
Conclusion =  Eliminating all hazards may save a child from serious injury or death.

We answered the questions correctly and highlighted the examples of hazards in the home, the way to eliminate the danger, and discourse markers.

Then, we read text 4 carefully.The text was 'What is Language', circled all the expressions which have the same meaning as for example, drew a line under all the examples, and completed the sentences.

Teacher lets us to know 'Problem and Solution'. She explained the difference between 'Cause and Effect' and 'Problem and Solution' and gave an example for us about mid-term test failure.

She assigned us to work in group to think the problem and solution and presented in front of the classroom.

I will show you about the topic of problems and solutions that we presented below.
- Weaknesses in learning English
- Car accident (my group)
- Impact of deforeststation
- Sleepless
- Traffic jam
- Body fat
- Gastritis
- Drug addiction
- Game addiction
- Water pollution
- Hot weather
- Social media addiction
- Children lack of warm
- Drought

What did you find easy?
Finding discourse markers.

What did you find difficult?
Finding main idea and what the text about was very difficult.

What did you solve the problem?
I usually found incorrect main idea, I discussed with my friends ,compared  the answers ,and thought which one is likely to be correct.

What are your attitudes towards the lesson?
Exemplification is very important in order to make the text easy, to make it clear.

A Discourse Approach in Reading Week 13

 20   March   2016 

Definition and Classification continued

We continued to study Definition and Classification. First, we read the text about What is Anthropology and  completed the diagram on the whiteboard. 



Next, we read the text again and found discouse markers, terms, definition and classificaion by highlight and circle on it. After that, teacher asked us what the main idea of the text is.

The main idea is Anthropology, the study of man, is divided to two types which are Physical Anthropology and Culture Anthropology.

Then, we read text 2 about species of whales. We highlight the discourse markers in the text and completed the diagram on the whiteboard. 

The topic is Types of Whales or Species of Whales
Main idea : There are two main categories of whales.

 Toothed Whale 

 

 Sperm whale

 

 Killer whale or Orca

  Purpoise

 Baleen Whale 

We answered questions that which statement is true(T) ir false(F). Teacher gave new sheets for us that was Exemplification and explained some information of this lesson. We read the text 'College students' Pressures', completed the diagram, and highlighted the exemplification markers. Finally we saw the video presentations about how to make some food of my friends.


What did you find easy?
Text was not too long and hard. Answering question was easy for me.

What did you find difficult?  
I highlighted the terms,discourse markers, and definition and classification when I reread it, I was very confused. 

What did you solve the problem?
I chose a different color for each one.
 
What are your attitudes towards the lesson?
The more you learn the more you get. I understand lessons more when I do it often.

A Discourse Approach in Reading Week 12

 20   March   2016  

 Definition  and  Classification 

Teacher reviewed the lesson 'Cause and Effect' about the Effect of Stress.

The Effect of Stress - Title is content word
Paragraph 1 - Introduction  main idea : Too much stress results in physical, emotional, and mental health problems.
Paragraph 2 - The effect of stress on physical health problem main idea : There are numerous physical effects of stress.
Paragraph 3 - The effect of stress on emotional health problem main idea : Emotions are also easily affected by stress.
Paragraph 4 - The effect of stress on mental health problem main idea : Long-term stress can lead to a variety of serious mental illnesses.
Paragraph 5 - Conclusion main idea : It is obvious that stress is a serious problem.

She checked the highlight that we did last week about discourse markers and asked us which part of speech of them. We started to study new lesson that was Definition and Classification

In textbooks, you are sure to meet unfamiliar technical words and their definition. You will also find that writers use classification to divide general concepts into a number of different types. Identifying and understanding texts that contain definition and classification will help your academic reading.
define = to say what the ​meaning of something, ​especially a word, is
classify = to ​divide things into ​groups ​according to ​their ​type

She explained the examples and showed some common definition and classification markers 

 Strategies 
These strategies will help us categorize and understand texts that contain technical terms, definition, and classification.
  - Expert writers to use technical terms and to define them in the text.
  - Expert writers to use common words and give them technical meaning.
  - Look for Definition Markers. They will help you identify both technical terms and their meanings.
  - Look for Classification Markers. They will help you identify both the general concepts and its types.

We did Skill Practice 1 by circle the Definition Markers, highlight the technical terms, and underline the definitions. Examples this below

Voiceless sounds are sounds that are produced with no vibration of the vocal cords.

Prejudice is an unfair judgment that people make before they have all the facts.

 
* Yellow is technical terms.
   Blue is definition markers.

Before we had a break, teacher told us about midterm score. I got 17 point, it's more than that I think. I am very happy.
After break, we did Skill Practice 2 by circle the Classification Markers, then draw a diagram showing the classification.

Then we did Skill Practice 3 by reread paragraph 2-5 in Skill Practice 2 and highlight the definitions of the following terms.

1. acoustic phonetics

On the other hand, speech creates waves of pressure that move through the air. If we study this aspect of speech sounds, our area of interest is called acoustic phonetics.

2. perception

Perception, the complex process by which we make sense of incoming sensory information,

3. selective attention

Selective attention refers to our ability to focus our attention on one aspect of the massive amount of information that our senses are experiencing at a given moment

4. ahieved status

Achieved status, the other catagory, is a social position thar an undividual reaches through choice, ablility, and competition.

5. extrinsic motivation

The other type, extrinsic motivation, is a desire that results from outside incentives - the rewards or sanctions the individual may receive for doing or failing to do something.

6. intrinsic motivation

One kind is intrinsic motivation, the desire to perform a task successfully for its own sake.


* Yellow is technical terms.
   Blue is definition markers.
   Green is definition 

What did you find easy?
Finding the discourse markers was easy for me.

What did you find difficult?
Some sentences I was not sure about which ones are unfamiliar technical words
 
What did you solve the problem?
I reread the definition and predicted the words that I don't know are technical terms.

What are your attitudes towards the lesson?
This lesson is important in reading because when we read text, we will see the technical terms. We can guess the meaning by noticing the discourse markers without opening dictionary