ANNOUNCEMENTS

For Class on Monday, April 19, 2004:

• Homework:

  • Read Chapters 1 and 2 of Effective Writing:
    • Questions for Chapter 1:
      • 1. What is a paragraph?
      • 2. How many ideas can you write in one paragraph?
      • 3. What is an indentation?
      • 4. What influences the length of a paragraph?
      • 5. How many sentences does a paragraph for this class usually have?
    • Questions for Chapter 2:
      • 1. What is a topic sentence?
      • 2. What is the relationship between a topic and the topic sentence?
      • 3. Where can you find a topic sentence in a paragraph?
      • 4. Why do we need a topic sentece?
      • 5. What is a good topic sentence?
  • Learn how to use a word processing software (e.g., Microsoft WORD).
  • Start thinking about movies or books you want to talk about in your Presentation #3 on June 11.

For Monday, April 26, 2004:

• Homework:

  • Finish Exercise 2 in Chapter 2 of EW.
  • Read Chapter 3 of EW and answer the following questions:
    • Questions for Chapter 3:
      • 1. A good paragraph in English is made of FIVE kinds of sentences. What are they?
      • 2. What do these five types of sentences do in a paragraph?
  • Read Effective Writing, pp. 89-95 and study rules for punctuations.
  • Find yourself in our class picture!

Extra Information about Learning English:

• Is anyone watching "英会話エンジョイ！スピーキング," a new language program on NHK-Education which started this month. This program broadcasts a real English class for international students at University of New York. If you are thinking of studying (English) in America, this program may be good for you. As the teachers in these classes have the same teaching style as mine, this program will help you understand my class more. A new class is broadcast at 11 p.m. on Tuesdays. Enjoy!

For Friday, April 30, 2004:

• Homework:
  • 1. Exercise 3, Hbk, p. 11: Japanese population.
  • 2. Prepare for Reading Section:
    • (1) Read "1. Intro. to Paraphrasing," Hbk, pp. 24-25.
    • (2) Read "2. How to Paraphrase," Hbk, pp. 25-26.

For Friday, May 7, 2004:

• Homework:
  • 1. Paragraph Writing #1: Very, very important!
    • (1) Write a "reason" paragraph:
      • Topic Sentence must have either superlative or "should"
        • Example with superlative: Nakata is the greatest soccer player in Japan.
      • Write three reasons (supporting points) to support the topic sentence.
      • HINTs:
        • Any topic is OK!
        • How long is this paragraph? About 8 to 11 sentences.
          • One topic sentence.
          • Three supporting sentences (= Three reasons)
          • Some developing sentences for all these supporting sentences.
          • One concluding sentence (a paraphrase of the topic sentence).
    • (2) Copy the checklist on p. 21.
    • (3) Use the top three checklists (format/structure/spelling & grammar) and check your Paragraph #1
    • (4) Are all items checked?
      • Yes? --> Give the paragraph & the checklist to Mr. Shimura
      • No? --> Rewrite until the deadline.
    • Deadline: May 7, 2004. (No papers will be accepted after the deadline. I want to you manage your time and schedule well. (Have you already bought a schedule book? It is a good time to do so.)
    • Print the paragraph on a A4 paper.
  • 2. Read "Step 1" in Academic Reading (Handbook,, p. 27) and analyze "Hollywood Movies".
  • 3. Read "Step 2" on p. 28.
  • 4. Don't forget to enjoy the first GW break as a university student too!

May 10, 2004:

• Is this class getting difficult for you? After the last class on Friday, some of your classmates told me that things were getting difficult. What do you think? Let's talk about it in this class, maybe in Japanese?! If you find steps 1 and 2 difficult, make sure to finish all homework, because it should help you understand the Steps. OK?
• Homework:
  • 1. Read "Step 2" on p. 28 of SS Handbook.
    • (1) Step 2 on "Vacations of Japanese Workers," p. 6.
    • (2) Step 2 on "Anaimal Langauge" (Today's Handout)
  • 2. Read "Step 3" on p. 29.

Very Important: Classroom Change for All Classes on Fridays:

• We will move from J412 to 534.

May 14, 2004:

• Homework:
  • 1. Step Two on "London," Handbook, pp. 18-19.
  • 2. More Step Two on "Supermarkets," Effective Writing, Ex. 4, p. 79.
  • 3. Read "Step Three," Handbook, pp. 29-30.

May 17, 2004:

• Homework:
  • 1. Analyze Summaries on pp. 29-30 by Using "Five Common Mistakes in Step 3" on p. 30.
  • 2. Step 3 on "Supermarkets," EW, p. 79-80
  • 3. Read EW, Ch. 5.
    • Define/Explain the following key words in Chapter 5 (also in Coherence Checklist for Paragraph Writing on p. 13 of SS Handbook)
      • Section A: Unity and Consistency
      • Section B: Two Kinds of Order (Time and Spatial Orders)
      • Section C: Two Kinds of Coherence (Mechanical and Logical Coherence)

May 21, 2004:

• Homework:
  • 1. Ex. 1 and Ex. 4 (Questions 1-4) in EW, Chapter 5.
  • 2. Compare the following two paragraphs and think of how you can expand a single paragraph:
    • (1) "Hollywood" on p. 27, Handbook
    • (2) Expanded "Hollywood" in the new handout.

• Deadline for Final Version of Paragraph #1
  • 1. Copy Page 21.
  • 2. Use all checklists on p. 21 and check your Paragraph #1.
    • All Items Checked?
    • (1) Staple the checklist (p. 2) to your paragraph (p. 1)
    • (2) Give them to Mr. Shimura in this class.
    • All Items NOT Checked?
    • (1) Rewrite untill all items are checked.

About the Coherence Checklist:

• Is the coherence check list difficult to understand? If so, read Chapter 5 of "Effective Writing." Also, here is a summary of the key words in the checklist:
  • 1. Unity: If all sentences are related to the main idea.
  • 2. Consistency: If all sentences support the main idea.
  • 3. Order: If supporting ideas are presented with 秩序 of any kind.
  • 4. Mechanical Coherence: If transitional words and phrases are used well.
  • 5. Logical Coherence <-- Items 1-4 above.
• The key word of "Order" may be the most difficult, because it is often difficult and even impossible to find order in some paragraphs. Your paragraph #1 may be one of these paragraphs. Therefore, my evaluation of order will not be very strict.

May 24, 2004:

• Homework:
  • 1. Steps 1-3 on "Tanshin-funin," EW, pp. 75-78.
  • 2. Read the exapanded-paragraph passage of "Hollywood Movies" (especially, paragraphs 2-3) and find where the four supporting ideas are written. Remember, the author argues that Hollywood movies are harmful (1) emotionally, (2) intellectually, (3) socially, and (4) physically.
• Don't forget to bring your dictionaries (especially, English-English dictionaries) to this class. I will give you a sample of the final examination on reading and writing.

May 28, 2004:

• Homework:
  • 1. Read Handbook, pp. 33-39, and prepare for this class..
  • 2. Start writing Paragraph #2 (Expanded version of Paragraph #1)
    • Deadline: June 4.
    • Length: 1-2 pages
      • Three Options
        • (1) Two Paragraphs
          • One introduction paragraph with overview
          • One paragraph with three supporting ideas and concluding sentence.
        • (2) Three Paragraphs
          • One inntroduction paragraph with overview
          • One paragraph with three supporting ideas
          • One coclusion paragraph
        • (3) Five Paragraphs
          • One introduction paragraph with overview
          • One paragraph for EACH supporting idea x 3
          • One conclusion paragraph.
      • Which option for you? It depends on your topic.
    • Note:
      • (1) Copy the Checklists on p. 21 of SS Handbook.
      • (2) Check your writing with Format, Spelling & Grammar, and Coherence checklists. Ignore the Structure checklist.
  • 3. Start thinking about a book or a movie you want to talk about in Speech #3 on June 7.
  • 4. Finish Sample Final Exam on "Nuclear Power" by July 5.
  • 5. Finish Sample Final Exam #2 on "Cannabis" by July 5.

May 31, 2004: No Class.

Cancelation of Class on May 31, 2004:

• I am terribly sorry about the cancelation of the class on May 31 due to my health condition. As of the evening of May 31, I am still very sick. But I am getting better little by little, and my doctor says that I will probably be able to see you on Friday.
• As a result of the cancelation of this class, we must change our schedule. Please look at the Schedule section of our homepage for the updated version of our schedule. Note that the deadline for Exptended Paragraph #2 is also changed from June 4 to June 7.
• Well, then, see you on Friday, when we will have your Speech #2. Read the Japanese explanation below and prepare well for it! Good luck with your Speech #2!!! I will be looking forward to it.

June 4, 2004:

• 先週の金曜日の説明が悪かったようで、授業の後にたくさんの方から質問を受けました。よって、日本語でポイントを説明します：
  • １．SSのプレゼン・セクションでは、（大きな）プレゼンを４回します。
    • Speech #1: Self-introduction in April
    • Speech #2: Show and Tell on 6/4.
    • Speech #3: Movie/Book Review on 6/11.
    • Speech #4: Final Presentation on 6/28 and 7/2
  • ２．「コミュニケーションとしてのプレゼン」では、３つのメッセージ（詳しくは、ChecklistのSection IIを参照）を伝える努力をしてください。そうすることによって、聞き手（audience）とコミュニケーションがとれ、いいプレゼンをすることができます：
    • 1. Physical Message
    • 2. Story Message
    • 3. Visual Message
  • ３．プレゼン・セクションの最終的な目標はこれら全てのMessagesをSpeech #4で使い、英語のプレゼンの基本的な技術をマスターすることですが、一度に全てのMessageを練習しマスターすることはできません。よって、何度かプレゼンをしてもらって、Messageをひとつひとつ理解しマスターしていきます。
  • ４．具体的には：
    • Speech #2では、（１）ハンドブック３８−９ページを使い、スピーチ内容を決め、(2) Physical Message (posture, eye, voice, gestures)を練習します。
    • Speech #3では、（１）ハンドブック４２−３ページを使い、スピーチ内容を決め、（２）Physical MessageとStory Message (Introduction, Body, Conclusion) を練習します。
    • Speech #4では、ハンドブック４５ページ以降を使い、スピーチの具体的内容を決め、全てのMessagesを駆使し、プレゼンの技術をマスターします。これで、英語セミナーで問題なくプレゼンができるはずです！
  • ５．ところで、スピーチ＃２では、ハンドブック３９ページのワークシート１の全ての質問の答えを語る必要はありません。スピーチの長さを考えると全てを語る時間はないと思われます。よって、該当する情報をPhysical Messageを駆使して、１〜１分半で語ってください。
    • Worksheet 1 for Speech 1 "Show and Tell" (1- 1.5 min.)について：
      • 1. Greeting
      • 2. Attention-getting Opener (Very Important) (see Handbook, p. 56)
      • 3. Objective Information about Memorable Object
        • ここに載っている質問について質問を受けました。少し分かりにくいものもありますよね。パラフレーズしてみましたので、参考にしてください。
          • What type of object is it? = What is it?
          • How old is it? = How long have you had it? How many months, years, etc.?（この質問は次の質問と関連してますよね）
          • When did you get it? = When did you buy it? When did you receive it from someone?（この質問は上の質問と関連してます）
          • Where did you get it from? = Where did you buy it? Who gave it to you? How did you get it?
          • Why did you get it?
      • 4. Subjective Information about Memorable Objedt
      • 5. Closing Remarks (see Handbook, Sections 2 and 3 on p. 59)
  • ６．ワークシート１を使って、内容が決まったら、prompt cardsを作って（Handbook, pp. 36-37参照）、１５０％の自信がつくまで、何度もリハーサルしてください。最初のリハーサルから、時計を使って時間を計ることと、実際に声をだし、Physical Messageを表現することが大切です。その際、チェックリストのPhysical Messageの部分を使い、全てのPhysical Messageがちゃんと使えていることを確認してください。
  • Good luck with your Speech #2. I will be looking forward to it!!!
• Homework:
  • 1. Review Physical Message (Checklist, Section II.1)
  • 2. Prepare and rehearse a lot for Speech #2 (Show and Tell).

June 7, 2004:

• Homework:
  • Write Paragraph #2 (Expanded version of Paragraph #1)
    • Deadline: June 7.
    • Length: 1-2 pages
      • Three Options
        • (1) Two Paragraphs
          • One introduction paragraph with overview
          • One paragraph with three supporting ideas and a concluding sentence.
        • (2) Three Paragraphs
          • One inntroduction paragraph with overview
          • One paragraph with three supporting ideas
          • One coclusion paragraph
        • (3) Five Paragraphs
          • One introduction paragraph with overview
          • One paragraph for EACH supporting idea x 3
          • One conclusion paragraph.
      • Which option is good for you? It depends on your topic.
    • Note:
      • (1) Copy the Checklists on p. 21 of SS Handbook.
      • (2) Check your writing with Format, Spelling & Grammar, and Coherence checklists. Ignore the Structure checklist.
  • Think about Content of Speech #3 (Important for Final Grade)
    • Read:
      • Handbook, pp. (42-3), 56-59.
      • More Important Presentation Handout, pp. �N-�O.

June 11, 2004:

• Homework:
  • Self-evaluation of Speech #2
    • Go to 日吉外国語教育センター in Building #3 with your student ID card.
    • Check out the video tape of Speech #2 from Monday to Friday.
    • Evaluate your presentation.
    • Work on your weak points and prepare well for very important Speech #3!
  • Prepare a lot for Speech #3
    • Use Presentation Handout, pp. �N-�O, and prepare/rehearse a lot for Speech #3!!!

June 14, 2004:

• Homework (Click HERE for the Japanese version that I promised at the end of the class on Friday):
  • 1. Use Presentation Handout, pp. �Q-�R and think of two topics (and two main ideas) for your final presentation.
    • There are two kinds of speeches:
      • (1) Informative Speech
      • (2) Persuasive Speech
    • Speeches #1 and #2 in our class are good examples of (1) informative speeches. You gave "information" about yourself in Speech #1. In Speech #2, you presented "information" about a thing that has a special meaning for you.
    • In (2) persuasive speech, you give a presentation to "persuade" your audience to do something. In Speech #3, you talked about a book or a movie and tried to "persuade" your classmates (not) to read the book or watch the movie.
    • The final presentation is also a persuasive speech. You will give your final speech to persuade your classamtes to change their belief, opinion, or behavior.
    • This means you need to select a topic and a main idea that the majority of your classmates will either disagree or be indifferent with. If you talk about a topic that they agree, you cannot change their belief, opinion, or behavior. Use the top sections (especially, Items 1-4) on pp. �Q-�R and think of two topics (and two main ideas) that many of your classmates will disagree or are indifferent with.
    • We will use the "Opinion Survey Forms" to find which of the two topics is better for your final presentation.
  • 2. Read the following and study the final message of Visual Message.
    • (1) Presentation Checklist, Section II.3.
    • (2) Presentation Handouts, pp. �F-�K.

July 5, 2004:

• We will review reading and writing skills for the final examination on July 9!!! Bring Class Handouts for May 24 (see Homework below):
• Homework:
  • Look at Class Handouts for May 24: (1) Reading about nuclear power, (2) Keio's official answer sheet, and (3) Reading about cannabis.
  • Do Step 3 on (1) and write your answer in (2).
  • Write one opinion paragraph about (1) in (2). Use the paragraph writing checklists on p. 21 of the SS Handbook and check your paragraph in all items.
  • Do Step 3 on (3) and write your answer in your notebook.