Thursday, November 28, 2013
Thesis Statements - The Writing Center
Persuasion is a skill you practice regularly in your daily life...convince your reader of your point of view. This form of persuasion, often called academic argument, follows a predictable pattern in writing. After a brief introduction of your topic, you state your point of view on the topic directly and often in one sentence. This sentence is the thesis statement, and it serves as a summary of the argument you’ll make in the rest of your paper.
via Thesis Statements - The Writing Center.
via Thesis Statements - The Writing Center.
Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay - Compare and Contrast
Simple compare and contrast. This is often the next step up from the plain five-paragraph essay. I sometimes call it the this-and-that paper. The essay can be written around a block comparison, where the two (or more) things to be compared are discussed separately in longer multi-paragraph sections, or on a point-by-point basis, alternating each paragraph. The key here that makes this structure rise above the purely pedestrian is the conclusion. A compare-and-contrast paper that concludes with an unresolved or rhetorical question about the meaning of the comparison is banal and descriptive, but a paper that concludes with an emphatic resolution of the comparison or contrast can be excellent.
via Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay.
via Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay.
Business Letter by Gauri
October 27, 2013
Wal-Mart
Basement One & Basement Two, Block B, Beijing Wanda Plaza,93 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District
Dear Beijing Store Manager,
Thank you for giving your attention to this letter. I have some important things to say about the broadcast announcements that advertise some of the products in your store. I presume that the announcements said by the salesperson should be banned because these kinds of advertisements can lead to many problems for the costumers and the Wal-Mart Company.
Wal-Mart is a huge shopping store, it is a popular place for shoppers and therefore there should be more consideration for the health of these costumers.
One of the major reasons why I am suggesting banning these advertisement announcements is because of the extra noise pollution created by these loud announcements in addition to the noise created by the crowds of costumers, which can lead to many hearing problems. Secondly, the announcements are said in Chinese, many of the costumers are foreigners who do not speak or understand Chinese causing just an inconvenience in their shopping experience. Lastly, the loud announcements disturb the buyer’s attention towards shopping. They will usually go for the free sample, but not buy it. Also, then the shopper will not buy as many things as he/she had intended to.
I suggest that Wal-Mart should use posters or banners to attract the consumer’s attention. This solution will decrease the amount of noise pollution and the consumer instead of him/her being forced upon the announcements will choose to look at the poster willingly.
Sincerely,
Gauri Kaushik
Wal-Mart
Basement One & Basement Two, Block B, Beijing Wanda Plaza,93 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District
Dear Beijing Store Manager,
Thank you for giving your attention to this letter. I have some important things to say about the broadcast announcements that advertise some of the products in your store. I presume that the announcements said by the salesperson should be banned because these kinds of advertisements can lead to many problems for the costumers and the Wal-Mart Company.
Wal-Mart is a huge shopping store, it is a popular place for shoppers and therefore there should be more consideration for the health of these costumers.
One of the major reasons why I am suggesting banning these advertisement announcements is because of the extra noise pollution created by these loud announcements in addition to the noise created by the crowds of costumers, which can lead to many hearing problems. Secondly, the announcements are said in Chinese, many of the costumers are foreigners who do not speak or understand Chinese causing just an inconvenience in their shopping experience. Lastly, the loud announcements disturb the buyer’s attention towards shopping. They will usually go for the free sample, but not buy it. Also, then the shopper will not buy as many things as he/she had intended to.
I suggest that Wal-Mart should use posters or banners to attract the consumer’s attention. This solution will decrease the amount of noise pollution and the consumer instead of him/her being forced upon the announcements will choose to look at the poster willingly.
Sincerely,
Gauri Kaushik
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
pkoch9999 shared an Instagram photo with you
Hello,
pkoch9999 just shared an Instagram photo with you:
view full image
"Twin Day(well, triplet day)"
(taken at International School of Beijing)
Thanks,
The Instagram Team
pkoch9999 just shared an Instagram photo with you:
view full image
"Twin Day(well, triplet day)"
(taken at International School of Beijing)
Thanks,
The Instagram Team
Types of Letter Format | Full Block style letter format | Informal and Formal Letter Format
Types of Letter Format
As mentioned above different types of letter writing follow certain formats which have been established over the years. Letter formats are applicable by and large to formal type of letters. Informal letters do not require a certain pattern of writing and can be written in number of ways. But for guidance purposes we have included few varieties of informal ways of writing which can be termed as sorts of informal formats. These formats makes the letter writing process a convenient one.
As a general rule most letters follow:
Formal Letters Format
Full Block Style
Semi-Block Style
Modified Block Style
Modified Semi-Block Style
via Types of Letter Format | Full Block style letter format | Informal and Formal Letter Format.
As mentioned above different types of letter writing follow certain formats which have been established over the years. Letter formats are applicable by and large to formal type of letters. Informal letters do not require a certain pattern of writing and can be written in number of ways. But for guidance purposes we have included few varieties of informal ways of writing which can be termed as sorts of informal formats. These formats makes the letter writing process a convenient one.
As a general rule most letters follow:
Formal Letters Format
Full Block Style
Semi-Block Style
Modified Block Style
Modified Semi-Block Style
via Types of Letter Format | Full Block style letter format | Informal and Formal Letter Format.
Teaser
Hello,
pkoch9999 just shared an Instagram photo with you:
view full image
"Teaser #amnd(otntmtfttt)"
(taken at ISB Theatre)
pkoch9999 just shared an Instagram photo with you:
view full image
"Teaser #amnd(otntmtfttt)"
(taken at ISB Theatre)
The Citizens Weigh In | City in the Sea
The Citizens Weigh InPaul Koch [STAFF] November 27, 2013 Uncategorized No Comment
I liked how we as citizens could lead and take power throughout the discussion, although the Q&A section became a little chaotic with repeating questions and a debate-like environment.
I think all of the government proposal were either republic, democracy or both of them mixed together. So I think we have to say that the voting is gonna lead to republic or democracy.
I really like what we did today. We shared our ideas how our government should be.
It really felt like having a really big meeting about a country!
i would love to do this in the future, i think everybody did awesome i think it is very chaotic, but yet represents what a usual congress is like, with people poking wholes in every thing you say, and people disagreeing completely.
IT WAS SO STRESSFUL! but i think it was a good learning experience I think that we should choose republic as our type of government because people have free choice under this type of system and the majority is also restrained by law as well. This way, people would be able to live freely but also in a safe way.
I think that the Selection went through quite smoothly, but there were a few errors in some forms of governments.
I think we should choose repoligarchy because they have the best system for freedom.
Well,honestly I think that this way of forming ideas is very effective.It shows us the different concepts and types of governments that most likely fit in with our wants and needs list. I like hos some of the presentations were very straightforward and clear but,others were a little too vague.
i think todays discussion is really interesting and helpful.
I suggest that we should combine two different ideas of governments. For example, the Buleutarian and the Equilibracy can be combined because there are similar procedures, yet there are different ways to fulfill the needs and desires of our citizens and society. I, myself, still believes that we should have a council. However, our government also has a few disadvantages, which I believe that combining with a different idea of a form of government can even out the disadvantages and make the benefits of our form of government STRONGLY outweigh the disadvantages. Thank you.
For the method of deciding government i think 778 should debate about the governments and choose the top 2 from the 6 governments. Then the teachers will decide which government we will use from the top 2. I left the question blank because i didn’t know how to say that in one word.
I think that today the chat went well today. Maybe when we are choosing the government we can combine a little bit of each government so that each group can have a little bit of their proposal in the final decision.
I think we need to make laws base on people’s needs and wants. I think the government should be working based on the laws and followed the laws to decide things. Also I think only a government deciding about everything is not reasonable and doable. So i think there should be congress men or maybe representatives to balance with the government.
via The Citizens Weigh In | City in the Sea.
I liked how we as citizens could lead and take power throughout the discussion, although the Q&A section became a little chaotic with repeating questions and a debate-like environment.
I think all of the government proposal were either republic, democracy or both of them mixed together. So I think we have to say that the voting is gonna lead to republic or democracy.
I really like what we did today. We shared our ideas how our government should be.
It really felt like having a really big meeting about a country!
i would love to do this in the future, i think everybody did awesome i think it is very chaotic, but yet represents what a usual congress is like, with people poking wholes in every thing you say, and people disagreeing completely.
IT WAS SO STRESSFUL! but i think it was a good learning experience I think that we should choose republic as our type of government because people have free choice under this type of system and the majority is also restrained by law as well. This way, people would be able to live freely but also in a safe way.
I think that the Selection went through quite smoothly, but there were a few errors in some forms of governments.
I think we should choose repoligarchy because they have the best system for freedom.
Well,honestly I think that this way of forming ideas is very effective.It shows us the different concepts and types of governments that most likely fit in with our wants and needs list. I like hos some of the presentations were very straightforward and clear but,others were a little too vague.
i think todays discussion is really interesting and helpful.
I suggest that we should combine two different ideas of governments. For example, the Buleutarian and the Equilibracy can be combined because there are similar procedures, yet there are different ways to fulfill the needs and desires of our citizens and society. I, myself, still believes that we should have a council. However, our government also has a few disadvantages, which I believe that combining with a different idea of a form of government can even out the disadvantages and make the benefits of our form of government STRONGLY outweigh the disadvantages. Thank you.
For the method of deciding government i think 778 should debate about the governments and choose the top 2 from the 6 governments. Then the teachers will decide which government we will use from the top 2. I left the question blank because i didn’t know how to say that in one word.
I think that today the chat went well today. Maybe when we are choosing the government we can combine a little bit of each government so that each group can have a little bit of their proposal in the final decision.
I think we need to make laws base on people’s needs and wants. I think the government should be working based on the laws and followed the laws to decide things. Also I think only a government deciding about everything is not reasonable and doable. So i think there should be congress men or maybe representatives to balance with the government.
via The Citizens Weigh In | City in the Sea.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Hans Rosling's 200 Countries, 200 Years, 4 Minutes - The Joy of Stats - BBC Four
Thanks to Anna Davidson for the share.
General tips for writing a comparison/contrast essay
Here are some general tips for writing a comparison/contrast essay:
As mentioned above, the overall point of the comparison should be made clear--you should have an analytical thesis that you’re arguing rather than just offering similarities and differences between the two texts.
The ordering of your topics should be consistent throughout. Usually the best way to organize such a paper is to juxtapose one text with the other on a point-by-point basis, rather than treating one text in the first half of your paper and the second text in the second half. In fact, this second form of organization is not acceptable.
Observations about a text should only be included when there is corresponding information about the other text with which to compare it.
via http://www.stanford.edu/class/ihum14/Assignments/Paper2.html
As mentioned above, the overall point of the comparison should be made clear--you should have an analytical thesis that you’re arguing rather than just offering similarities and differences between the two texts.
The ordering of your topics should be consistent throughout. Usually the best way to organize such a paper is to juxtapose one text with the other on a point-by-point basis, rather than treating one text in the first half of your paper and the second text in the second half. In fact, this second form of organization is not acceptable.
Observations about a text should only be included when there is corresponding information about the other text with which to compare it.
via http://www.stanford.edu/class/ihum14/Assignments/Paper2.html
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
BATTLE OF THE YUAN UPDATE from M. Mack
The fight to raise funds for the Philippines has started off strong today with our first day of donations! 6th grade is currently in the lead, crushing both 7th and 8th grade! Will same be true tomorrow? Here our or current totals (yes all grade levels have negative points!):
Grade 6 –136 points
Grade 7 -947points
Grade 8 -1238 points
Grade 6 –136 points
Grade 7 -947points
Grade 8 -1238 points
They Loved Your G.P.A. Then They Saw Your Tweets. - NYTimes.com
They Loved Your G.P.A. Then They Saw Your Tweets. - NYTimes.com.
"Of 381 college admissions officers who answered a Kaplan telephone questionnaire this year, 31 percent said they had visited an applicant’s Facebook or other personal social media page to learn more about them — a five-percentage-point increase from last year. More crucially for those trying to get into college, 30 percent of the admissions officers said they had discovered information online that had negatively affected an applicant’s prospects."
"Of 381 college admissions officers who answered a Kaplan telephone questionnaire this year, 31 percent said they had visited an applicant’s Facebook or other personal social media page to learn more about them — a five-percentage-point increase from last year. More crucially for those trying to get into college, 30 percent of the admissions officers said they had discovered information online that had negatively affected an applicant’s prospects."
Monday, November 18, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
MAP Testing Pilot - From MS Assistant Principal, Fred Shafer
Dear Parents,
This year the middle school is going to pilot a different type of standardized test called Measure of Academic Progress (MAP). MAP tests are unique in that they are adaptive tests your child takes on a computer, which means that the test becomes more difficult the more questions your child answers correctly. When your child incorrectly answers a question, the test becomes easier. Therefore, your child takes a test specifically created for his or her learning level.
We will be administering the first pilot tests starting the on November 14th. In the coming months, we will make sure we keep parents updated on our progress. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.
Thanks,
Fred Schafer
MS Assistant Principal
This year the middle school is going to pilot a different type of standardized test called Measure of Academic Progress (MAP). MAP tests are unique in that they are adaptive tests your child takes on a computer, which means that the test becomes more difficult the more questions your child answers correctly. When your child incorrectly answers a question, the test becomes easier. Therefore, your child takes a test specifically created for his or her learning level.
We will be administering the first pilot tests starting the on November 14th. In the coming months, we will make sure we keep parents updated on our progress. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.
Thanks,
Fred Schafer
MS Assistant Principal
PILOT by Kina
I am a pilot.
I fly
In different weather and situations.
I fly through the clouds,
Feels like flying through
Jumbles of cotton candy.
I fly through the thunder,
Feels like going through the strong and sudden flash light!
It makes me shiver like a mobile phone,
Hope I don't pee on my pants…
The weather has so many different faces
That can control my feelings.
Often,
There is blue sky~~
I can see what’s going on down under my plane.
I can see green grass
With buzzing bees.
BUZZZZ~
I can see people put their hands up,
Pointing at my plane.
I can see sweet smiles
From small kids.
I can see the world!!
That’s why I love to fly!!!
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Business Letter by Emerson
Management Office
River Garden Villa
No. 7 Yuyang Road
Shunyi, Beijing 101300
Dear River Garden Management:
My name is Emerson Davis and I am currently a seventh grade student at ISB. This is my second year living in River Garden, and I am very concerned about the serious pollution problems in Beijing. I think that all of us in River Garden should do our part to address these problems by establishing a real recycling program in our compound.
As you know, the Air Quality Index (AQI) measures air pollution levels. An AQI over 100 is “unhealthy,” and a reading over 300 is “hazardous.” Beijing’s annual AQI has averaged around 150 since 2010. In January 2013, the AQI reached 1,000 and was more than 500 for at least 9 days; these are TOXIC levels!
According to Medium.com, on average, Beijing creates 18,400 tons of garbage every day. On Huffingtonpost.com, Peggy Liu says, “If trash is gold, China is very rich.”
Did you know that it takes plastic 100-400 years to break down in a landfill? If you think plastic takes a long time to decompose, think again. It can take up to 1 million years for a glass bottle to break down in a landfill; whereas, it can take as little as 30 days for the same bottle to be recycled and put onto a store shelf as a new piece of glass. Harvesting pulp for making paper is the primary cause of deforestation, and deforestation is a major cause of Beijing’s air pollution problem. Recycling paper instead of cutting down trees could make a big difference. Also, the energy saved by recycling one glass bottle will power a 100-watt light bulb for four hours. Conserving electricity will result in less air pollution from power plants and can help improve the air in Beijing.
By recycling more, we can make a difference. I believe that River Garden should provide each house with a plastic bin for recyclable items such as plastic bottles, aluminum cans, newspapers and cardboard. The trash collectors would pick up this bin separately and send it to a recycling facility. River Garden could keep any money earned from trading in the recyclables.
River Garden should also place recycle bins at the clubhouse that are labeled for specific materials such as plastic, glass and paper and other items, like batteries. River Garden should also give Small Jenny’s at the clubhouse and Steak & Eggs large recycle bins and require them to recycle as part of their leases. Small Jenny’s should also stop using plastic bags and ask people to bring their own reusable bags. Steak & Eggs should stop providing straws with the beverages it sells to save plastic.
If River Garden instituted this plan, it would be known as a leader in environmental protection in our area. Perhaps the other nearby compounds would follow River Garden’s lead and institute similar programs. If all the villa compounds around ISB begin real recycling programs, it will make a difference. Please email me at emerson.l.davis@gmail.com if you would like to discuss my ideas.
Sincerely,
Emerson L. Davis
River Garden Villa
No. 7 Yuyang Road
Shunyi, Beijing 101300
Dear River Garden Management:
My name is Emerson Davis and I am currently a seventh grade student at ISB. This is my second year living in River Garden, and I am very concerned about the serious pollution problems in Beijing. I think that all of us in River Garden should do our part to address these problems by establishing a real recycling program in our compound.
As you know, the Air Quality Index (AQI) measures air pollution levels. An AQI over 100 is “unhealthy,” and a reading over 300 is “hazardous.” Beijing’s annual AQI has averaged around 150 since 2010. In January 2013, the AQI reached 1,000 and was more than 500 for at least 9 days; these are TOXIC levels!
According to Medium.com, on average, Beijing creates 18,400 tons of garbage every day. On Huffingtonpost.com, Peggy Liu says, “If trash is gold, China is very rich.”
Did you know that it takes plastic 100-400 years to break down in a landfill? If you think plastic takes a long time to decompose, think again. It can take up to 1 million years for a glass bottle to break down in a landfill; whereas, it can take as little as 30 days for the same bottle to be recycled and put onto a store shelf as a new piece of glass. Harvesting pulp for making paper is the primary cause of deforestation, and deforestation is a major cause of Beijing’s air pollution problem. Recycling paper instead of cutting down trees could make a big difference. Also, the energy saved by recycling one glass bottle will power a 100-watt light bulb for four hours. Conserving electricity will result in less air pollution from power plants and can help improve the air in Beijing.
By recycling more, we can make a difference. I believe that River Garden should provide each house with a plastic bin for recyclable items such as plastic bottles, aluminum cans, newspapers and cardboard. The trash collectors would pick up this bin separately and send it to a recycling facility. River Garden could keep any money earned from trading in the recyclables.
River Garden should also place recycle bins at the clubhouse that are labeled for specific materials such as plastic, glass and paper and other items, like batteries. River Garden should also give Small Jenny’s at the clubhouse and Steak & Eggs large recycle bins and require them to recycle as part of their leases. Small Jenny’s should also stop using plastic bags and ask people to bring their own reusable bags. Steak & Eggs should stop providing straws with the beverages it sells to save plastic.
If River Garden instituted this plan, it would be known as a leader in environmental protection in our area. Perhaps the other nearby compounds would follow River Garden’s lead and institute similar programs. If all the villa compounds around ISB begin real recycling programs, it will make a difference. Please email me at emerson.l.davis@gmail.com if you would like to discuss my ideas.
Sincerely,
Emerson L. Davis
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
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