Opinion essay

As you've been discussing advantages and disadvantages of using social networks, I thought it would be a good idea to write an opinion piece on this topic.

Please read the model below, and try to complete the activities suggested; you don't have to hand this in but it will definitely be useful for you to improve on layout, organisation, coherence and cohesion.

Writing an Opinion Essay

Write your opinion essay about one of the following topics:

• New technologies have had a positive influence on communication.
• Online social networks are a double-edged sword.
• The use of social networks has had a negative effect on teenagers. 

Please send your essay by e-mail (mmasuyama.nes@gmail.com)

Your news

Since we've been reading several news articles, I thought it would be interesting for you to be able to write your own news story. Of course an article has a particular form and style, so let's start by watching the following video about the 'inverted pyramid' structure:

 

 

Choose something 'newsworthy' -a piece of news about an event that has happened recently in our town or in our country. Write your own news article about it, following the instructions in the video. Don't forget to write a title, too!

 

Send me your articles by e-mail (mmasuyama.nes@gmail.com)

Writing

Today you're going to write song lyrics. I know you've already done this with Andrea, so it shouldn't be too difficult. If you need help, anyway, check out this article which has very useful tips.

What I want you to write is one more stanza for the song 'Wishlist', expressing your own wishes or regrets. It doesn't necessarily have to rhyme, but you ought to take into account the rhythm to write verses that would fit in the song.

Write at least 4 lines. Make sure you use the right tenses for wishes!

You can write it in a comment below or send it to me by e-mail (mmasuyama.nes@gmail.com) If you want, you can also record it and send me the audio.

A Film Review

Since we have been talking about films lately, I though it would be fitting to write our own film reviews.

First, read this model and think about what information you need to include in each paragraph.
Film Review

Choose a film you remember well -it doesn't need to be a horror film. Write your review following the model you read above.

Some tips:

• When you write the summary of the plot, use present tenses to make it more vivid. And don't tell the reader how the film ends.
• When you describe good an bad points, try to use a variety of adjectives and adverbs.
• Include linkers!

Write your review in 120-180 words.
Please submit your writing by e-mail (mmasuyama.nes@gmail.com)

Feedback on writing

I've been re-reading the introductory coments you've been posting. I thought I'd mash them, and create a word cloud to see what came up the most; here it is:

Secondly, I'd like to share some common errors. 

Please don't feel self-conscious or singled-out about the mistakes, I hope this is useful for everyone, regardless of whether it was you who produced the sentence.

I'd like you to think about them, and comment below what the correct version of these sentences would be. Choose 2 or 3 of them and explain why.

1. I am an opened mind girl...
2. ...since I was fourteen years old I am doing an activity...
3. I used to dyed my hair...
4. I've studied Japanese since I'm 12...
5. I find difficult discribe myself...
6. I hope improve my vocabulary...
7. ...and play piano...
8. I’m looking forward improving my English...
9. I'm turning 18 in August 25...
10. I love the music...
11. I'm used to listen at people who talk in English
12. i will do my best effort.
13. Finally i want to approve the lesson...
14. I don't have a particular hobby.
15. I have another extra activities...
16. ...on winter i always go...
17. ...it's important know another idiom...
18. It can helps you a lot...
19. I'm looking foward to get prepare to...
20. I have a lots of hobbies...

Getting to know each other

During these initial couple of weeks we are going to do a series of diagnostic activities.

The very first thing I'd like to know is who I'm working with. So please write an introductory comment -around 100 words- describing yourselves. Here are some questions to help you out:

• What are you like? How would you describe your personality?
• What are you interested in? Have you got any hobbies?
• What is your attitude towards learning English? What are your expectations for this course?

I look forward to reading you!