CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY

Welcome to my TEFL Blog. This is my second publishing. This blog is already arranged in such a way to fulfill the purpose of learning writing for senior high school students in grade XII. Below there are five categories of texts complete with its explanation and task. Read the information and practice the task. Gain your knowledge through this Blog.


Cause and Effect Paragraph

Content:
1. Definition
2. Purpose
3. Organization
4. Example
5. Principle
6. Tips
7. Task/Practice

Definition:

Cause and effect paragraph is a paragraph that concerned with why thing happen (cause) and what happen as a result (effects).In other words it work well for analyzing a situation from one of two directions. First, it works for examining the cause or causes of situation. Second, the cause and effect method of development works well for examining the effect or effects of situation. Remember that if we concerned with what happen before the event we concerned the cause and if we concerned after the event, we concerned with the effect. The effect comes after the cause.

A cause and effect essay gives explanation for conditions, events and behaviour, and answers the need of most people who understand the world around them. While working on this type of project, writers must be careful not to overemphasize a case. Since many causal relationships cannot be proven conclusively.

The Characteristic of Cause and Effect Paragraph

Cause and effect usually includes:
1. An analysis of the cause or cause of specific effect
2. An analysis of the effect or effect of a specific cause or in a really complicated paper.
1. An analysis of both the causes and the effects of a specific situation, and in analysis.
1. Evidence of clear, logical relationship.

Organization of Cause and Effect Essay
Depending on the topic, there may be three patterns of organization:

1. Multiple causes-->effect
In this pattern, the organization is as follows:
Thesis statement: Air pollution is caused by the following factors: exhaust gases from cars, uncontrolled factory releases, and burning of low-quality coal for heating.
For example:
I. Exhaust gases from cars
A. government does not have enough control
B. citizens are not conscientious
II. Uncontrolled factory gases
A. no regular checks on gases released
B. factories are inside the borders of residential areas
III. Burning of low-quality coal for heating
A. no governmental control
B. other forms of energy too expensive
Each developmental paragraph is devoted to one of the causes of air pollution. Each cause is supported by two minor supports. While writing, these major and minor ideas should be adequately explained and exemplified as well.


2. Cause-->Multiple effects
In this pattern, the effects of a certain situation are explained in separate paragraphs, with the following organization:
Thesis statement: Watching too much TV is one of the major sociological issues of this century, which has many effects on the physiology and psychology of people.
I. eating disorders
A. TV meals
B. obesity
II. communication problems
A. more violence
B. no interpersonal talks
Again, we have grouped related effects under two main points: physiological and psychological. Then, we have supported each effect with two minor supports (A and B). While writing, we should explain these major and minor supports by giving examples and/or defining what we mean, as well.

3. Causal chain / Domino
In this pattern, the events lead to one another, as in the following organization:
Thesis statement: Using deodorants with chlorofluorocarbon gas will bring the end of world.
I. Chlorofluorocarbon gases are contained in most deodorants and released by some factories into the air.
II. This gas causes the ozone layer to become thinner and finally disappear in patches.
III.The unfiltered ultraviolet rays of the sun cause overheating in the poles of the earth, where the icebergs start to melt.
IV.The huge amount of water released from the poles leads to a rise in the sea-level.
V. The sea will cover the land and this will be the end of the world.
Again, each major point should be supported with examples, statistics that show that there are some factories and deodorants that release chlorofluorocarbons, that there is a rise in the sea-level, etc.

Example
1. Cause- Multiple effects

EFFECTS OF WATCHING TOO MUCH TV

Discoveries and invention of devices are always welcome till we, humans, find a way to abuse its benefits and be adversely affected by it. This was the case when Wilhelm Roentgen discovered x-ray and within five years, the British Army was using a mobile x-ray unit to locate bullets and shrapnel in wounded soldiers in the Sudan. TV was also invented with positive thoughts in mind – there would be no national borders, education and communication would be worldwide, etc. However, we are now trying to overcome its physiological and psychological adverse effects on human beings.

One of the physiological effects of watching TV in excessive amounts is eye-strain. It is true that there are specifications for watching TV; TV should be 5 m. away from the eye, the room should be adequately lit, TV should be placed at the same height with our eyes, etc. However, these do not prevent our eyes from getting tired if we keep watching TV for a long time. Another effect is obesity, which is widely observed in people who like watching TV and eating snacks every day (there is even a term “TV snacks” to refer to fast food that is suitable for eating in front of the TV). TV is such a powerful machine that people cannot get away from it – it is addictive.

Apart from the physiological effects, TV also causes psychological effects. One is a result of being exposed to violence. After seeing so many violent scenes on TV, people start considering violent actions normal and they lose their sensitivity to their environment; partly connected to this effect, the interpersonal communication among people decreases. Being insensitive to the suffering of other people causes people to become alienated. Also, after coming home from work people seek to relax in front of the TV, and generally people prefer watching TV to talking to each other. This issue is very important since lack of interpersonal relationships mostly end with divorces.

Shortly, inventions are meant to be beneficial for human beings, if we know how to benefit from them. TV is one of such inventions that need to be used for the right purpose only – being educated and entertained for a reasonable (according to age) period of time. We may, then, be safe from or at least reduce the adverse physiological and psychological effects of watching too much TV.
____________________________________________________________
Written by Oya Ozagac, September 2004 (http://www.buowl.boun.edu.tr/students/types%20of%20essays/Cause%20and%20effect%20Essay.htm)

Tips

Writing cause and effect essay is very interesting task, particularly for those who like to investigate and curious with something. Here are given some tips for those who is interested to write a good cause and effect essay:
1. Making a choice of cause and effect essay topics. Check whether this topic is arouses much discussion and interest among general public. It will be more interesting to explore it.
2. Detailed learning of the object to be investigated during writing process. We need to describe the most important events or succession of events which led to certain phenomenon and determine its causes and effects.
3. When having a list of causes and effects, we proceed to in-depth research which helps us to find hidden causes and effects, until we enable to get the clear picture of the problem. Paying more attention to the most important and sufficient causes and effects, by reducing our scope of investigation and outline the main points of the paper. Less significant causes can be mentioned, but the most important should come first.
4. It is also necessary to pick up one writing style which can be followed through the paper. One should decide whether he/she wants to inform or persuade the reader of causes and effects of certain phenomenon of event.
5. It needs to support the essay with examples, opinions and facts; it will help us to make our work more organized and strong. We may use the following connectors: for example, for instance, the cause is, because of, due to, so, thus, consequently, etc.
6. To make our cause and effect essay well-structured arrange the thoughts, points of view, ideas logically and clearly; it will help the readers to comprehend our information better. Remember, all causes and effects must be organized chronologically: the most important should be examined first, and then less significant aspects; but both more important and less important causes and effects must be reviewed with a detailed explanation.

Practice

To check your understanding of the cause and effect paragraph, make an outline of cause and effect paragraph. Choose one of the organization that you want. The next meeting we are going to discuss your outline to make it into a text.
Make your own creativity!

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ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

Content of the lesson:
A. Definition
B. Purpose
C. Types and Organization
D. Example
E. Tips
F. Practice

SPECIAL NOTE : The argumentative essay is a very useful test of a student’s ability to think logically.

A. What is an Argumentative Essay??

Argumentative essay is an essay that is used to persuade someone to do or not do something. Argumentative essay expresses the reasons for your opinion, idea, belief, etc. Argumentative (adj) : someone who is argumentative often argues or like arguing.
Argument (n): a set of reasons that show that something is true or untrue, right or wrong etc.
When you have an opinion and try to convince your listener or reader to accept your opinion, you are agreeing with or disagreeing with something. For example: In an everyday situation, you may try to convince a friend to go somewhere or in a composition or speech class, the instructor may make an assignment in which you must support or oppose the use of nuclear energy to produce electricity. If you agree or disagree on an issue, you will want your reader or listener to accept your point of view.

B. Purpose of Argumentatıve Essays

• An argument follows when two groups disagree about something.
• People can have different opinions and can offer reasons in support of their arguments
. However, sometimes it might be difficult to convince the other group because the argument could be based on a matter of preference, or religious faith.
• Therefore, arguments of preference, belief or faith are NOT the type of arguments. The kind of argument that can be argued logically is one based on an opinion that can be supported by evidence such as facts.
• An argumentative essay is also one that attempts/tries to change the reader’s mind, to convince the reader to agree with the point of view of the writer.
• For that reason, the argumentative essay attempts to be highly persuasive and logical. For example, a thesis such as “My first experiences with Americans were shocking” has a central idea ‘shocking’ but it is not really strongly persuasive, and it is certainly not argumentative.
• When you write an argumentative essay, assume that the reader disagrees with you. But please remember that your reader is no less intelligent than you.
• So, write objectively, LOGICALLY and RESPECTFULLY. Try to understand your opponent’s point of view. If you do not, you are not likely to convince the reader.

C. Types and Organization
a. Types of Argumentative Essay
1. Advantages and disadvantages
2. Expressing opinions/providing solutions to problems
3. Expressing arguments for and against a topic
4. Compare and contrast something or somebody

b. Organization of Argumentative Essay
1. Thesis Statement in Argumentative Essays
• The argumentative thesis takes a side of an issue; frequently it proposes an approach of action which is often expressed with the modal should).
• In the argument concerning the nuclear power plant, the thesis for a paper on this topic might be:
“Governments should ban further construction of nuclear power plants.”
• Someone else might argue:
“The U.S should continue building nuclear power plants.”

PRACTICE 1: Thesis Statement

Study the following thesis statements. Put “A” in the blank if the statement is argumentative. Be careful! A statement having “should” as part of the verb is not automatically argumentative.
1. __The earthquake in Gölcük, Turkey, was one of the most destructive in history.
2. __ Prospective* parents should be required to get licenses in order to have children. (Prospective: future, expected
3. __ The building codes in Las Vegas, Nevada, are inadequate*. (Inadequate: not enough)
4. __ Some of the Americans I have met are quite hospitable.
5. __ Students should have a say in the hiring and firing of teachers.
6. __ Pornographic books ought to be banned from the library.
7. __ State University should not have a football team.
8. __The citizens of this state should be allowed to carry guns.
9. __ The United States ought to allow more immigrants into this country.

2. Organizing The Argumentative Essay
• Organization of Argumentative Essay

1. Introduction. You can first introduce the problem and give background information necessary for the argument and the thesis
2. Reasons. It is usually a good idea to spend one paragraph for each reason. Two or three reasons are typical.
3. Refutation. Depending on the points the writer wants to make, one or two paragraphs are typical.
4. Conclusion. Restate what the point that you want to be emphasized.

D. Example
Read the following essay and pay attention to thesis statement, transitions and topic sentences.

Why Women Should Not Have an Abortion

Many women in the entire world have abortions. Women believe there are many reasons to abort such as fear of having or raising a child, rape, or not having enough money. But whatever the situation, there is never an acceptable reason to get an abortion. Some important reasons why women should not abort have to do with human values, religious values, and values of conscience.

The first reason why women should not have an abortion is related to basic human values. Women need to think about their unborn babies who are not responsible for this situation. These unborn babies should have the privilege to live and grow into a normal person. Women need to be more humanitarian and less egoistic with these babies. On the other hand, the baby doesn’t know how or why he is here. It is not necessary to kill a life; there are many other solutions to resolve this problem short of abortion.

The second reason why women should not abort has to do with religious values. In almost all religions, a woman is not permitted to have an abortion. If they do, their religions will punish them. In some religions, for example, a woman cannot take communion after having an abortion, and before taking communion again, she must do many things as a form of penitence. In whatever religion, abortion is punished and for this reason, women should not abort.

Finally, the third and most important reason why women should not abort is the related to her conscience. When a woman has an abortion, she will always think about the baby she might have had. She will always believe about the future that could have happened with her baby which will always remind her that she killed it. Because she has had an abortion, she will never have a good life, and her conscience will remind her of what she had done. Because a woman who has an abortion can’t forget about what she has done, these thoughts will always be with her, and the results can be calamitous.

There are many reasons why women should not have an abortion. The truth is that women need to think about the consequences that can occur before having sexual relations. I think that the effects of an abortion can be very sad for everyone involved, both for the woman who has the abortion and for the family who lives with her.

E. Useful Tips for Argumentative Essays
To write well developed paragraphs:
1. Avoid strong feelings (don’t say: nobody does this, or it is impossible to disagree with me)
2.Use generalizations (e.g. people say/believe/consider)
3. Do not use generalization (e.g. everybody believes that…..)
4. Do not use strong personal expressions (e.g. I think)
5. Use linking words (e.g. therefore, although, however etc.)
6. Use sequencing (e.g. firstly, secondly, lastly)
7. Make reference to other sources (e.g. The government claims that…)
8. Give examples – not personal thoughts (e.g. products such as sprayer can destroy the environment)

F. PRACTICE 1: Read the following essay and:
a) Underline the thesis statement
b) Transitions
c) Modal

Medical Marijuana should be Legal

Medical scientists and doctors in some countries have recently discovered that marijuana, an illegal drug. It is an effective medicine for severely ill patients who cannot get relief from their usual prescription drugs. In my opinion, marijuana should be legal for medical uses because it can improve the quality of life for some people with serious illnesses.

First of all marijuana can help cancer patients who must use chemotherapy or take anticancer drugs that cause serious side effects. It can also help AIDS patients to regain their appetite* and therefore to gain weight. Moreover, it might effectively stop the spread of glaucoma*, which can cause blindness, and it can relieve* joint* pain and relax muscles in certain other illnesses. Unfortunately, because marijuana is an illegal drug, it cannot be purchased even with a doctor’s prescription at a pharmacy.

In brief, smoking marijuana is effective enough to help seriously ill people who enjoy a meal or live without constant* pain. Therefore, marijuana for medical purposes should be legal. (172 words) *

Writing Arguments

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GOSHA

[Narrative Essay]
A couple of little feet was catering on grassy land which was wet by the morning dew; happily. His brown eyes as bright as eagle, stared, looking at the blue sky. His black straight hair was shiny, poured by the morning sun together with the wind, vied showing their Lord beautifulness. His feet was weak, he sat tired. The owner of those little feet was taking a rest now; wiping the sweat which streamed down through his firm brow passing his reddish cheeks which puffed-up beautifully, until reaching his white neck as white as cotton. A cheerful laugh came from his cute and pure lips while continuing to run…run…and only run comes to his head. His run was getting faster, even too fast for a little boy in the age of five. He must be an active child, I guess! But wait, remote from his position stood an old woman faced him horizontally. That woman smiles very sweet to him; from her strong eye-lines I could see a large stock of love spread out inside her feeling. Who was she? Was she a relative of that little boy? Or may that handsome little boy was a precious person for her?


Honestly, I could not explain it! One thing that I was sure that the distance between the little boy and the old woman was getting closer, ten steps rest, yup, 5 steps more and he was able to make a super high jumping toward that old woman until….
“Maaaaaaaa!!!!he called.

“Mama?? Don’t you wish a soft kiss from the most handsome boy who can easily crush every woman’s heart??” The man whispered on his wife’s ear while stroking her hair who was lying on the bed, tired.
“Uhmm,..Dad??” the woman turned her back on and faced the old man who had taken a seat beside her. A warm kiss stuck on her lips which still looked fabulous in her age.
The man smiles and said, “Tell me sweet heart, who was the great person that was able to make you lying on the bed for a long time?”
“Really? What time is it now?” the woman was shock; reflectively, she tried to reach an alarm clock on the desk beside her bed and checked the time.
“No way!!” she mumbled inside.
“Yes, my dear, you wake lately today. Now tell me what you have done in your dream till you stayed so long there??” the man added.
“It was the same. Dream that I always wish to be true. Dream that make me hate this world and don’t wanna wake up anymore!!” the old woman seemed very painful. There were no happiness sprang out from her beautiful face, too beautiful for a woman in age half of a century. Her face was clean though there were some wrinkles on her brow. Her eyes were black, big, and sharp. She had a thick and firm eyebrow, signed a strong and confident woman. Her skin was white; as white as the other Ireland women. But somehow, she was different too. Her hair was black, long and wavy, looked very gorgeous. Gabrielle was born in a family of two different races. Her Dad was a native, an Ireland man and her Mom came from another country in Asia; Indonesia. Gabrielle inherited all the beautifulness of Ireland people and became unique by imitating her Mom’s black long hair. A young Gabrielle grew as beautiful girl, very beautiful. Many men adored her beauty, even the son of Ireland minister ever proposed her to be his wife. There must be a lucky person who was able to live with her for all of his life.

That man was in silent now, no brevity to utter any words, nothing. One thing he could do just looking at his wife deeply; until feeling of guilty haunted him very much. He lost his mind, flew with his fantasy penetrated the room which was full of luxurious goods, a box of expensive perfumes, golden accessories, and other sophisticated tools; naturally as what the nobility people had. He finished his journey in a small room which was dark, ordinary, and not maintained-well; there was only a golden goblet in a tiny glass box above the cupboard as the most expensive goods in this room as I observed. Contradictive! I think. Few minutes later, this small room had been full of lights which came from fireplace on the left corner of the room. The old man drastically changed his appearance to be a young and handsome man. He had well-built and brawny body. His brown eyes were shining caused by the fire near him. Without being noticed, there had already stood a young and pretty woman in the room. She must be Gabrielle. Gabrielle wore a long plain white dress. Her belly was strange. It was too big for her skinny shape. “I don’t wanna guess!” But, indeed she was pregnant. She was pregnant for a little baby boy for eight months. Pelle, the handsome man, struck his wife’s belly softly while whispering any words for an angel in it.
“Come on my son! Lets taking a walk, do you like going out together?” Pelle asked.
There was a respond from the belly. It reacted as if the angel heard and understood what was talking about.

Today was Friday. Regularly, every Friday Pelle and Gabrielle went to the maternity hospital for checking up Gabrielle’s womb. After preparing all the things and covered the Mom with warm blanket, Pelle went outside and started the engine. After all the needs had been finished, these couple ready to go to the hospital. The hospital was placed few kilometers from their home, it might take 20 minutes to reach the place. Along the trip, they looked very happy. Waiting the attendance of first son was the happiest event for a married-couple. Pelle turned on the tape-recorded and sang loudly. In other hand, Gabrielle looked very weak lying on the seat. It was rationale. A pregnant woman would spend more calories and energy than other ordinary mothers. Pelle was still singing when they arrived at the bend of the road; he even added some movement of his right hands. There was only his left hand to handle the steer. And, the most unexpected moment happened. Pelle who did not notice there was a car from opposite way moving very fast, got shock. He crank-up the steer to another direction avoiding the car. Gabrielle who was asleep, woke up hearing a hard sounds of the car. But, poor them. Pelle turned to the wrong direction, that was public cemetery for Cessu community, Ireland. The car hit the fence of the cemetery, went forward to the big bayan tree in the middle of it. Pelle could not handle the steer, it was broken. They hit the tree and everything became blur.

The car finally stopped. Its windows were smashed to pieces, front part of the car shattered, Pelle and Gabrielle was unconscious. The situation at that moment was panic. Other people who saw the accident immediately helped and brought them to the nearest hospital. Police came and arrested the driver of the car who Pelle and Gabrielle collided with. In the hospital, Pelle and Gabrielle were placed in Emergency room to get their first aid. Few hours later, doctor informed both of them were safe. Pelle was injured at the back of his head, but that was only light injury. However, Gabrielle who moved her body forward when the accident occurred was seriously injured. She was unconscious for more than a week. And the day when she was able to wake up was her actually her death-day. Her dream was gone.
“Noooooooooooooo!!!!” she screamed.

When we lost the best of the less, the big may mean nothing than just a dream; that was what Gabrielle felt on that time.
Take this kiss upon the brow,
And in parting from you now,
Thus let me avow,
That my days have been a dream,
Yet, if hope has flown away,
In a night or in a day,
In a vision or in a none,
All that we see or seem ,
Is but a dream within a dream.
By: Edgar Allan Poe

“Aaarrgggghhh….this is my fault, only my fault!!” cursed Pelle. He had already back to his consciousness; in the room of light and beauty.
“Dad?? What did you say just now?” asked Gabrielle who was surprised saw her husband screamed loudly.
“This is my fault, my stupidity!!! I make you tortured every single day, let you bear the hardest burden for the entire of your life. Make you become a woman who has never tasted the pleasant feeling to be a mother, as a woman who only able to experience the love without resulting the love itself; nothing. Because you lost your uterus, your womb!! It won’t be back, never!!” Pelle tortured in deep wound, he cursed himself again.

Pelle gripped Gabrielle’s hands very tight while kneeling he said,
“Why do you still want living with me, someone who have stolen your dream, my Dear?? You are pretty, too pretty even for a woman in your age. It will be easy for you to find another man who is better than me. I am idiot, damned, I just your night mare, an evil who destroys your future. Because of that stupid accident!!” asked Pelle seriously.
“I…I..I…” Pelle could not stop tears streamed down from his eyes.
“I LOVE YOU!” answered Gabrielle in patient.
“I love you with all of your goodness and weaknesses. Loving you for every action you may do or have to do. I love a man who makes me feel as Princess in the morning and Queen when the night comes. You have paid your debt by working very hard day and night, fulfill everything that I ask, that’s enough. Even you never spend a little time for yourself, honey.” said Gabrielle while crying.
“It’s not me who looks young, honey, but you…!” She stopped.
“You are busy with all of your guilty till ignoring yourself. Busy to serve me well, and never take a time for serving your own desires. It should be me to ask an apology to you. Become too spoiled due to all of your great treatments. Thank you for everything you give to me, honey. Thank you so much.” Gabrielle stroked her husband’s face, kissed him softly.
“Don’t you feel hurt?? You have dreamed him for many times, many circumstances, day and night. asked Pelle again.
“No!!” answered Gabrielle sure.
“Honey, that was long ago. I’ve forgotten that accident and feel no more sores. If I dream him for several times, it’s just my high imagination. I imagine what he will look like if he is born. Answered Gabrielle, lied.
“I dream he will be like you, handsome and active, and of course smart or smarter than you. His brown eyes and his tender hands just like you.” Gabrielle added.
“But, he also will have my black hair and my sweet lips”, said Gabrielle enthusiastically.

Pelle realized that Gabrielle lied to him. One thing that she never did before. He could see her happiness when telling her beloved-imaginative-son. A little boy that they wished since years ago. A child who was only able to decorate their imaginative-life, their dream.
“It’s too late. I must wake up now. I’m sure you haven’t eaten your breakfast yet because you won’t eat anything before drinking my coffee-made.” said Gabrielle that woke Pelle up.
“Hurry up, honey! Let’s go down stairs and eat! I don’t want to hear you’re absent today. You must go to work, I’ll be Ok.” said Gabrielle with a nice smile.
Reluctantly, Pelle went down stairs followed his wife who stood in front of him. Pelle looked at her carefully from the back-side. Poor her! That phrase surrounded his thought.

Arriving in the dining room, Gabrielle immediately asked her husband to take a seat while she was making the coffee. Suddenly, there was a bell heard from the door.
“Ding..dong..” bell rang.
Pelle and Gabrielle did not hear the bell.
“Ding..dong..”
“Ding…dong..” the third bell was heard by Pelle.
“Yes, who is that? Wait a moment, please!”
He went out and opened the door. Pelle was shock, speechless, his thought was mixing, his past memory, his wife’s dreams, all that things mixed in his head now. In front of the door, stood a little boy who was perfectly the same with what he and his wife imagined; the same without any exceptions. His lips, brown eyes, chubby cheeks, small hands, his small feet, everything.
“Awesome!” murmured Pelle inside.
He said nothing until the little boy began to speak.
“Excuse me, are you uncle Pelle? I’m Gosha, son of mama Eliza the sister of aunt Gabrielle. Mama could not accompany me because she and dad went abroad early in the morning. Mom told me that uncle Pelle and Aunt Gabrielle were kind persons. So, Gosha try to be brave telling Mom and Dad’s messages directly to you.” He said innocently.
Felt unsure Pelle asked hesitantly, “What were the messages Gosha?”
“Mom and Dad plan to go overseas for two months. Mom told next month Gosha must be enrolled in kindergarten. So, Mom and Dad decided to entrust me to both uncle Pelle and aunt Gabrielle. Can I?” asked Gosha fatefully.
“Yes…always yes!! Even if you ask me to be your parents and fulfill all of your needs I want; Undoubtfully!” shouted Pelle inside.
“Of course my son. Me and aunt Gabrielle are very glad having you here.” answered Pelle.
“Come in! aunt Gabrielle have….”

“Before uncle Pelle finished his speech Gosha, the active boy had entered the house. He catered surrounding the rooms in base-floor. He stopped his step at dining room. He saw a woman was busy preparing food there. He suddenly run toward her and hug her tight.
“Mama!” Gosha said. (“Mama” was the term that he used to call a woman that close to him).
Gabrielle turned her face back curious with the person who hug her very tight. Gabrielle kept silent, her eyes glistened with tears. Gabrielle took a turn hugging Gosha tighter. She did not care who was he, where did he come from, why he was in her house. The thing that she knew only hugging her beloved son as long as possible, a little boy who came regularly in each of her dream was in her house now, real and perfectly the same. She thank so much to the Lord who gave her the most beautiful present at this precious moment, Christmas eve.

Pelle who saw this event only smile noticing how his wife happily hug and kissed Gosha. He knew that was the one and only gift she wanted for the entire of her life.
“Thanks God for your blessing. Your way to treat us was so unique. You send Eliza as your mediator and perfectly the same little boy as the gift. I just realize that you never ignore us, you just waiting the best moment to send your present. Thanks God, thank you so much from the deepest of my heart.” prayed Pelle.
Natal in that morning was the most beautiful natal ever! Especially for Pelle and Gabrielle. Eventhough, they must lose Gosha two months later, at least along two months they had experienced to be a real Mom and Dad. Only one thing they learnt, God’s blessings are not packaged as we expected. Never miss your blessing.
Thanks God.

Narrative Text

Definition : A story describing a sequence of situation and character, stated in term of text. A narrative is concrete, in the sense that it creates a fictional or factual world of character or event according to a timeline.

Social Function : To amuse, entertain and deal with actual experience in different ways. Narrative deals with problematic events which lead to a crisis or turning point of some kind which is turn find the resolution.

Types of Narrative : There are many types of narrative. They can be imaginary, factual or a combination of both. They may include fairy stories, mysteries, science fiction, romances, horror stories, adventure stories, fables, myths and legends, historical narratives, ballads, slice of life, personal experience.

Generic Structure
1. Orientation : Sets the scene and introduce the participant.
2. Evaluation : A steeping back to evaluate the plight.
3. Complication : A crisis arises
4. Resolution : The crisis is resolved for better or for worse.
5. Reorientation : Optional (can be stated explicitly but can be also explained implicitly).

Language Features
• Action verbs: Action verbs provide interest to the writing.
• Written in the first person (I, we) or the third person (he, she and they).
• Usually past tense.
• Using thinking verbs (mental process)
• Using time conjunctions
• Using connectives
• Using material process

Writing Narratives

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Example of a Personal Narrative

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NGURAH RAI EXPANSION

What is Descriptive Text?

The Definition and Purpose of Descriptive Text

Descriptive text is a text which says what a person or a thing is like. Its purpose is to describe and reveal a particular person, place, or thing. It provides a vivid description of a person, place, thing, object, experience, memory, etc. in the way the reader can easily get its physical realization. The effect produced on the reader is achieved mainly through the author’s detailed descriptions and observations.

The Generic Structure of Descriptive Text
1. Descriptive text has structure as below:
2. Identification; identifying the phenomenon to be described.
3. Description; describing the phenomenon in parts, qualities, or/and characteristics.

The Language Feature of Descriptive Text
• Using attributive and identifying process.
• Using adjective and classifiers in nominal group.
• Using simple present tense

There are several methods one may choose to describe something descriptive essays:

* usage of vivid, fresh and varied language
* usage of bright examples
* usage of interesting comparisons
* usage of variety of terms
* usage of images that appeal to senses
* usage of senses
* transition of something ordinary into extraordinary
* effective usage of time
* free play of feelings and emotions
Example:

Don’t Steal My Precious Tuban!
[Descriptive Essay]

Ngurah Rai International Airport is one of the important and influential places in Bali. Located in a small village named Tuban, Ngurah Rai International Airport becomes the first and the final place for people who want to enjoy Bali’s cultural and art heritage. Why so? Because it is placed strategically 2.5 km north closes to the famous tourism object, Kuta and less than 30 minutes to reach the new developed tourist destination, Nusa Dua. By Tuban’s community, Ngurah Rai Airport is not just a huge building stands stoutly among the tiny ones. It is regarded as a fertile field which offers prosperity for those who involved in it. Considering its importance, in 2007, Ngurah Rai airport has been expanded to be more than 3,600 meters length. This expansion influences significantly to Tuban’s space arrangement and the customs of its local people. There is a big changing of how people enjoy the existence of the airport before and after the expansion. How does the expansion of the airport influence the other local places? How do the people’s ways of life seem different?

Ngurah Rai Airport, which expands its new main road, damages people’s home stay. Five years ago, before realization of this new road, on the same land, stood housing complex called Perumahan Angkasa Pura I. This housing is simple but captivating. Each house had the same size but painted in various colors and well-maintained; very nice. At the back side of the housing, there was a mini-park surrounded by shade trees, lots of flowers also equipped by kinds of playing items like swings, dumping cart, etc that enabled kids and adults play together. On the left corner side of the complex, faced the Kuda Kencana statue on the north, there were five tabernacles for five religions. Hindus’ temple is the biggest one. Christian’s became the neighbor of Buddha’s, and Moslem’s was stated on the third position after Christian’s and Buddha’s. It is interesting when families in different religions walked together to the tabernacles. Tourists love watching this and taking some photographs for this special moment. But now, this housing has disappeared together with its beautifulness. There is only a long large road which is hot, less trees in which the big Ngurah Rai Statue under the fountain feels inconvenient standing alone in the middle of the road.

The same bad treatment happens to the larches park beside the main gate. Larches are rarely found in low land as in Tuban. These special trees can only be found in the mountain range or in the small park on the left side of the airport’s new gate. So, it is reasonable for people call this park Kebun Cemara. Like any normal park, in Kebun Cemara there are some lounges spread among two larches. Near the lounges there is a net which usually used by local people to play volleyball. On Sunday, this park is mostly full of people doing many kinds of activities like chatting, playing games, or just taking a little rest while enjoying the nice view. Kebun Cemara is also beneficial for food seller. They build some temporary stalls for selling any kinds of food. I love visiting this place because of this reason. But, we are not allowed to enjoy it again. Angkasa Pura I as the owner of this place decided to use this park as an expansion of the parking lot. The view and the fresh air due to the larches cannot enter to my breath anymore. There will be only vehicle gasses and poisonous air chase me when passing the road.

In contrast, before 2004, when the airport is not really well known, Balinese people use the airport as place for relaxing. When I was a teenager, the airport was not so big. It still used grass as the runway and it opened for all Balinese people mostly the Tuban’s community. There were so many big trees in each side of Jalan Ngurah Rai lama (the first road to reach the previous main gate of the Airport). When we passed the road without wearing jacket, we might feel the wind touched our skin softly until the calm and peace feeling appeared. It was very enjoyable. On the left side of the road in front of Cargo office, stood a huge banyan trees by local people called “Kepuh” and it was still kept there until now. On the holiday, under or near the tree would be fulfilled by many families mostly from out of Tuban who just came to see the planes. It was strategic position because on the opposite side of the tree people could clearly see the plane taking-off and landing. People who came with good preparation would provide themselves with a big pan of gerang asem and completed with tipat. This kind of activity at that time allowed people interlaced togetherness for each other.

Those are the influences of Ngurah Rai Airport expansion to the Tuban’s space arrangements and its local customs nowdays. Tuban’s as a small village which unfortunately stands near the central of tourism objects should accept any changing happen. The park, the five sacred places, and the togetherness feeling while enjoying the fresh view and plane should be killed because of tourism demands. The calm wind while passing Jalan Ngurah Rai Lama cannot obsess my soul anymore. There is only large barren road with Ngurah Rai Statue in the middle of it as if saying “take me back to my real land!”

Principles Of A Descriptive Essay:

* it makes clear dominant impression
* it can be either objective or subjective
* its purpose is to make the reader represent clearly the things being described

Points To Consider:

* stick to a clear structure of your descriptive essay, it should consist of introduction (working from general to specific, containing a thesis statement), main body (having several paragraphs in which your topic is described) and conclusion (in which you restate your thesis in other words and conclude your thoughts)
* try to select some extraordinary traits of the subject described, pick something unusual to capture the reader’s attention
* give as much details as possible, describe everything as if you hear and see it yourself
* use the words that appeal to the reader’s senses
* focus your descriptions on sight, sound, smell, touch and taste
* firstly, plan your descriptive essay, then draft and revise it
* move the reader through space and time chronologically
* use a then-and-now approach to show things in their developing or fall

The Differences between Report and Descriptive Text

Some text types are quite difficult to differ. Such report and descriptive text have the similarity in the social function and generic structure. However if they are analyzed carefully, the slight difference between the two text types will reveal.
The purpose of the two texts are to give the live-description of the object/participant. Both the report and descriptive text try to show rather than tell the reader about the factual condition of the object. Readers by themselves will catch the impressive point of the object through that showing writing style. What make different, between report and descriptive text, is the scope of the written object. If we talk about, eg: bicycle, it belongs to report text. It will talk about bicycle in general; its parts, physical strengh, function for certain people or other general characters of bike. In the other hand, descriptive text will convey more focus, for example "my bicycle" with its specific characters; colour, lengh, wheel style, etc.
In short, report text describes the way of certain things and frequently refer to phenomenon of nature, animal and scientific object. Mostly, report is written after getting careful observation. This scientific and technical sense make clearer difference from descriptive text. The way of descriptive text in showing thing is based on the objective fact of the thing. It describe the specific thing simply as the thing is.

Below I'll give you an example of simple descriptive text. your task is to analyze what are the generic structure and the language features that you found on the text!
Don't be hesitate to express your opinion...all are respected.

Example:
Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is Hindu - Budhist temple. It was build in the nineth century under Sailendra dynasty of ancient Mataram kingdom. Borobudur is located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia.

Borobudur is well-known all over the world. Its construction is influenced by the Gupta architecture of India. The temple is constructed on a hill 46 m high and consist of eight step like stone terrace. The first five terrace are square and surrounded by walls adorned with Budist sculpture in bas-relief. The upper three are circular. Each of them is with a circle of bell shape-stupa. The entire adifice is crowned by a large stupa at the centre at the centre of the top circle. The way to the summit extends through some 4.8 km of passage and starways. The design of borobudur which symbolizes the structure of universe influences temples at Angkor, Cambodia.

Borobudur temple which is rededicated as an Indonesian monument in 1983 is a valuable treasure for Indonesian people.

Analyzing the Text
Generic Structure Analysis
1. Identification; .............
2. Description; ..........

Language Feature Analysis
1. ........
2. ..........

Be creative and don’t forget the basic rule of descriptive essays: SHOW, DON’T TELL!

Descriptive Essays

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Description

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MOTIVATION FOR THE BOARDER

The Influence of Living in Boarding House to Students’ Motivation
[Expository Essay]

The school achievement of a student is not only depending on the students’ ability to process and use the knowledge offered in class but also depends on some factors outside the classroom. Those factors are, the media of learning, or more personally, the people in the students’ direct environment, such as parents or friends. Parents are the closest persons who directly influence and control students’ attitude toward learning. But, if those students live far away from home, their friends would be the most influent person for them. This condition will decrease parents’ role as the controller of their children’s learning progress. The lack of parents’ role and the dominancy of friends’ influent will not always inhibit students’ learning progress but somehow it gives some advantages. The real fact can be found In Sukma Helen Flavel Foundation owned by Mrs. Padmadewi, the teacher remarked that the students who live far from home and stay in this foundation boarding house generally work harder and receive higher marks than the students who come for regular school. How does it happen?? There are two reasons which cause this phenomenon, they are, constant supervision and peer’s influence.

Constant supervision as the first factor builds students’ responsibility. Living in boarding house means children already prepare themselves to run their daily life differently. They have rule and must obey the rule as well. They have daily schedule for doing each activity. As what children in the Sukma Helen Foundation have experienced, they were tied by the strict rules and requirements for doing certain activities. At 5.30 a.m. they had to already get up and making their bed well. Half an hour later they should prepare themselves for praying together then studying until ten o’clock and soon, so forth. There is only a little time for them to watch TV and play outside. In other side, teacher has a role to supervise whether or not those children do and obey the rule constantly. These repeated-treatments will make those children become more responsible with their time arrangements. They will be very respectful with their time and try to finish the school’s assignments soon. As the impact, there will be no doubt for not giving them a good mark.

Second is peer’s influence. It can be assumed that peers will give higher influence toward students’ school success since they who live in the boarding house interact with each other in whole of their time both in class and also their daily life as well. For the boarding house students, school life and their closest friendship ties may more or less replace their family ties. In this case, children will be dominantly affected with their peers’ attitude. If their friends has good attitude, children may have a good attitude too. They can be more motivated to learn and do some activities emphasized on the positive ones. They can easily find their sharing partner to exchange knowledge and experience after school ends. Like in Sukma Helen Flavel Foundation, since the boarding house is located inside the school area, students who live there easily to explore their knowledge every time because the class is opened freely for them. This kind of boarding house will effectively raise students’ motivation in learning activity. The ease of reaching learning sources (media of learning or peers’ knowledge-exchange) can be the best way of gaining students’ motivation and increasing their achievements.

Considering these two reasons, taking children to the school boarding house can be one alternative for parents to treat their children. By taking children in boarding house they will be more responsible with their time and can be more motivated to study because of peer’s influent. Later, their social life (daily life in boarding house) that affects their academic life has implications for their attitude towards school and their achievements. In a nutshell, the constant presence fellows’ motivations, who are at the same time their reference group, actually are the important explanation of the boarding house students’ success.

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