Monday, February 29, 2016

MEDITERRANEAN VERSUS NORTHERN EUROPEAN PEOPLE Guided comparison and contrast essay


The world is a very diverse place: some areas are more hospitable, others are less so but human kind now lives everywhere with the exception of The Antarctic. The climate and geographical conditions of the places where people choose to live naturally impact their lifestyles, habits and ways of life. Mongolians, for example, live in a land with a very harsh climate where the going is tough; therefore, they are very hardy individuals. Europe is also a large and diverse continent with the extreme south bordering The Mediterranean, and the extreme north bordering the North Sea and reaching into the polar circle. The people who live in these two very different parts of Europe also vary greatly.
 First developmental paragraph: The Mediterranean people
·         Climate: temperate, pleasant , plenty of sunshine
People: Gregarious, easy-going, talkative, loud, friendly, emotional
·         Agriculture: wine, olives and the like
Varied cuisine, derive pleasure from eating/ drinking, socializing over a meal
·         Concluding statement
Second developmental paragraph: Northern European people
·         Climate: harsh, cold, long, dark winters, less sunshine, inhospitable
People: introverted, reserved, less social, more superstitious, persevering, sober, cool, independent and jealous of their liberties (Give reasons)
·         Concluding statement
To sum up, people living in different parts of the world have different temperaments and different life styles due to the type of life they have to lead. Those whose lives are tougher, like Northern Europeans, have had to learn to cope with all that nature throws at them, while those who live in more temperate zones, like The Mediterranean’s, have become more laid back and sociable. One thing that all people share, however, is the values that make us human like kindness and generosity; such values are shared by all of humanity regardless of country.


TELL THE STORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS AND THE TEXAS REVOLUTION


Did you know that Texas was a republic for a time during its history? Did you know that Texans fought a war against Mexico?  Do your research and tell the incredible and exciting story.
Familiarize yourself with issue
·         Republic of Texas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shObNdzmoQA
Reading material to make notes on
·         The Republic of Texas https://www.tsl.texas.gov/treasures/republic/index.html
·         Republic of Texas  https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/mzr02
Videos to watch and make notes on:
·         The Texas revolution and independence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caJx90o36Ks
·         Causes of the Texas Revolution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCJtj4TDaqw
·         Republic of Texas Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZWcaFf9xtU

·         The Republic of Texas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkJ4Cn0Cwd8  

TYPES OF WAR Guided classification essay


Unfortunately, most of history seems to be comprised of wars of one kind or another. Bloody conflict, during which people take up arms against their own species and try to annihilate them, is unfortunately our method of choice in resolving disputes. The reasons for war may be religious like in the case of The Crusades, political like in the case of the Turkish War of Independence or ethnic and religious like the Yugoslav Conflict. At first glance, it is quite possible to think that war is war and involves people blowing each other away to kingdom come but this is far from being the case: wars may be classified according to method, according to the nature of the participants and according to the form they take.
First developmental paragraph: according to method
·         War (Active conflict)
·         Cold war (Spies )
·         Cyber warfare
Second developmental paragraph: according to the nature of the participants
·         Civil war
·         War
Third developmental paragraph
·         Pitched battles (Armies facing each other on the battle field)
·         War by remote control (modern warfare using technology)

In conclusion, wars may take place in the battle field or on the World Wide Web; may divide a country into warring factions or may cause worldwide conflagration; may involve arms or computers but whatever the case, they cause death and destruction. It is hoped that mankind will discover less violent ways to resolve their disagreements but it is hard to be optimistic given their track record.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

THE PROS AND CONS OF BEING A VEGETARIAN


This is a simple research related writing task
People around the world have very different life styles and beliefs; they also have different eating habits. Some, like Buddhists, are vegetarian; some, like Hindus, don’t eat beef; island people, like the Japanese, eat a lot of sea food. One eating habit which is spreading in the modern world is vegetarianism. Do your research and discover the advantages and disadvantages of a vegetarian lifestyle. When you are done, write an essay in which you present the pros and cons to your readers.
Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  
Famous vegetarians
The reasons for going vegetarian:
·         The top ten reasons for going veggie https://www.downtoearth.org/go-veggie/top-10-reasons
Reading material to make notes on
·         Pros and cons of a vegetarian diet http://www.livestrong.com/article/196211-pros-cons-of-a-vegetarian-diet/
·         Is going vegetarian really better for you http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/vegetarian-diet-better-article-1.1253309  
Videos to watch and make notes on:
·         Being vegetarian: the benefits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7kwBSRvU7A

·         How healthy is vegetarianism really? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrXgElc0Bb8

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

THE PROS AND CONS OF LABOR UNIONS


This is a simple research related writing task and suited for pre intermediate students
Today, workers in the democratic world are mostly members of labor unions, which have become very powerful organizations. Yet what are the pros and cons of joining a labor union? Is it all it is cracked up to be? Do your research and find out. Then, write an essay discussing the advantages and disadvantages of labor unions.
Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  
The history of labor unions:
·         Mini lesson on labor unions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCkyeHYPRVg
·         The history of labor unions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3kJ6OticrY
Reading material to make notes on:
·         The pros and cons of union jobs http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/pros-cons-union-jobs-1.aspx
·         Ten essential pros and cons of labor unions http://nlcatp.org/10-essential-pros-and-cons-of-unions/
·         List of 9 pros and cons of labor unions  http://connectusfund.org/list-of-9-key-pros-and-cons-of-labor-unions
Videos to watch and make notes on:
·         Advantages and disadvantages of unions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIONLn9i_V0

·         Unions pros and cons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFxv26_mkrk

TEA OR COFFEE?


This is the simplest research related writing task on my blog and a good place to start.
In most countries around the world, the drink of choice first thing in the morning is one of two things: tea or coffee but how do they compare? Do they have any health benefits. Do your research and write an essay in which you compare coffee and tea.
Reading material to make notes on:
·         Ten benefits of drinking tea over coffee http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-benefits-drinking-tea-over-coffee.html
·         The pros and cons of drinking coffee http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/the-pros-and-cons-drinking-coffee.html
·         Tea or coffee: which drink is better for you?http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160115-tea-vs-coffee-which-drink-is-better-for-you
·         Health benefits of coffee versus tea: which one is better for you?
Videos to watch and make notes on:
·         Coffee versus tea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOGXe7GN2eQ
·         Your brain on coffee   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YOwEqGykDM
·         Coffee versus tea: which is best?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csSq4emMwGk

·         Top ten benefits of black tea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdmITY0DgtQ
     
         Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

THE IMPACTS OF BAD NEWS


All we see is news of disasters, civil wars, death and destruction whenever we turn on the news or open a paper but is this continual diet of bad news affecting us in ways we are not aware of? Do your research and find out. When you are done, write about the effects of all the bad news we are bombarded with.
Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Reading material to make notes on:
·         Why we love bad news more than good news https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wired-success/201411/why-we-love-bad-news-more-good-news
·         Psychology: why bad news dominates the headlines http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140728-why-is-all-the-news-bad
·         What all this bad news is doing to us http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2014/08/what-all-this-bad-news-is-doing-to-us.html
·         News is bad for you and giving up reading will make you happier
Video to watch and make notes on: