Entry12

Oral presentation

My group divided the topics into sub-themes for oral presentation. It allowed us to concentrate on our part assigned to us.  Our oral presentation was based on the listening skill. Each member of the group deliberated the topic differently. My mates and I created a power point presentation. It was very useful to carry on a better performance. In my opinion it was a very good idea as it helped us to remember the examples and the topics in general. During the oral presentation I paid special attention on the content pronunciation and fluency. I made eyed contact with some of my mates in particular; I could see that they were listening to me. I noticed it in their faces and gestures that made me feel confident.

Our presentation was well developed and organized. We managed the time well. One of sub-theme was longer than others. My presentation was short but clear, I added some examples apart from the book. 

During my mates presentation I did not take down notes but I paid special attention on the examples as they were very useful to understand the different topics.

This kind of oral presentations helps us to understand the topics and clarify doubts.

Syria civil war

Syria civil war “civilians are not taking into account”

    A civil war is defined as a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly united nation state. The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies. Syria could be encompassing in the framework of civil war. Nevertheless, this conflict seems to be a civil war but it has international features in spite of the international intervention in the conflict, and with this the whole world is keeping their breath as this problem seems to be the shadow    of a new world war shining in  everyone´s mind around the world.  

   To begin with, the conflict began on 15 March 2011, with popular demonstrations by April 2011. These demonstrations were part of the wider Middle Eastern protest movement known as the Arab Spring. Protesters demanded the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad, whose family has held the presidency in Syria since 1971, as well as the end of Ba'ath Party rule, which began in 1963. During these days the conflict take place with the rebels, who are against the government, ask for democracy, freedom and  respect of the human rights.

   Secondly, Assad government affirms that his regime gives security and economical stability and that the rebels’ claims are not necessary and responds to the freedom fighters with attacks to common people. When Assad assumed the Syrian government in 2000, the Syros thought that his regime could be different as Assad’s wife is from the United Kingdom though he did not changed the measures and politics that have been maintained for many years. The nonconformist decided to solve the conflict by themselves and try to change the government rules.

    Thirdly, there was a time to negotiate and the attacks were escalated by the national army and thousands of soldiers give up as they did not want to kill their compatriots therefore, they started to fight with the rebels group. The thousands of death, caused people around the world began to speak about the Syrian conflict. In many opportunities The ONU claims that the attacks organized by the national soldiers were against humanity, with the use of chemical weapons France and United states stated against the Syrian regime and were planning a new attack against Assad government. The decision was put aside by the intervention of The ONU and Russia, whom persuaded Assad to disarm the mortal weapons.

Finally, nowadays the negotiations may end with the conflict or it is just a relief to start the real world war, as the rebels claim the occidental power to sentence the Assad regime since they used the chemical weapons against the civilians. However, the fact is that these people are suffering and dying every day and they need protection as they are the real victims of the conflict.

Outline

Introduction

·         Thesis statement: civil war definition

Body

·         The starting point of the conflict

·         No changes in the Assad government

·         ONU intervention

Conclusion

·         Civilians are the real victims

Sources

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guerra_Civil_Siria

http://www.elmundo.es/especiales/revueltas-mundo-arabe/siria.html

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/syria/index.html

Entry 11

http://prezi.com/qcqsqswldgnn/edit/#0

Entry 10

For the sake of art, for the sake of inclusion

      Art was a human expression yesterday, it is today and it will be tomorrow. “Museums are being asked to assume new roles and develop new ways of working—in general, to clarify and demonstrate their social purpose and more specifically to reinvent themselves as agents of social inclusion.” Say Richard Sandell. Besides, governments are the entities in charge of promoting art individual and private projects.

      No one can deny that art has helped ancient and modern civilizations to express themselves; as from a very single production up to great buildings or monuments. Art is related to inclusion since ancient times, the great works of humanity were created by experts but also by ordinary citizens too. Nowadays, gratifies can be considered a means of communication since they are drawn in order to transmit a message, to decorate the urban landscape and even to be considered a piece of art.

      If we consider “inclusion is an organizational practice and goal stemming from the sociological notion of inclusiveness”. Government policies can spur projects none exclusion of people with no economical resources. Let us the case of having town holds facilities such as sports, music hall, art center, open theaters, for every social class; being the more benefits the lower ones.

      Recent newspaper article confirms the benefits of the use of art as a means of inclusion. The author, Augustina Esperon studied ten volunteers all of them bricklayers who made a series of sculptures in order to remodel “the Hotel Casino Carrasco”. The participants agreed to produced created figures in order to give the Hotel a new look. The results of this art- inclusion program was a positive attitude from these men toward the production  “I take art as a tool for inclusion. Working with marginal people, by giving a name, who managed to get ahead, and with addicts who are fighting back. The art dignifies” say Esperon

     Though the case study above reflect inclusion at the level of economical states, let us bear in mind that inclusion has also to do with giving the opportunity to groups of different backgrounds “like origin, age, race and ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation and identity and other culturally and socially accepted and welcomed, equally treated, etc”.  Besides Agustina also claims that “Bricklayers came, and often not even that,  plasterers, , ancient crafts, exquisite. And they do it very well. "

    It is strongly agreed that governmental decisions upon proposing art as a means of inclusion, expression, communication and production of society is urged by all social classes but above all it will also help the integration of both ends.

References

Sendell, R. (2007). Museums as agents of social inclusion.  .(ONLINE) Retrieve from:               http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/museumstudies/museumsociety/documents/volumes/mands4.pdf

Celiz, J. (2013). Preservar, una forma de incluir.(ONLINE) Retrieve from:

          http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1599007-preservar-una-forma-de-      incluir?utm_source=FB&utm_medium=Parti&utm_campaign=1599007

       http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art

       http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/art

ENTRY 9 Conclusion Paragraph

   CONCLUSION

   To conclude, it is clear that many of the accidents on the roads are caused by the use of cell phones. It means that an adequate and efficient regulation laws are necessary. Besides,  expert testimony, public opinion, and even cartoons suggest that driving while phoning is very dangerous. Moreover, scientific research confirms the dangers of using this kind of gadgets while on the road. Unluckily , millions of people die because of this fact, around the world, every day.

Entry 8

Immigration around the world

     Nowadays, immigration is the picture of modern world -travelling from one country to another-. Immigrants settle down for various reasons, better opportunities employment, a desire for a better standard of living and future, which are the main driving forces. Though, in present times, there are several other reasons like  looking for current free education and seek for political asylum in neutral countries. Nevertheless, the majority of immigrants suffer from discrimination, they work in illegal jobs and their wages are low. Finally, they may adapt themselves to a new life style, costumes and in many cases a new language.

Entry 7

Tourism in Argentina.

      In my country, tourism is becoming more attractive every year. Many people come from different countries. In order to see the wonders of our territory from the North to the South.

     To begin with, European tourists enjoy visiting the Waterfalls located in Misiones, the northeast of our country. There, people can carry out different activities such as, rafting, walking through the jungle, you can bird-watching and enjoy the beautiful view of the waterfalls themselves. Argentina has a wide range weather moving from the south to the north, another magnificent place to visit is “La Quebrada de Humahuaca”, in the North of Argentina, where American tourists can learn about our history and enjoy the picturesque landscapes. Moreover, we have “La Patagonia”, it is located in the south of Argentina. There, oriental people can visit the impressive “Glaciar Perito Moreno”.

    To conclude, it is world-widely known that the Republic of Argentina has natural wonders which will always attract “travelling lovers” so tourism turns over to be an effective way to make people visit us.

(my version)

Tourism in Argentina.

   In my country, there are wonderful places where people from all over the world can have relaxing holidays with picturesque landscape. If you are looking for an ease and delightful scene Argentina is the appropriate.

  To begin with, European tourists enjoy visiting the Waterfalls located in Misiones, the northeast of our country. There, people can carry out different activities such as, rafting, walking through the jungle, you can bird-watching and enjoy the beautiful view of the waterfalls themselves. Argentina has a wide range weather moving from the south to the north, another magnificent place to visit is “La Quebrada de Humahuaca”, in the North of Argentina, where American tourists can learn about our history and enjoy the picturesque landscapes. Moreover, we have “La Patagonia”, it is located in the south of Argentina. There, oriental people can visit the impressive “Glaciar Perito Moreno.

   To sum up, Argentina is the best alternative to spend an amazing time, because  weather moving from the north to the south or the west to the east, you can find mountains, snow, waters fall and the sea in the same country. 

my mate´s version)

Analysis

Analyzing both paragraphs I notice that my mate´s sentence and conclusion reflect the same idea. However, the topic sentence does not explain in detail what the paragraph is going to be about and it is not related to the body of the writing and the conclusion does not mention the elements that were mentioned in the topic sentence.