“Writing is more permanent than speaking. Besides one can reach more audiences with writing”
Dear YoYos, this is my third time to be a host, and I’d like to talk about English writing.
Nowadays, it seems that neither reading nor writing is a preferred way of communication in such a "fast" society. Since we can talk on the telephone, communicate face to face on the Internet, skype each other, or simply put some pictures on the Internet to share our feelings with others, writing seems to be a silly way for communicating.
After I graduated from college, I gradually realized English writing was more than something that had helped me to pass the medical exam. It was helpful at my work and it was also very particularly important in my business and in my academic field, but little attention did I pay to it. Writing helps me to digest information, build up my knowledge base, express my feelings, and draw my inspiration; however, it’s never an easy thing to do. As I intend to improve my English writing, I hope everybody can discuss and share his/her experiences. Here are some references:
http://forum.yoyo.tw/forum/viewtopic.ph ... ht=writing
http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/advise.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia: ... g_articles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia: ... r_articles
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/ ... udent.html
Questions :
1. Have you ever taken any classes in order to improve your English writing, or do you have any idea on improving English writing? Please kindly share your tips with us.
2. As mentioned above, various ways of communications almost take the place of reading and writing, but do you sometimes still feel the desire to read or write? Why? Can you figure out other values of writing other than communication (e.g. as an art, an emotional expression, or therapeutic effect)?
3. Some people enjoy writing, others prefer talking. Do you think there is something different in their personalities (e.g. introverted vs. extroverted, direct vs. indirect)?
4. If we open an English writing section in our forum, where our members can post their writing and are allowed to correct mistakes or make changes in others’ writing, do you think it is practical? Or, do you have other good ideas in this regard? Please share your ideas with us.
Special thanks to Wayne for proofreading for me !
====================================================
聚會時間：星期三 請準時7:00 pm 到 ~ 約9:00 pm 左右結束
聚會地點：加州陽光2F 台北市大安路一段84巷4號 02-27512955
捷運忠孝復興站（木柵線板南線樞紐，十分方便）
忠孝東路 SOGO 附近之永福樓對面Bistro 98大樓-->大安路-->米蘭．米蘭(服飾店)-->第一條巷子右轉
給新朋友的話：
1. 請事先準備2~3分鐘的英語自我介紹；討論完畢後可能會請你發表1~2分鐘的感想(feedback)。
2. 請事先閱討論主題相關內容以及host所提的問題，並事先寫下自己所欲發表意見的英文。
3. 來之前請先讀一下在討論主題，思考一下如何回答及討論。
4. 在正式加入之前（繳交可退還之押金NT$1,000)，可以先來觀摩三次
Let’s talk about English writing (5/23, Wed)
Let’s talk about English writing (5/23, Wed)
最後由 brooky 於 週五 5月 18, 2007 9:20 am 編輯，總共編輯了 3 次。
Session II
Everybody knows that if you want to improve your writing, just find someone whose English is better than yours and ask him to proofread for you. In this way, we can also learn how to write an English letter. However, how do we find such a person? In the second part, I want you to discuss an old question: finding a pen pal.
Thanks to the convenience of the Internet, many websites offer free pen pal services that include marvelous functions (e.g. auto translation into more than 20 kinds of language, can be anonymous, etc.) Also plenty of websites teach us how to write an English letter. Wanna give it a try? Here are some references for you.
http://www.mylanguageexchange.com/penpals.asp
http://www.wendy.com/letterwriting/
http://englishplus.com/grammar/letrcont.htm
Tips for writing love letters
http://www.cyberparent.com/love/loveletter.htm
http://www.lovepoemsandquotes.com/
Question for discussion:
1. Have you ever had a pen pal? How long does your pen palship last, and how do you feel about this experience? Please share your experience with us.
2. Have you ever written an English love letter to others or received one from others? Please share your story with others.
3. Brainstorming time: Please write a letter to somebody in our club to express your feeling about him/her.
Special thanks Wayne to proofreading for me!
====================================================
聚會時間：星期三 請準時7:00 pm 到 ~ 約9:00 pm 左右結束
聚會地點：加州陽光2F 台北市大安路一段84巷4號 02-27512955
捷運忠孝復興站（木柵線板南線樞紐，十分方便）
忠孝東路 SOGO 附近之永福樓對面Bistro 98大樓-->大安路-->米蘭．米蘭(服飾店)-->第一條巷子右轉
給新朋友的話：
1. 請事先準備2~3分鐘的英語自我介紹；討論完畢後可能會請你發表1~2分鐘的感想(feedback)。
2. 請事先閱討論主題相關內容以及host所提的問題，並事先寫下自己所欲發表意見的英文。
3. 來之前請先讀一下在討論主題，思考一下如何回答及討論。
4. 在正式加入之前（繳交可退還之押金NT$1,000)，可以先來觀摩三次
Everybody knows that if you want to improve your writing, just find someone whose English is better than yours and ask him to proofread for you. In this way, we can also learn how to write an English letter. However, how do we find such a person? In the second part, I want you to discuss an old question: finding a pen pal.
Thanks to the convenience of the Internet, many websites offer free pen pal services that include marvelous functions (e.g. auto translation into more than 20 kinds of language, can be anonymous, etc.) Also plenty of websites teach us how to write an English letter. Wanna give it a try? Here are some references for you.
http://www.mylanguageexchange.com/penpals.asp
http://www.wendy.com/letterwriting/
http://englishplus.com/grammar/letrcont.htm
Tips for writing love letters
http://www.cyberparent.com/love/loveletter.htm
http://www.lovepoemsandquotes.com/
Question for discussion:
1. Have you ever had a pen pal? How long does your pen palship last, and how do you feel about this experience? Please share your experience with us.
2. Have you ever written an English love letter to others or received one from others? Please share your story with others.
3. Brainstorming time: Please write a letter to somebody in our club to express your feeling about him/her.
Special thanks Wayne to proofreading for me!
====================================================
聚會時間：星期三 請準時7:00 pm 到 ~ 約9:00 pm 左右結束
聚會地點：加州陽光2F 台北市大安路一段84巷4號 02-27512955
捷運忠孝復興站（木柵線板南線樞紐，十分方便）
忠孝東路 SOGO 附近之永福樓對面Bistro 98大樓-->大安路-->米蘭．米蘭(服飾店)-->第一條巷子右轉
給新朋友的話：
1. 請事先準備2~3分鐘的英語自我介紹；討論完畢後可能會請你發表1~2分鐘的感想(feedback)。
2. 請事先閱討論主題相關內容以及host所提的問題，並事先寫下自己所欲發表意見的英文。
3. 來之前請先讀一下在討論主題，思考一下如何回答及討論。
4. 在正式加入之前（繳交可退還之押金NT$1,000)，可以先來觀摩三次
今天的主題相當具有啟發性
學到很多關於英文寫作的技巧
不過寫這篇留言的時候還是沒勇氣用英文寫就是了
聽到有人把Skype的發音唸錯
所以分享一下之前在部落格寫的文章囉
如果你也不知道該如何唸Skype的話
不妨參考看看
http://blog.roodo.com/danielka/archives/1717638.html
學到很多關於英文寫作的技巧
不過寫這篇留言的時候還是沒勇氣用英文寫就是了
聽到有人把Skype的發音唸錯
所以分享一下之前在部落格寫的文章囉
如果你也不知道該如何唸Skype的話
不妨參考看看
http://blog.roodo.com/danielka/archives/1717638.html
Daniel Ka
Words and Expressions to Learn May 23 2007
collocation:字詞搭配
corpus：語料庫
essay：論說文
key pal：鍵盤友(用電腦鍵盤輸入文字方式交談的朋友)
on-the-job training：在職訓練
pseudonym:假名
thesaurus:同義字詞典
(文章的)起承轉合：transition
文學的：literary
火星文：textspeak (請參考http://tati.org.tw/?p=9 )
波蘭語：Polish
挑剔的：fussy，picky
挪威語：Norwegian
荷蘭語：Dutch
collocation:字詞搭配
corpus：語料庫
essay：論說文
key pal：鍵盤友(用電腦鍵盤輸入文字方式交談的朋友)
on-the-job training：在職訓練
pseudonym:假名
thesaurus:同義字詞典
(文章的)起承轉合：transition
文學的：literary
火星文：textspeak (請參考http://tati.org.tw/?p=9 )
波蘭語：Polish
挑剔的：fussy，picky
挪威語：Norwegian
荷蘭語：Dutch
Knowledge is power -- when shared.
-
technobabel
- YOYO member
- 文章: 1188
- 註冊時間: 週六 5月 14, 2005 8:42 pm
- 來自: Eastern Seaboard
muse - a number of goddesses or spirits who embody the arts and inspire the creation process with their graces through remembered and improvised song and stage, writing, traditional music and dance.
writer's block - is a phenomenon involving temporary loss of ability to continue writing.
mind's eye - refers to the human ability for visual perception, imagination, visualization, and memory, or, in other words, one's ability to "see" things with the mind.
inner voice - is thinking in words. It also refers to the semi-constant internal monologue one has with oneself at a conscious or semi-conscious level.
syntax - the study of the rules that govern the structure of sentences, and which determine their relative grammaticality.
sexual innuendo - is a remark or question, typically disparaging, that works obliquely by allusion. The intention is often to insult or accuse someone in such a way that one's words, taken literally, are innocent. Innuendo can make use of, but is by no means restricted to, double entendre (note that doubles entendres can be unintentional, while innuendo is always intentional).
social commentary - is the act of expressing an opinion on the nature of society. This is most often done with the idea of implementing or promoting change by informing the general populace about a given problem and appealing to people's sense of justice.
outspoken - Spoken without reserve; candid. Frank and unreserved in speech.
opinionated - Holding stubbornly and often unreasonably to one's own opinions.
a free-for-all - a situation that is not controlled, and where everyone does what they want or fights for what they want to get.
writer's block - is a phenomenon involving temporary loss of ability to continue writing.
mind's eye - refers to the human ability for visual perception, imagination, visualization, and memory, or, in other words, one's ability to "see" things with the mind.
inner voice - is thinking in words. It also refers to the semi-constant internal monologue one has with oneself at a conscious or semi-conscious level.
syntax - the study of the rules that govern the structure of sentences, and which determine their relative grammaticality.
sexual innuendo - is a remark or question, typically disparaging, that works obliquely by allusion. The intention is often to insult or accuse someone in such a way that one's words, taken literally, are innocent. Innuendo can make use of, but is by no means restricted to, double entendre (note that doubles entendres can be unintentional, while innuendo is always intentional).
social commentary - is the act of expressing an opinion on the nature of society. This is most often done with the idea of implementing or promoting change by informing the general populace about a given problem and appealing to people's sense of justice.
outspoken - Spoken without reserve; candid. Frank and unreserved in speech.
opinionated - Holding stubbornly and often unreasonably to one's own opinions.
a free-for-all - a situation that is not controlled, and where everyone does what they want or fights for what they want to get.
-
technobabel
- YOYO member
- 文章: 1188
- 註冊時間: 週六 5月 14, 2005 8:42 pm
- 來自: Eastern Seaboard
Examples of Similes and Metaphors
1. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant and she was the East River. (Brian Broadus, Charlottesville)
2. Even in his last years, Grandpappy had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut. (Sandra Hull, Arlington)
3. The door had been forced, as forced as the dialogue during the interview portion of "Jeopardy!" (Jean Sorensen, Herndon)
4. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do. (Jerry Pannullo, Kensington)
5. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work. (Malcolm Fleschner, Arlington)
6. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while. (Malcolm Fleschner, Arlington)
7. "Oh, Jason, take me!" she panted, her breasts heaving like a college freshman on $1-a-beer night. (Bonnie Speary Devore, Gaithersburg)
8. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame. Maybe from stepping on a land mine or something. (John Kammer, Herndon)
9. Her artistic sense was exquisitely refined, like someone who can tell butter from I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. (Barbara Collier, Garrett Park)
10. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up. (Susan Reese, Arlington)
11. It came down the stairs looking very much like something no one had ever seen before. (Marian Carlsson, Lexington)
12. The knife was as sharp as the tone used by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.) in her first several points of parliamentary procedure made to Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) in the House Judiciary Committee hearings on the impeachment of President William Jefferson Clinton. (J. F. Knowles, Springfield)
13. The ballerina rose gracefully en pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant. (Jennifer Hart, Arlington)
14. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM. (Paul J. Kocak, Syracuse)
15. The dandelion swayed in the gentle breeze like an oscillating electric fan set on medium.
16. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools. (Brian Broadus, Charlottesville)
17. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up. (Susan Reese, Arlington)
18. She was as easy as the "TV Guide" crossword. (Tom Witte, Gaithersburg)
19. Her eyes were like limpid pools, only they had forgotten to put in any pH cleanser. (Chuck Smith, Woodbridge)
20. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. coli and he was room-temperature Canadian beef. (Brian Broadus, Charlottesville)
21. She walked into my office like a centipede with 98 missing legs. (Jonathan Paul, Garrett Park)
22. It hurt the way your tongue hurts after you accidentally staple it to the wall. (Brian Broadus, Charlottesville)
23. Her voice had that tense, grating quality, like a first- generation thermal paper fax machine that needed a band tightened. (Sue Lin Chong, Washington)
24. A branch fell from the tree like a trunk falling off an elephant. (Jonathan Paul, Garrett Park)
25. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two other sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master. (Sue Lin Chong, Washington)
26. The sardines were packed as tight as the coach section of a 747. (Tom Witte, Gaithersburg)
1. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant and she was the East River. (Brian Broadus, Charlottesville)
2. Even in his last years, Grandpappy had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut. (Sandra Hull, Arlington)
3. The door had been forced, as forced as the dialogue during the interview portion of "Jeopardy!" (Jean Sorensen, Herndon)
4. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do. (Jerry Pannullo, Kensington)
5. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work. (Malcolm Fleschner, Arlington)
6. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while. (Malcolm Fleschner, Arlington)
7. "Oh, Jason, take me!" she panted, her breasts heaving like a college freshman on $1-a-beer night. (Bonnie Speary Devore, Gaithersburg)
8. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame. Maybe from stepping on a land mine or something. (John Kammer, Herndon)
9. Her artistic sense was exquisitely refined, like someone who can tell butter from I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. (Barbara Collier, Garrett Park)
10. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up. (Susan Reese, Arlington)
11. It came down the stairs looking very much like something no one had ever seen before. (Marian Carlsson, Lexington)
12. The knife was as sharp as the tone used by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.) in her first several points of parliamentary procedure made to Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) in the House Judiciary Committee hearings on the impeachment of President William Jefferson Clinton. (J. F. Knowles, Springfield)
13. The ballerina rose gracefully en pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant. (Jennifer Hart, Arlington)
14. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM. (Paul J. Kocak, Syracuse)
15. The dandelion swayed in the gentle breeze like an oscillating electric fan set on medium.
16. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools. (Brian Broadus, Charlottesville)
17. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up. (Susan Reese, Arlington)
18. She was as easy as the "TV Guide" crossword. (Tom Witte, Gaithersburg)
19. Her eyes were like limpid pools, only they had forgotten to put in any pH cleanser. (Chuck Smith, Woodbridge)
20. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. coli and he was room-temperature Canadian beef. (Brian Broadus, Charlottesville)
21. She walked into my office like a centipede with 98 missing legs. (Jonathan Paul, Garrett Park)
22. It hurt the way your tongue hurts after you accidentally staple it to the wall. (Brian Broadus, Charlottesville)
23. Her voice had that tense, grating quality, like a first- generation thermal paper fax machine that needed a band tightened. (Sue Lin Chong, Washington)
24. A branch fell from the tree like a trunk falling off an elephant. (Jonathan Paul, Garrett Park)
25. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two other sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master. (Sue Lin Chong, Washington)
26. The sardines were packed as tight as the coach section of a 747. (Tom Witte, Gaithersburg)
I am not abandoning Yoyo, I am just dancing slowly away from it.
Dear all:
Thank you for giving me a great night yesterday. I met several old friends and new friends. Hope you enjoy yesterday gathering..
Participants: Lisa, Wayne, Kooper, Daniel, Luis, Wayne C, Lynn, Anthony, Daisy, Thomas, Henry, Julian, David Liao
Welcome new comers and also new members: Joshua, Rick
Thank you for giving me a great night yesterday. I met several old friends and new friends. Hope you enjoy yesterday gathering..
Participants: Lisa, Wayne, Kooper, Daniel, Luis, Wayne C, Lynn, Anthony, Daisy, Thomas, Henry, Julian, David Liao
Welcome new comers and also new members: Joshua, Rick
昨天Joshua提到的互動式寫作教學軟體可能是 英文寫作魔法師－包括
英文寫作魔法師－基本句型篇1(互動式CD-ROM)
英文寫作魔法師－基本句型篇2(互動式CD-ROM)
常用職場英語篇(互動式CD-ROM)
全民英檢寫作通/初級(附互動寫作軟體光碟)
作者為補教界老師 張擎 見
http://www.booknews.com.tw/publisherlis ... 47&SID=A01
英文寫作魔法師－基本句型篇1(互動式CD-ROM)
英文寫作魔法師－基本句型篇2(互動式CD-ROM)
常用職場英語篇(互動式CD-ROM)
全民英檢寫作通/初級(附互動寫作軟體光碟)
作者為補教界老師 張擎 見
http://www.booknews.com.tw/publisherlis ... 47&SID=A01
Knowledge is power -- when shared.
-
Linda-Liao
- YOYO member
- 文章: 138
- 註冊時間: 週四 4月 19, 2007 3:24 pm
- 來自: Taichung
這主題非常實用,可惜最近比較忙無法參加!
提供師大最近辦的英文寫作研習資訊:
英文寫作系列演講暨工作坊 ( 六 )
講題 : Free Writing
主講人 : Prof. Jane Danielewicz
English Dep.,University of North Carolina
時間 :96/06/01 ( 星期五 ) 中午12:30-14:00
地點 : 師大本部誠 202
附註 ： 與會者請攜帶可寫作之工具（紙筆或電腦）
其他場次研習的影音資料陸續上傳,請至此下載:
http://140.122.83.189:8080/wc/
(我想大家應該不用另外設伺服器就能上去看吧!
)
提供師大最近辦的英文寫作研習資訊:
英文寫作系列演講暨工作坊 ( 六 )
講題 : Free Writing
主講人 : Prof. Jane Danielewicz
English Dep.,University of North Carolina
時間 :96/06/01 ( 星期五 ) 中午12:30-14:00
地點 : 師大本部誠 202
附註 ： 與會者請攜帶可寫作之工具（紙筆或電腦）
其他場次研習的影音資料陸續上傳,請至此下載:
http://140.122.83.189:8080/wc/
(我想大家應該不用另外設伺服器就能上去看吧!
)-
technobabel
- YOYO member
- 文章: 1188
- 註冊時間: 週六 5月 14, 2005 8:42 pm
- 來自: Eastern Seaboard
Ladies and men who knows how to pretend to be gentle,
Gentleness is an over-rated virtue, but if the market demands it, let us continue to be as gentle as possible.
First, like always, I have nothing to say, or more precisely I have nothing worthwhile to say to you.
Nobody likes to rock the boat, therefore, I am not going to do it.
Before that, let me just say this.
If you can improve your writing, you can improve your thinking,
and if you can improve your thinking, that means you can improve how you feel.
The benefit is too obvious and how can anybody say no?
Some write to amuse,
some write to confuse,
when asked to write,
do consult your Muse
but think twice before you refuse.
A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Don't tell me that silence is golden.
Prolong silence resembles death.
A good writing is similar to somebody opening a windows to let in some fresh air.
Ideas are like air, if it doesn't move it will quickly go stale and stagnate.
No one here is foolish enough to demand for perfection.
Imperfection is better than perfection, because with imperfection, there are always rooms for you to improve.
When comes to knowledge, don't just share it.
Jump into it, or plunge into it and make sure you make a big splash,
Swim in it and see if you can be drowned.
Slice and dice, or throw it against the wall and see if it sticks.
Don't let anybody tell you what you should do.
Including me.
And also, don't just comment on that the topic is great
and walk away. Why not say something more substantive about the topic.
Gentleness is an over-rated virtue, but if the market demands it, let us continue to be as gentle as possible.
First, like always, I have nothing to say, or more precisely I have nothing worthwhile to say to you.
Nobody likes to rock the boat, therefore, I am not going to do it.
Before that, let me just say this.
If you can improve your writing, you can improve your thinking,
and if you can improve your thinking, that means you can improve how you feel.
The benefit is too obvious and how can anybody say no?
Some write to amuse,
some write to confuse,
when asked to write,
do consult your Muse
but think twice before you refuse.
A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Don't tell me that silence is golden.
Prolong silence resembles death.
A good writing is similar to somebody opening a windows to let in some fresh air.
Ideas are like air, if it doesn't move it will quickly go stale and stagnate.
No one here is foolish enough to demand for perfection.
Imperfection is better than perfection, because with imperfection, there are always rooms for you to improve.
When comes to knowledge, don't just share it.
Jump into it, or plunge into it and make sure you make a big splash,
Swim in it and see if you can be drowned.
Slice and dice, or throw it against the wall and see if it sticks.
Don't let anybody tell you what you should do.
Including me.
And also, don't just comment on that the topic is great
and walk away. Why not say something more substantive about the topic.
I am not abandoning Yoyo, I am just dancing slowly away from it.