ENGLCOM: Not Your Ordinary English Subject (Exit Essay)

I have learned and realized many things about English because of ENGLCOM. First of all, I learned that following a certain process like brainstorming, forming a thesis statement, and making an outline can really help in writing an essay; in fact, I now think it’s a necessity when writing an essay. Before, I just wrote whatever came into my mind when writing an essay. In short, I was brainstorming while I was writing, which turned out to be wrong. Another thing that I learned about English was that writing an essay is not all about writing based on emotions and feelings; sometimes, writing based on facts is also a must. I also realized that substituting certain words and phrases in a passage was not “rewording” or “summarizing”, but it was just plagiarizing. This realization is one of the most important things that I learned as I used to do this on my high school days. I am actually glad that ENGLCOM made me realize this before I start making thesis papers. One more thing that I learned about English is that writing in a first-person point of view when writing an essay especially definition, is a “sin”; meaning it should be avoided as possible as you can. Before, I always used words such as “I” and “We” while I was writing; I thought that my opinion about the topic was always required. Lastly, ENGLCOM taught me how to respect other people’s opinion. I’ll admit, I’m a person with pride; I don’t like it when other people correct me. ENGLCOM made me mature in this aspect as I now respect and consider each and every correction I receive.

Overall, ENGLCOM was a tiring, yet fruitful course. At first I thought it was just another regular English subject, but I was proven wrong yet again. Most of my expectations about it were met, and it helped me realize crucial things. I hope that my other English courses will be as fruitful as ENGLCOM.

My English: How Strong Is It? (Entrance Essay)

In writing in English, I think that I should improve my skills in using proper punctuation, spelling, and capitalization. I am having a hard time in these areas mainly because of texting. I tend to remove all the vowels while writing because of it. Also, with regards to the usage of proper punctuations, I often put commas in places where there shouldn’t be any. Fortunately, I’ve managed to improve in capitalizing words thanks to my English classes back in High school. It’s still not perfect though, and that’s what I’m expecting in Englcom. I want to improve even more. Not only in these areas, but also in others. I feel confident that this subject will help me achieve my goals because it involves writing in different perspectives as well as using various techniques.

Abortion: A Solution or An Excuse? (Argumentative Essay)

Over population, it is one of the most common problems that most countries experience today. Leaders of different countries have tried various methods to solve it such as family planning, encouraging the use of contraceptives, and even implementing laws that limit the number of children that a married couple can have. Among these solutions, there is one that remained debatable up to now; abortion. Abortion is the process of removing the placenta from the uterus before it becomes a fetus; thus aborting the birth process. Although abortion can help in controlling a country's population, it does not justify the fact that a life is taken because of a "mistake" that people themselves have committed.

In spite of these arguments, one can still say that abortion can also prevent the incoming child from unwanted circumstances like the inability of the parent to care and provide for the child. In much simpler terms, it can be said that abortion helps decrease poverty rate. Despite this fact, it is still uncivilized for a society to permit one human to intentionally harm or take the life of another without punishment; abortion is no different. Abortion is akin to murder as it is the act of taking human life. Officially allowing abortion can be compared to officially allowing people to kill.

Of course this fact is also debatable as it somehow violates human rights. At this point, it can also be said that in any case where women demand complete control over their bodies due to unwanted pregnancy, they should be told that they should have just exercised abstinence in the first place; abortion is not the solution for their "mistake" and irresponsibility(Linda Lowen, 2007).

The constitution also states that all men, no matter what age, are created equal, meaning they have equal rights; including the pursuit of happiness. This means that babies still have their own rights to live and be happy in life no matter what or how tragic the circumstances are. Poverty does not guarantee a child's unhappiness; being poor does not necessarily mean that one will be unhappy with his or her life.

In the end, abortion, can in fact, help control a country's population, but its disadvantages are too heavy to be pulled out by its advantages. Abortion is not the solution to everything, especially not to a "mistake" that has been committed. An innocent life still has rights to live, even if it is unwanted. If people did not really want to come to a point wherein they are forced to choose between suffering some consequences or killing an innocent life, then they should have analyzed their situation more carefully instead of making an innocent life suffer the consequences from their own actions.

References:

Kendy Anderson - "Arguments Against Abortion"

http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/arg-abor.html

Linda Lowen - "Ten Arguments For Abortion"

http://womensissues.about.com/od/reproductiverights/a/AbortionArgumen.htm

G. Stolyarov II - "Ethical Arguments Against Abortion: The Cases of Rape and Life Endangerment"

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/279403/ethical_arguments_against_abortion.html?cat=17

Precognition: Have You Experienced It? (Definition Essay)

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, he was a successful president from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Overall, he is a man to be respected, but six weeks before his death, something much more amazing had happened to him; he dreamed of his own death. Although he did not specifically dream about being shot and dying, he dreamed of being an observer after his death. He saw people outside the White House mourning, and when he finally entered the White House, he passed a coffin only to be shocked finding himself looking at his own body. Perceiving one's own death, this phenomenon can be referred to as precognition. Precognition, as defined by the dictionary, is the direct knowledge or perception of the future that is obtained through extrasensory means; particularly through a person's dream. Rosemary Guiley, author of "Harper's Encyclopedia of Mystical and Paranormal Experience", concluded that precognition may also occur spontaneously in waking visions, auditory hallucinations, random thoughts, and "sudden" instincts. She also said that the majority of precognitive experiences usually happen within a forty-eight hour period prior to the foreseen event; it is considered unusual when the precognitive experience occur months or even years before the actual event.

So how can precognition really be explained? One explanation about it involves the constructive role of human observation. According to some observational theories, it is through an observation of a future event that the event is in fact, determined. This future observation informs the present observer under several conditions of motivation and feedback. Observational theories is one, but there are still several ways to explain precognition as a form of extrasensory perception. One of which is the theory about a person's subliminal awareness. Subliminal awareness is classified under the parapsychological approach in explaining precognition. As Dunne(1927) and Saltmarsh(1938) discussed in their respective books, subliminal awareness supposes that awareness is fundamentally transtemporal, acquiring information beyond the "specious present" of information that is typically available for immediate awareness. Another theory about precognition under the parapsychological approach is called the Psi-mediated instrumental response (PMIR). This theory, as offered by Dr.Rex G. Stanford(1993), proposes that humans look at their surroundings unconsciously trying to find motivationally relevant information that will be used to place a person in a goal-relevant position with respect to his or her environment. This process is the one that creates the experience of precognition.

As there are different explanations about precognition, there are also different studies about it. One particular study about precognition is through its case collections. History has records of many instances of precognition and of belief in its occurrence as a form of "looking into the future". A notable example of this collection is when J.W. Dunne, an engineer, recorded each of his dreams as they occurred to him. He then identified correspondences between his future experiences and his recorded dreams. When he reported his findings to "An Experiment with Time", he found out that 10% of his dreams appeared to represent some future events, particularly some major news events appearing a day or so after the dream. Experimental approaches are another way of studying about precognition. There are two kinds of experimental approaches, free-response studies is one. This kind of experimental approach is conducted in sleep laboratories wherein participants are initially free to respond in any manner that spontaneously occur to them through their dreams. The other kind of experimental approach is forced-choice studies, wherein participants use the method of forced-choice matching. This kind of method is basically focused on guesses made by the participants.

In the end, even though precognition is also referred to as "future sight", or the ability to acquire future information, it does not mean that the foreseen event will really happen; it does not mean that the person has no other choice but to accept his or her "fate". After all, free will can change even the perceived future.

References:

http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/p/precognition.html

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

Advanced Technologies: They're Not Always Beneficial (C&E Essay)

PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, EyeToy, and supercomputers. These are examples of some of the advanced technologies available today. They may be expensive, but they are worth it; they are products of scientific progress. These kind of technology may most be beneficial, but be wary as having some of these advanced technologies can also cause various effects that eventually lead to a person becoming ignorant of his or her surrounding.

An advanced technology is essential to having or enhancing computer graphics, because of this fact, it has been proven that advanced technology cause teenagers to become more addicted to video games. Teenagers can easily be hooked to video games with enhanced graphics; a boy may get more addicted to his favorite video game once it is released on a better console, causing him to become too addicted with it that can lead to him being "stuck" in the virtual world.

Most addicted players nowadays prefer the virtual world over the real world; players therefore tend to run away from reality by playing video games. Take for example a person who is too addicted to virtual girls, he may find it more interesting to play a dating game with all his "perfect" virtual girls than to date a real girl. In conclusion, preferring the virtual world over the reality is the cause of a person having less social life.

As stated earlier, being "stuck" on a virtual world causes a person to become less sociable; these kind of people usually have the tendency to be left alone by his or her own friends. A person may have insufficient time for his or her real friends because of spending too much time playing with his or her "other" friends. This fact is the reason why it is also proven that having less social life eventually causes a person to become ignorant of his or her own surrounding.

Once a person becomes ignorant of the things surrounding him or her, he or she will eventually not know how to interact with others properly. An example of this can be compared to an ignorant boy not knowing how to properly talk with a girl.

In the end, having the latest and most advanced technologies today has its advantages, but they are not always beneficial. Although it may have several side-effects, it does not mean that they cannot be avoided. A person should just learn to have proper control and management over his or her actions.

Real Love vs. Infatuation: I Love You, I Love You Not (C&C Essay)

"I Love You". These three words can be easy to say, but can be difficult to understand as they hold different meanings. "What more can it possibly mean?" A person might wonder, but saying "I Love You" does not necessarily mean that a person is showing his or her love. Ironically, it is more like he or she is showing another kind of feeling; which is called infatuation. Love and infatuation can easily be mistaken for each other, but even though most people think that they are the same, being in love and being infatuated have major differences in terms of their basis, characteristics, and effects.


Ideal guys and ideal girls, this is what a person searching for "love" usually looks out for; but can it really be called love once you meet your ideal partner? Most people think so, but that feeling cannot really be called love; it is infatuation. As Samson Itoje stated in his 2007 article, infatuation is another kind of feeling that focuses more on a person's physical aspect and satisfaction. When a person claims to be in love at first sight is a concrete example of being infatuated. How can a person say that he or she is already in love when he or she just saw the person? It just proves that the person was just being infatuated with the other person's appearance. Real love, on the other hand, is not just focused on a person's physical aspect. As Samson Itoje also stated in his 2007 article, real love is mostly focused on reality; it also involves making sacrifices for the sake of the other. This kind of feeling can usually be found in "unexpected" couples, or couples that most people find incompatible. When people see an ugly guy going out with a beautiful girl, or vice-versa, they usually say that it is real love. Why? Because people can be assured that it is not based on physical attraction. Cruel, yes, but it is the truth; hence the saying called "Real Love is Blind".


Basis is not the only difference between love and infatuation, they still differ when it comes to their characteristics. Infatuation is selfish; it is primarily interested in personal "feelings". Also, infatuation can easily be weakened by time and separation. Infatuated people have the tendency to forget about people whom they spend less time with. On the contrary, real love is selfless; it seeks more to give than to receive. It unselfishly seeks the highest good for the other person. Also, unlike infatuation, real love is strengthened by time and separation, but it does not mean that there is no pain in it. Rather, there is much more pain in separation when a person is really in love.


The last notable difference between these two feelings are their effects. After being infatuated, people usually feel that they had wasted time. Eventually, they realize that they did not really fall in love. There are also times when people feel irritated as they think that they just made a fool out of themselves for believing that they had been in love. Being in love, however, makes a person feel satisfied and committed. It makes people appreciate life even more; sometimes, they even feel as if they can live forever as long as they are with their partners.


In the end, infatuation and real love are two very different feelings, but it does not mean that one cannot lead to another. Infatuation can eventually lead to real love; it just depends on a person's choice and effort in his or her life.



References:
http://psychcentral.com/library/love_infatuation.html
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/28170

Making a Music Video: Not as Easy as You Think (Process Essay)

"Where is the love?", by Black Eyed Peas, "Thriller" by Michael Jackson, and "Down" by Jay Sean. These are examples of famous songs made known through their music videos. Have you ever wondered how they were made? Have you ever wondered how a normal video can have such an impact? People often see a music video simply as an advertisement, a way to publicize the song, but in fact, a music video is a lot more than that. A music video is not just a "video", but it is also an interpretation of the creator's feelings based on the thought of the song.


Making a music video can prove to be a difficult task as one must prepare all the necessary things carefully. The first thing that a person needs to do before making a video is to decide on the song. It is important to choose a song that the creator can relate to as this will make it easier for him or her to express his or her own thoughts. After selecting a song, it is best to pick out actors who can also relate to it. Afterall, a good actor is essential to a good illustration. Next to the selection is to decide on the setting and to direct events that will fit the song. Aside from the actors, the setting is also important as it strengthens the theme of the video. Just imagine the song "Love Story" being done on a cemetery, pretty awkward right? Although it can be said that it is creativity, it is still not right to shoot a song about love on a place full of dead people; it will just ruin the theme of the song. To cut the long story short, it is best to prioritize the thought of the song while planning a music video.


Preparing all the things needed for a music video is important, but editing takes the top priority. Afterall, a person cannot combine the clips with the song randomly; editing is similar to directing. All clips should be arranged to go with the flow of the song. This is not simple as all clips should be analyzed carefully before being edited. Without doing so, editing will not be as effective as it should be.


After video editing, it is natural for all contributors to be given proper recognition. It is also better if the video can be evaluated by some experts. If the need arises, final revisions should be made before distributing it.


In the end, the art of video making is not simple; it is all about illustrating the thought of a song through the video. It is difficult and challenging, but it can also be fun. Any person who is planning to make a music video should always remember that he or she will not make a normal video, but he or she will make a video full of emotions and feelings that will affect anyone who will be watching it.

Tennis: How Hard Can it Be? (Static Essay)

Tennis, as we all know, is one of the most famous sports known around the world. It is a simple game between two people bouncing a ball back to each other. But is it really that simple? Can you easily be successful in playing it? Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal. They are examples of the people who succeeded in the world of tennis. These people are not really "simple"; not only that they are physically fit, but they also have a strong character. A combination that is ideal for playing tennis.

A tall body, a strong heart, a pair of quick legs, and a strong arm. They are the things that you would surely look for in a tennis player. Of course, they are not easy to achieve as you will spend countless hours in the gym, on the court, and even on the roadside just to train yourself. You will experience running hundreds of miles, serving thousands of balls, and perhaps lifting hundreds of pounds. Your body will ache like hell yet you will never feel dissatisfied. As the saying goes, "There is always a rainbow after the rain", you yourself will experience the improvements in your gameplay; a longer reach, an endless stamina, and a faster ball return and service. All of these became the fruit of your hardwork.

Although tennis mainly interacts with a person's physical aspect, it is not all about physical strength. Having an intellectual mind is also important. Analayzing the opponent's weakness, and even predicting the ball landing based on your opponent's habits are the main advantages of having a strong mind. But even though being intellectual during a match is commendable, it is still advised not to go overboard. As we all know, thinking burns calories, and thinking too much can result to a sudden energy loss which would be disadvantageous during a match. Due to this fact, it is proven that balancing the physical and mental aspect is the key to produce the best results.

As you have seen, most, if not all people who succeed in playing tennis have this kind of character. A persevering personality for all the training, a strong body for the best gameplay, and an intellectual mind for the best gameplan. Although each aspect is essential, learning how to balance them is still the best as it will help you avoid unnecessary things such as injuring yourself. A good player, above all, knows how to take care of themselves. Tennis is not simple; it is not easy. A player who understands this and is still able to accomplish the necessary things will surely be successful in the world of tennis.