Indian Ocean tsunami alert lifted after earthquake

Today I read a new article related with the earthquake and possible tsunami that affected Indonesia. The news said that a tsunami watch was declared after two major eartquakes but was canceled for the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Anyway, the alert caused panic in the people because they are very frightened by the tsunami that affected last year.

1. 
   

1. In my opinion, we can understand clearly the panic of people because we were affected by an earthquake with the same characteristics that we lived here, in Chile. The 2010 earthquake occurred off the coast of central Chile on Saturday, 27 February 2010, at 03:34, having a magnitude of 8.8 with intense shaking lasting for about three minutes. The earthquake triggered a tsunami which devastated several coastal towns in south-central Chile and damaged the port at Talcahuano. 

So, it's necessary to take into account the importance of being prepared in case of emergency. Don't be afraid but prepare some thinks like: lantern, water, food and protection (clothes).

Will we ever... talk to the animals?

By Ed Yong

The article that I read is about the communication with animals, 

specially related with dolphins, beautiful and very intelligent animals that enjoy to swim.

I think the information it's very interesting because people never think about if we will talk with animals some day. Also, the idea to talk with animals is very exciting but we need to think about the possibilities, because the article said that dolphins have a natural language but our language involves difficult elements so is not easy to practice with them. Maybe in a few years we will have more techniques and methods for develop this.

I think human–animal communication is easily observed in everyday life. The interactions between pets and their owners, for example, reflect a form of spoken, while not necessarily verbal dialogue. And in terms of my personal opinion about communication, I think that we need to express opinions and emotions not only with words, also we need to use nonverbal language and this is a good manner to motivate the communication between humans and animals, because animals give signals to communicate without words.

Selecting key points

Selecting key points are very important when you decide write an article, a text or a paragrah, because you need to be clear (use relevant information). We need to have an objective and make sense of what we are writing. 

Maybe you can use more ideas, reasons and evidence (everything are key points) to support the main idea of the text.

Note making is an important writing skill. 

Making notes is an essential activity when we need remember

 at least the main points of one text or article. 

You can select how summarize the information, 

the important thing is that you understand 

your own ideas about the topic.

How to make notes? Some examples... 

Read carefully.

What is the main idea of the paragraph? 

How has the main idea developed? 

Do not write full sentences. 

Use of abbreviations

Don’t include all the information present in an article or paragraph. 

The difference between note-taking and note-making

Taking notes is only the first stage in the note-making process. 

It often involves writing down information 

from different sources such as articles and texts.

In contrast, note-making involves a process of personal understanding. 

When you make your own notes you are learning 

about the topic and so you are much more likely to remember it.

 It is much more efficient and effective in terms 

of learning than trying to sort 

out lecture notes and read text books in great haste 

before an important test or exam. 

It provides you with a well-prepared 

personal resource of information. 

_______________________________________________________________________


Understanding purpose and register

Understanding a text is not just a matter of vocabulary; the reader needs 

to find out the writer's intentions. So, we need to pay attention 

in the purpose of our essay (text or article).

 If we write to persuade, to describe some topic, to inform, to amuse, etc. 

And we have to consider the importance of the audience

 because they will read our work in the future.

On the other hand, we pay attetion in the register of the text. 

Academic register? formal or informal? journalistic?

Some details about it:

Academic register is usually used in dissertations and academic journals. 

This tipically uses cautious language and will generally include references.

Journalistic register often uses current idioms and try 

to interest the reader by presenting the story in a simple but dramatic way.

Formal register is suitable for a semi-legal text. The use of passive voice 

and special vocabulary are typical of this type of register.

Evaluating a text

When you understood the first parte related with titles, 

your next step is to read a lot about your subject. 
You need to search information about it and it's important 
to ask yourself about the value of the text. Is fact or opinion?
 Are you agree with that opinion or not? 
The fact is true? or not? 
Also you need to consider the relevant information 
for your article, text or essay.

_________________________________




Developing plans from titles

Almost all written works begins with a title. You need to be clear about this before you starting to plan your article, text or essay. Also, you need to read about your topic because it's important to know a lot of information and prepare a good work.

It is essential to identify the main requirements of the title. You must be clear about what areas wants you to cover. This will then determine the organisation of the essay. 

Almost all articles, text and essays have the same basic pattern of organisation. The structure of the main body depends on what the title is asking you to do. 

Basic pattern of organisation: 

___________________________________________________________


Activity 


Chile has the highest percentage of teenage smokers.

This news is about an international survey which states that Chile has the highest percentage of young smokers (between 13 and 15 years old). I think, the information is very relevant because nowadays a lot of people smoke at home, at schools, in the street, etc. Maybe the teenagers see this behaviour and think "It is a good idea to smoke all the time."

On the other hand,  it is very worrying that so many people smoke in our country, the percentage is very high. It's necessary to improve the restrictions and also the advertising about its dangers.  It is also the job of parents to guide their children, they need to teach them about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, the problems related to smoking and the social implications of it.

Think about it... and see you in the next post..