Lesson 5

China-Land of the Dragon

How do the teachings of notable writers affect literary genres of China?

Targets

• Describe the notable literary genres contributed by Chinese writers

• Identify distinguishing features of notable Chinese poems, folktales, and short
stories
• Explain how the elements specific to a genre contribute to the theme of the
literary selection
• Express appreciation for sensory images used
• Evaluate the personal significance of a literary text
• Relate content or theme to previous experiences and background knowledge
• React to assertions made by the author in the text
• Identify and differentiate verbal, situational, and dramatic types of irony and
give examples of each
• Predict the message of the online article on Confucius' life based on the title,
pictures, and excerpts
• Discern positive and negative messages conveyed in a material viewed
• Employ appropriate listening skills and strategies suited to long narrative
texts
• Infer dominant thoughts and feelings expressed in the narrative "A Little
Incident"
• Determine the tone and mood of the speaker or characters in the narrative
• Use the appropriate prosodic features of speech when delivering an
entertainment speech
• Produce the sounds of English correctly and effectively when delivering an
entertainment speech
• Compose effective paragraphs
• Use a variety of techniques to introduce a topic
• Develop related support sentences
• Use appropriate grammatical signals or expressions suitable to each pattern of
idea development: general to particular

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 Build Your Background

Meet the Author

Confucius is one of the world's greatest philosophers,

a great thinker who lived from 551 to 479 BCE.
Confucius is more popularly known as Kongzi (Köng ZI,
literally "Master Kong") in Chinese. Confucius is the
Latin name of K'ung Fu-tzu," which means "The Great
Teacher K'ung."

In the "Analects," the Chinese philosopher Confucius

is often referred to simply as "the Master" (Zi), the
"Great Sage," "First Teacher," and "Model Teacher for
Ten Thousand Ages."
Confucius (c. 551-479 BCE)
The "Analects" is a collection of the teachings of
Confucius, presented as a series of discourses and dialogues that Confucius had with
his disciples. They were put together by his disciples several years after he died. The
"Analects of Confucius" consists of 20 books; each book is composed of several
chapters. Three most important philosophies can be grasped through the "Analects"-
jen (benevolence), yi (propriety), and li (ritual). The "Analects" teaches us that a man
of virtue must embrace and live out the three ethical principles in order to promote
harmony with all his relations.

Connect Your Experience

In your opinion, what makes a person wise? Write your answer in your journal, and
then list two or three people whom you consider to be wise. These people can be
teachers, religious leaders, family members, or friends.

Explain why you consider these people to be wise.

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 From the Analects
By Confucius (K'ung Fu-tzu)
Translated By Xin Guanjie

1 Confucius said, "A man who speaks with honeyed words and pretends to be kind
cannot be benevolent."

2 Zeng Zi (a disciple of Confucius') said, "Every day, I examine myself once and
again: Have I tried my utmost to help others? Have I been honest to my friends?
Have I diligently reviewed the instructions from the Master?"

3 Confucius said, "At home, a young man should be dutiful towards his parents;
going outside, he should be respectful towards his elders; he should be cautious in
deeds and trustworthy in words; he should love everyone yet make close friends only
with those of benevolence. If he has any more energy to spare, let him devote it to
books."

4 Confucius said, "Don't worry about being misunderstood but about understanding
others."

5 Ji Kangzi (Jisun Fei, then a minister of Lu) asked, "What can I do to make the
people respect and be loyal to their superiors and try their best in service?" Confucius
said, "Be upright in their presence, and they will hold you in respect; be filial and
benevolent, and they will be loyal to you; use the righteous and instruct the
unqualified, and they will try their best in service."

6 Confucius said, "To be friendly towards someone while concealing one's hostility,
this Zuo Qiuming (a historian of Lu) found shameful. So do I."

7 Confucius said, "I would pursue wealth so long as it could be obtained legitimately,
even by being a common cart driver. If wealth could not be obtained legitimately, I
would rather follow my own preferences."

8 Confucius said, "There is happiness in eating coarse food, drinking cold water and
sleeping on the floor. Ill-gotten wealth and rank are just like fleeting clouds to me."

9 The Duke of Ye asked Zi Lu about Confucius, Zi Lu failed to give a reply. Confucius

said to him afterwards, "Why did you not say something like this. He is the sort of
person who can be so diligent that he forgets his meals, so happy that he forgets his
worries and is even unaware of approaching old age."

10 Confucius said, "When walking in the company of other men, there must be one I
can learn something from. I shall pick out his merits to follow and his shortcomings
for reference to overcome my own."

11 Confucius said, "I am not one of those who pretend to understand what they do
not. I suggest that one should listen to different views and choose the sound one to
follow, see different things and keep them in mind. Knowledge obtained in this way
is reliable, though not as good as innate knowledge.”

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Review
1. What does the disciple of Confucius ask himself every day? Who is the "Master" to
whom the disciple Zeng Zi refers?

2. According to Confucius, how should a young man treat his parents? His elders?

3. What is more important than being understood?

Say the Word

Lu: Vassal state of Ancient China and the birthplace of Confucius

Words to Know
benevolent (adj.): good, charitable
diligently (adv.): carefully; steadily
filial (adj.): showing respect to a parent or superior
legitimately (adv.): lawfully, rightfully
innate (adj.): existing naturally rather than acquired

Interpret
How does Confucius view wealth based on the number 7 teaching?

Build Your Skills

Activity 1: Comprehension and Reading Skills

A. Reflect on the "Confucian Analects" and share your ideas with your classmates and
your teacher. Here are a few questions for discussion. You may refer to the text to
check your answers.

1. According to Confucius, what are the duties of a young man at home and in the
outside world? If he has energy to spare after he fulfills these duties, what must he
do?

2. Why might eating coarse food, drinking cold water, and sleeping on the floor bring
happiness?

3. In what ways are Confucius' opinions on leadership and wealth in conflict with the
actions of many leaders and wealthy people throughout history?

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4. How valuable is learning and knowledge to Confucius? How does Confucius learn
from other people?

B. Pair up or form groups of four and review the selection as you discuss the
following:

1. What do these passages reveal about Confucius' attitude toward honesty and truth?
What do these passages reveal about Confucius' attitude toward power, wealth, and
human relationships? How does his attitude compare and contrast with
contemporary Filipino views?

2. Confucius placed much value on human relationships. Share your reactions.

3. Which two teachings did you find most interesting and applicable to your life?
Why did these teachings appeal to you?

Activity 2: Literary Skills

A. An aphorism is a short saying or pointed statement.

1. What are some of your favorite aphorisms in the excerpts from the "Analects"?

2. Share significant aphorisms that you have heard before.

3. Why might aphorisms be a more effective way of sharing and remembering

important ideas or rules than longer statements?

B. After reading the brief excerpts from the Analects, can you name some of the
major themes in the teachings of Confucius?

1. Support your response with examples from the excerpts.

2. Pick one theme from Confucius' teachings. How would you relate this theme to a
personal experience?

C. The "Analects" is a book of rules and is presented as dialogues The theme is

or conversations. How does this element contribute to the theme the central idea
of the selection? in a literary
work.

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 D. Sensory images are created not only by seeing. It also involves hearing, smelling,
feeling and tasting. Using the chart below, list down the sensory images in the
"Analects

See Hear Feel Imagine

The words in the text that help me create a clear mental image are
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

E. Confucius was a man who was sure of himself and his purpose in the world, and
who was constantly in search of ways to learn and to improve himself. As you grow
older jobs, volunteer positions, and other activities can help you grow as a person
and figure out your own purpose in the world. A well-written résumé and cover letter
can open doors to these unique opportunities.

1. Prepare a resume and a cover letter which state your objective, list your
accomplishments and activities, and show why you are the best person for the job

2. Be honest but be confident as you prepare your materials.

3. Finally, share your résumé and cover letter with your friends or classmates.

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 Activity 3: Distinguishing Types of Irony

The word "ironic" is used in the statement given below. What does the word "ironic"
mean?

Confucius, the "Master Kong" of China has extraordinary Impact on Asian thought. It
is ironic that so little can be known about him.

Irony is a figure of speech in which you use words to suggest a meaning that is
opposite of what you really think.

Types of Irony

Verbal irony-saying one thing when you really mean the opposite or contrary
Situational Irony-what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected
Dramatic irony-the reader or audience knows something a character does not

A. Indicate whether the following are examples of verbal irony, situational irony, or
dramatic irony. Write VI, SI, or DI. If the statement does not contain an irony, write
X

1. Wonderful! It's raining and I didn't bring my umbrella.

2. This pillow is as soft as a marshmallow.
3. You denied me. That's so sweet of you.
4. Marcial's anti-fever medicine made him feverish.
5. Oh great! You have busted my new tablet.
6. In the movie, Aquing doesn't know that Tracy cares for him, but the audience does.
7. I missed the qualifying exam because I was caught in the middle of a traffic jam.
8. I appreciate that correction. You just made me feel great.
9. Six well-known actresses died in three separate car accidents last Friday.
10. I heard that anti-perspirants cause cancer

B. Read the paragraph below and look for examples of irony. Then, tell what kind of
irony was employed.

Gay tried her best to take care of her little sister's (Lala) pet fish while Lala was away
for a school trip. On the second day, Gay found the fish floating belly up on the
morning that Lala was to return from the trip. Not wanting Lala to experience the
grief that comes with the fish's passing, Gay went to the pet store and bought a fish
that looked a lot like Lala's. Unfortunately, Gay had not noticed the tiny white spot
on the tail of the new fish. When the small girl was reunited with her pet, she
immediately asked, "Sis-Gay, how did Mr. Wacks' tail get a little white spot?" The
question caught Gay off guard. She looked around nervously and the seconds were
tense, but she soon recovered, "Well, Lala, Mr. Wacks must have wiped some of his
orange coat off on the rocks at the bottom of his bowl." The little girl was content
with the answer but emptied all of the rocks from the fishbowl the following day so as
to prevent Mr. Wacks from losing anymore his beautiful coat.

Which type of irony was used? _____________________________________

Explain your answer: ___________________________________________

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 Express Your Ideas

Activity 1: Listening to a Longer Narrative

Are you an active listener? You can consider yourself one if you concentrate on
what you hear and process the information so that your views and the speakers are
unified or combined. That is ideal listening.

At times, however, you listen and absorb the information according to your own
perspective. You either ignore or give less importance to the speaker's views. This is
called projective listening.

A. Why do we do projective listening? Find out the reasons as you go over the
pictures below. Check (✔) which of these pictures show projective listening.

How do you explain the following? Speak clearly as you answer each question below.

1. In which types of communication is projective listening commonly used? Why do

you think so?

2. As a projective listener, is it important to fully understand the message and the

emotional contents of the ideas? Why or why not?

3. Do you classify projective listening as a negative kind of listening? Why or why

not?

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B. You will apply projective listening as your teacher reads or plays back a narrative
entitled "A Little Incident." As you listen, take note of the inferred thoughts and
feelings expressed by the author in his recount.

C. How Well Did You Listen?

Try to recall Lu Hsun's "A Little Incident" and share your ideas with the class.
Here are some questions for discussion.

1. What is the author's purpose in recounting this little incident?

2. What thoughts and feelings were expressed by the author? Why did he think and
feel that way?

3. Describe the tone or writer's attitude toward the characters.

a. Rickshaw Puller b. old woman c. people

4. Describe the mood or the feeling that the writer conveyed to the reader.

Activity 2: Delivering an Entertainment Speech

Speeches need not always be informative. Speech delivery does not always have to be
a sharing of information. A speech can also be entertaining, interesting, and funny.
How can speeches be made entertaining?

A. See what is funny about each of the following anecdotes. Choose one and deliver it
as an entertainment speech.

First Things First Donkey Gets Married

(Ming Dynasty Tale, 1368- A man and his son goes to the zoo.
1644)
They are at the Tiger cage, when Son asks his Father, "Father,
A doctor was detained by the is Tiger married?"
furious relatives of a patient
he had killed with the wrong "No, Son. Tiger is not married"
prescription, but he escaped
by night and swam across a They then get to the Giraffe cage.
wide river to reach home.
When he saw his son studying "Father, is Giraffe married?"
medical texts, he said, "Don't
be in such a hurry to study "No Son, Giraffe is not married."
medicine. First things first.
And first, learn to swim.” They move on to the Elephant cage.

"Father, is Elephant married?"

"No Son, Elephant is not married."

They arrive at the Donkey cage.

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 "Father, is Donkey married?" asks Son.

"Yes, Donkey is the only animal that gets married," replies

Father.

Source: Will & Guys Collection of Amusing Donkey Items

www.guysports.com/funny/funny_donkey_jokes.htm

Chinese Food Culture

The Chinese people are so fond of food. My first experience of this aspect of Chinese
culture came at a banquet in a trip to Beijing in 1998. I often, eat Chinese food, but
I could not have imagined how fabulous a real Chinese banquet can be. The first six
or seven dishes seemed to fill the table, with plates dangerously balanced one on top
of another. I thought this huge pile of food already includes all the dishes to be
served, and I started eating greedily.

Everybody else just nibbled a bit of each dish and then put their chopsticks down
continuing to chat. "They don't have big appetites," I thought.

To my surprise, more dishes arrived on top of soups, side dishes, and desserts. There
was enough to feed a whole army. No wonder my fellow guests only had a small
portion of each dish; they knew what was still to come. But I was already so full that
I could only watch as the banquet continued.

Another interesting aspect of Chinese food culture is that they seem to eat almost
every part of an animal-to the horror of many Westerners. Intestines, ears, tongue,
tail, hoof, and lungs are all likely to end up on the dinner table in front of you. The
first time I saw a three-year-old kid cheerfully chewing the head of a chicken, I had
bad dreams for weeks.

These days, I enjoy that sort of food myself. However, there are other kinds of foods
that have taken longer for me to accept. The fabulous chou doufu is an example. (The
name says it all: "stinky tofu.") Just when I have already gotten used to it, I found
another variety on a trip to Hunan: deep-fried chou doufu, a horrible black
substance that looked and smelled like a burnt tennis shoe. Maybe I'll get used to
that someday, too.

Source: A Funny Story of Chinese Food Culture by Anonymous

http://teachabroadchina.com/TACA/content/funny-story-chinese-food-culture

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B. Check these guidelines to help you in your delivery.

Delivery Guidelines

How to improve verbal delivery:

1. Project your voice by speaking loudly so that people in the back of the room can
hear you.

2. Speak at a comfortable rate.

• Do not speak too quickly or too slowly.

• Pause occasionally so that you can breathe and the audience can understand
your ideas.

3. Speak clearly. Articulate your words so that you do not mumble.

4. Keep your volume steady. Do not speak more softly at the end of each sentence

5. Avoid speaking in a monotone.

• Vary the intensity and pitch of your voice.

• Concentrate on the feelings that you want to convey

6. Avoid bad vocal habits.

• Do not use vocalized pauses (e.g., "uh," "um," "OK," "like," etc.).
• Do not use unusual inflection (e.g., Saying every sentence or phrase as if it
were a question).
• Watch for these problems as you practice.

How to improve nonverbal delivery:

1. Make eye contact with individuals in your audience as you speak. You can look
down your notes when you need them but try to look up more.

2. Be animated. Move around your space as you speak. This helps control
nervousness and makes the speech more interesting to your audience.

3. Add emphasis to your speech by gesturing with your hands and arms.

4. Avoid distracting mannerisms and gestures such as playing with your hair or
swaying your body.

5. Maintain good posture.

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 What Do I Think?
On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest, this is how I rate myself
as far as the skills I have developed at this point.

Rate Skills

I can describe the notable literary genres contributed by Chinese

writers.
I can identify the distinct features of notable Chinese literary works.
I can explain how the elements specific to a genre contribute to the
theme of the literary selection.
I can express appreciation for sensory images used.
I can evaluate the personal significance of a literary text.
I can relate content or theme to previous experiences and background
knowledge.
I can react to assertions made by the author in the text.
I can distinguish verbal, situational, and dramatic irony from each
other and give examples for each,
I can use appropriate listening skills and strategies suited to long
narrative texts.
I can infer dominant thoughts and feelings expressed in the text.
I can determine the tone and mood of the speaker or characters in the
narrative.
I can maintain eye contact, good posture, and use appropriate facial
expressions when delivering an entertainment speech

Evaluation Questions Remarks

• Did I, as a listener, use projective

listening while listening to the
speaker?
• Did the speaker use appropriate
volume and projection while
delivering his speech?
• Did the speaker have good
enunciation?
• Has the speaker able to entertain
the audience?

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Viewing
Internet Browsing: Read about Confucius' life and works on the Internet. Submit
your written responses to the following based on the materials that you found online.

1. Before reading or browsing: What did the title, the pictures, or the excerpts, if any,
of the reference material tell you? Write down your predictions.

__________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
________________________________________________

2. After reading/browsing: Identify the positive and negative messages conveyed in

the material that you have read.

Positive Messages:
__________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
________________________________________________

Negative Messages:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

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 Build Your Style

Language Workshop: Using Signal Words and Expressions

(General to Particular Pattern)

Whether you are aware of it or not, you use patterns of development to express
yourself. When you point out the similarities and differences between two things, you
are using a pattern of development called comparison and contrast. When you give
several reasons regarding your tardiness, you are using cause and effect.

The use of signal words or expressions can reveal a particular pattern of

development. They show the relationship between or among ideas. Circle the signal
words in the following passage:

Some of the earliest Chinese poems may date back to 1000 BCE Thus, the oldest
poem collection dates back to 621 BCE. Evidently, the various poems were compiled
over several centuries, most of them during the Zhou period, at around 600 BCE. It
was reported that this treasury of traditional songs is the oldest collection of poems in
world literature. Consequently, it became one of the Five Confucian Classics.

Study the signal words or expressions presented below, and then answer the practice
exercises that follow.

◆ General-to-Particular or Specific is a pattern of development that begins

with a general idea or statement and is followed by specific details to support and
explain it. The details may become specific as development continues. The pattern
ends with a general statement that summarizes all the details.

The signal words used in this pattern are:

for example such as like

namely for instance that is

in fact in other words indeed

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 Practice Exercises

Study the following sentences. Circle the appropriate signal words used.

1. This toy helps children to discover their abilities, in other words, children can learn
new things from the toy.

2. Many people prefer a particular type of car; for example, sports cars are very
popular.

3. Angelo can play a number of musical instruments such as the violin, the guitar, the
saxophone, and the piano.

4. Rare indeed is the chance to witness the breathtaking power of a storm surge.

5. They brought a lot of food, such as pasta, pork, sandwiches, and soda.

6. Car companies like BMW and Ford produce sports cars in America and Asia. 7. High
protein meat such as chicken, beef, and pork are excluded from his diet.

8. Virtues like patience and self-control are necessary for this position.

9. The students, namely Pat, Mora, Levi, and Osram are given special assignments.

Writing Workshop: Writing Expository Paragraphs

The main purpose of an expository paragraph is to give information about a topic.

It may explain ideas, compare things, give directions, or show how something is done.

In this workshop, you will have a chance to review Chinese philosophies, Write a brief

expository paragraph that compares and contrasts two great Chinese thinkers.

Before writing, read the model expository paragraph below.

(1) the topic sentence that identifies the general topic of the paragraph

(2) the directional sentence that names the supports or examples that will be used

(3) three supporting examples to illustrate or explain the topic. presented in the same
order as in the directional sentence

(4) the summarizing sentence to remind the reader of the three supports or examples

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 A good expository paragraph is the key
(5) the closing sentence that strongly
confirms the topic and may include a call to clear written communication. (1) A
quality paragraph prepares the reader,
to action
presents the relevant data, and then
summarizes the information. (2) The
Get started.
opening sentences need to identify the
1. First, research about the beliefs of topic of the paragraph first and then
Lao-tzu and find excerpts from the name the specific supports that are to be
Tao Te Ching in the library or the used. The body of the paragraph
Internet. presents specific information that
clarifies and provides examples of the
2. Next, create a Venn diagram listing topic. Lastly, the paragraph needs to
the similarities and differences summarize the. evidence and close with
between the beliefs of Lao-tzu and a strong call to action. (3) By preparing
Confucius. the reader, presenting strong relevant
evidence, and summarizing succinctly, a
3. Try a quickwrite. Briefly write good writer can persuade or convince an
down information using passages astute reader. (4) Good communication
from the Tao Te Ching and the starts with a clear formula. (5)
Analects to support your points.
Provide details by explaining their similarities first, then their differences.

4. Before writing your first draft, look over your Venn diagram and your
quickwrite.

Create a draft by starting with an interesting introduction.

1. Use any of the following points: TIP

• Begin with a funny story. Limit your topic only to the

similarities and differences
• Challenge your readers with a thought-provoking of the two teachings of the
question. philosophers.
• Open with an impressive or fitting quotation.
• List all your main points and treat your subject in Use transition words (such
as first, second, then, etc.).
a very serious, straightforward manner. These words will help
• Provide a dramatic eye-opening statement. establish the flow and
organization of ideas.
2. Organize the ideas based on your outline. See to it that
you use cohesive devices to connect your paragraphs or ideas. Then close it with a
paragraph that would remind the reader of the main idea of the paragraph.

Check and revise.

1. Review your first draft and evaluate your composition. Use these questions as a
basic guide when you review.

a. Is the content interesting and worth remembering?

b. Is the style natural and effective in communicating my message?
c. Are there parts in my writing that are unclear?
d. How can I improve what I have done at this point?

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2. Ask your partner for comments before you revise it. Try to improve your essay by
making changes until it clearly states your message. Consider the following strategies
for revision:

• Look at the big picture. See if there is a focus or main idea. If there is none,
write one focus statement.
• Look at specific pieces of information in your writing. If you feel that it lacks
organization or order, rearrange them.
• Remove any information that does not support your message. You may add
more information which you think are necessary any time.
• Rewrite parts that are not clear.
• Examine your writing style closely. Polish it to make your ideas interesting,
colorful, and coherent.

3. Write the final draft and proofread to check errors in spelling, grammar, and
punctuation. You can publish your paper by sharing it to the class.

How Am I Doing?

Put a check mark (✔) before the item that applies to you.

Skills
I can describe the notable literary genres contributed by Chinese writers.
I can identify the distinct features of notable Chinese literary works
I can explain how the elements specific to a genre contribute to the theme of
the literary selection.
I can express appreciation for sensory images used
I can evaluate the personal significance of a literary text
I can relate content or theme to previous experiences and background
knowledge.
I can react to assertions made by the author in the text
I can distinguish verbal, situational, and dramatic irony from each other and
give examples for each
I can use appropriate listening skills and strategies suited to long narrative
texts
I can infer dominant thoughts and feelings expressed in the text.
I can determine the tone and mood of the speaker or characters in the
narrative.
I can use the appropriate volume and projection, pitch and stress, intonation,
juncture, and speech rate when delivering an entertainment speech.
I can maintain eye contact and good posture, and use appropriate facial
expressions when delivering an entertainment speech.
I can produce the sounds of English correctly and effectively when delivering
an entertainment speech.

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I can predict the message of the online article on Confucius' life based on the
title, pictures and excerpts.
I can discern positive and negative messages conveyed in a material viewed.
I can compose effective paragraphs.
I can use a variety of techniques to introduce a topic
I can develop related support sentences.
I can use appropriate signals or expressions suitable to each pattern of idea
development: general to particular
THEREFORE, I learned really well!
THEREFORE, I need more practice so I can do better next time!

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