Writing in University classes

There were many difficulties faced writing in my academic classes. Basically, in engineering course we are required to write reports and answer questions precisely. Firstly, the difficulty I faced was to have a good organization/flow of my points. Since the points were not organized, they were not well elaborated and thus caused me to write out of point. It has also resulted in having unsupportive/vague points. Secondly, the problem I faced was to have a report free from grammatical errors. I was not able to use a variety of vocabulary words and connective words for my reports.

This module has helped me to resolve the following difficulties I faced. Through writing assignment 1 and 2, I was taught how to write proper outlines and organize my points effectively before I start writing the reports/essays. Through the assignments I was able to write essays that were precise with supportive points. In writing assignment 2, I was able to write an argumentative essay with proper organization which is commonly required for engineering students. In this module, I also had the opportunity to practice additional grammar exercise which helped me to improve my grammar. We were also exposed to various articles which helped us to improve our vocabulary.

It is important that I continue to improve writing in my academic classes. Firstly, I would continue to practice more exercise from the recommended text. Secondly, I would continue to expose myself to various articles, books and reports so as to continue building up my vocabulary. Reading is a method of improving language. Lastly, I would continue to use what I have learnt in EG 1471 to write my future reports. In conclusion, this module has helped me to reduce the problems I faced in writing and I would continue to practice and improve further.

Grammar Mistakes

The three common mistakes that I make is the subject-verb agreement, the use of connecting words (transition) and fragments. Firstly we shall take a look at subject verb agreement. It is very important that we are able to identify the subject and verbs in the sentences after which we can check whether the subject agrees to the verb. It is also important that when the sentence consist two or more nouns/pronouns connected by and, we should us a plural verb. For example, Steven and his friends are at the supermarket. When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb the verb agrees with the subject and not with a noun or pronoun in the phrase. This is a common mistake that I make.

The second mistake that I make is the use of connecting words. Connectors are used between words, clauses, sentences and paragraphs. Therefore it is important for us to use connecting words in our essay to show contrast/similarity/results and many others. Some of the connecting words that are used for similarity are likewise, similarly and in the same way. Connecting words such as however, in contrast, conversely, on the contrary, on the other hand, otherwise, still, instead are used to show differences or contrast. These are some connectors that I do not use in my essays and they are very useful in writing argumentative essays.

Lastly, the common mistake that I make is fragments. Fragments are incomplete sentences that are usually detached from the main clause. Coordinators such as “but” and “because” can be used to correct these sentences. Punctuation may also be required for the newly combined sentence. For example the sentence “I need to get a new shirt. Because the one I have now is too old” shows a fragment error. This sentence can be re-written as “I need to get a new shirt because the one I have now is too old”. It is important that in academic writing, fragment errors are avoided.

Bibliography
University, O. a. (n.d.). Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling. Retrieved April 1, 2009, from Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab): http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/

Each Roundtable Summary

The topics that were discussed in the round-table discussion were about cloning, geo-engineering technology and genetic modified food.

The first roundtable discussion was about geo-engineering technology. In their roundtable discussion, they spoke about the carbon capture and storage processes. It is a process to manipulate the climate to reduce undesired climate change. They felt that it helps to mitigate climate change in a large scale using various forms of technologies. In their discussion they spoke about the release of sulfur particles into the stratosphere which causes the sunlight and heat to be reflected back to space. This is a method of geo-engineering that is currently being researched. Nevertheless they feel that the cost of the research and development is too high thus causing a resistance for such technology to take place.

The second roundtable discussion was about cloning. Cloning is a process of creating an organism that is an exact genetic copy of another. In their discussion they spoke about human cloning. They felt that such technology has benefits such that it creates a fertility treatment that allows parents who are both infertile to have children with at least some of their DNA or even provide genetically similar cells for medicine, tissues and organs for transplantation. Nevertheless some feel that these technology leads to ethical problems. For example they felt that cloning takes nature into our own hands. They feel that some things have to take place naturally.

Lastly the group discussed on genetic modified food. Genetic modified foods are made from plants and animals through genetic engineering. They felt that this technology will lower pesticide usage thus providing better profits for farms. In other words they feel that this would make the cost of food more economical. Nevertheless, this technology leads to several health effects such gene transfer, allergies and even diseases. More researches on genetic modified food are currently being carried out.