Writing for an Academic Discussion When you witness a wrong doing, is it your responsiblity to step in? - revised -

When you witness some wrong doing which is not directly affect you, is it your responsibility to step in or should you mind your own business and avoid conflict?

☆Let’s Think

1.       Have you ever witnessed someone doing something clearly wrong but you’re not directly affected. What did you do with it? Why?

2.       If you see an old homeless woman being made fun of by some young bullies, what would you do?

3.       In the Nazi holocaust, would you have tried to save as many Jews as possible like Osker Schindler? Why?

4.       What do you think of the ongoing genocide in Gaza? Do you think the world should intervene through actions like BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) or much stronger measures?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

1.        Silence is complicity.

2.        We do these things not to change the world, but so that the world will not change us. – Mahatma Gandhi.

3.        Intervening a wrong doing is a responsibility of those around it.

4.        There are ways to throw a helping hand when someone is in trouble.

5.        You will not only feel guilty but also lose your self-respect and confidence if you do not act when you know it’s the right thing to do.

6.        If you are a family person, you may want to stay away from troubles to prioritize the safety of your family. Acts of justice tend to lead to sacrifice of their own lives and their loved ones.

 

 

☆Sample Reply for Ideas and Expressions

I’m with Tanya. The case in point of this issue now is Gaza. As many Jewish people in Holocaust are missed, so many Palestinians should be missed. People wonder why genocide of Jews by Nazi Germany was allowed to occur, but stay silent about the very holocaust occurring live right in front of their eyes in Gaza for almost 2 years. Though it is said that the situation is complicated, actually it is simple: the genocide in Gaza is the last phase of the Israeli colonial policy that has been going on since the inception of the state of Israel. It is not self-defense but is the working remnant of imperialism from the last century. Everyone knows that the West dehumanized the rest of the world in imperialism, but the same people turned a blind eye when Israel called Palestinians “human animals” to start the mass killing disguised as “self-defense”. It is judged as genocide by International Criminal Court and the International Cour of Justice. It is officially a crime to humanity. Yet still, the world is silent. Most people are busy coming up with excuses for not being involved. Some even attack those standing with Palestinians. In this loud silence, in response to pessimistic by-standers, those few raising their voices quote, “Silence is Complicity”. As the world take no effective actions to stop it, the Israeli violence and humiliation on Gaza escalate. In other words, those who choose not to be involved facing injustice facilitate the evil, and as they do so, they are deteriorating the human race. We the people living in today’s world will bear forever the sin of facilitating the ethnic cleansing and doing nothing to reform the capitalist society benefitting from slaughtering the people in Gaza. Your grandchildren will ask you why you didn’t help Gazans when you completely knew what was happening to them and there were ways to stop it through actions like BDS Movement, and you will have no excuse. The same applies to all cases of this sort of incident. There is no line to that makes you not accountable. If you don’t stand for justice, you are a failure forever. Therefore, I agree with the opinion that it is your responsibility to step in when you witness a wrong doing. (379 words)

 

 

Pre-TOEFL Writing Is watching TV a useful or enjoyable way of spending time? - rewrite -

Writing Topic　課題

Some people think watching television is enjoyable and educational, while others think it is a complete waste of time to watch television. Do you think watching TV is a useful or enjoyable way of spending time? Use specific details and examples in your answer.　テレビを観るのは楽しいし教育的だと思う人もいれば完全に時間の無駄だと思う人もいます。テレビを観ることは有益あるいは楽しい時間の過ごし方だと思いますか？答えには具体的な詳細や例を使って下さい。

 

 

☆Let’s think　考えてみよう

1.        What are useful and enjoyable ways of spending time? What do you usually do when you have some free time and try not to waste it? Do you read, listen to music, watch a movie, work out, go for a walk, do something creative such as painting or writing poems, or enjoy spending time with your family or friends?

有益で楽しい時間の過ごし方とは何だろう？自由時間があり無駄にしたくない時、通常何をするだろうか？読書や音楽鑑賞、映画鑑賞、運動、散歩？絵を描くとか詩を書くといった創造的なこと？それとも家族や友人との団欒を楽しむ？

2.        Is watching TV as worth spending your precious time on as the activities you named above?

テレビを観ることは上であなたが挙げたような活動と同じくらいあなたの貴重な時間を費やす価値があるだろうか？

 

Note（メモ）: The statement of the writing topic has the article “a” before the expression “useful or enjoyable way of spending time”, so it means that although it is not “the” best, watching TV is as useful or enjoyable as activities that are considered good. ライティングの課題の意見は「有益あるいは楽しい時間の使い方」という表現の前に冠詞の”a”があるので、テレビを見ることは「一番よい」訳ではないが、有益あるいは楽しい活動のひとつだという意味になる。

 

 

☆Ideas and Expressions　アイディアと表現

Watching television is useful.　テレビを観ることは有益だ。

1.        Watching big events on television, especially with family or friends, is enjoyable.

特に家族や友達と一緒にテレビで大きなイベントを観るのは楽しい。

2.        TV-watching is useful for spending time with others because it is inclusive.

テレビ鑑賞は、誰でも仲間に入れるので人と時間を過ごす役に立つ。

3.        Popular TV programs or ads provide conversation pieces, which are good icebreakers.

人気のあるテレビ番組やコマーシャルは話の種になり、打ち解けるのに良い。

4.        TV shows show the norm, culture, language, or trend of the society in which they are made.

テレビのショーは製作された社会の規範や文化、言語或いは流行を示す。

5.        Some special programs such as live broadcasts of sporting events and documentaries or educational programs like foreign language programs are hardly available elsewhere.

スポーツイベントの生放送やドキュメンタリーのような特別番組や外国語番組のような教育番組は他ではめったに利用できない。

6.        One good thing about TV watching is that it allows you to learn things that you did not intend to.

テレビ鑑賞で良いことの一つは学ぼうと思っていなかったことを学ぶのを可能にするということだ。

7.        As long as you keep an eye on how you use it, TV can be an inexpensive, handy tool for fun or relaxation. In moderation, watching television is a useful and enjoyable activity for free time and poses no problem just as alcoholic drinks and gambling helps you enjoy life unless you get indulged in them too much.

使い方に気を付けている限り、テレビは楽しみやリラックスのための手ごろで手近な道具だ。あまりにも耽溺しすぎない限りお酒や賭け事が人生を楽しむ役に立つのと同様に、節度を持てばテレビ鑑賞は自由時間のための有益で楽しい活動であり何も問題ない。

 

TV watching is a waste of time.　テレビ鑑賞は時間の無駄だ。

1.        TV is addictive. It wastes away your time while you sit in front of the screen.

テレビは中毒性がある。画面の前に座っている間に時間を浪費する。

2.        It is a passive activity. You just sit and watch, while you should be doing something more important.

受動的な活動だ。より大切なことをしているべき時に座って観るだけだ。

3.        Most of the time spent watching TV is spent watching TV advertisements, most of which are aimed to make you want needless goods or follow fashion trends obsessively.　テレビの観ている間の時間のほとんどは広告を見て費やされ、そのほとんどは不要なものを買いたいと思わせたり取りつかれたように流行を追わせたりする狙いがある。

4.        TV can make you narrow-minded or brainwashed, not aware of what is really going on in the world, because it is sponsored by corporations and the government, which can manipulate the content.　テレビは企業や政府がスポンサーで内容を操作する可能性があるので、本当は世界で何が起こっているのかに気づかず近視眼的になったり洗脳されたりする。

5.        Television is not a good information source anymore. The information provided by most of the TV programs is superficial. Also, TV news is not really new as the information on the Internet is updated by the minute although it might be more trustworthy.　もはや良い情報源ではない。テレビが提供する情報は表面的だ。また、テレビのニュースは分刻みで更新されるインターネットのニュースほど新しくない。

 

 

 

☆Sample Essay Structure　構成例 

【Thesis = Outline】In moderation, watching TV is useful and enjoyable.

【Good Point 1】Watching big events on a large screen at home is enjoyable.

【Good Point 2】 TV-watching is useful for spending time with others because it is inclusive.

【Counterargument-treatment】Although most programs might be good for nothing, some are good, or educational. Also, it is true that TV is addictive and you could waste your time, but if you can control yourself, TV poses no problem just as alcohol and gambling helps you enjoy life unless you indulge yourself in them too much.

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】TV can provide a good time if used wisely.

【主張＝概略】節度を保てばテレビを見ることは有益で楽しい。

【利点 1】家で大型スクリーンで大きな催しを観るのは楽しい。

【利点 2】誰でも仲間に入れるので他人と過ごすのにテレビは役立つ。

【反論処理】ほとんどの番組は何の役にも立たないかもしれないが良い番組や教育的な番組もある。また、テレビは中毒性があり時間を無駄にするかもしれないが、丁度アルコールや賭け事が浸りすぎない限り人生を楽しむ助けとなるように、自制できれば問題ない。

【結論＝まとめ】賢く使えばテレビは良い時を提供する可能性がある。

 

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Main Idea = Outline】 （主張=概略）

【Reason 1】 （要点１）

【Reason 2】 （要点２）

【Counterargument-treatment】（反論処理）

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】（段落の結論=まとめ）

 

 

☆Sample Paragraph Development　段落展開例

Sample 1　例１

【Main Idea】 TV-watching is useful for spending time with others because it is inclusive.

【Supporting Details】You can usually share the content of TV with anyone. You can spend an evening with your family or friends watching programs intended for most people. TV is especially useful when you spend time with someone you don’t know very much about. You do not have to worry about likes and dislikes of the stranger once you have chosen a popular program such as a news program, a music show, or a sports program. You just watch it together, and then you can laugh together or find a conversation piece from the content of the program, say, the latest costume of a popular singer or a succor game result.

【Conclusion】 TV is a good medium for bonding.

【主張】テレビ鑑賞は誰でも仲間に入れるので人と時間を過ごす役に立つ。

【詳細】通常は誰とでもテレビの内容を共有できる。大半の人のための番組を家族や友達と観て夜を過ごすことができる。特にあまり知らない人と過ごす時に役立つ。ニュース番組や音楽番組或いはスポーツ番組のような人気番組を一度選んでしまえばその知らない人の好き嫌いを心配しなくてよい。ただ一緒に見てそれから一緒に笑ったり、例えば人気歌手の最新の衣装やサッカーの試合結果といった番組内容から会話の種をみつけたりすることができる。

【結論】テレビは絆作りのための良い媒体だ。

 

Sample 2　例２

【Main Idea】TV is addictive.

【Supporting Details】For many people, the act of watching TV itself is the objective. Many automatically turn on TV when they have some free time and keep it on, without selecting programs. Even when they select a program, in a few minutes, they get hypnotized and keep staring at the screen for hours without remembering the content. Conscious use can avoid such behavior but the problem is that TV makes us believe doing something productive and feel good when in fact we could be doing something more memorable such as listening to a good piece of music or talking with someone.

【Conclusion】 TV-watching is detrimental to our lives.

【主張】テレビは中毒性がある。

【詳細】多くの人にとってテレビを見ること自体が目的である。暇があると自動的にテレビをつけ番組を選ばないでつけっぱなしにする人が多い。番組を選んだ時でさえ、数分以内で催眠状態になり何時間も画面を凝視し続け内容を覚えていない。意識的な使用によってその様な行動は避けられるが、例えば良い音楽を一曲聴くとか誰かと話すという様なもっと記憶に残ることができるのにテレビは何か生産的な事をしていると信じ込ませ気分良くさせてしまうところが問題だ。

【結論】テレビ視聴は人生に有害だ。

 

Pre-TOEFL Writing Which do you prefer, studying by yourself or having a teacher? - rewrite -

Writing Topic　課題

Some people think that they can learn better by themselves than with a teacher. Others think that it is always better to have a teacher. Which do you prefer？Use specific reasons to develop your essay.

自分一人の方がよく学べると思う人もいれば、先生がいるのは常に良いことだと思う人もいる。どちらをより好みますか？具体的な理由で答を発展させなさい。

 

 

☆Let’s Think　考えてみよう

Most people use either of these approaches of learning according to the case. However, which way is better? Why?　

大抵の人は場合に合わせてこれらの学習法のどちらかを使っている。しかし、どちらがより良いのか。なぜなのか？

 

 

☆Ideas and Expressions アイディアと表現

About learning by yourself　独学について

1.      Self-study is often voluntary, so it is strongly motivated and lasts long.

独学は自発的なことが多いので動機づけが強く長続きする。

2.      Self-learning is active learning, which enhances memorization. 自学自習は能動的な学習で、記憶を高める。

3.      Through trial and error, you gain thinking ability and deep knowledge.

試行錯誤を通して思考力と深い知識が得られる。

4.      Studying requires time to think alone. Not being tolled to do this and that while thinking helps you concentrate.　

勉強には一人で考える時間が必要だ。考えている最中にあれこれ言われない方が集中できる。

5.      There is no restrictions of time and place if you learn alone.　 一人で学習すると時間と場所の制約がない。

6.      Without direct instruction, you won’t notice your mistakes.　直接指導してくれる人がいないと間違いに気づかない。

 

 

About having a teacher　先生がいることについて

1.        You can learn efficiently. You can learn much in a short time because teachers’ advice help you learn good ways to study and priorities.

効率よく学べる。先生のアドバイスにより、良い勉強法や優先事項を知ることができるので短期間で多くを学習できる。

2.        By the mentoring of your teacher, you become less lazy, develop study habits, and learn the joy of learning.　先生の導きによって、怠けることが少なくなったり、学習習慣が身についたり、勉強の楽しさを教えてもらえたりする。

3.        Teachers will tell you what is interesting about the subject and knowledge that is not in textbooks.

科目の面白いところや教科書に載っていない知識を教えてもらえる。

4.        Most lessons have teachers and coaches. I think this is because it has been proved that they play important roles in learning. 大抵の習い事には先生やコーチがいる。それは、彼らが学習に重要な役割を果たすことが証明されているからだと思う。

5.        People learn effectively just when someone is present by their side. 人間は人が側にいるだけで学習効果が上がる。

6.        It is difficult to be independent and proactive if you keep relying on your teacher.

先生に頼り続けると自立し自発的になるのが困難だ。

 

 

☆Sample Essay Structure構成例

Structure A

【Thesis = Outline】主張＝概要

【Good Points of Studying by Yourself】独学の利点

【Good Points of Having a Teacher】先生がいる利点

【Your Choice】自分の選択

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】結論＝まとめ

 

Structure B

【Thesis = Outline】主張＝概要

【Good Point 1】利点１

【Good Point 2】利点２

【Counterargument-treatment】反論処理

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】結論＝まとめ

 

注: Structure Bの「反論処理」では、欠点が気にならない理由や選ばなかった選択肢の利点がなくてもかまわない理由を述べます。TOEFL iBT のWriting Testではこの論証が重要になります。

 

 

☆Sample Paragraph Development　段落展開例　

【Main Idea】People learn effectively when someone is present by their side, if the person is a teacher, the effect is multiplied.

【Supporting Details】You watch and restrain yourself when someone is around. If you have a teacher when you study, you naturally try not to get distracted and focus on the study materials. You will also feel less anxious because you know that you can get help anytime. In addition, conversation with the teacher activates your brain. Moreover, if the teacher is nice and good, you will get motivated even more, keep studying, and get better results in shorter time. For example, my science grades jumped up when I liked the teaching style of my science teacher. My mother has never missed workout and has dramatically gotten healthy since she got a new teacher at her yoga school.

【Wrap-up】Teachers assist your studies as your company with technical skills.

【主張】人間は人が側にいると学習効果が上がる。もしその人が先生なら、その効果は何倍にもなる。

【詳細】誰かがいると自分で自分を監視し自制する。勉強中に先生がいれば、自然と気が散らないようにし、学習教材に集中しようとする。加えて、先生との会話で脳が活性化される。更に、先生が良い人で優秀なら更にやる気が出て勉強が長続きし、早く良い結果が出る。例えば、自分の理科の先生の指導方法が気に入ってから私の理科の成績は急に上がったし、母はヨガ教室の先生が新しくなってから一度も運動を怠けず劇的に健康になった。

【まとめ】 先生は専門技術のある仲間として勉強を補佐する。