EXPRESS YOUR PERSPECTIVE!

 

WRITE YOUR POSITION PAPER FOLLOWING THESE STEPS. POST YOUR POSITION PAPER ON THE COMMENT SECTION. 

1. Choose a Topic: Select a specific and relevant topic. It should be something you are interested in and is currently debated or discussed.

2. Understand the Issue: Research the topic thoroughly. Understand the key arguments, perspectives, and relevant facts surrounding the issue.

3. Define Your Position: Clearly state your position on the issue. Make sure your position is specific and debatable.

4. Craft a Strong Thesis Statement: Develop a concise and clear thesis statement that encapsulates your main argument. This should be placed in the introduction.

5. Provide Context: Give a brief background on the issue to provide context for readers who may not be familiar with the topic.

6. Outline Your Argument: Organize your thoughts logically. Create an outline that includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

7. Support Your Position: In the body paragraphs, present evidence, examples, and logical reasoning to support your position. Use reputable sources and cite them properly.

8. Address Counterarguments: Acknowledge opposing viewpoints and counterarguments. Refute them with strong evidence and reasoning. This shows a comprehensive understanding of the issue.

9. Maintain a Formal Tone: Use a formal and academic tone throughout the paper. Avoid emotional language and focus on presenting a rational argument.

10. Cite Your Sources: Properly cite all the sources you use. Follow a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA) as per your instructor's guidelines.

11. Be Concise: Keep your writing clear and concise. Avoid unnecessary words and ensure that each sentence contributes to your overall argument.

12. Create a Strong Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis in the conclusion. End with a strong statement that leaves a lasting impression.

Negative Effects of Social Media

 Position Paper on Social Media

By: Emmanuel Tan

Social media, once hailed as a revolutionary tool for global connectivity, has ushered in a myriad of negative consequences that warrant serious consideration. The ubiquity of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram has given rise to an array of detrimental effects on individuals and society at large. From the erosion of mental health to the dissemination of misinformation, the drawbacks of unchecked social media use demand immediate attention and concerted efforts to address these issues.

One of the most pronounced negative effects of social media is its impact on mental health. Countless studies have illuminated the correlation between extensive social media engagement and heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy. The curated nature of the content, coupled with the incessant pursuit of likes and validation, fosters an environment where users constantly compare themselves to others, leading to a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction. The addictive nature of these platforms exacerbates the problem, as users find themselves compelled to scroll through an endless stream of content, further deepening the psychological toll.

Beyond individual well-being, social media has spurred societal challenges. The rapid dissemination of misinformation and the formation of echo chambers contribute to the polarization of opinions and a fractured public discourse. The ease with which false narratives can spread unchecked poses a threat to democratic processes and societal cohesion. Additionally, social media's impact on interpersonal relationships is multifaceted, ranging from fostering superficial connections to enabling cyberbullying. The erosion of face-to-face interactions and the rise of online harassment underscore the need for a nuanced examination of social media's role in shaping our social fabric. In light of these negative consequences, a comprehensive approach that involves both individual responsibility and regulatory measures is essential to mitigate the adverse effects of social media on mental health, societal dynamics, and cultural well-being.

1.  Imagine a scenario where an individual, immersed in social media, experiences heightened anxiety and feelings of inadequacy due to constant comparison with others. How might this situation unfold, and what potential consequences could arise from the addictive nature of social media platforms?
2. In a hypothetical situation, a false narrative gains rapid traction on social media, leading to the polarization of public opinions and a fractured discourse. How might this situation escalate, and what challenges could it pose to democratic processes and societal cohesion?
3. Consider a scenario where a teenager faces cyberbullying through social media platforms. How might this situation impact the individual's well-being and interpersonal relationships? What measures could be taken to address and prevent such instances?
4. As ABM, Imagine a community where face-to-face interactions have significantly diminished due to the prevalence of social media. How might this impact the cultural fabric of the community, and what steps could be taken to encourage more meaningful offline interactions while still leveraging the benefits of digital connectivity?

 

 

 

IRONY OF SCHOOL AND LIFE: A POINT OF PONDER By: Tan, Emmanuel B.

IRONY OF SCHOOL AND LIFE: A POINT OF PONDER

By: Tan, Emmanuel B.

circa2013 – Winning Essay 

"In school, it does not tally if it is not right. In life, it does not tally if it is not wrong"

In school, you are taught lessons first. Afterwards, you are given exams, quizzes and various types of challenges about those lessons. Then, those exams, quizzes and the like get corrected by your instructors. As they get scored, only your correct answers get counted. If you screw up with your answers—meaning you committed more errors than you should—you either get a low score or you fail.

In life, you are given a challenge in order to learn a lesson. However, there are no professors, textbooks, dictionaries and other reference materials that will tell you what to do. You have to figure things out by yourself in order to really learn. You may seek help from others, but if you don’t help yourself, you’ll never move forward.

Therefore, if you fail or do badly in school, it is not the end yet. Some teachers are kind enough to give you make-up exams in case you did not make it to the passing grade. Sometimes, if you still don’t make it to the “tres” or "75" in a certain subject, you still have the option to retake that subject in the next semester and make things better.

In real life, however, you cannot turn back the hands of time. Once spoken, the words you have said cannot be taken back. There is no CTRL+Z to undo actions that have been done. Every action you do has its lifetime consequences, so you have to be careful at all costs.

In school, you can control your speed if you want to. You can press your fast-forward button and accelerate if you are smart enough. If you wish to pause for a while to either take a break or go on a leave, it can work, too. Just present an excuse letter and a valid reason. If you wish to stop for whatever reason, the choice is yours.

Real life, on the other hand, does not present such options. You must go with the flow. If you don’t do so, you will be facing consequence after consequence.

In school, you are graded and rated according to your performance as a student. How well you perform in your studies usually reflects the grades that you receive, and vice-versa. To most people, the higher your grade is, the smarter you are (though grades don’t always define intelligence). Nevertheless, you are graded as a student, but not as a person.

In real life, there are no grading systems. There are no numbers that define who you are. Real life does not give you grades or a transcript of records. Instead, it teaches you the most important lessons you need to learn. In real life, he or she who never encountered failure is a total failure him/herself. Ironic? But why? It is because he or she failed to fail. See? Nobody’s perfect.

A “FAIL” in school and a “FAIL” in real life are two different things. One ought to know the difference.

NATURE AND INQUIRY OF RESEARCH

 

1. MODULE 1: NATURE AND INQUIRY OF RESEARCH

AT THE OF THIS MODULE, YOU CAN:

1. Describe the characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and kinds of quantitative research. 

2. Illustrate the importance of quantitative research across fields. 

3. Differentiate the kinds of variables and their uses. 

RESEARCH DEFINED

        Innovations and breakthrough that you come to know and enjoy are products of research . Etymologically, research comes from the middle French word researche, which means ''the act of searching closely.'' 

   Additionally, the ''research'' is a combination of the prefix

re-, which means ''again,'' and the word ''search'', which  means ''to look for.'' To summarize, research is the process of looking for information once again. Its main objective is to answer questions and acquire new information, whether to solve a problem or to shed light on confusing facts.

REFLECT UPON 1 : 

What ideas of information are vague and questionable to you? How do you find answers to these questions? 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

          

            RESEARCH when you become curious and doubtful about existing phenomena, you gear toward the discovery of better knowledge. You read books, search the Internet, or ask questions. Then you put all these pieces of information together to clarify your idea or add new ones. This process of doing research is informal, because it does not strictly follow procedures and it relies more on casual observation and opinions.

More so, the results of this research process become more susceptible to skepticism even though the research generated answers to questions. For research to be more accurate and beneficial, science is embedded in its process. 

         SCIENCE is conceptualized as a procedural and systematic approach in gaining new knowledge by making thorough observations and using controlled and precise methods. So knowledge gained from science is not bas on subjective or personal views; it rather comes from objective or tangible pieces of evidence which come from a meticulously designed research study. In this regard, a research done scientifically is more accurate, reliable, and valid.

                          Research is a process of gathering data to prove a claim, test existing hypotheses, and find answers and solutions on pressing problems at hand. It generates knowledge that aims to describe, explain, and predict events.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD IN RESEARCH 

            The process of conducting research scientifically involves a systematic collection and investigation of data through the scientific method. It provides a set of clear and settled guidelines for collecting, assessing, and detailing data in the context of a research study. 

       Knowledge that came from research employs scientific method is characterized by the following elements: 

1. EMPIRICAL APPROACH : Knowledge is gained through direct observation and experimentation. Only those data derived from scientific procedures are considered factual. Thereby, you ignore your preconceived notion about the construct understudy. You also disregard your feelings and opinions about it. 

2. OBSERVATION : Your awareness of your environment constitutes your ideas. But if you rely on your awareness alone, it results in information bias, decreasing the validity of your findings. To increase the veracity of the information you gained from observation, you have to measure it carefully using an appropriate instrument. For example, if you want to find out how far A is from B, you do not rely on your estimate of distance that merely come from your vision. Instead, you should use measuring instrument to measure the distance between two cars to yield precise data. 

  In conducting research, scientific procedures must be applied to obtain reliable and accurate information.

3. QUESTION:

Knowledge comes from inquiries that are answerable. Questions must be answered through scientific investigation and must generate tangible proof. A question is unanswerable when it is deemed impossible for realistic exploration, no matter how intriguing it may be. The following is an example : ''What is the butterfly's level of well-being as it eats nectar from flower?'' 

Despite the fact that it can really result in a breakthrough, the preceding inquiry is unfeasible to be studied given the present state of science. Therefore, a question that yields knowledgeable information must have an obtainable answer based on the current scientific procedures available. Consider the following question: ''Is there an increase in test scores among students when they attended a tutorial class?''  the foregoing inquiry could definitely be investigated using available scientific methods because it is realistically measurable and concrete pieces of evidence are produced. 

HYPOTHESES: 

An educated guess, or hypothesis, is an attempt to explain a phenomena. Once formulated, it should help you formulate prediction. Therefore, it must be testable for analysis and interpretation. For example : ''There is significant increase of voters when registration is duly advertised.'' 

This hypothesis can be tried through experiment. Any result that comes from it guarantees scientific foundation. 

EXPERIMENTS: 

The given hypothesis should assure testability in a crafted condition for the accuracy and reliability of results. 

The process of experimentation itself is a proof of scientific procedures. And so, the findings are considered truthful. 

6. ANALYSES: 

            For findings to be reliable, the data gathered are subjected for analysis through statistical methods. The statistical treatment to be employed depends on the design of the study, type of data, and given questions. 

             You have to use statistics because it presents numerical evidence of the degree in which the results are considered valid and reliable. Also,, it minimizes the chance of having a faulty conclusion about the object of investigation. 

7. CONCLUSION:

          The process of making inferences involves concrete data to rule out opinions. Usually, a conclusion must be objective and supported by meticulous analysis of data. You should avoid adding more to what is literally available. For example, if the results of the study proved that the students' scores increased after exposure to tutorial classes, you should only concentrate on this given set of data in making your inferences. 

        It is not visible to relate other classes that the students attend that might help increase their scores. In doing so, the present data will be contaminated with your subjective analysis, thereby weakening the scientific procedures employed. 

8. REPLICATION 

             This means doing the same study once again to a different set of participants to test the soundness of the obtained result. The importance and prevalence of replication research varies greatly on the discipline and research area. Conducting the study for the several times will pave the way for additional and essential purposes: 

a. Establishing of reliability of findings : This previous data that were proven will have a stronger belief factor. 

b. Discovery of new knowledge : Most often, replication generates additional information or brand new data that will improve your knowledge acquisition and enlighten your confusion, if any.

c. Ascertainment of the generalizability of results: This means that the results of the study can be applied to other groups of participants and, therefore, don not only limit to the original samples. 

GOALS OF RESEARCH 

        When you follow the scientific method in conducting research, you offer an explanation or clarification to the phenomena in question with greater reliability and validity. Every field of study relies so much on this process to introduce advancement, novelty, and progress. Research, therefore, serves as the pillar of global transformation. The following comprises the goals of research: 

1. DESCRIPTION - This refers to the way in which the phenomena being studied is defined, classified, and categorized. The goal of describing is to provide essential information. 

2. PREDICTION - It entails stating the possible consequences of present events events based on existing knowledge of something else. The purpose of prediction is to control one's action and behavior through careful planning derived from a given set of information.

3. UNDERSTANDING/EXPLANATION- This is the process of analyzing information to find out the causes behind phenomena. To understand and explain data, a relationship between events must already be established; one should cause the effect to the other; and other explanations of casualty between them must be ruled out. 

BRIDGING THE GAP Henry F. Funtecha, Ph.D. The Filipino language as spirit of national identity

 Today, there is no denying the necessity of learning how to speak and write in the English language, especially that it has become the language of globalization. The Philippine government itself has made pronouncements with regards to the importance of being good speakers of English in order for the Filipinos to be globally competitive. This is done by the continuous use of English as the medium of instruction in schools and by making it as the preferred language of communication.

So, the question is, "Is there still a need for the Filipinos to develop a national language?" It must be recalled that the Philippines started to work for the promotion of Tagalog or, later, Filipino as the country's national language as early as the 1930s during the Commonwealth period. Yet, up to now, the people cannot even agree on what the Filipino language really is. Worst, is that there are Philippine ethnic groups that oppose the use of Filipino even in the singing of the Philippine national anthem. While other countries that started late in developing a national language already speak that singular language, the Filipinos could not even decide yet what to do. Indonesia, the largest archipelago in the world, with about a thousand languages, can now claim to have Bahasa, its national language. Same thing with Malaysia. The rest of the countries in Asia have already their own national languages.

Language is always tied up to one's culture and, of course, his identity. However, the Filipinos cannot even speak anymore of cultural identity, with some social scientists even talking of a "damaged culture". As a people, the Filipinos have extensively adapted and substantially adopted the Western culture. Racially speaking, their features do not differ from the rest of the Southeast Asians such as the Myanmarese, Kampucheans, Vietnamese, Malaysians and Indonesians. Maybe, in todays world and in the future, it is only language that may make the Filipinos distinct from their neighboring Southeast Asians. Even if English is becoming to be the world's dominant language, it is still necessary for the Filipinos to speak their national language or their regional language. After all, it is the only language that can really, in essence, capture the feelings and sentiments of the people, and can represent their true spirit as Filipinos. Also, language can help promote unity within the country and develop a sense of belongingness. Chinese and Japanese display their strength and unity through speaking their own national language and they are more progressive compared to the Filipinos.

It is admitted that by knowing English, thousands of Filipinos have found jobs abroad. But, most of these works subject Filipinos to servitude to foreigners as domestic helpers, care-givers and nurses. Is this the Philippines' idea of competitiveness? True competition is when the Filipinos become capitalists, entrepreneurs, traders, school owners, building contractors, and exporters of Philippine goods in other countries.

The Philippines' national hero, Jose Rizal, expressed the utmostimportance of loving one's country through loving one's language, among others. He wrote in Filipino: "Ang di marunong magmahal sa sariling wika, ay mas masahol pa sa malansang isda." He said that it is difficult to consider one as a nationalist if he was ashamed of his own language. This is an important matter for one who does not give value to his native language, whether national or regional, to be aware of. It is sad to note that, in today's times, there are many Filipinos who admire their countrymen who are very good in speaking the English language but consider those not good in English as not as intelligent or not as knowledgeable as the others.

Yes, it is important for the Filipinos to be able to communicate very well in English. But, every one who thinks of himself as Filipino has also the responsibility to love the country of his birth and, naturally, his own language. It is only in their language that the Filipinos are able to distinguish themselves from other peoples of Asia, especially now that it is already possible to change the color of the skin and the shape and features of the face. In a sense, it is only the language that seem to be the remaining link to the Filipino spirit and his potential towards a lasting national identity.

CLASSICAL VS. POPULAR MUSIC by James Manheim

Do you like classical music?” It may be that you’re a little embarrassed by the question.”Yes,” some people answer, “but I don’t know anything about music.” Well, if you’ve encountered a piece of classical music that you loved, then you know more than you think you do. Classical music is everywhere around us—in movies, in television commercials, in schools, in the memories of our parents and grandparents. Anywhere that has caught your attention is a good place to start.

Whether you sit down to master classical harmony or rock guitar, you’ll study chords and how they fit together either way. If you learn to play an instrument, you’ll most likely learn both classical and popular selections—and you’ll find that musicians don’t tend to worry much about categories. Classical music and popular music, both part of the cultural frame of reference of most Americans and Europeans, share many aspects of musical language. Yet there are some prominent differences as well. Coming to classical music from popular music is less of a leap than you might think, but there are a few ways in which you have to retune your ears.

One important difference comes in regard to duration. Popular songs are usually brief; most of them are under five minutes long. Classical compositions, on the other hand, range from 20-second pieces to works that last several hours. The average symphonic concert work lasts perhaps half an hour, and this requires a change of perspective for those accustomed to listening to popular songs. How does a composer make such a large piece of music hang together? It’s a question worth asking of any piece of music, but for classical compositions, it’s one of critical importance.

Another difference is that popular music is mostly vocal music. Be it rock, country, r&b, or pop, ballads, or dance music, there is usually a singer and a text that carries a major share of a composition’s meaning. But vocal music is only a province, and not even the most extended province, of classical music. Even in the realms of opera and art song, the music is the message.

Though classical music is very much a living tradition today, it also has a thousand-year history of having been preserved for posterity by musical notation. Popular music, sometimes notated but often including spontaneous elements, has a deep history of its own, of course. Yet our knowledge of music that was never written down is limited to a period beginning just over a century ago, when the first recordings were made. Notation allows, if not greater complexity, at least a greater degree of control over musical events on the part of a composer external to a given performance of a piece. Whereas a pop recording, very broadly speaking, depends on an interaction between performer and song, classical music rests on a triad: composer, work, and performer.

And generally speaking, the dynamic range, the difference in volume between the loudest and the softest moments, is greater in classical music than in pop. Some pieces are very loud, some are very soft, and some vary widely within a single piece, sometimes so extreme as to have made it nearly impossible to capture the full range in recordings before the arrival of digital techniques. The distinction here is not a hard and fast one, but it’s no accident that the salesperson at a high-end stereo shop will bring out a classical CD to demonstrate what a fine pair of speakers can do.

A. PROCESSING QUESTIONS: 

1. Based on the article, what is classical music?

2. Based on the article, what is popular music?

3. How is classical music different from popular music? 

4. What are the characteristics of classical music that make it distinct among either genres? What about popular music?

5. Did your musical preference change after reading the article? Why? Why not? 

6. If there is essential information that you would like to add to the article, what would it be? Why? 

B. Complete the category below based on the article about classical and popular music. 

ATTRIBUTES: 

1.

2. 

3. 

CLASSICAL MUSIC

1.

2. 

3. 

POPULAR MUSIC

1. 

2. 

3. 

Green Holiday Tips Greenpeace Philippines December 20, 2013

Green Holiday Tips

A feature from Greenpeace Philippines 
Published on December 20, 2012

The holidays are a time for family and celebration and these festivities also negatively impact the environment. From the millions decorations that must be disposed of, to the tons of gift wrappers and increase in energy usage to keep the colored lights blinking and dancing, the holidays cause a lot of damage. But hey! Small changes can make a huge difference.

So here are some simple ways for you to cut waste, conserve energy and otherwise be green during this holiday season. Many of the ideas can be used year-round!

Why spend more on new Holiday knick-knacks when you can make your own out of recycled materials?

You’ll be surprised at what you can make out of unwanted items hidden away in your household. Try making hanging lanterns using old jars and wire, hand cut paper snowflakes out of newspaper, or even Christmas Tree ornaments with the ribbons and cards from last year’s gifts. This is a great way to test your creativity and celebrate an eco-friendly Yuletide season.

Is the Yuletide season still a time for giving, or has it become a time for spending?

The consumerist aspect of the holidays is getting in the way of the things that truly make this season special. This year, why not offer service instead? Volunteer to do relief work, or write up personalized coupons—redeemable favors such as doing the dishes or walking the dog—for your loved ones.

It’s easy to be bedazzled by the blinking and dancing Christmas lights that we see, forgetting that this means additional energy use.

Using energy efficient Christmas lights hits two goals in one step: cutting down on energy use and savings on energy costs. One good way to do this is to use LED (light emitting diode) Christmas lights. They may be a little more expensive than incandescent lights but they definitely consume less energy. Plus, they last longer too. That means you get to keep your Christmas lights for more Christmas seasons, giving you more savings in the long run. You also reduce the amount of waste to be disposed, another step in being more environment-friendly.

There are additional ways to reduce energy consumption during Christmas season. You can combine your Christmas lights with the following to reduce energy consumption. Timers control how long your lights are on and turn them off when you are not home. Extension cords instead of using light strings to add length to your display, utilize extension cords in less visible areas.

If you cannot help it and you think that buying someone a gift is a sure way to express your appreciation for someone (instead of offering acts of kindness, Green Holiday Tip #2), then opt for eco-friendly gifts.

Whether it’s a journal with hand-made paper for your friend, a hand-woven skirt by Ifugao mothers for your sister, or a folding bike for your brother, keep in mind that there are many ways to show both kindness and appreciation for your loved ones and love for the environment.

Better yet, avoid the malls when doing your Christmas shopping. Instead opt for bazaars, trade fairs, and weekend markets that offer the best local products that consider the environment, fair trade, and local artists and craftsmen in the production. Many of them also pledge to donate part of their profits to reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts for our brothers and sisters affected by Typhoon Yolanda.

You wouldn’t want to get your loved ones clothes that have hazardous chemicals on them.

You want to give them garments they can proudly wear, brought to us by companies that care about the environment as much as their brand’s names. We’re talking about the Detox #Leaders – companies spearheading the path to a toxic-free future.

Use your power as a consumer by supporting brands that are honest and are truly working to eliminate all releases of hazardous chemicals into our water.

Use Guide to Greener Electronics to ask questions about the environmental impact of electronic products.

With the Christmas bonus in your hands, you can always think of a thousand ways to justify the need for a new gadget. You don’t need to be a techie to know which electronic products are “green.” You just need to check out the Greenpeace.

Remember however, that the most sustainable devices are the ones you don’t actually buy! Work to extend the life of your existing electronic gadgets and only purchase what you truly need.

FACT: It takes 1.3 kg of coal to produce 1 kg of wrapping paper, and the manufacturing process emits 3.5 kg of CO2 — and that excludes the carbon footprint of packaging and then transporting the wrapping paper around the country.

We encourage you to use reusable and/or personalized gift-wraps instead. Rather than buying new gift boxes, why not encase your goodies in used cans or cylinders you painted yourself? You can even wrap your present in a scarf or handkerchief; this way, the wrapper itself can be part of your gift.

The Christmas holidays are one of those long holidays that travelers look forward to every year. But do you know that traveling adds to your carbon footprint especially when you ride a plane, use disposable utensils for eating, and stay at posh resorts?

It’s exactly a week before Christmas! Have you done your shopping for Noche Buena? If not, here’s something to consider: Why not do your shopping at the nearest organic market and try to come up with a Noche Buena feast made from organic and GMO-free food?You can also ask your friends to do the same and have a challenge on who can come up with the most number of healthy ingredients on their Noche Buena table. Remember, you can have a healthy and environment-friendly Noche Buena for your friends and family.

Lastly, Impress your friends and family this year with a low-cost, creative, green holiday bash. Here are some suggestions on how you can upgrade your traditional gathering into an Earth-friendly one: Use electronic invitations to get the word out. Set the ambiance with personalized decors out of recycled materials (get creative!), and energy-efficient LED fairy lights. Start the party early to make use of natural light. Serve organic dishes made from fresh food bought from the local market. Food from the markets generally has less packaging than supermarket foods and has not traveled as far. Use reusable dinnerware instead of disposables as much as possible. Place clearly marked recycling and non-recycling bins out for your guests.

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. What is the purpose of the author?

2. How does the celebration of holidays affect the environment? Cite specific examples?

3. According to the article, what are some ways to celebrate holidays without causing damage to the environment?

4. Name three tips from the article that you think are most effective. Defend your answer. 

5. Among the tips/suggestions given, which do you think is the least effective? Why? 

6. As a student, what other specific measures can you take to protect the environment from further destruction?

7. Is the article well-written? Why do you say so?

8. Are the facts reliable? Defend your answer. 

9. Are the ideas logically presented? Cite textual evidence.