Letters to the editor

Hello LINC 8 Students,

Here's the link to a letter to the editor in the Vancouver Sun about the US election.

And here's a letter to the editor about the recent Vancouver School Board trustee firings.


Sample letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

I’m writing to express my concern that hours may be cut at our branch libraries. As a cost-cutting measure, the City is recommending that the library close all branches on Mondays. [IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM]

I am a staff member at the Washington Branch, and I work weekday afternoons. Each day, as school closes, dozens of students file into the library to do homework, use the library’s 13 computers, or socialize in a safe place. Many of these children would otherwise go home to empty houses, and the library is the one place that provides a secure, supervised alternative to being home alone.    [REASONS TO NOT CUT HOURS]

Our library has put several after-school programs in place to give students who are not doing homework something constructive to do; and other library customers have told us that they are surprised and delighted that the young people are so well-behaved. Teachers have called to say that some of their struggling students’ work has improved since spending afternoons at the library. Parents have told us they are grateful for the library’s welcome to their children. Closing on Mondays will be a major disruption for these children, and I’m certain there are other ways to save money without risking their safety and the productive use of their afternoons.   [ARGUMENTS FOR STAYING OPEN     &     OFFERING ALTERNATIVES]

I urge your readers to contact their City Council representatives and urge them to vote to keep libraries open! Contact information is on the library’s website. [RESTATE MY PURPOSE]

Sincerely,
Your name and city

To the Editor,

Your recent article, “Sex Encouraged with Comprehensive Education,” questioned the effect of comprehensive sex education on sexual activity. Many people worry that giving youth accurate information about sexual health will encourage them to have sex, but this isn’t so.

Studies have proven that those of us who receive comprehensive sex education are more likely to delay sexual activity and to use contraceptives when we do become sexually active. Even the Surgeon General has declared that it is “imperative and clear that youth need accurate information about contraceptives.” Yet, the current administration chooses ideology over science and spends millions of dollars on ineffective and inaccurate abstinence-only programs. 

The Responsible Education about Life (REAL) Act would provide states with funding to implement school-based sex education that includes information about both abstinence and also contraception. It is imperative that we urge Congress to support the REAL Act. 

Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(City, US State)

Dear Editor:

Your article on the challenges of schizophrenia. published on August 30, states it perfectly. Canada is the only G8 country without a national strategy for mental illness. Considering the fact that 20 per cent of Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, it is critical that our country establish a national body to oversee mental health and illness issues.

Millions of Canadians who are directly and indirectly impacted by mental illness have waited long enough. There is a significant and immediate need for a national mental health commission to begin making improvements to our mental illness system.

It is time for the government to act on this issue.

(Name)

(City, Province)

Sample letter from The Denver Post:

Re: “Proposed Colorado marijuana edibles ban shows lingering pot discord”

It seems hard to believe that many forms of edible marijuana are made to look like candy and treats that children often eat, yet the public is supposed to believe that the marijuana industry isn’t marketing to the youth. 

It has been reported that nine children have been treated at local hospitals after ingesting marijuana edibles. Further, one college student jumped off of a balcony after eating a cookie that contained marijuana. Now, parents are being warned more than ever before to check their children’s Halloween candy, suggesting that if they see anything that looks unfamiliar or strange, it could be a form of edible marijuana and should be thrown out. 

For these reasons and for the health and safety of all youth in Colorado, banning edible marijuana seems like the clear choice.

MC, Lakewood, CO

Methods of Note-taking

Hi LINC 8 Afternoon Students,

Here's the link to the video we watched on different note-taking methods. It's very fast but useful, I think!

And here's the link to the documentary on the Oka Crisis. I played you the section from about 48 - 53 minutes into the video.

Help with your Writing

Hello Everyone,

Here's a message from the Coordinator at the VCC Learning Centre:

As we are now midway through the term, I thought I’d send a quick reminder of our WriteAway service at http://writeaway.bceln.ca/. 

The WriteAway online service this term is open until Dec 7^th. 

You are invited to use WriteAway to receive free feedback, strategies and resources to help improve your writing. 

Please go to the Learning Centre webpage to learn more and create an account.

Thank you,

Francesco

Learning Centre Coordinator



If you have any questions, please let me know. 

Compare and Contrast

Hi Everyone,

Here's an example of a compare and contrast paragraph. Note that the compare and contrast words are in bold:


Two Teachers

Students who have Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones are immediately aware of the

difference in the lecturing manner of each teacher. First, Mr. Jones has a pleasant

voice, which helps hold the interest of the students. Mr. Smith, however, has a

booming voice, which commands rather than teaches. Mr. Jones pronounces

clearly in a rhythmic pattern emphasizing key words. On the other hand, Mr.

Smith mumbles, running his words together. The moderate tone and inflected

words of Mr. Jones make his lectures more interesting than those of Mr. Smith,

who speaks in a boring monotone. Mr. Jones also adds humour to the subject,

whereas Mr. Smith is always serious about each lesson. Mr. Jones welcomes

questions from students who don’t understand the material, as compared to Mr.

Smith, who hates to be interrupted. Mr. Jones takes his time and explains slowly,

while Mr. Smith rushes through each lesson. Mr. Jones is very enthusiastic

about his subject; he tries to make sure everyone understands a concept before

he moves on to something new. In contrast, Mr. Smith is always in a determined

mood; he feels that he must cover everything. Each teacher has a different voice,

tone, pronunciation, expression, and attitude - and as a result, their lectures are

quite different.



Here's an example of a longer composition (essay):

Some Crucial Differences between Men and Women in Relationships

(adapted from an eHarmony.com article by Dr. Seth Meyers!)

As a counsellor, I’ve noticed some key differences between men and women in terms of their primary relationship (such as marriage). The two genders have the same basic needs – to be noticed, to be loved, and to have a purpose in the relationship – yet they go about getting those needs met in very different ways. [main idea statement]

First, while men and women have the same need to be noticed, they get that need met very differently. For example, when most men have a bad day, they need their girlfriend to notice they’re upset. The guy usually utters a few quick words about his bad day, and then he prefers to move on as opposed to processing his feelings further. On the other hand, most women tend to be more verbal and emotionally expressive than men. When most women have a bad day, they often want to come home and talk about it in detail with their boyfriend.

Second, men and women have the same basic need to be loved and cared for, even though men and women often show their love differently. For example, many men won’t talk openly about the range of their loving feelings for their girlfriend, telling themselves: “She knows.” In contrast, many women I’ve counseled over the years share their loving feelings openly. Women in relationships often wish they got a little more expressiveness in the emotion department from their male partners, but it seems men like to show love through actions – not words. A guy tells himself that showing love means taking his girlfriend on a trip, getting her a special gift, or taking her to a nice dinner.

Finally, men and women often differ in the roles they take on in their relationships. Historically, men have identified more as financial providers and occasional home repairmen, as coaches for their kids’ sports teams, and so forth whereas women often manage things at home, offer more emotional nurturance, and take on a role as the family planner by managing bills, planning events, and organizing the couple’s or family’s social life. Times have changed, yet it is critical for all men and women in relationships to understand their own unique purpose in the relationship, as well as to acknowledge the unique roles and purpose of their respective partners.

Ultimately, men and women have more similarities than differences, which is why many relationships are happy ones which last for years. The more aware men and women can become of what makes each gender unique, the better male-female relationships will be in the future. In other words, there’s still hope!

Words: 450

Thanksgiving

Hello Everyone,

Here's a great overview of Thanksgiving from engVid.

And here's a good short comparison of American vs. Canadian Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Doug

Media Literacy - Excessive Internet Use

Hi Everyone,

Please go to this website and read the two web pages called "Excessive Internet Use - Overview" and "Responding to Excessive Use."

Take some notes on the content of each page and bring it to class Thursday, prepared to discuss this problem and possible solutions.

Consider the following questions:

What types of addiction happen when we use the internet?

Who spends more time on-line - adults or children?

Should children have their own (private) internet-connected computer?

What kind of games are particularly addictive? Why?

Are there any positive benefits for teens who play certain games?

How do doctors and psychologists define "behaviourial addiction"?

How to Live to be 100

Hello LINC 8 Afternoon Students,

Here's the link to the TED Talks video on "How to Live to be 100."

Watch it again and live to be one hundred years old! :)