Participation journal

GROUP MEMBER: GARY YANG 2184292

ERIC WEI 2182939

JIM WANG 2292172

IAN CHEN 2262099

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Table of contents

1. Cover page………………………………………………………………1

2. Table of contents…………………………………………………………2

3. Gary’s journal…………………………………………………………3-9

4. Eric’s journal…………………………………………………………9-15

5. Jim Wang’s journal…………………………………………………15-20

6. Ian Chen’s journal……………………………………………………21-28

7. References list……………………………………………………………29

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Gary YANG 2184292

Week 1

After a group discussion, I think academic culture presumes receiving high education in

university. It does have a great number of advantages, like establishing confidence,

training critical thinking and improving study skills. By the way, the most significant

point is team work. Study as a group can not only solving any problem quickly, but also

strengthen communication potentially. Academic culture study in Australia fulfilling me

through realizing my individual value in both living and study here. It is a method to

collect useful information through internet, newspaper or books. Doing enough research

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could help students understanding the issue clearly, which is the essential preparation

for solving problems. I would absorb huge quantity of knowledge during this step. I am

convinced that I can solve any question or writing a good report after investigation.

Writing reports represents combine the information we researched with knowledge

from the book to make a conclusion. It reflects the understanding level of a topic, which

helps students check the knowledge they learned. Otherwise, I do not have to do many

researches again or read the whole book if I need to review it after several months.

Week 2

I can find a research topic through the internet or questionnaire. However, our group

members hold the opinion that we usually get a topic given by our teacher directly. As

far as I concern, a research topic comes from our daily life, such as our school work and

what I am interested in. It means to fix up some questions I met or learn new knowledge

I did not know before. For the most of times, I felt confused while I got a topic I do not

understand. I need pay more attention on researching information and discussing in the

group. I consider that discussing problems in a group can help me understand a

research topic quickly. Critical thinking is the most I need, which provides by team

discussion. However, it is possible that cutting the point after a long talk or

misunderstanding the topic at the beginning. It is a little bit tricky if we search on the

website like Wikipedia. It is significant that reading related books or newspapers in the

library. I think understand the key points and paraphrase it into our words is better

than copy it directly. Otherwise, explaining the resources I used and giving a reference

is effective than only a statement of opinions.

Week 3

A good report should have a good structure. It must conclude an introduction, body and

conclusion paragraph. After the short group discussion, we think understand the topic

exactly is first step. Then, we should do enough research through different approaches.

And summarizing the ideas and finding out the result or effect it could cause. Make

sure each section of report is clear. For example, do not have two ideas in one body

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paragraph. Effective reading is reading the information from articles, books or websites

with a fast speed and good understanding. In another word, it means we should train

our reading skills in order to get information we want in a very short time. It makes

that keeping good reading habits is more important than what we thought. For instance,

reading newspapers or some books during the leisure time, having a good control of

topic sentence and taking notes or highlight the significant information while reading

articles. Then, paraphrasing the main viewpoint and combining with our experience.

Effective reading does have a great benefit to a report. After a long reading, I can

understand every point clearly and have a good logic about the report structure, which

means I can write report more quickly and effectively.

Week 4

After the discussion, we think opinion is a personal belief or judgment that is not

founded on proof or certainty. It's more subjective, which cannot say it is right or

wrong. It's just an idea, suggestion or recommendation showed by personal. Everyone

can hold their own ideas. However, positions are quite different with opinions. Position

must have two opposite ideas, like positive and negative part. It's a point occupied by

troops for tactical reasons. Positions are more objective. We can hold only one position

and using examples to prove it. The opinion can be supported by empirical evidence to

show your understanding or intellectual logic and emotional engagement. In contract,

positions are supported by reasonable preponderance of empirical evidence. We need to

use professional language to express our position and essential examples to prove it. To

express a good position, we need to use our body language, eye contact and trying to use

stories to persuade others. Actually, I cannot understand how to use language to modify

our position clearly. In my opinion, I think listening presentation that holds the opposite

position can make you modify your position easily. Because the opinion others hold may

affect you if it is reasonable.

Week 5

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For a good argument, I think make a draft form is very important. It must be consisting

thesis, supporting ideas and a conclusion. A good thesis provides a structure and

controls the entire argument. It is the basis of argument and makes the arguments flow

well. During this step, we should have a good logical thinking for preparing every thesis

clearing and progressively. During the discussion, our group think brainstorm is very

useful. It gives us more possibilities and makes an argument easy to write. A draft can

give me a clear thinking and solve some problems of my plan after a quick checking.

While talking about the argument, the most significant is using examples to prove your

thesis. It is really difficult to convey opinions clearly, which also considered as a basis a

good argument must cover. We need to use supporting ideas from academic articles,

reports or books to prove your own opinions. However, I found a lot of proofs we used

in the argument are just close to our thesis or just trying to make them close to. So we

need use more exact supporting ideas to insure not off the points. I think using the facts

in real world is more powerful than hypothesis.

Week 6

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=00hUcdrelxA

Week 7

While thinking about this question, I feel confused. Because in my short report, I didn’t

do it well. Examples used to proof my views are difficult to understand due to no

connections. The whole report reads not smooth enough. As far as I concerned, thinking

critically and using logical mind to make sure you understand the question clearly is

significant. It is the base to make a good structure of your report. Then, using the

connect words or phrases, which aims to show your topics step by step. It also can link

the isolated information into an entire smooth essay. There are many elements for a

clear and convincing argument, like structure, linking phases and good view points.

Doing a good structure to arrange each view in causes or effects give you a clear mind to

set your report. Then, thinking more deeply about your views, trying using simplest and

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exact phases as your headings or subheadings. It will make your argument looks clearly

and easily to understand by the readers. Last but not the least, using linking phases to

connect, contradict or summarize. It makes examples in an argument become logically

and clearly. To sum up, using more link phases are good for expressing critical thinking

and argument would become smoothly to read.

Week 8

After the group discussion, I think a good introduction not only address the topic we are

writing about, but also convey the argument you wish to make. It should introduce the

topic and provide short background information. It gives readers basic information and

limits the scope of discussion. A good introduction should also present the plan of

coverage including viewpoints. I think a good conclusion looks same as the introduction.

It should summarize the views you hold in the essay. However, I don’t think it should be

looks like the introduction anymore after the discussion. A conclusion is not simply a

summary; it is an opportunity to remind readers what the main point it was you want to

make. Another feature of a good conclusion is that it matches the introduction. Our

group members also think it should conclude some recommendations after identify the

major findings. It gives readers some tips about what is going on for the next.

Conclusions and viewpoints are not the only things that readers are looking for.

Effective proofs and the reasonable examples you use in the essay is what teachers are

looking for. Readers prefer a good explanation of the argument to an abstract summary

of your topic.

Week 9

After the short group discussion, our group think using different degree of voice will

change the whole meaning people want to deliver. For instance, a sentence could include

the happiness, angry or embarrassed voice. In my opinion, different tone of voice can

make a sentence expresses vastly different meanings. Jim Wang states that using an up

voice in a sentence could change the type of text with a feeling of query. I do agree with

that. A person can deliver happiness with a quick and sweet voice. However, using

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another deep voice would totally change your expression. It contributes to others

consider you do not have a good mood. Communicating with eye contact is always

beyond language. Through eyes communication, people can feel the motion of speakers

and what they are going to talk. Furthermore, action is another method of

communication that beyond language. For example, parents using kiss to deliver their

love to children and children use crying to express sadness. These actions like touch

heads, pat shoulders and examples above happens every day. Although people do not

talk to each other, these non-verbal communications still deliver the meanings clearly.

Sometimes, non-verbal communication is much stronger than talking due to some

feelings or what you want to say is hard to express through words. A kiss expresses a

romantic love and a hug could resolve the generation gap between parents and children.

Week 10

After the group discussion, I think presentation should get a good visual, which could

make presentation looks professional. The most important for a presentation is what we

are deliver to audiences. It means they will pay more attention on hearing than

PowerPoint. In order to a good visual of PowerPoint, it must keep simple with cohesion.

Using key points is a good suggestion, just like Eric said. People unwilling to read too

much words in the PowerPoint. Reading makes people feel boring and sleepy, so trying

to limit text. In addition, to make sure using the big size words with striking colors.

However, key points are not enough for a good visual presentation, capturing the

audience's’ attention is crux. I think using gestures to point out where you want their

eyes on is a good solution. Using gestures gives audiences an action could followed with.

Jim Wang indicates that using some interesting elements like graphs and videos would

captures the audience's’ attention effectively. I do agree with it due to facts is people

want. Facts are the strongest proofs to persuade people believe contentions you give.

Charts and videos are the two popular method that generalizing the facts. Although

fluent and clearly expression would still catch the attention. however, people enjoy

express the most important things after a short pause. Sometimes, a short time pause is

a more useful measure to capture audiences’ attention. It means something important is

going on.

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Eric 2182939

Week 1

Group discussion of some essential questions of academic education in Australia

First of all, our group discussion presents a general definition that academic culture in

Australia is excellent study environment during education, especially in University level.

Specifically, my opinions of academic culture in Australia can be expressed by its

academic freedom (communicate without depressive feeling), reference and critical

thinking. Ian considers term work as the fundamental element for Australian academic

culture. It is a interesting idea of understanding academic culture.

Secondly, most of us think research is to promote cultural development of researcher

themselves and understanding of the world by searching information widely. This is

very thoughtful idea to comprehend research. We have different arguments at the

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beginning and consent this idea finally. This shows group member’s excellent

communication skills and mutual understanding.

We do not reach agreement for the reason of writing report. Gary says it is a simple

conclusion for your project while Ian considers it as demonstrating your views to other.

I think we should combine these two opinions that it both presents our opinions and

concludes projects to see the rule between phenomenon.

To sum up, today’s discussions from multi-dimensional thinking inspire me immensely.

Week 2

I think it is a simple way to find a research topic. There are plenty of ways such as

surfing the internet, questionnaire, experiment and group discussion. Moreover,

sometimes, we can reserve a topic form our professor. However, we find it is difficult to

seek a topic from textbook. Actually, this is a new area for Chinese students, which we

think about the question itself instead of only answering it. This is because China

exercises exam-oriented education system that student only need to remember

everything and pass the exam without thinking why and how to solve the question. So, I

am comparatively glad that I can arrive an academic freedom country that inspires my

thought deeply and have the opportunity to find the initial answer. Study independently

helps us focus on topics immensely. This is because we have a lower chance to be

distracted when we study alone instead of group study. For example, study in-group can

divert our attention ever by a word. Furthermore, we can find creditable information

by academic journal or famous book. Those articles are reliable but not easy to find the

exactly information that we need because of its academic property. We have no idea

about how to use it effectively.

Week 3

The topic of this week is important to for us to comprehend the first assessment, which

is a report. Basically, when I face this question, the fundamental factor is to thoroughly

understand the topic we read for report. Moreover, we need to research widely and

discuss with classmate so that we can understand the topic better than read on my own.

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After discussion, classmate supplements that it is easy to make mistake or digress the

topic when we are writing a report. Therefore, one or two draft before the official

report is important. We also need to decide a logical structure for report. I just found

my first opinion can be summarized as effective reading. To answer the second

question, I connect it with my own experience. When I wrote reports in the last years, I

always found that effective reading is significant. First of all, it helps me catch the main

points of an article. Secondly, I can read article quickly, which saves time for me to

write a report. So, when I look back what I did and summarize it, I find effective

reading is how you gather necessary information as quickly as you can. However, there

is another opinion that effective reading is not only about reading article. What else is

effective reading, I don’t know the answer.

Week 4

Two questions have to be discussed this week, the differences between opinions and

positions, as well as how to use language to modify our positions. In my view, it is

difficult to distinguish opinions and positions because these two words have similar

meanings to each other. Opinion is a belief or a way of thinking questions while position

is the value or belief someone stands for.

In my mind, opinions usually belong to position. Specifically, an opinion is one primary

way to present people’s position. The second question is even harder for our group to

think about. We first thought it on our own, but almost no one worked out an answer.

So, we realized that group discussion would be a good way to think it. Just several

words, I was inspired by. One of the approbatory points is we need strong persuasion. I

just found what we were thinking those days; effective communication may also be a

good way to modify our position. However, He Fu Yu disagreed it with effective

communication is just communicate effectively instead of improving the content. I am

not sure about that. Anyhow, persuasive skills should reach the purpose of modifying

our positions.

Week 5

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Today, our group discussed the methods of making our argument excellent, as well as

how can we make a stand. Brainstorming is a conducive way for us to think the first

question. Specifically, the first word came out is ‘preparation’. At the same time, we

drew the graph, which centered by the word ‘preparation’ and linked with many other

words such as ‘effective timetable’ ‘ intrapersonal communication’ with direct lines. I

was glad about this idea and felt our group members are creative. However, I don’t

know what else can we have to answer this question. Maybe practice before the

argument is a good idea. For example, we practice it and contradict each other’s points.

Then, we could know what the weaknesses of our argument. We all were not sure about

the second question. So, we checked the general meaning by the Internet, which shows it

is a standing up for anything we believe in. since we all known what it general meaning,

we started to discuss how can we do it. The first idea came form Gary, who thoughts

believe themselves is the most important way to make a stand. I agreed with him and

appreciated his logical way of thinking problems.

Week 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00hUcdrelxA

Week 7

Now is information explosion era that we gain numerous information including blogs,

articles, news and other contents from internet daily. When we meet so much

information, organize our thought before manage information is important, which is a

reasonable ideas worked out by whole team. In my mind, we even examine our thought

process that we can ask ourselves is our process of thinking critically and reasonably.

Specifically, if we want to use information properly, we have to synthesize it in the

process of examining our thoughts, which means understand the article type is

necessary. Then, we discuss the second question. we all know that convincing and clear

argument is vital to our essays or reports. therefore, we need widely discuss it. some of

group members searched the internet and gave some clues. we were inspired by it and

summarized 2 points: thesis and support. thesis exactly tells reader what this article is

going to talk, in other word, main topic. we also need to tell reader how it links with

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supports and restate thesis in our conclusion. this is a great idea. moreover, we often use

examples to support our argument, so it is important to have a example that accord

with our topics.

Week 8

Introductions and conclusions are significant for academic essay, which is the reason

why we discuss how to write good introductions and conclusions today. Basically, we

attended consensus that good introductions need identify our topics. Moreover, essential

contexts and our special spotlights for the topics need to be provided. A strong

conclusion may mention the topic again in a different way and highly summarizes the

whole paper. Those things can reach after many practices, but how can we have an

interesting and effective introduction? We thought for 5 mints and gave a view of some

special and interesting opinions from our own may attract readers.

Secondly, if we want to work out a valuable essay we need to know what reader are

looking for, in other words, highly focusing on our topics. It involves recognizing those

aspects of a discussion that control the content of article. However, I don’t think it so

important to be put first. I said the first things is making reader feel comfortable and

smooth when they are reading, which means your article is logical and continuous. I

had a violent controversy with group members, which makes me not happy at first.

However, when I realized that such a debate also demonstrate that everyone pays

attention to the question I am delighted.

Week 9

We got two questions this week, how the voice change text when we are communicating,

as well as, how and what non-verbal language acts during conversation. When I first

time face this question, I am confused what it means by voice, same as my group

members. So, this is also where we start to discover. According to Internet research by

Jimmy, voice can be understood as intonation and sound intensity. Fro example, if we

want to emphasize some words we say it with a louder voice. There exist another

situation that we change our moods to express different emotion. For instance, we uplift

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intonation at the end of sentence to express interrogation. The second question is

comparatively easer than first one. There are so many gestures need to be used during

conversation such as moving shoulder forward to express incomprehension or fear.

Though body language hasn’t been studied specifically, in general, there are two types,

open and closed posture, which represent we are not sure about what is talking and we

accept what people told us. So, what body language does is interesting to think for us.

Week 10

This week we discussed the elements that make good visuals for presentation and

attract audiences. It is interesting that everyone in my group holds same idea for the

first element, which is the speaker is spotlight. It means everything goes around with

speaker and service speaker. Therefore, it is better speaking it instead of write on the

sides and use attractive images to supply our contents. Moreover, sometimes we need to

present some diagrams to support our arguments, dress them as an interesting part is

the most important task. Another key is that always remembers what we need to focus

on, which are the purposes of each component, while the visuals provide something

relevant to topic as a background. In my view, all the points came by group members

are intelligent and reasonable.

There are also several ways to capture people’s attention. The most important idea is

keep audience engaged. A dynamic progress is what we need, which means even when

we talk something serious, try to engage audiences in a ordinary way. Moreover, tell our

stories. It can always contribute to resonance form audience. This points are proved by

some great speeches that we found online.

Jim Wang 2292172

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Week 1

On March 2nd, we discussed about several questions about academic culture of

Australia, the research and the report. From our perspective, the core of Australian

academic culture is team work, independent thinking and academic freedom. These

existed in our discussion. We all had different opinions and tried to convince others.

That is a really nice environment for studying because in my county we just followed

the teachers’ and good students’ steps. We had arguments in the definition of the

research. Eric’s and Gary’s idea is finding information and doing some investigation to

understand issue clearly. However, I consider that research is a method to solve

problems or improve theories. We didn’t get an agreement in the end of this class. In

my opinion, both ideas are right but with different starting points. As younger

generation, having own opinion and arguing with others are very common, respecting

teammates is the most important thing and I want to improve that. The ideas of the

reason of writing the reports are similar. The conclusion of the reason is report is a

method of making conclusion while that is not so acute. If we learn more and investigate

more, we may have various impressions about reports.

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Week 2

In March 9th, we discussed about several questions about research. According to the

discussion, we found that there were so many ways to find the topics. For example, we

could find our topics from books, newspaper and websites. We could also hand out

questionnaires but in my opinion this method is not efficient. In next two questions I felt

really confused because that was my first time to meet this topic and I really did not

know what to say. However, my teammates helped me to figured out those problems.

Group work could let people focus on our topic because if you distract somebody would

notice you. However, when we go deep into our topic, there should be some new

questions come out, so we could not make sure we are one hundred percentages to the

topic. To find credible information, we should focus on our topic first, then we should

know some background, furthermore, we need to search information from some

academic articles and websites. We have no idea to use information effectively because

four of us had not did a research yet. So we considered that we should learn these things

by experiencing more and doing more.

Week 3

In March 16th, we discussed about two topics. The fist one is writing a good report. I

was lack of background information in this part, but during the discussion, I realized

that we need to do lots of research (not just several articles) before working on report so

that we could got enough accurate information for report writing. It is a little bit

difficult for me because I don’t have enough patience to do lofts of searches in the ocean

of information. I must to adapt that in several days to be suitable to write a report.

Luckily, my group mate tells me how to do that. Effective reading is a familiar topic

because we all studied in high school. However, different skills have been taught to us,

we shared the information and to improve our skills. I am also weak at this because of

low patience. But this is also a crucial skill for writing a good report because according

to this skill people could get information quickly and accurately. We could save a lot of

time by doing effective reading. So in our group’s conclusion, it is necessary to have this

skill when people doing research.

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Week 4

In March 23th, we discussed two questions which are the differences between positions

and opinions and how can we use language to modify our positions. Questions became

more complicated and abstract. At first, we really had no idea because there were so

many definitions of the word position. We argued about this several minutes. In the end

we determined that position was similar to standpoint. Position is more subjective. It is

also the starting point when you consider problems. Positions control what you think

and the points come out are your opinion. The simple explanation is that positions liken

heading and opinions liken sub-heading. Modifying other’s positions is a hard, because

usually teenagers are self-centered and stubborn. When people want to modify other,

the first should be done is persuading. We could give the examples and advantages to

convince them. We could also use benefits to attract them. Telling them the

disadvantage of their positions may make them confused and decrease them belief of

their own standpoints. However, our group mates may use some evil methods such as

giving their money or using violence. Of course that is a joke, but in the real life some

people may really use corruption ways.

Week 5

In March 30th, our group discussed two questions. The first one is how could we make

our arguments flow well. From my own perspective, making arguments flow well need

to do lots of preparation. First of all, people need to do a huge number of researches and

get some references. After that, you should make your own idea from the references.

Then, clearing up your ideas and make it logical. Furthermore, finding the loopholes in

your arguments and improve them to make your ideas prefect. In the end, you also

should do lots of practices to be familiar to let your thinking and speaking much more

fluency. The second one is how could we take a stand. Stand is something you believe.

You have so many evidences from your life experiences. But if you have some new topic,

you also need to do some researches and make yourself believe in it. However, with lack

of background information, people could easily change their mind to trust other’s point

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and stand. Furthermore, people’s stands could change people’s action, so people with

negative stand such a antisocial could destroy the world and make people scared. When

you take a stand, you have to make sure that is a positive stand and could make world

better.

Week 6

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=00hUcdrelxA

Week 7

In April 20th, our group discussed two questions. The first is the way to link the

information properly. Obviously, to link the information properly, you need to use

accurate linkers to connect your sentences. For example, there are some simple linkers

like but or however could notice people you may give some information which are at the

different side. It is also very important to make sentences logically. People could not

understand your information easily if the message without logic. Furthermore, people

should use different words with different people. If you are give the information to the

individuals who are not high educated or native speaker, you should change your words

and structure in simplest way so that the could understand what you want to say. The

second question is what are elements of a clear, convincing argument. From my

perspective, the most important is clearing your points. point is the coal of the

arguments. People may forget most part of your talking, but if you have clear point, the

can understand your words. The second important thing is the example. specific

examples could improve your points, make it more realistic so that people could be

convinced by your words.

Week 8

In April 27th, our group discussed two questions. The first question is how to write good

introductions and conclusions. Honestly, I am bad at these two parts, so I listened

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carefully when they shared their own experiences. Introduction is used to give a general

view and structure of your article. audiences could have a first impression so they could

easily understand your words. To write a good introduction, it is necessary to

paraphrase the long article. You need to mention all the points in your article. Also, you

do not have to write too long, three hundred words is far more than enough. For

conclusion part, you should summarize your main points and give some

expecting of the points you mentioned. It would not be too long but accurate. The

second question is the things that readers look for. Audiences usually want to read some

interesting article with the points that the agree with. If they are attracted by the title,

they would find the points and the story in the articles. However, if the body paragraph

is boring, it is also useless.

Week 9

In May 4th, our group discussed two questions. The first one is how could ‘voice’

change with the type of text. The word voice has quotation marks. Four of us had

different ideas about the meaning of the voice. It's sounds strange of the word voice

because in our mind, text is usually being expressed by words. At first, we think the

voice is the intensity of the words that you use in the article. For example, the words

maybe, probably, can must could be used in same places, however, the meanings are

different. You could different words in different situations. In essay is more suitable to

use neutral words. If you wan to give a strong feeling to others, it is better to use some

strong words. The second question is how much and what are we communicating

beyond language. As we all know, language is the most common and effective way in

people’s daily communication. The communication beyond language usually happened

when people do not speak same language. In this situation, people have to use body

language, gesture, eye-contact or expression to communicate. It is not easy because

people have to understand the action and transform it to language and tell themselves

the meaning.

Week 10

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In May 11th, I thought about the two questions by myself because of the UWA trip.

The first question is the elements of making good visuals in a presentation. Making

presentation visually is all people’s dream. From my perspective, the first part is

making a good PowerPoint. PowerPoint. Good PowerPoint gives people a nice visual

impression to attract people. Pictures and video are also some good ideas for making

good visual presentation. Audiences usually do not like watching a person who never

stopping talking. They are interested more in the something could stimulate their eyes,

so appropriate numbers of pictures and videos is useful. The second question is how to

capture the audience’s attention. There are serial ways to attract audience’s attention.

First, the title is very important. Audiences could be attracted by good title and they

would listen to what to you say after in several minutes. Then, the details in the

presentation should also be interesting, especially some contents they do not know. If

you think your topic is boring, you could use the high speaking skills to get their

attention. Changing the tone or speaking serial words louder is the most common way.

Ian Chen 2262099

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Week 1

This afternoon, our group had an interesting discussion about the academic culture,

research and report. We had an excellent discussion. During that, we got not only useful

knowledge, but also a lot of fun. We did a great job in each topic, and also analyzed

every idea we have thought about. At last, we summarized the most important

information about these questions.

What is academic culture in Australia?

People who study in Australia may feel pretty different in academic culture from their

home countries. After our discussion, we got a same conclusion, which the most

different study method is team work. We did not have enough teamwork before.

However, in Australia, most people have to learn how to work in a team. We can finish

a large amount of work by team work efficiently. Furthermore, students have more

freedom in class. If they have questions, they can ask their teacher immediately. They

even can disagree the lecturer, when they have their own ideas.

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What is research?

We think research is a method which we can get useful information for our study or

work from Internet, reference books or newspaper. It is a wonderful way when we meet

some problems or questions in our study. It is effective and recommendable.

Why do we write report?

According the discussion and my opinion, i think report is essential for everyone

whatever they are studying or working. By report, we can give audience our ideas. And

also, it is necessary for us to make a conclusion with a report. We even should get a

patent if we discover an important scientific research.

Overall, our group discussed different situation about each three question. All of us

think it is important to do a lot of research and write more reports because we have to

make our study more academic. Finally, we think we should try our best to adapt new

academic culture in Australia. It was an exciting discussion, we had a sense of

achievement.

Week 2

This week, we got three new interesting questions and we continued to discuss. I

recorded my thinking and something I learned from other three guys in my group.

Firstly, I had no idea about these questions. I thought it is quite easy find research topic.

Everything that i did not hear before all can be a good topic for research. However,

after discussion, i learned that research is not a simple thing like its surface. Basically,

we can find a research topic from internet, newspaper or our daily lives. And also,

during our study, we will have a large number of questions. We can choose some

academic topic to research for further study. Furthermore, they told me sometimes the

steps of research, which must be full of academic information, is pretty complex. What

we should do is not only finding information, but also doing a lot of analysis and record.

So according to this conclusion, we think the topics of research also should be chosen

carefully. Research topic must be significant for us. This is the most important details I

had learned about the first question.

After that, we talked about other two questions. We must focus on our study first,

because the only thing we should do is study. So for me, the most topics of research are

from my study life. I think, before research, we must know what I want clearly. The

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reason for that is too much information on the internet, if we do not have basic idea

about what I want to know, I can not get anything during the research. Obviously,

preview about my topic is essential. I will achieve wonderful specific information after

preview because I have already known a little bit about my topic. I think this method is

useful, which can make my research more efficiently.

At last, we talked about the truth about the information during the research. I do think

there is a lot of unreliable information in our daily life. So the credible information

source is quite important. Generally, we should know the website is set by reliable

organization. And also the reference books, which are published by famous publishing

companies, are useful. Most information in these books are real. I thought when we do

some research, we must avoid fraudulent websites.

Finally, we enjoyed our discussion and I got a lot of knowledge.

Week3

Today we discussed a lot about report. We will write a short report next week so the

discussion about the report is necessary and important. Firstly, the questions made me

mind vocabulary and grammar. I thought these two elements are the most basic aspects

that we should know because the most important thing about report is that my

audiences can understand me. However, after discussion, i found my thoughts are

simple. A good report must have not only the basic expression, but also the logical

structure and useful information. We should do enough research and only after that we

can write a wonderful report.

Otherwise, if we want to write a great report, it is essential to do a lot of research. But

during the research, effective reading is the method to get information. Effective

reading is the premise of a good report. In my own opinion, effective reading is that

people spend the least time getting the most useful information. On the other hand, a

reliable information source is also the key point to read effectively. According to these

steps, our reports will be written better.

Furthermore, we talked about how does effective reading contribute to a great report. It

also changed my traditional idea about how to write a report. The good report depends

whether the enough information we have got instead of how much knowledge we have

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learned. Better research can result in better report. Obviously, after a lot of effective

reading, we will feel much easier to write the report correctly and fluently.

All of these ideas were thought by our group and I learned a lot. It is wonderful and i

am so glad to participate our discussion.

Week 4

This week, our topic is the difference between the opinions and positions. Before our

discussion, i had no idea about these two words. I just thought the word ‘opinions’

means the personal ideas and the word ‘positions’ means an available job for someone. I

did not understand why there is any difference between these two words. However,

after discussion, I learned two words have an inseparable connection. People who have

same opinions may hold different positions. For example, in different political parties,

politicians have different positions because they all serve and work for their own

parties. However, for sustainable development of their countries, they will do a lot of

same decisions and also hold same opinions. This is the decision we got about the

difference between opinions and positions after our discussion. Then we talked about

how we can use the language to modify our position. In most cases, positions are

stubborn. It is a little difficult to change others’ positions. But language is miraculous.

We can use positive language to persuade other people. We can emphasize the

advantage of our position. Meanwhile, remembering the importance of honest, do not

try to cheat someone, use honest language to show your respect. Only under this case, if

your position is really adapting to someone, they will absolutely glad to join in.

The content above was the main idea about our discussion today. I learned the opinions

and positions connect closely but also can be different. We thought the honest language

is the basic way to touch other people. And also using clear and simple language to

communicate with each other can make the conversation more effectively. Overall,

wonderful discussion and it’s great to discuss with my group members.

Week 5

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A new week, we get two new topics to discuss. How can we make the argument flow

well? In my opinion, argument is a drastic discussion between two sides of ideas. And

we have a great discussion about the flowing of argument. Basically, a competitive

opinion must has several key elements. Firstly, consideration. Consideration is the most

important keys in a wonderful argument. Before the argument, we should do some self

thought first. We can think about what we want to express and how many reasons can

prove your opinion. According to this way, we can speak more clearly and fluently.

That can help our audiences to understand the meaning easily. Secondly, find the key

point. Thinking about the most powerful evidences what you can find. And during the

argument, you can prove your opinion around that evidence. It will give you more

chances to achieve the agreement from your audiences. This is the conclusion what we

have got after the discussion and it is really helpful to me.

Then, we talked about how to take a stand. I think this question is a little bit similar to

the question about the position last week. Exactly, everyone must has their own stands.

the controversial issues all have both stands. One side agree and the other stand

disagree. Basically, i think the stands can be changed. In many areas, people’s stand

are not supported by most people such as terrorism. The terrorists have their own stand

as well, but their stands result in the terrorism events. In this case, their stands must be

changed. In general, when we choose our stand, we must think about if that stand is

correct. Is that stand refused by most people around me? Does this stand might result in

some peaceful consequences? All of these questions are which we must think about

before we take a stand. This is the discussion we have talked about today. Wonderful!

Week 6

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=00hUcdrelxA

Week 7

Today, we have discussed the topics about how we can combine the information

together effectively. Basically, we think it is a great process to make our reports better.

We tried to get some specific stages for suitable methods which can link information.

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Generally, we figure we must know what we would like to express and what the

information about. We can separate the information to different parts. For example,

when we write a report, we can differ the report into several parts. The connection

between these parts is progressive relationship. And after each part, we can use some

connective words or sentences to make the report fluently.

Next, we have talked about the necessary elements which is a very important part in

clear and convincing arguments. Most times, we can prove some things by examples or

reliable references. We can not get a completely accept from audiences if our arguments

do not have convincing information. So the wonderful source can result in the

convincing argument.

Furthermore, we should have a clear mind when we express our ideas. If we clear our

thoughts, it is useful to speak fluently. And then the result is good audience experience.

The content above is the our discussion today. We achieve a lot and the discussion is

pretty pleasant.

Week 8

Today, we have discussed about something more about the methods to write a good

report.

First, we have talked about introduction and conclusion of a good report which are very

necessary. We thought a good report must contain brief introduction and conclusion.

When we write introduction, we should already know the main ideas about the report

and remember into our mind. Basically, introduction is a summary about the whole

report. According to the introduction, reader can understand the meaning of the report

clearly and fast. A good introduction can give audiences a good sense and they will have

interest in reading the total report. Furthermore, conclusion is the repeat of the report

and give audience a recommendation.

Next, we have talked about what readers are most likely to get. Generally, most readers

prefer to read interesting articles. When they read an article, they may have no patience

to read the whole article so that introduction and conclusion is really important. At

most times, when readers choose to read a report, they must have something knowledge

which they do not understand so that they want to read the report for learning new

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knowledge. In this case, we can easily get a conclusion that we must write the report

about the neoteric things such as great invents or science discoveries.

We had a wonderful discussion today and i was very glad to discuss with my great

group partners.

Week 9

Today, we have talked about the non-verbal communication. Beyond the language

communication, we still have many other ways like gestures, postures and different

voices. After discussion, all of us thought in our daily lives, we always use ‘voice’ to

express our ideas. Sometimes, it is embarrassed to talk about some sensitive things. At

this time, ‘voice’ is quite useful. For example, a student does not focus on the class,

teacher say his name with a little bit loud voice. In this case, every one must know what

the teacher means. The teacher’s voice has a sense of angry. And a lot of other cases also

can use this method to express our emotions correctly.

Otherwise, we can not only use the change of voice, but also other non-verbal ways. In

fact, we might not aware how frequent we use body language every day. When we

would like to describe a ambiguous academic topic or surprising views, we can use

gestures to show our meaning clearly. For example, when parents speak to their

children, they can speak with amiable smile and positive gestures. A good gesture can

give a supportive respect to their children and their children will feel comfortable and

more likely to become a positive and optimistic person. These body languages will make

our communication more effectively and a good speaker must have this skill. This is

today’s discussion. I have learned the methods of non-verbal communication and i feel

further understanding about effective communication.

Week 10

In this week, we have prepared for the individual presentation. So the journal of this

week is about what elements a good presentation need to have. In discussion, we all

thought when we in our presentation, the first thing we should remember is confidence.

Being confident is quite an important aspect we should practice. Only when we are full

of confidence, we can express our ideas clearly, otherwise, if we do not overcome the

nervous, we could forget the words. And in presentation, we should keep making eye

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contacts with our audiences. In this way, we can confirm whether the audiences have

understood us. And also, looking around, do not only stare at one place. We should keep

smile on our face and show our energy to the audiences.

Not only the good expression, but also the good contents in presentation if we want to

capture audience’s attention. While we start the presentation, we can use a joke or some

humorous words. In this way, audiences will have interest in the topic. Choosing a good

topic, if we introduce a lot of things which is boring or every one has already known.

The presentation will absolutely disappoint us. So a good topic must some interesting

elements such as a new high technology, discovery or great invention. These things

people have never seen will attract audiences’ attention.

This is the content we have talked about in discussion.

References list:

Andrea, T. (2016). LanguageandLiteracyTheoryandPractice - Course-Focused Journal Writing. [online] Languageandliteracytheoryandpractice.wikispaces.com. Available at: http://languageandliteracytheoryandpractice.wikispaces.com/Course-Focused+Journal+Writing [Accessed 13 May 2016].

Erik, D. (2016). library - Google Search. [online] Google.com.au. Available at: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=library&biw=1005&bih=647&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjkuqyiudbMAhUINpQKHQMtBOYQ_AUIBygC#tbm=isch&q=journal&imgrc=CgOv1wDTi90v2M%3A [Accessed 13 May 2016].

 Joanna, D. (2016). Class journals. [online] Teaching English | British Council | BBC. Available at: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/class-journals [Accessed 13 May 2016].

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Michael, H. (2016). [online] Michaelhyatt.com. Available at: http://michaelhyatt.com/why-i-ditched-my-moleskine-journal.html [Accessed 13 May 2016].

Morty, L. (2013). If I Can Do It, Anyone Can - Morty Lefkoe. [online] Morty Lefkoe. Available at:

http://www.mortylefkoe.com/it/ [Accessed 13 May 2016].

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