Literacy Process Essay (Corrected)

Topic: The Evolution of my Electronic Literacy.

Outline:
I. Introduction
II. The Beginnings of my Electronic Literacy
A. How I started using electronic tools?
a) School
· Elementary School (Image Viewer: Paint; Word Processor: Word)
· Middle School (Image Viewer: Paint; Word Processors: Word and Excel; Search Engine: Encarta)
· High School (Image Viewer: Paint; Word Processors: Word, Excel, WordPad, PowerPoint, Notepad; Internet; e-mails: Hotmail; Search Engines: Google and Yahoo; Chat rooms: Messenger.
B. Electronic Tools
a) Purposes
· Get Familiarized
· Education
· Entertainment
b) Difficulty
· Lack of electronic literacy
c) Limitation
· Expensive
d) Advantages
· Education
· Get in contact with people
· Things were much easier
· Save time
e) Disadvantages
· Expensive
· Difficult to manage at the beginning
· Plagiarism
III. My Electronic Literacy Nowadays
A. My strength and weakness in electronic literacy
a) I know how to use Internet, e-mails, some Search Engines, Social Networks, Chat Rooms, Discussion Boards, Word Processors, Blogs, Portfolios and Image Viewers.
b) Lack of knowledge on how to use some programs
B. How electronic tools have influenced/improved my L1/L2
a) Composition
b) Fluency
c) Grammar
d) Spelling
e) Get in touch with the language
IV. My Future Electronic Literacy
A. Plans
a) Online courses
b) Master degree
c) Get more in touch with virtual libraries
B. Expectations
a) Be better in the use of programs
b) Be familiar with a lot more programs
V. Conclusion

The Evolution of my Electronic Literacy

At some time, have you ever questioned yourself if you have evolved in the way you write, speak, listen and read? I do and that is why I wrote this essay because I want you to notice that all people including me have had an evolution on these four skills. Probably you are asking yourself what I mean by an evolution, so before you start questioning yourself about it, I will tell you what I mean. By evolution I mean the emergence of what today is electronic literacy, but if you still do not know what is electronic literacy let me give you a brief explanation. Electronic literacy means the developing of our four skills in a technological environment. So now I can say that an evolution began in the past, it is still in development and will continue and will not finish until the future, since life evolves every day.

The beginnings of my electronic literacy (computer software) began at school, since this was the first place that put me in touch with it. In Elementary School I started to use the basic programs of a computer like the image viewer, Paint, and the word processor (Word) because my teachers taught me how they work. In Middle School besides knowing how Paint and Word worked, my teachers put me in touch (taught me) with the word processor Excel and the search engine Encarta. In High School I began my evolution since besides knowing how Paint, Word, Excel and the search engine Encarta worked by means of friends and teachers I began using WordPad, PowerPoint, Notepad, Internet, e-mails: Hotmail; Google, Yahoo and Messenger. For me, knowing the programs mentioned, first helped me become familiar with them, so that later I could be able to use them for educational and entertainment purposes. In the process of understanding how these programs work, I had a difficulty at first which was the lack of knowledge in this field, and I also had the limitation that when I was in Elementary School my parents could not buy me a computer because at that time they were very expensive. Now I can say that the beginnings of my electronic literacy (computer software) brought me both advantages and disadvantages. The advantages were in my education, in the way I communicate with other people, that things were much easier, and finally that it helped me to save time. And the disadvantages of this electronic literacy were and continue to be expensive, difficult to manage at the beginning, and that plagiarism may occur. So to conclude, the beginnings of my electronic literacy gave me the experience in order for me to have a wider knowledge of this field.

The knowledge that I have today on electronic literacy has made me realize about my strengths and weaknesses, and also on how this literacy has influenced and improved my L1 and L2. The most important strength is that I now know how to use Internet, e-mails, some search engines, social networks, chat rooms, discussion boards, word processors, blogs, portfolios and image viewers. I know how these programs work due to the fact that I have been in contact with all of them for many years. I do not only have the strength mentioned, I also have a weakness, and this is that I still have a lack of knowledge on how to use some programs, due to the lack of information that I have about them. The electronic tools especially the computer have influenced and improved my L1 and L2 in several aspects such as composition, fluency, grammar, and spelling. But knowing how to use a computer not only has helped me in these aspects, but also has helped me remain in contact with both languages. To sum up, I have noticed that since I began using the computer, I have improved my electronic literacy, and now I can say that what I know today about this topic will help me in the future.

My future electronic literacy is characterized by the plans and expectations I want to achieve. In order to achieve these plans and expectations, I will be using continuously electronic tools which will help me carry them out. The plans that I have in mind and that I want to carry out are: to take online courses, to do a masters degree, and to be more in touch with virtual libraries, and I know that I am going to carry them out because I will be practicing and improving my electronic literacy. The expectations I have towards this literacy are very simple, but that does not mean that they are not very important, and these are: to be better in the use of programs (computer software) and to be familiarized with a lot more of these programs. My expectations will probably sound for you very easy to carry out, but for me these expectations are difficult to accomplish, because, ever since I was in Elementary School, I have been trying to improve my electronic literacy, and still I have been unable to achieve it completely, since this field is too broad. To summarize, the plans and expectations I have towards my future electronic literacy are uncertain, due to the fact that future is indefinite and therefore difficult to say if what I want for this, will be fulfilled.

Finally, I can say that my electronic literacy has evolved over time, but not as much as I would like it to happen, since this field is too broad to know it completely. I also know that for the future I can achieve a wider knowledge of this field, and I know that the only things I need in order to achieve it are: to do my best, and to put desire and enthusiasm. So in order to become a completely electronically literate person, you need the help of three allies, and these three allies are: time, desire to learn and the enthusiasm that you put into learning.

Introductory Essay

Topic: The Essence of my Life

Outline:
I. Introduction
II. General Information
III. Past Activities
A. My last 6 birthday parties
B. My last 2 graduations
C. My sister's departure
D. The birth of my two nephews
E. An academic decision
IV. Present Activities
A. Priorities
B. Hobbies
C. Routines
V. Future Plans
A. Study
B. Work
C. Get married
D. Have a family
E. Travel
F. Buy
a) House
b) Car
IV. Conclusion

The Essence of my Life

Have you ever asked yourself, what has happened to you throughout your life, and what is coming next? Let me tell you that I have, and I found that sometimes we categorize events or things that have happened to us as insignificant, but in the long run we realize that these become part of our essence of life. I noticed when answering these questions that past and present events help us become the persons we are now, and future events the persons that we will become. These stages in life are the only ones that help identify the essence of each person and knowing the general information of a person will also allow you to start knowing the essence of that person. In order to know what is my essence of life, you should keep reading this essay.

My essence of life is represented by all the aspects that make me a unique girl. This essence began in April 22nd 1990, when I was born, since then, I am brunet and my name is Alma Susana Ortiz García. Another aspect of my life is that I have a great family composed by my mom Lucia, my dad Armando, an older brother Armando and an older sister Elizabeth. Other aspects that represent me are that I am a short thin girl with a long dark brown hair. Since I was a teenager people called me Zuzzie and I started to notice that I had acquired values like: friendship, honesty, responsibility, cheerfulness, strong work ethics, etc. The last aspect that I want to mention about me is my marital status, I am single, but in a stable relationship. Now you can notice that I have several aspects that might be similar to yours, but you will notice that my essence identifies me not only for the aspects mentioned before, but also because of the experiences that I have had.

The past activities and experiences that have made me the person that I am now are: my last six birthday parties, my two graduations, my sister's departure, the birth of my two nephews and an academic decision I have taken. My last six birthday parties because they represent a stage in my life that have brought me happiness and freedom along with responsibilities and work. My two graduations also represented a stage, but this time in my academic life, just like it brought me responsibilities and work, but the most important thing is that it brought me memorable friends. The hardest moment would be my sister's departure (when she got married), but this situation made me a stronger person. Another significant past activity in my life was the birth of my two nephews, since for my family and I, they are the shine that light up our days. The important academic decision I took have made me the person I am now, since I had to decide in which university I wanted to study (UPA or UAA), with this decision I realized that teaching is what I want to do all my life. Now you had the opportunity to realize that my past activities are identifying the beginning of my essence.

Putting together my priorities, hobbies, and routines have shaped what today is my life. My principal priorities are: studying the B.A. in ELT (English Language Teaching) and become a better person in all areas. Studying the B.A. in ELT because even at a young age my dream was to become a teacher, but I never imagined that I could accomplish this dream, but now I can make this dream into a reality. And become a better person because if I know how to "build" myself, I will be able to know and identify that all my experiences are allowing me to accomplish my objective. Other aspects that identify my essence are my hobbies: going out, dancing, and listening to music. I really like to go out with my friends, boyfriend, and family to any place, since for me that is the least important; the important thing is to spend time with each one of them. Other hobbies that identify me are that I like to dance and listen to music, but I like to dance and listen Mexican music: banda, tambora, and mariachi, for me dancing and listening to music are the greatest things that I can do. The last aspect I want to mention are my routines, since they are: coming to the university, studying and doing homework. Even though all of them are related with my academic life, I enjoy doing them because I love my career. My present essence of life stems my past like the same way my present will stem my future.

The essence of my future is somewhat uncertain, since my present has not finished yet. But I know that if I work hard, I will be able to accomplish all I want for my life. I know that I will be able to study a doctorate, work either in a school or in a company as a teacher, get married and have three children, travel to Australia and Europe: France, Italy, Spain and England, and of course have a house and a car. Now you have realized that what I want for my future life. This is what I have been building my entire life. And I know that this will come true due to the simple fact that I take my life as a great goal to be accomplished.

To conclude, the essence of a person is constructed according to his/her own experiences as days go on, it is like a plant that it has to be watered, since if you do not take care of it every day you are not going to have a cultivated and beautiful plant.

Introductory Essay (Corrected)

Topic: The Essence of my Life

Outline:
I. Introduction
II. General Information
III. Past Activities
A. My last 6 birthday parties
B. My last 2 graduations
C. My sister's departure
D. The birth of my two nephews
E. An academic decision
IV. Present Activities
A. Priorities
B. Hobbies
C. Routines
V. Future Plans
A. Study
B. Work
C. Get married
D. Have a family
E. Travel
F. Buy
a) House
b) Car
IV. Conclusion

The Essence of my Life

Have you ever asked yourself, what has happened to you throughout your life, and what is coming next? Let me tell you that I have, and I found that sometimes we categorize events or things that have happened to us as insignificant, but in the long run we realize that these become part of our essence of life. I noticed when answering these questions that past and present events help us become the persons we are now, and future events the persons that we will become. These stages in life are the only ones that help identify the essence of each person and knowing the general information of a person will also allow you to start knowing the essence of that person. In order to know what is my essence of life, you should keep reading this essay.

My essence of life is represented by all the aspects that make me a unique girl. This essence began in April 22nd 1990, when I was born, since then, I am brunet and my name is Alma Susana Ortiz García. Another aspect of my life is that I have a great family composed by my mom Lucia, my dad Armando, an older brother Armando and an older sister Elizabeth. Other aspects that represent me are that I am a short thin girl with a long dark brown hair. Since I was a teenager people called me Zuzzie and I started to notice that I had acquired values like: friendship, honesty, responsibility, cheerfulness, strong work ethics, etc. The last aspect that I want to mention about me is my marital status, I am single, but in a stable relationship. Now you can notice that I have several aspects that might be similar to yours, but you will notice that my essence identifies me not only for the aspects mentioned before, but also because of the experiences that I have had.

The past activities and experiences that have made me the person that I am now are: my last six birthday parties, my last two graduations, my sister's departure, the birth of my two nephews and an academic decision I have taken. My last six birthday parties because they represent a stage in my life that have brought me happiness and freedom along with responsibilities and work. My last two graduations also represented a stage, but this time in my academic life, just like it brought me responsibilities and work, but the most important thing is that it brought me memorable friends. The hardest moment would be my sister's departure (when she got married), but this situation made me a stronger person. Another significant past activity in my life was the birth of my two nephews, since for my family and I, they are the shine that light up our days. The important academic decision I took have made me the person I am now, since I had to decide in which university I wanted to study (UPA or UAA), with this decision I realized that teaching is what I want to do all my life. Now you had the opportunity to realize that my past activities are identifying the beginning of my essence.

Putting together my priorities, hobbies, and routines have shaped what today is my life. My principal priorities are: studying the B.A. in ELT (English Language Teaching) and become a better person in all areas. Studying the B.A. in ELT because even at a young age my dream was to become a teacher, but I never imagined that I could accomplished this dream, but now I can make this dream into a reality. And become a better person because if I know how to "build" myself, I will be able to know and identify that all my experiences are allowing me to accomplish my objective. Other aspects that identify my essence are my hobbies: going out, dancing, and listening to music. I really like to go out with my friends, boyfriend, and family to any place, since for me that is the least important; the important thing is to spend time with each one of them. Other hobbies that identify me are that I like to dance and listen to music, but I like to dance and listen to Mexican music: banda, tambora, and mariachi, for me dancing and listening to music are the greatest things that I can do. The last aspect I want to mention are my routines, since they are: coming to the university, studying and doing homework. Even though all of them are related with my academic life, I enjoy doing them because I love my career. My present essence of life stems my past like the same way my present will stem my future.

The essence of my future is somewhat uncertain, since my present has not finished yet. But I know that if I work hard, I will be able to accomplish all I want for my life. I know that I will be able to study a doctorate, work either in a school or in a company as a teacher, get married and have three children, travel to Australia and Europe: France, Italy, Spain and England, and of course have a house and a car. Now you have realized what I want for my future life. This is what I have been building my entire life. And I know that this will come true due to the simple fact that I take my life as a great goal to be accomplished.

To conclude, the essence of a person is constructed according to his/her own experiences as days go on, it is like a plant that it has to be watered, since if you do not take care of it every day you are not going to have a cultivated and beautiful plant.

Descriptive Essay

My Wonderful Gift: My Mom

Outline:

I. Introduction
II. Positive Aspects
a) Wonderful
b) Adorable
c) Trustworthy
d) Sincere
e) Wise
f) Helpful
g) Protective
h) Lovely
i) Kind-hearted
III. Things she gives me...
a) Care
b) Courage to do things
c) Love
d) Self-confidence
e) Attention
IV. Likes and Dislikes
a) Likes
-Family living
-Gives solutions to any kind of problem
b) Dislikes
-Hypocrisy
-Gossipy people
V. Conclusion

Before the ninth month of gestation, I was desperate to be born in this world. The first reason to felt like that was because I wanted to know the person who was always talking to me with those beautiful words that made me feel beloved. Inside the belly of that wonderful person, I could feel her hands caressing me in spite of the fact that she was not touching me literally. Those caresses made me feel the softness of her hands which represented all the love she feels for me. Also inside the belly of this person, I could listen to every sweet and lovely word coming out of her mouth, while caressing me. With everything what I felt and listened from this person, I had many conflicting feelings, but this did not make me lose the sight of my goal, which was to know everything about this person. When I was born and I looked at that person who had been with me these nine months, I noticed that the person was a wonderful gift given by God, and that from now she is going to be my mom.

Over time and with coexistence, I have been discovering through my senses that the gift God gave me has aspects that identify her as a unique and unrivalled person. I have noticed that my mom is wonderful simply because when I see her, I can see and feel how amazing and fantastic she is, since I can notice this to long distance because these aspects are impregnated in her personality. She is also adorable because every time we spoke, she does it with a soft and pleasant voice that inspires on me love and admiration. My mom is a trustworthy person or a person in who you can trust, since you can tell her any kind of things, she always will be there to listen to you very carefully every time you need it. She is like a grave when someone tells her their things, because she does not like to disclose them. She only wants to keep them for her, because she likes to be faithful. Every time I want to tell her my things (problems, concerns, thoughts, feelings, etc), she always waits for me with a smile. When she listens to me, she tries to be as sincere as possible when she gives me her points of view, even though I sometimes get mad with her because in some occasions we do not think in the same way. I know that she is always wise and knows the truth, like all moms, but I sometimes blind myself. I also know that she gives me those comments with the whole love of the world, because she wants my well and also because she wants to help me. Sometimes when she gives me her points of view, I feel like in a judgment, first because she makes a poker face and asks me any kind of questions, and second, because she tells me first, that I have to listen to her, and after listening to her, I can decide if I take or not her advice, since she tells me that it depends on me because it is my life. I know that she does all these things for me because she wants to protect me of any kind of things, people, and situations; it is like she wants to keep me in a bubble. With all the positive aspects mentioned, there are also two more that are derived from these, which are that, she is a lovely and kind-hearted person. There is no explanation for these two positive aspects, since their meaning is extraordinary and inexplicable like the reflection of my mom.

All the aspects mentioned have made me realize that these aspects are nothing compared to what my mom has given me until today. I know that she gives them to me, because for her I am one of the most important people. One of the things she has given me is care, because since I was a baby, she has showed me this care every time she embraces me in a soft and delicate manner. Until today, she still does this for me every time she sees that I need some of those hugs. Another way she has shown me her care is by protecting me from all the bad things that are in my way, since she is like a wild animal protecting her cub. Another thing my mom has given me is courage to do all the things I want, since every time I listen to her speak, she is always doing it with lovely words and with a sight that reflects the courage I need. She also has given me the most important aspects for me which are: love, self-confidence and attention. Whenever my mom is with me, I can smell, perceive, and hear all the love she has for me, and I know this because my mom is love. I have self- confidence, due to the fact that I have seen that my mom has it, so she has been transmitting me this from every pore of her skin. Another thing that she has been transmitting me with every pore of her skin and with her actions is the attention that I have from her, since she is always keeping an eye on me also of what happens to me. With all the things I have mentioned, you can notice that my mom is an extraordinary person.

As any extraordinary person, my mom also has likes and dislikes, which they make her even more extraordinary. One of her likes is that she loves family living, and she transmits this by each one of her five senses. She transmits this with her sight because her eyes always show a sensational shine, with her hearing because she always listens to any good or bad comment, with her touch because she gives caresses all the time, with her smell because she always smells happiness, concern, problems, etc., and with her taste because she can distinguish when each one of her children is doing something good or bad. Another thing she likes to do is to help people find solutions to any kind of problem, since my mom is a kind-hearted person, and due to this, she first thinks of others before thinking about herself. One of the things my mom hates is when people pretend to be one person, but in fact they are another. When she realizes that she has met a hypocritical person her face turns red from anger, because she thinks that we should show us how we are. Another thing she dislikes is communicative people, that is to say, gossipy people. She dislikes them because they do not have an own life. One of the things she has done in front of this type of people is to show them an angry face, that is to say, she frowns. She does this because she wants that these people notice that she is angry because they are talking about things that do not matter for them. Now you have noticed that my mom as any other person also has reactions to certain situations.

To sum up, now I can say that God could not have given me a better gift, since my mom has everything I expect. She has wisdom, a good heart, courage, love, self-confidence, and any other values you can imagine, and that I could not write in this essay.