WRITING A CONTRIBUTION

Hello readers, in this section we are going to study some general aspects about the process of writing a contribution.

To start it is important to define what a contribution  in terms of writing is, with this in mind it is important to say that according to the dictionary writing a contribution is defined as an article, story, and so on contributed to a newspaper or other publication.

In other words a contribution is the main idea of any paper, something you want to highlight because you consider it is important.

The contribution of your paper is very important because it represents the value of your writing and it gives the reading the reasons why your paper provides important information that will help him/her or them in future situations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKoLFkKxqbU

Canadian culture

A report submitted in the Canadian culture and its importance.

Canada is a country, consisting of ten provinces and three territories, in the northern part of the continent of North America. It extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometers (3.85 million square miles) in total, making it the world's second-largest country by total area and the fourth-largest country by land area. Canada's common border with the United States forms the world's longest land border. Besides this country is known because of its festivals, gastronomy, clothing, society, Art and Architecture, Culture and Tradition, Canada Day, Common traditions and etiquette and so on.

Regarding to the festivals Canada has every kind of festival for everyone. Visited by millions of people each year, the top 4 festivals are: Winterlude in Ottawa it is a celebration of everything winter, this winter festival boasts of the largest skating rink in the world, furthermore, Celebration of Light in Vancouver - A musical fireworks competition with some of the world's best international competitors with an annual visitor number of over 1 million. Moreover, Just for Laughs in Montreal. The biggest international comedy festival in the world that attracts almost 2 million tourists a year. Finally the Pride Toronto one of the biggest gay pride parades in the world; this is a festival that celebrates the LGBT world community.

Taking into account the Canadian gastronomy it is important to say that there are not  an special or typical Canadian dish, the most relevant dish are French fries, on the other hand  Clothing  according to  the last hundreds of years have been  heavily influenced by European styles. Most of these clothing are now preserved at the Royal Ontario Museum and the McCord Museum of Canada.

Today, Canadians dress as the Westerners do with the basic t-shirt and jeans as the most common outfit. Cotton and lightweight fabrics are preferred in the summer while sweaters and lightweight jackets are recommended for spring and fall. Since Canada is relatively colder than most countries, dressing in winter takes a lot more effort.

Thick jackets, parkas, and heavy layering of sweaters are much needed to survive the cold Canadian climate during the winter season. The toque is the most common piece of accessory - which is a knit winter hat that keeps the head warm.

 With regards to society, Canadians are predominantly tolerant, polite, and extremely conservative, they are very community-oriented and though most social gatherings take place in private spaces such as homes and restaurants, they instill the sense of giving back to the community. Public humility is highly valued and visible signs of excess consumption and massive residences are not common, their constitution is also progressive, making same-sex marriage legal, eliminating capital punishment, their publicly funded health care, strict gun controls, and their strong efforts to vanish poverty.

 Regarding to Art and Architecture There is no distinct style or preference of Canadian art but most of their artists create pieces influenced by French and British styles. Popular painters in the past include Paul Kane, David Mine, and Cornelius Krieghoff - who often depicted landscapes and the Canadian wilderness. Sculpture has been mainly done by the Inuit artists, and most aboriginal artwork found is preserved in museums.

Architecture has also been heavily influenced by Baroque and Cape Cod styles with homes having the neoclassical style. Recent structures are predominantly minimal and modern - such as the Telus Sky Tower in Calgary and the seemingly floating structure of the Fifth Pavilion of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

 Taking into account culture and tradition. Canadian culture is heavily influenced by its conquerors, the French  the British and indigenous cultures allowing  distinct Canadian identity with a large number of immigrants, there are many regions in the country with different adaptations of the different nationalities that have called Canada home. This has resulted to a diverse and multicultural nation that has made Canada a welcoming country - welcoming of any religion and any nationality - making it a favorite place to migrate to by individuals from different countries all over the world. Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada) is the national day of Canada, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act, 1867 (today called the Constitution Act, 1867), which united three colonies into a single country called Canada within the British Empire. Originally called Dominion Day (French: Le Jour de la Confederation),.

With regards to the Common traditions and etiquette we can find greeting  with a strong grip and eye contact; also, leaving footwear inside the entrance when you enter someone's home; moreover, giving flowers, the best quality wine, and chocolates when invited to someone's dinner party; Besides giving someone his/her personal space in a conversation, avoiding touching as much as possible; Furthermore, Using appropriate titles or last names when addressing a person - use the first name only when invited, as first names tend to be used by family and close friends.

As a Conclution Canada is an interested country that all of you have to visit, and for that it is important to keep in mind some advices such as tipping, flash smile, language that we  should know before moving there. 

CRITICAL THINKING

Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth and fairness.

STEPS TO WRITE A CRITICAL THINKING

It is therefore important that from the outset, with every writing assignment, you consider the implemention of each of these dimensions of critical thinking. Then, with every assignment, you will familiarize yourself with their dynamic, strengthen your communicative abilities, and make your contribution to critical thinking and writing.

1. Identify the basics of the topic:

This is the introduction to your paper. Present the importance of the issue, outline context and potential ramifications. End your intro with a paragraph providing an overview of the following paper.

2. Analyze the material:

Analysis may be employed in different ways using different methods. Define your concepts and discuss your method. Analysis is about examination and synthesis: investigating components, identifying their qualities, strengths, and weaknesses, and connecting those in a coherent manner, demonstrating their relevance and importance for the whole. Always question content and relevance!

3. Address different perspectives:

Consider different viewpoints on the material. Never assume a certain perspective to be self-evident and obvious. Different analytical perspectives may reveal different ideas and understandings of the same event or idea. This analytical dimension requires examination and critique of scholarly opinions on your material.

4. Examine contexts:

Identify and assess assumptions and ideological perspectives to be found in historical and social contexts. Interpretation is also conditioned by your own assumptions, cultural, and ideological bias. Analysis and interpretation is ultimately about disclosing and examining such contextually determined points of view.

5. Identify own position:

Your own opinion on the material in opposition to those of other sources, may be presented in a particular section, for instance after your objective analysis of the material and your discussion of different perspectives. You may also choose to inject your voice as a discussant throughout your paper. This is most effectively done in an objectifying manner without continuous use of the pronouns "I" and "my."

6. Conclusion

Consider the importance of your findings and their implications. Tie all strings together in an overview. Emphasize the qualities and importance of your investigation, and briefly outline directions for further study.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CRITICAL THINKING

THE PROBLEM: all people think, it is our nature to do so, the problem is that a big part of our thinking is not ojective and it is manipulated by our feelings, good thoughts must be cultivated through the time and personal experiences.

DEFINITION: It is a kind of thinking in which people improves the quality of their thinking by carefully taking charge of the structures inherent in thinking and imposing intellectual strandards.

RESULTS: The most important result of developping critical thiinking is to get a well cultivated thinking, a critical thinker must be able to:

Analyze questions and problems and formulate them clearly and precisely.

Collect and assess relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it efffectively and come to well-reasoned conclusions

Think openmindely within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing their assumptions, implications and practical consequences.

Is able to communicate effectively with others offering solutions to complex and simple problems

REFERENCES:

http://public.wsu.edu/~kimander/criticalthinking.htm

http://www.pearsonhighered.com/showcase/sims1e/assets/Sims_ch01.pdf

WHAT IS A REPORT?

A report is written for a clear purpose and to a particular audience. Specific information and evidence are presented, analyzed and applied to a particular problem or issue. The information is presented in a clearly structured format making use of sections and headings so that the information is easy to locate and follow.

When you are asked to write a report you will usually be given a report brief which provides you with instructions and guidelines. The report brief may outline the purpose, audience and problem or issue that your report must address, together with any specific requirements for format or structure. This guide offers a general introduction to report writing; be sure also to take account of specific instructions provided by your department.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD REPORT?

Two of the reasons why reports are used as forms of written assessment are:

1). To find out what you have learned from your reading, research or experience;

2). To give you experience of an important skill that is widely used in the work place.

An effective report presents and analyses facts and evidence that are relevant to the specific problem or issue of the report brief. All sources used should be acknowledged and referenced throughout, in accordance with the preferred method of your department/university. The style of writing in a report is usually less discursive than in an essay, with a more direct and economic use of language. A well written report will demonstrate your ability to:

1). Understand the purpose of the report brief and adhere to its specifications;

2). Gather, evaluate and analyze relevant information;

3). Structure material in a logical and coherent order;

4). Present your report in a consistent manner according to the instructions of the report brief;

5). Make appropriate conclusions that are supported by the evidence and analysis of the report;

6). Make thoughtful and practical recommendations where required.

THE STRUCTURE OF A REPORT

The main features of a report are described below to provide a general guide. These should be used in conjunction with the instructions or guidelines provided by your department.

Title Page

This should briefly but explicitly describe the purpose of the report (if this is not obvious from the title of the work). Other details you may include could be your name, the date and for whom the report is written.

Geology of the country around Beacon Hill, Leicestershire

Angus Taylor

2 November 2004

(Example of a title page)

Terms of Reference:

 Under this heading you could include a brief explanation of who will read the report (audience) why it was written (purpose) and how it was written (methods). It may be in the form of a subtitle or a single paragraph.

A report submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for Course GL456, Department of Geology, University of Leicester.

(Example of terms of reference)

Summary (Abstract)

The summary should briefly describe the content of the report. It should cover the aims of the report, what was found and what, if any, action is called for. Aim for about 1/2 a page in length and avoid detail or discussion; just outline the main points. Remember that the summary is the first thing that is read. It should provide the reader with a clear, helpful overview of the content of the report.

Exposure of rocks belonging to the Charnian Supergroup (late Precambrian) were examined in the area around Beacon Hill, north Leicestershire. This report aims to provide details of the stratigraphy at three sites - Copt Oak, Mount St. Bernard Abbey and Oaks in Charnwood. It was observed that at each of these sites, the Charnian Supergroup consists mainly of volcaniclastic sediments (air-fall and ash-flow tuffs) interbedded with mudstones and siltstones. These rocks show features that are characteristic of deposition in shallow water on the flanks of a volcano (e.g. welding and alteration of ignimbrites). Further studies are required to understand depositional mechanisms and to evaluate the present-day thickness of individual rock units.

(Example of a summary (abstract))

Contents (Table of Contents)

The contents page should list the different chapters and/or headings together with the page numbers. Your contents page should be presented in such a way that the reader can quickly scan the list of headings and locate a particular part of the report. You may want to number chapter headings and subheadings in addition to providing page references. Whatever numbering system you use, be sure that it is clear and consistent throughout.

Introduction

The introduction sets the scene for the main body of the report. The aims and objectives of the report should be explained in detail. Any problems or limitations in the scope of the report should be identified, and a description of research methods, the parameters of the research and any necessary background history should be included.

In some reports, particularly in science subjects, separate headings for Methods and Results are used prior to the main body (Discussion) of the report as described below.

Methods

Information under this heading may include: a list of equipment used; explanations of procedures followed; relevant information on materials used, including sources of materials and details of any necessary preparation; reference to any problems encountered and subsequent changes in procedure.

Results

This section should include a summary of the results of the investigation or experiment together with any necessary diagrams, graphs or tables of gathered data that support your results. Present your results in a logical order without comment. Discussion of your results should take place in the main body (Discussion) of the report.

Discussion

The main body of the report is where you discuss your material. The facts and evidence you have gathered should be analysed and discussed with specific reference to the problem or issue. If your discussion section is lengthy you might divide it into section headings. Your points should be grouped and arranged in an order that is logical and easy to follow. Use headings and subheadings to create a clear structure for your material. Use bullet points to present a series of points in an easy-to-follow list. As with the whole report, all sources used should be acknowledged and correctly referenced. For further guidance check your departmental handbook and the Student Learning Centre guide: Referencing and Bibliographies.

Conclusion

In the conclusion you should show the overall significance of what has been covered. You may want to remind the reader of the most important points that have been made in the report or highlight what you consider to be the most central issues or findings. However, no new material should be introduced in the conclusion.

Appendices

Under this heading you should include all the supporting information you have used that is not published. This might include tables, graphs, questionnaires, surveys or transcripts. Refer to the appendices in the body of your report.

In order to assess the popularity of this change, a questionnaire (Appendix 2) was distributed to 60 employees. The results (Appendix 3) suggest the change is well received by the majority of employees.

Example of use of appendices

Bibliography

Your bibliography should list, in alphabetical order by author, all published sources referred to in your report. There are different styles of using references and bibliographies. Refer to the study guide Referencing and Bibliographies and check your departmental handbook for guidelines. Texts which you consulted but did not refer to directly could be grouped under a separate heading such as 'Background Reading' and listed in alphabetical order using the same format as in your bibliography.

WRITING THE REPORT: THE ESSENTIAL STAGES

All reports need to be clear, concise and well structured. The key to writing an effective report is to allocate time for planning and preparation. With careful planning, the writing of a report will be made much easier. The essential stages of successful report writing are described below. Consider how long each stage is likely to take and divide the time before the deadline between the different stages. Be sure to leave time for final proof reading and checking.

Stage One: Understanding the report brief

This first stage is the most important. You need to be confident that you understand the purpose of your report as described in your report brief or instructions. Consider who the report is for and why it is being written. Check that you understand all the instructions or requirements, and ask your tutor if anything is unclear.

Stage Two: Gathering and selecting information

Once you are clear about the purpose of your report, you need to begin to gather relevant information. Your information may come from a variety of sources, but how much information you will need will depend on how much detail is required in the report. You may want to begin by reading relevant literature to widen your understanding of the topic or issue before you go on to look at other forms of information such as questionnaires, surveys etc. As you read and gather information you need to assess its relevance to your report and select accordingly. Keep referring to your report brief to help you decide what is relevant information.

Stage Three: Organising your material

Once you have gathered information you need to decide what will be included and in what sequence it should be presented. Begin by grouping together points that are related. These may form sections or chapters. Remember to keep referring to the report brief and be prepared to cut any information that is not directly relevant to the report. Choose an order for your material that is logical and easy to follow.

Stage Four: Analysing your material

Before you begin to write your first draft of the report, take time to consider and make notes on the points you will make using the facts and evidence you have gathered. What conclusions can be drawn from the material? What are the limitations or flaws in the evidence? Do certain pieces of evidence conflict with one another? It is not enough to simply present the information you have gathered; you must relate it to the problem or issue described in the report brief.

Stage Five: Writing the report

Having organised your material into appropriate sections and headings you can begin to write the first draft of your report. You may find it easier to write the summary and contents page at the end when you know exactly what will be included. Aim for a writing style that is direct and precise. Avoid waffle and make your points clearly and concisely. Chapters, sections and even individual paragraphs should be written with a clear structure. The structure described below can be adapted and applied to chapters, sections and even paragraphs.

Introduce the main idea of the chapter/section/paragraph

Explain and expand the idea, defining any key terms.

Present relevant evidence to support your point(s).

Comment on each piece of evidence showing how it relates to your point(s).

Conclude your chapter/section/paragraph by either showing its significance to the report as a whole or making a link to the next chapter/section/paragraph.

Stage Six: Reviewing and redrafting

Ideally, you should leave time to take a break before you review your first draft. Be prepared to rearrange or rewrite sections in the light of your review. Try to read the draft from the perspective of the reader. Is it easy to follow with a clear structure that makes sense? Are the points concisely but clearly explained and supported by relevant evidence? Writing on a word processor makes it easier to rewrite and rearrange sections or paragraphs in your first draft. If you write your first draft by hand, try writing each section on a separate piece of paper to make redrafting easier.

Stage Seven: Presentation

Once you are satisfied with the content and structure of your redrafted report, you can turn your attention to the presentation. Check that the wording of each chapter/section/subheading is clear and accurate. Check that you have adhered to the instructions in your report brief regarding format and presentation. Check for consistency in numbering of chapters, sections and appendices. Make sure that all your sources are acknowledged and correctly referenced. You will need to proof read your report for errors of spelling or grammar. If time allows, proof read more than once. Errors in presentation or expression create a poor impression and can make the report difficult to read.

ARTICLE:

THE LIONS IMPORTANCE

It is important to fight for animal welfare…? Lion is one the most important and representative specie around the world but unfortunately has been used as way to earn money,  for instance the lion skin has been used in producing the best clothing and footwear because of  its quality.

Why lions should be protected?  To answer this question it is important to say Lion is a big strong animal from the cat family. If we think of lions in isolation, there are no specific sue of lions for human beings. But when we think of lions as a part of the nature and the eco-system within this nature, lion is an important part and a link in the eco-system. Thus lion is important to the humans for maintaining the eco-systems of which lions are generally a part.

Of course, lions do form some attraction for humans in zoos, circuses, and in wild animal sanctuaries. But, it is important that humans recognize lions as something valuable in itself and preserve them for their intrinsic value rather than for some materialistic benefits received from lions.

 3.  What are the key results of your work? : In the segment about protecting African lions, we mistakenly said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed they should be listed as an endangered species. The Fish and Wildlife Service actually proposed listing the species as threatened, not endangered. Under the law, endangered species are in danger of becoming extinct. Threatened species are those that may become endangered in the foreseeable future.

Whit this in mind it is important to say that there are several reasons to protect big cats for instance:

Tanzania has regulated hunting for decades; female and younger lions are completely protected, and the hunting of males is limited by quotas set for each hunting area in the country. We recently made it illegal to hunt male lions younger than 6 years old to ensure that reproductively active animals remained with their prides. And proposed amendments to our wildlife law would further crack down on the export of lions taken illegally, penalize hunting companies that violated our rules and reward those that complied.

Africa, of course, is endowed with a tremendous wealth of wildlife, and Tanzania has been particularly blessed. We have roughly 130,000 elephants, two of Africa’s three largest populations of wild dogs, and spectacular landscapes like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro. We have placed nearly a third of our land in national parks, game reserves and wildlife management areas.

As a conclusion it is important to say that Lions are at the top of the food chain, but remain vulnerable to human persecution. Besides Male lions defend territorial borders while females handle most of the hunting. Male lions defend territorial borders while females handle most of the hunting.

Predatory Role: All ecosystems exist on a foundation of feeder microorganisms and other small creatures, like bacteria and plankton. Alterations in the food chain at this lowest level can shock the entire system. However, lions and other predators that dominate the top of the local food chain are also vital to an ecosystem's health. Lions are carnivores and have no natural predators besides man, which makes them apex predators or keystone species. They cull populations of herbivores and smaller carnivores through predation. Without lions, some creatures would overpopulate. Removing apex predators can be just as bad if not worse for an ecosystem as removing a building block species from the bottom of the food chain, according to the Yale University Environment 360 website.

 Secondly Historical and Cultural Significance lions have been depicted in works of art and written record for thousands of years. These regal cats are the "standard" lions known around the world with tan bodies and darker manes. Flags and banners of various historical and modern nations include images of these big cats. They are also the inspiration for corporate logos and other modern symbols. African lions are the only cats that hunt, travel and socialize as a group on a regular basis, according to Africa Travel Portal. This makes them interesting targets for animal behavior researchers. Groups of lions, called prides, contain one to three males and up to 10 females.

What did you learn about Africa's big cats? Of all the species found here, lions are particularly important because they draw visitors from throughout the world — visitors who support our tourism industry and economy. Many of these visitors only take pictures. But others pay thousands of dollars to pursue lions with rifles and take home trophies from what is often a once-in-a-lifetime hunt. Those hunters spend 10 to 25 times more than regular tourists and travel to (and spend money in) remote areas rarely visited by photographic tourists.

BY: ORTIZ LENEY 2/06/2015