The universal dialect

In these times, learning English is a very important thing, because this language has become an universal dialect. For that, many colleges in the world, like Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (UCAB), located in Venezuela, have incorporated the English as a part of its pensum. Of course, English is not a subject in every career, but one like Mass Media –whose base or fundamental prop is the communication study–, needs to teach it.

Likewise, I’m a Mass Media student, and I study English III. In this subject, I learned to write in this language much better. To come here, the way has become longer than usual. But now, I can tell you that my writing is much better. However, I can have some mistakes. But the use of technology is a big help to learn English. My classroom mates and I do activities like a creation of a blog. The blog has allowed working with videos and images, and we can write better. At last, all this enriches the content that we wrote.

In conclusion, to me, use of tools is necessary in the learning process of English. Technology, for example, can be a way to reach the English knowledge and the domination of the language. Writing texts and essays, we’ll be better and soon, we’ll be part of a world connected by one voice: English, the universal dialect.

Meet types of texts: Episode 4 - Argumentative

The purpose of argumentation is to support ideas presented in sequence to justify a particular stand or viewpoint that a writer is taking. The writer's purpose is to take a position on some issue and justify it by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader. Some examples of argumentative texts are: critical reviews, editorials, job evaluations, job application letters, letters of recommendarion, letters to the editor, and resumes.

On the other hand, The Dark Knight is one of the most acclaimed movies of the last decade. For that, here I leave you a good argumentative text: a critical review of the movie.

NOLAN'S THE DARK KNIGHT IS A MASTERPIECE

If 2008 proved anything thus far, it's that there is hope for cinema. With dozens upon dozens of mind-numbing films being drumped into theaters, we have already seen a few glimmers of hope, even though I still haven't seen a film that blew me away... that is until last night. Warner Bros. Pictures' The Dark Knight is not only the best film I have seen this year, but quite possibly the best superhero movie ever made.

The Dark Knight is a complez film, following Batman (Christian Bale) and James Gordo (Gary Oldman) joining forces with Gotham's new District Attorney, Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), to take on a psychotic bank robber know as The Joker (Heath Ledger), whilst other forces plot against them and Joker's crimes grow more and more deadly.

You can believe the hye. The Dark Knight could have quite simply been renamed to The Joker. Ignoring the fact that we lost Ledger earlier in 2008, he truly does deserve credit for bringing one of the most diverse, unique and well-developed characters to the big screen since Daniel Day Lewis in There Will Be Blood. Some will say it's over-the-top, while everyone else will see the true genius in his work. When Christopher Nolan and his brother Jonathan Nolan, reveal The Joker's motive early in the film, it's tough to take in, and tough to tae serious, but by the final frame of the film, the viewer should be sold without question. The deconstruction of The Joker is something of wonder, watching Ledger descend deeper into psychosis was more interesting that watching Lewis do it in There Will Be Blood. To say he will give the viewer goosebumps is an understatement.

The acting is only part of the reason The Dark Knight is so fabulous. Nolan has taken Batman to new heights. In the first fil, Gotham City feels very compact and claustrophobic, but the scope of the sequel is massive. Nolan's shot of locations are breathtaking as the remove of us from this small fantasy land and bring the viewer into a whole new world. It not only makes the film more believable, but also it makes Bruce Wayne as a character more believable. The only problem is that some of the movies was shot on IMAX technology, so the aspect ratio continues to change throughout the movies, which is insanely annoying. But it was worth it to see some shots in HD, which is remarkable and stunning.

The screenplay is also very well developed as it not only blends violence and humor to perfection, but mixes in some political reference and opinions without throwing them in your face. With Harvey Dent being the face of Gotham City, there are various scenes about being a man and doing the right thing for your city (or your country). In one sequence, Batman uses the city's mobile phones to emit sonar signals so he can watch everyone in the city. During that scene, Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) says to Wayne "If this machine exists in the Batcave, you can consider this my resignation", implying that quite possibly our "protectors" -or government- or taking away our rights in order to protect us.

If The Dark Knight gets anything less than an Oscar nomination it would be a great injustice to the world of cinema. Nolan has delivered an epic masterpiece that will literally take your breath away. If this film doesn't make your feel like a kid again, maybe there's no hope for you...

Now, I present you the trailer of the new Batman's adventure: The Dark Knight Rises.

Meet types of texts: Episode 3 - Descriptive

Description is used in all forms of writing to create a vivid impression of a person, place, object, event or action so that the reader can picture that which is being described. It's important for the reader to feel whatever is described. One should write using all the senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste. One should also think about what makes the place that is being described important. Where are all the other objects compared to the one described? What should the reader feel? Some examples are poetry and journal writing.

Now, I will show a fragment from the book The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, because in this text the writer J.R.R. Tolkien makes a wonderful description of a character. Tolkien describes him physically and describes his powerful voice.

"Suddenly another voice spoke, low and melodious, its very sound an enchantment. Those who listened unwarily to that voice could seldom report the words that they heard; and if they did, they wondered, for little power remained in them. Mostly they remembered only that it was a delight to hear the voice speaking, all that it said seemed wise and reasonable, and desire awoke in them by swift agreement to seem wise themselves. When others spoke they seemed harsh and uncouth by contrast; and if they gainsaid the voice, anger was kindled in the hearts of those under the spell. For some the spell lasted only while the voice spoke to them, and when it spake to another they smiled, as men do who see through a juggler's trick while others gape at it. For many the sound of the voice alone was enough to hold them enthralled; but for those whom it conquered the spell endured when they were far away, and ever they heard that soft voice whispering and urging them. But none were unmoved; none rejected its pleas and its commands without an effort of mind and will, so long as its master had control of it.

'Well?' it said now with gentle question. 'Why must you disturb my rest? Will you give me no peace at all by night or day?' Its tone was that of a kindly heart aggrieved by injuries undeserved.

They looked up, astonished, for they had heard no sound of his coming; and they saw a figure standing at the rail, looking down upon them: an old man, swathed in a great cloak, the colour of which was not easy to tell, for it changed if they moved their eyes or if he stirred. His face was long, with a high forehead, he had deep darkling eyes, hard to fathom, though the look that they now bore was grave and benevolent, and a little weary. His hair and beard were white, but strands of black still showed about his lips and ears".

At last, a present to you. Enjoy the voice of Saruman:

Meet types of texts: Episode 2 - Expositive

One of types of texts is expository writing. In these texts, the purpose of the author is to inform, explain, describe, or define his or her subject to the reader. Expository text is meant to 'expose' information and is the most frequently used type of writing by students in colleges and universities. Some examples are: how-to essay, such as recipes and other instructions; business letters; personal letters; press releases; reports; scientific reports; term papers; textbooks; and wills.

You can see that most clearly in the next text:

HOW TO MAKE A VODKA MARTINI

You'd think it should be very simple: a martini is a cocktail made with gin and vermouth; a vodka martini is a cocktail made with vodka and vermouth. But do you shake or stir your cocktail? Does it matter? And can a real martini be made with anything except gin as its base? As for particular vodka martini so beloved of James Bond, that's another cocktail altogether and we'll look at the recipe for that later on. Well, firstly, put the bottle of vodka in the fridge for a few hours before making these cocktails. Alternatively leave the bottle in the freezer for a short time.

Vodka Martini:

• 1 ½ shots vodka
• ¾ shot dry vermouth

Place vodka and vermouth in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake well. Strain into a martini glass. Serve with an olive.

Cranberry Vodka 

• 3 shots vodka
• 5 shots cranberry juice
• ½ shot vermouth

Place the vodka, cranberry juice and vermouth in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake well. Pour into martini glasses. Serve with a slice of lime.

Now, the recipe of Agent 007's vodka martini:

Vesper (as specified by Bond in Casino Royale and named after the beautiful double agent)

• 3 measures Gordon's gin
• 1 measure vodka
• ½  measure Kina Lillet (today known as Lillet Blanc)

Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel.

Meet types of texts: Episode 1 - Narrative

Is time to talk you about types of text. I will make four posts dedicated to the four types of text. For now, I will begin with the narrative text. The purpose of narration is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events. This writing mode frequently uses the tools of descriptive writing. Narration is an especially useful tool for sequencing or putting details and information into some kind of logical order, usually chronological. Working with narration helps to see clear sequences separate from all other mental functions. Now I will show you a example of narrative text with the biograhy of a Hollywood's star:

JOHN TRAVOLTA

John Travolta was born in 1954, the youngest of six children. His mother taught acting and often he would go with her to classes. He grew up wanting to be a star one day.

He left school at the age od 16 and at first found it very hard to get jobs. He had a number of small parts in lays and appeared in a Pepsi advert. In 1975, he was lucky enough to get a part in a T.V. show in which he played the leader of a street gang. At last people started to notice him. Eventually, he was offered the star parts in two films, Saturday Night Fever and Grease.

Suddenly everyone had heard about him and lots of boys copied his style of dancing. He became very rich. After Grease, he went through a very bad patch. His mother died, he became very depressed and overweight. Most people thought he was finished. Recently though he has begun to make a recovery and has played the lead in a wide variety of films including Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction.

It is too early to tell if John Travolta will be remembered as a great film start. He is still working and his greatest film maybe ahead of him. Certainly at the moment, most people will remember him best singing and dancing with Olivia Newton-John in Grease.

Fight Club: Darth Vader Vs. Luke Skywalker in six shots

The fifth post that I give you in my blog is an example of a movie's storyboard. In this case, is one with six shots of the video that I posted previously. On the other hand, this post is to show you better the types of shots. We have two medium shots, a two shot, a wide shot, a close up and a panorama shot. Nevertheless, if you have some doubt, please, you don't hesitate to ask me in the section of comments.

StoryMaker of Empire Strikes Back

Image	Story
1.	Medium shot, at low-angle shot, of Darth Vader threatening with his red light saber to Luke Skywalker, who is in the floor, but we don’t see him; we see Vader only. The attention is in the action of the movie’s villain.
2.	Medium shot, at high-angle shot, of Luke Skywalker. We see him in the floor, and he’s at the mercy of Darth Vader, who can kill the young Jedi Knight. The attention is in the action of the movie’s hero.
3.	Two shot of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker fighting with theirs light sabers. Darth Vader’s sword is red, and Luke’s sword is blue. In this shot, we can see evil against light. As well as, that’s a fight between a Jedi Knight and a Dark Lord.
4.	Wide shot, in high angle because Luke is squashed by Vader, figuratively. The young Jedi flees of Darth Vader’s claws, in the space ship where they were fighting previously.
5.	Close up of Darth Vader pressing his mechanical fist. He sees how Luke is escaping of him. And in this scene, the Dark Lord tells Luke that he is his father.
6.	Panorama shot of the deep, which is the center of starship. We see Luke Skywalker falling and escaping of the evil Darth Vader, who revealed him that he’s his father.

The good, the bad and the father

Hi, ladys and gentlemen. I'm here to you, one more time. This time, I want to show you a video. Is important to say that I work in this blog because I'm learning English. The thing with a idiom is hear it. So the video that you will find in the post is a scene of Star Wars. Episode V: Empire Strikes Back, a famous film directed by Irvin Kershner and produced by George Lucas (He's the creator of the Star Wars universe). However, the video has a Czech dubbing. It's funny, very funny, specially if we compare the Darth Vader's voice with the James Earl Jones' original voice. As Obi-Wan Kenobi would say, may the Force be with you!