Omusubi Kororin (The Tumbling Rice Balis) 

A Folktale from Japan

        Once upon a time, an old couple lived in the countryside. They were happy, but they were poor. One day, the old man went to work in the forest and took his usual lunch of three rice balls. During lunch, he dropped a rice ball, and it rolled into a hole in the ground. He heard happy singing coming from the hole, so he dropped the other two rice balls into it. Inside the hole, some mice were having a party. They thanked him for the rice balls and invited him to join them. After a while, the mice told him to choose a box as a reward for his generosity. He could choose a big box, or he could choose a small one. He thought about taking a big box, but he finally chose a small one. 

        Back at home, he and his wife discovered that the box was full of gold coins. A greedy neighbor heard about their good fortune and quickly made plans to visit the same hole. At the hole, he pushed several rice balls into it, and sure enough, the mice invited him in. The greedy man wanted all of the mice's gold, so he pretended to be a cat. He started meowing loudly, and the frightened mice ran away. The gold disappeared with the mice, so the greedy man got nothing, not even a rice ball.

Oshima, A. & Hogue, Ann. Introduction to Academic Writing Third Edition. New York: Pearson Longman.

MAHASISWI TBI IAIN PALANGKA RAYA MENGAJAR DI LEMBAGA KURSUS TERNAMA

Elsa Nur Sabilla, atau dalam kesehariannya dipanggil Elsa, adalah anak bungsu dari dua bersaudara. Ia lahir dua puluh tahun yang lalu, di Palangkaraya tepatnya pada 23 Januari 1999. Kakaknya seorang laki-laki bernama Puguh Santoso, seoarang pegawai yang juga pernah berprofesi sebagai jurnalis dari berbagai stasiun TV nasional ternama. Ayahnya adalah seorang pekerja swasta dan Ibunya adalah seoarang ibu rumah tangga.

Menyukai pelajaran bahasa Inggris sejak sekolah dasar membuatnya yakin untuk memilih program studi Tadris Bahasa Inggris di IAIN Palangkaraya. Berbekal tekad yang kuat, Ia memberanikan diri untuk memulai kehidupan yang baru sebagai mahasiswi. Semasa sekolah menengah atas, perempuan berkacamata ini sering mengikuti berbagai lomba dalam bidang akademik, diantaranya cerdas cermat empat pilar kebangsaan dan yang paling berkesan untuknya adalah saat Ia diberi kepercayaan mewakili sekolahnya untuk mengikuti English Debate Competition di Universitas Palangkaraya pada tahun 2014. Saat di bangku perkuliahan, Ia juga mendapat juara dua dalam Essay Writing Competition yang dilaksanakan oleh HMPS TBI pada tahun 2017.

Pada pertengahan tahun 2018, Ia memberanikan diri untuk mendaftar di lembaga kursus Global Learning Centre (GLC). Usaha nya tak sia-sia, Ia diterima menjadi tutor. “Bagi saya, mengajar merupakan sebuah tantangan. Banyak hal yang didapatkan lewat mengajar.” Pungkasnya. Selain mengajar, Ia juga dilatih untuk menjadi guru yang professional. Tak hanya itu, berbagai ilmu-ilmu yang belum pernah Ia dapatkan, seperti pelatihan soal-soal TOEFL, bahkan parenting dan psikologi anak Ia dapatkan di GLC. Pengalaman sebagai tenaga pengajar disana tak akan disia-siakan olehnya, Ia selalu berusaha untuk memberikan yang terbaik untuk siswa dan juga lembaga yang menaunginya. Menjadi guru merupakan cita-cita nya sejak kecil, oleh karena itu pengabdian dan keikhlasan adalah hal yang paling utama baginya.

THE SECOND ESSAY

PLAYING VIDEO GAMES: GOOD OR BAD?

Video game is the favorite thing for most of children in the world. On the other hand, adults also seem extremely like to play video game. Recently, it became a phenomenon because the adversity with regard to the excessive amount of time spent by young ones on playing video games has been a problem in today’s generation. Many people think that video game always lead us to horrible situation; however, I believe that people can be achieve many beneficial things through playing video game.

One of the most effect that opponent said is aside from instilling aggression, video games can also create a false sense of social belonging, particularly for children who identify as outcasts. They are much more likely to find companionship online, which can lead to an almost unbearable feeling of depression when they also have to contend with real life and can cause many gamers to lose confidence in themselves and those around them. However, most kids play video games with a friend and any time spent with another helps children become better at socializing. Virtual multiplayer games also give kids a chance to interact with players from across the world and connect with them on some level.

Opponent also think that even at their most benign, the vast majority of games promote a sedentary lifestyle. Indeed, the common cliche about gamers is that they’re all overweight couch-potatoes. While that couldn’t be further from the truth, staying in any one place for hours at a time can be detrimental to a child’s health. However, even simple video games are good for child development. They can help our kid ward off the unwanted stress of school and homework. The absence of stress and time spent doing a fun activity can turn him into a happier and healthier person. Lower stress may, in fact, reduce aggression in kids. To play certain types of games (Wii games) kids need to move, and such activities can counteract the effects of sedentary games. A 2008 research highlights the positive effects of playing certain video games (Re-Mission) for pediatric cancer patients. Then there are games that relay information about diseases such as asthma (Bronkie the Bronchiasaurus) and thus make kids more aware of health issues.

Many opponents agree that there is concern among parents, teachers, and society at large, that children who play violent video games, particularly for extended periods of time, might then engage in violent behaviour, or even copy acts of violence experienced during game play. However, playing video games can especially improve fine motor skills – the ones that require the use of fingers and the thumb. The constant movement of fingers on various buttons with the mind and the eyes on the action requires good motor skills. Players learn to make better decisions each time they play a game. This is because they learn as they go through their mistakes during the play. 

It should be evident to the opponents’ argument that playing video games are a distraction is not true. Through playing video game, indirectly we will gain a lot of beneficial things such better at socializing, good at child development and improve motor skill. Finally, the view that state video game always lead us to bad thing should be abolished. As long as we play it within reasonable limit, I believe that it will give us lots of benefits.

THE SECOND ESSAY'S OUTLINE

PLAYING VIDEO GAMES: GOOD OR BAD?

I.       INTRODUCTION

Thesis Statement: Many people think that video game always lead us to horrible situation; however, I believe that people can be achieve many beneficial things through playing video game.

II.     BODY

A.   Opposing Argument 1

Opponents of the positive view in playing video games claim that it creates a false sense of social belongings.

Rebutal Argument 1

Most kids play video games with a friend and any time spent with another, and it helps children become better at socializing.

B.   Opposing Argument 2

Opponent think that th vast majority of games promote a sedentary lifestyle.

Rebutal Argument 2

Video games are good for children development.

C.   Opposing Argument 3

Opponents agree that children who play violent game can be copy acts of violence experienced during game play.

Rebutal Argument 3

Playing video games can especially improve fine motor skills.

D.   Own Point of View

Through playing video game, indirectly we will gain a lot of beneficial things such better at socializing, good at child development and improve motor skill.

III.   CONCLUSION

THE FIRST ESSAY

SHOULD INDONESIAN COMISSION BROADCASTING BLOCK PARTICULAR TV SHOW?

In Indonesia, there are lots of television program taken by abroad. Not only adapting, but also showing television progam from various country. It carries many advantages but of course disadvantages. For instance, abroad’s cartoon display in Indonesia. It creates diversity show and sure that it entertaints people, for children definitely. It causes probably because the lack of making an exciting cartoon series in Indonesia. Therefore, it is too boring. So, every television channel, almost of them, national or private television station, show cartoon series. It becomes an attraction in every television channel. In contrast, recently the people protest due to Indonesian Comission Broadcasting (ICB) because they do excessive work. They bluring a lot of objects in cartoon series that they think it is prohibited in Indonesia. It reaped much criticism among people. Many think that ICB should not censor particular part of cartoon’s figure body; however I believe that showing a cartoon character that wear bikini is inappropriate.

Opponents think that ICB should not be too excessive in censoring. The statement addressed to recently issue about bluring the cartoon’s figure body. For instance, the character Sandy in Spongebob Squarepants serial cartoon. She looks wear bikini, but the particular part of Sandy’s body was being censor. It caused critisize from people because they think that it was too exaggerated. It was just an animation, especially it was not excessive. Sandy is a cartoon figure, they said. Hence, they critisize the policy of ICB. However, ICB has clarified what has became problem among people. They said that ICB affirmed it did not issue of any policies or request to broadcast (TV station) to spread animation program, cartoon and broadcast of Putri Indonesia. ICB also stated that its institution was not a censorship institution. It conveyed by ICB in response to the statement of netizens in the social media circulating in recent times that ICB did so. ICB also never issued a policy or rules outside the provisions of the broadcasting standard and broadcasting program standard (P3SPS) ICB 2012. The rules contained in P3SPS has very clear stated what can and shoud not to be broadcasted such as prohibition of displaying scene of violence and pornography. ICB regulation is not intended to limit the creativity of the broadcasters. Broadcasting agency is welcome to pay attention to every program of the program with a view or aesthetic that is feasible and worthy to be aired for the public. It means, probably TV station bluring their TV show in order to avoids reprimands from ICB.

Opponnets also maintain that ICB does not have right in censoring. Because by censoring it means that ICB limits the creativity of TV station. However, as a part of Indonesian institution, it has authority based on constitution number 32-2002 about broadcasting. It stated “set broadcast program standard, drafting regulation and guideline as well as broadcast program, standard, sanction violation of regulation and broadcast behaviour guideline and broadcats program standard, coordinate and/or cooperate with the government, broadcast and the public. Then, ICB also has the criteria for setting broadcast standard. Some of them are; tribal, religious, racial and intergroup values, norms of decency, public service program, privacy right, protection to children, to certain people and communities, the content of sexuality, violent content and restriction on cigarette charge and drugs.

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The final argument stated by opponent of this topic is ICB should not prohibit any broadcasting by broadcast company in Indonesia. As a TV channel, they may show any content as long as it is eligible to show in Indonesia. However, it may be true that the TV show displayed by broadcast company must eligible in Indonesia, but they must notice the content within it. It must according to the culture of Indonesia. Western culture (that brings negative impact) must prohibited in Indonesia. Then, it has to depend on the customs and religion in Indonesia.

Statement that involve ICB has not any policy in filter TV show is totally unfounded. The arguments above are evidents to argue the opponents statement. TV station should provide positive content to build and educate good character of Indonesian society. Finally, show cartoon programs from other country is allowed. As long as it is suitable with religion, culture and customs in Indonesia. Hence, in my opinion, the cartoon figure that wear incompetible custome must be prohibited.

THE FIRST ESSAY'S OUTLINE

SHOULD INDONESIAN COMISSION BROADCASTING BLOCK PARTICULAR TV SHOW?

I.       INTRODUCTION

Thesis Statement: Many think that ICB should not censor particular part of cartoon’s figure body;  however I believe that showing a cartoon character that wear bikini is inappropriate.

II.      BODY

 A.    Opposing Argument 1

  ICB should not be too excessive in censoring.

  Rebutal Argument 1

  1.      What they do has filled the standard.

  2.      Certain TV Station has contributed in censoring.

B.     Opposing Argument 2

 ICB does not have right in censoring.

 Rebutal Argument 2

 1.      ICB has aurthority in performing their duties

 2.      Has the criteria for setting broadcast standards.

C.     Opposing Argument 3

 ICB should not prohibit any broadcasting by broadcast company in Indonesia.

 Rebutal Argument 3

 1.      They may prohibit forbidden content.

   a.       Based on culture

   b.      Based on customs and religions.

D.    Own Point of View

 1.      Provide positive content influences good character in society.

 2.      Reason

   a.       TV programs must educate the audience.

III.   CONCLUSION