This term we mainlyfocused on academic writing and learnt how to analyze a paper, what’s more, practiced to use the corpus manuals, especial COCA.

For me, reciting words and finding out the difference between the words of near meaning occupying the majority of my time. Fortunately, I became more interested in prefix& suffix rather than memorizing by rote, which provided me with much convenience when I read the paper and textbook on professional course such as organic chemistry.

To be honest, I’m not used to consulting words and comparing them with COCA, and have a much preference to learn and memorizing by dictionary and reference book. Still, I’ve pushed myself to get familiar with this Corpus, then maybe I would find out its magnetism. Generally, I used COCA to consult some lexical collocation and to know how the word is used in detail. Furthermore, I used it to find differences from some synonyms such as high and tall. As required, there are some examples in following section. From my point of view, the first two functions, namely “List” & “Chart”, are less important to some extent among the four functions,after all it is not necessary for me to know where or in which situation a certain word is used most common clearly. For me,to understand one word and to grasp its basic usage is much more practical and helpful, which including differentiating and analyzing synonym when a certain meaning need to be express appropriately and precisely, especially when I read or even write an academic paper.

Some examples:

Synonym:

Conformance n.一致；遵从（con 共同+form→形式共同→一致）

Unification n. 统一，一致

Consonancen. 一致，调和

Coincidence n. (意见、爱好等的) 一致;巧合，巧事

Coherev 一致；连贯（co 共同+here→共同粘→连贯）

Accordance n.一致；协议 vi.(with)相一致vt.授予

Uniform a 一致的；n. 制服（uni一个+form→一种形状→一致的）

Unanimousa.意见一致的

United a.一致的，联合的，共同形成的

Consentienta.一致的;同意的

From the several pictures above, the very first impression of COCA must be the large quantity of its database, which could be described as “an ocean of words and sentences” without any exaggeration. It is claimed that COCA embodies 450 million word, which brings us not only benefits from those countless words but also a heavy workload. Inevitably, we have to pull a lot of time to analyze the dates that showing to us in a chaos manner and deal them with a scientific statistics method, then find out some latent meaning throughout the trivial number, proportion and collocation details, and last to dig out the difference between the words with alike meanings.

Let’s take “accordance” as an example:

From the results from COCA, it’s easy to find out what is the most common usage of “accordance”, namely “in accordance with”, there is also anther collocation, “in accordance to”, but obviously, the frequency that the latter one appears is much smaller than the former. Easily we can draw a conclusion that “accordance” is usually used as a collocation “in accordance with”, which express the meaning of “the same with”, in anther words, it is also one prototype of accordance.

However, the other words seem to be much more complex to find out some prototype for there may be a couple of meanings of one word showing to us such as “uniform”, which is used as a noun most common, instead of certain meaning as “the same as”. So, when I want to find out the

usage of an adjective, I need to pay more efforts.

When I compare two synonym, the function of “compare” is available, which shows where the given words is used and the frequency is as compared. For example, “unanimous” & “united” is compared. From the picture we can see it clearly the difference of the two words. The former one is usually used to describe the agreement, including verdict, consent, vote, decision, etc. It place the emphasis on the same point of view or standpoint while the latter generally appears in political aspect, like state, country and nation, and “the United States” is the very first common collocation and the following one is “the United Kingdom”.

Generally, COCA is a greatly powerful tools for us to learn English as long as we can use it in an appropriate method and foremost spend adequate time. One of the biggest difference between COCA and the other tools is it imply a conclusion in the large amount of data, some kind

of

obscure, which mean we have to analyze and study the results. It might be the most difficult part compared to the previous methods like dictionary, which always give a specific conclusion and detail instrumentality. What’s more, some words with more than one usage or meaning, it is much harder to summary the uncommon paraphrasewhen a common one occupies a majority of frequency, such as “uniform”, whose noun directions is much more than adjective one.s

As far as I am concerned, COCA appeared like a tool for who are interested in English study and willing to spend sufficient time to research. It provides us with countless examples that English is truly used, for that reason, becoming timing consuming inevitably, and we must find out question and solve the problem on our own. However, dictionary and other reference books never lose their charm to me, I like them for the reliable,specific and doubtless paraphrase or conclusion, through which I can grasp the emphasis swiftly and efficiently. Anyway, both way can improve our English skills in an imperceptible manner, and only through a long time journey can we accumulate sense of English and improve our level. Whether specific or obscure, efficient or time consuming, our sweat is bound to be paid and then the plentiful fruits must be sweet for our enduring effort.

第二篇：Learning Journal—-开学篇(1)

随着新学期的到来，同学们走出了快乐的暑假，又将继续投 入到紧张的学习中去。在开学之初，大家有必要给自己设定一个 目标，制定一个计划，从而使自己在新的学期里“有条不紊”的 取得理想的成绩。 首先，端正自己的学习态度。 “态度决定一切” ！心态是取得 成功的关键环节，拥有好心态是取得好成绩的前提！ 其次，上课仔细听讲，弄懂每一个问题，按时完成作业。课 后做好预习、复习。课余时间要“少玩一会儿游戏，多看两本儿 好书” ，扩展知识面，提高阅读以及写作能力。 第三， 好记性不如烂笔 “ 记好每一次笔记，认真对待每一 头作业，只有基础扎实了，才可 累更多。 最后提醒，没有合理的安排，再好的计划也会付之东流。所 以，在新学期里，要学会合理安排学习、娱乐、休息的时间。这 对于目标和计划的实施非常重要。 英语学习中“积累”尤为重要。英语的积累就像车厢，一节 一节的增多。下面给同学们介绍一些英语学习的方法： （1）我们在背单词的时候要学会“重复和积累” 。大多数人的记忆力都差不多，我们每天背单词，都会有一定比例的遗忘。 所以，我们每天要尽量多背一些单词，增加积累并及时复习。 单词要“随时”背。我们可以把生词做成手抄本，有空就拿 出来看看，这样既很好的利用了时间又不觉得枯燥。人的记忆周 期是7天，一个单词经过7天的记忆，会掌握的牢固。也就是说， 我们前一天背过的单词要在第二天复习， “装进” 同时 新的单词。 第三天复习前两天的单词，同时再“装进”新的单词……直至记 牢。我们在背单词的时候，不仅仅要记住拼写，同时还要掌握它 的意思及词性。在复习的时候，可以用汉译英或英译汉的方法来 考察自己。背下来的单词可以一带而过，但一定要“扫一眼” ， 重点放在不会的单词上。 （2）语法在小学阶段并不是考试的重点，但语法却影响我 们读书的质量。同学们要“多听、多读” 。我们没有英语语言环 境，只能自己创造。每天抽出一定的时间听和英语有关的东西， 听不懂没关系，重在提高“语感” ，要养成习惯。此外， “开卷有 益”对学习英语同样适用。读英文小故事、小短文，有助于我们 掌握句 样的完 也是非 子的结构。虽然我们学习英语没有母语一 美环境，但每天坚持大量的听，大声的读， 常有效的方法。看过的文章，要争取在读 熟、理解的基础上背下来。 （3）作文，不仅考察单词量，同时也考察同学们的写作能 力。较强的写作能力，要靠长时间的积累。坚持每天写日记是提 高作文水平的重要因素之

一。 掌握的单词， 背诵下来的优美段落， 我们可以通过日记来把它变成自己的语言。 在这个过程中同学会 真正的体会到“温故而知新”的真正含义。

With the advent of the new semester, the students walked out of the happy summer holiday, and will continue to invest in the concentrated study. At the beginning of the semester, it is necessary to set a goal for yourself, make a plan, so as to make it a new term "orderly" produce the desired results. First, correct their attitude. "Attitude is

everything!" attitude is the key to the success, having a good attitude is a prerequisite for a good score! Second in class, listen carefully, understand each issue, finish your homework. Good preview, review after class. Spare time "for a while less games, two more good books", expand knowledge, improve reading and writing skills. Third, good memory rather than bad "remember every note to seriously treat every job, only the Foundation is solid, can only be more tired. Last reminder, there is no reasonable

arrangement, it is a good plan will be in vain. Therefore, in the new term, in time to learn to learn, play, rest and reasonable arrangements. This is important for implementation of goals and plans. English learning "accumulation" of particular importance. Accumulation

of English just like cars, increases in section section. Describes some of the students in English learning methods given below: (1) when we recite words to society of "repetition and accumulation". Most people's memories are similar, we recite words everyday, there will be a certain proportion of forgetting. So we back as much as some words a day, increasing accumulation and timely review. The word "keep" back. We think of the new Word version, is free take out, this very good use of time but also do not think boring. Human memory period is 7 days, one word after 7 days of memories, will have access to the firm. In other words, the word we back the day before you want to review the next day, "into" new words. Review the words two days before the third day, while "into" new words of sth Until know. When we recite words, not only to remember the spelling, but also to grasp its meaning and part of speech. At the time of review, translation from Chinese into English or English-Chinese translation methods can be used to examine ourselves. Memorize words can be slid over, but be sure to "glance", with emphasis on the words that are not. (2) grammar in elementary school are not focus of the examination, but the syntax is affecting our quality of reading. Boys and girls to "listen, read more." We do not have English language environment, only create their own. Every day take a certain amount of time to listen to English-related things, could not understand it doesn't matter, emphasis on enhancing the "sense" to the habit. In addition, "profiting from the word"

apply equally to learn English. Read English stories, short, helps us to grasp the structure of the sentence-like finish is also non-. Although we learn English without speaking a beautiful environment, but insisted on a lot of listening, reading aloud, often an effective method. Read the article, to win over reading on the basis of maturity, understanding heart. (3) The composition, not only vocabulary study, at the same time also investigation of the students writing can force. Strong writing skills, want to rely on long accumulation.

Adhere to write diary every day is carry high level of composition one of the important factors. Master of words, recites the beautiful paragraphs, we can through to turn it into a diary of your language. In the process of homecoming really realize the real meaning of "a lot".