Undergraduate / "My uncle, the first President of Vietnam" - a person who has greatly influenced you [4]

Write about a person who has greatly influenced you, explaining clearly the reasons for your choice.

The person who has tremendous influence on me is someone I have never had a chance to meet. He was my Uncle. He was the whole nation's Uncle. He was the first President of Vietnam who led the whole nation out of the darkness of enslavement and suffering. His lessons to all Vietnamese do provide a platform for us to follow in whatever we do.

Firstly, President Ho Chi Minh taught us to be loyal to the country and devoted to the people. He taught us this maxim by sacrificing all his life for the sake of the nation and the people. During the Vietnam War, everything he had done was not all for his own interests such as supreme leadership or personal prosperity. It was all for the country and the people. His political lines focused at the people's aspiration; freedom and independence. Therefore, President Ho won the people's full support and confidence. He mobilized the whole nation to take part in the War. He convinced the people to be united and to scarify their personal interests to secure the nation's interests. He knew that the key factor to fight against both external and internal threats was national unity. It is my belief that this decisive factor definitely could not be achieved if our President had ulterior motives rather than the country's freedom and the people's happiness. Indeed, he had nothing in private. He did not even have a family of his own. However, he had successfully won trust, respect and love from every Vietnamese. Vietnamese people were his greatest family. That is the reason why we all call him Uncle Ho. Thanks to Uncle, I have realised how important loyalty and devotion are. Even though I am now studying in a foreign country, I wish to be back to my home country someday, to contribute to the growth and prosperity of the nation and the people. It is simply because no matter whatever country I am staying in, I am forever a Vietnamese!

President Ho was a very determined man. He showed his determination at a very young age of twenty one. In 1911, he decided to travel to France to obtain knowledge, hoping to find a way to rescue the nation from years of enslavement. During his journey, he had done series of manual jobs in order to survive. Struggled to live and study in foreign lands, he also learned a number of languages by him self and could speak them fluently. These languages included English, French and Chinese. His determination was further displayed during the Vietnam War. Who dared to think that Vietnam, such a small and weak nation, could successfully stand up against powerful countries including America? However, our President always said: "Vietnam will be unified and independent." With a determined mind, he led the nation to the final victory, overcoming all the obstacles such as foreign aggression, famine, illiteracy on the way. His famous sayings, "We had rather died than to be enslaved," showed his strong stand and craving for freedom. Since young, I had always remembered the lesson he taught us, which is not to despair when defeated and to fight until the final victory. The lesson, to me is indeed very useful, especially when I struggle with home and school works. Moreover, I am now working very hard to get into a prestigious university. Perhaps, people may say that such objective is very hard to achieve. Still, I want to challenge myself and never give up until the end to fulfill my dreams.

Lastly, our Uncle was a very sentimental man. He had deep affection and pity for his people. Moments of silence for any dead revolutionaries always made him cry. Our Uncle expressed his anxiety for the people in a very simple manner: "one day of my compatriots' suffering makes me lose my appetite and unable to sleep." By doing so, our Uncle had taught us to love and care for others. Vietnam is opening its door to the world and developing in an amazing rate. However, there are still many poor Vietnamese who are struggling to survive. Floods occur every year, taking away the lives of many people in the Central part of Vietnam. The impacts are always devastating. Many people dies and many people suffer from starvation and trauma. Being a Vietnamese, I do want to help our fellow Vietnamese during these hard times. Along with the whole nation, I have donated money to minimize the negative impacts of all these unfortunate disasters. I know that myself alone cannot make any difference but miracle will be made if all Vietnamese stay united and lend their helping hands to those in need.

President Ho Chi Minh was such a great man. To me, he was a legend, a hero whom I can always trust and follow. It is impossible for me to be able to learn everything from him. However, I will try my best to deserve to have him my Uncle!

I appreciate all your advice and comments.

Writing Feedback / Winners And Losers - & Help [4]

Topic: Winners & Losers

Winners are those who perform exceptionally well and always be at the top. Losers, in contrast, perform badly and landed themselves at the bottom. It is how almost everyone defines winners and losers. However, let take students as examples. Is a top student in a school a winner? She possesses first place in the school. However, is she the best in the city, the nation or moreover, the whole world? Similarly, a student may be the worst in the whole school cohort but she does not necessarily be a loser since there are many illiterate kids, who do not even have the chance to go to school. Thus, it is my opinion that what determines winners and losers is not what one achieves but his attitude towards life.

Winners think; losers accept. As everyone faces obstacles in life, it matters how people tackle the problems they face. Winners have pleasure in exploring new things and overcoming themselves. As they look at the obstacles as a challenge instead of a burden, they can stay focus and maximise their potential in order achieve the best results. Winners are able to think, during critical moments, and do not let external factors hinder their brainstorming. Therefore, it is more likely that they can get themselves out of the hard times. To me, businessmen who were able to manage their business well, during the 2009 financial crisis, are winners. It is because they can withstand the pressure and able to think wisely. In contrast, losers are those who surrender the battle not fought. They accept whatever fate brings to them and refuse to think wisely because they are afraid and unconfident. They let their negative emotions holding them back, leading to unwise and uninformed decisions which may worsen the situation they are facing. Therefore, they are more likely to lose out when facing problems in life.

Winners admit their mistake while losers run away from them. It is said that making mistakes plays an important part in nurturing young talents. I believe that the statement is only half correct. Making mistakes is only beneficial if people are willing to admit that they are wrong and learn from their mistakes. In this way, their mistakes will become the treasured experience which they can make use of in order to excel in the future. In contrast, for losers who are afraid to admit their faults, they will not benefit from their mistakes. They will either blame others or just ignore their mistakes. No matter which of the two ways do they choose to tackle the problems, they will only put themselves in more troubles. Blaming others for their mistakes will endanger their relationships with friends and colleagues. On the other hand, ignoring their current faults may lead themselves falling into the same mistakes in the future. Moreover, some losers learn not to make mistakes by not trying anything different. However, in this world where necessary changes should be made in order to remain competitive, people who refuse to adapt to changing environment are likely to fall into misery.

Lastly, winners are not only economically but also socially successful. They are able to build and strengthen relationships with each others regardless of their socio-economic status. They are willing to put themselves out, to the extent that they are able, to provide efficient helps. Winners help others to win. In the end, winners give more than what they take. However, what they receive are, perhaps more treasured and valuable than any material things, long-last friendships. In the other hand, losers cling to the illusion that winning means taking more than you give. They enjoy receiving helps from others but refuse to help and only think about their own benefits. By doing so, losers refuse to make use of the chances to solve the problems which may latter happen to them. They choose to stay in comfortable zone and may end up endangering their relationships with friends and colleagues.

In conclusion, there are many differences between winners and losers. It is my belief that the purpose of classifying ourselves into winners and losers is not to praise some people and humiliate others but to motivate people who are not yet successful and offer them a platform to follow in order to achieve their dreams.

I really appreciate your feedback and help. Tks

Writing Feedback / Honesty - one of the treasured values of human being [2]

Honesty is one of the treasured values of human being. Living life honestly means opening oneself freely and exposing one's true self to others. Honesty is essential because it acts as the glue holding people together. Moreover, honesty helps a person to conquer problems and excel in his life. However, is this always right to tell truth?

First of all, honesty is the foundation upon which a person builds any relationship with his loved ones such as family or friends. By being honest to his loved ones, he will make them feel that they are trustworthy and closed enough for him to totally expose his true self. Thus, they are more assured that he values them and their relationship. The sweetness in the relationship, therefore, is more likely to remain. In contrast, a person will endanger his relationship with others even if he tells lies just for once. For example, a child tells his mother that he will go to the library to study. However, he ends up going to a friend's party and gets caught by his mother. It is understandable that after the incident, the mother will not trust her son as much as before and doubt what he says later. Thus, it may lead to unavoidable misunderstanding and argument. Eventually, the closed relationship might be threatened. Honest produces trust which is needed for a relationship to be sustained. It is inevitably that people have a tendency of relying on an honest person. Imagine who will trust a person who always deprived others of knowing the truth?

In addition, honesty helps a person to conquer problems and excel in life. It is essential for a person to be honest with himself. Only when a person plucks up the courage to face his inner values and emotion, can he get rid of the negative feelings which hold him back and as a result, find the confidence within. The confidence is what he needs in order to handle problems and perform well. Moreover, trust is produced by honesty. Without trust, a person has no credibility which is at the core of being able to influence others and provide strong leadership. It is equally hard for him to seek help from others when needed because others may not believe in whatever he says. In addition, it is said that "what goes around, come around." People that a dishonest person attracts turn out to be very similar to him. Thus, it is perhaps inevitable that the dishonest person may receive someone's dishonest actions or words some day. Therefore, in order to excel in life, it is likely that a person needs friends who trust him and help him to overcome challenges. It can only be achieved by demonstrating honesty to his friends and his fellow counterparts.

However, being brutally honest all of the time can also backfire on a person. There are situations when he inflicts a lot of pain and stress on somebody else by telling the truth. For example, a doctor may not decide to directly tell his patient that the patient suffers from cancer and can live for no longer than three more months. The doctor chooses to keep it a secret because knowing the truth may affect the patient's mental health severely. Therefore, it is comprehensive that a person needs not to be honest all the time. Sometimes, he needs to justify what is the best resolution because not telling the truth, in certain cases, is the best way to protect his loved ones from being hurt.

In conclusion, by living honestly and freely, a person will find that his life is more enriched and meaningful. Honesty helps a person to strengthen his relationship, conquer problems and excel in life. However, a person can choose to not telling the truth in order to protect his loved ones.

Please give some feedback. My exams is coming shortly

Writing Feedback / Mercy & Grace - eternal life, eternal punishment [7]

Topic: Mercy

A common adage says that grace gives what people do not deserve - eternal life while mercy withholds what people do deserve - eternal punishment. However, mercy goes much deeper than that, it is the kindness between human beings.

Mercy strengthens the relationship between mankind. It is often a neglected fact that people can only demonstrate mercy when they are willing to lower themselves. Only when they put themselves in the shoes of those inferior people, can they fully understand what those people need and provide efficient helps. Showing mercy is not the act of throwing some penny to a beggar in order to get rid of him. However, it is rather when one comes to beggar, puts some coins in the box, asking if what he has given is enough for the needy family. By demonstrating mercy, people show their most treasured characteristics, kindness, to people in need. It makes people who are afflicted be more likely to believe in love between humankind because he enjoys the sweetness given by others. People believe it more when they experience it. In return, helpers gain blessings and respect from the needy. Thus, their relationship is built or strengthened, making a warm society where everyone is a son or a daughter of God.

Mercy, to a certain extent, is clarified as forgiveness which helps to maintain the peace worldwide. It is the key factor to solve every kind of conflict. A War can be brought up by many factors such as greed, hatred or disagreement. However, there is only one factor that can put a complete end to a war. It is forgiveness. For example, during the Vietnam War, the American Army had sprayed Agent Orange on various areas all over Vietnam, resulting in various deaths and disabilities. The Agent results in many genetics diseases, making the children who have never engaged in the war suffer from a variety of diseases which is passed down by their parents. Therefore, people around the world definitely think that the Vietnamese victims must possess so much hatred towards the American soldiers. However, they will be surprised to know that the Vietnamese victims have warmly welcomed the American soldiers during their visits to the village. They have treated each other in a surprisingly friendly manner as if all the disastrous consequences have never existed. It is forgiveness that brings human beings closer together. No matter what happens before, together, people play their parts to maintain the harmony.

It is said that only as we demonstrate mercy, do we receive God's mercy. However, a question which raises so much concern among people is that if our motivation of showing mercy is merely a ploy to receive mercy from God. It is definitely shallow if people showing mercy based upon the fear of punishment and hope of reward. Mercy is truly loving our fellow men and willing to put ourselves out, to the extent that we are able. Thus, do enjoy being the givers of mercy!

In conclusion, it is my belief that mercy is not simply the withholding of punishment. It is more of the act of helping and showing kindness towards others to make our world a better world.

Please give me your feedback and advices. Many thanks!!!

Writing Feedback / 'teacher is a challenging career' - What makes a good teacher? [10]

Topic: What makes a good teacher?

It is undeniable that being a teacher is a challenging career. There are so many things to make a good teacher. It is my opinion that, most importantly, the teacher has to be knowledgeable, responsible and caring.

First of all, a good teacher has to be an expert in the subject she teaches. A teacher who does not know their subject well enough, can never fully pass on the treasured knowledge and skills which were preserved by our ancestors to her students. If the teacher does not fully understand what she teaches, she will not be able to answer students' questions and doubts. It will lead to students' knowledge gap and result in serious problem later on. Thus, a wide range of knowledge is absolutely needed to make a good teacher. It is usually seen that teachers are going for courses to strengthen and improve their skills. It is the way teachers keep themselves competitive and updated to new techniques. It will be a misconception if people say only students study. In fact, teachers, do too - especially good teachers.

In addition, good teachers have to be very responsible because they are the ones who play a very important role in nurturing our next generations who are going to determine the future. Thus, good teachers have to be responsible towards their job and understand their importance. There is no point giving students tons of homework if the teachers refuse to mark them. Is this fair when students do their jobs but teacher, on the other hand, have not done theirs? It is not what a responsible teacher should have done. Moreover, what determines a good teacher is the way they face their mistakes. Teachers are human and human make mistakes. The crucial thing is how they face their mistakes and correct them. A good teacher will always sincerely face their mistakes, give her students a reasonable explanation and apologise to them. By doing that, the teacher can not only prove that she is fully responsible towards her job but also gain trust and respect from her students and set a good example for them to follow.

Lastly, a good teacher should be caring towards the students. Most students are immature compared with adults. They undergo emotional revolution and encounter a lot of problems. A good teacher should sense those problems and approach them in a sensible method. Each and every student has different characteristics. For some of them, the teacher can be critical. However, harsh words will only worsen the situation sometimes. Thus, in order to take good care of the students, the teacher has to truly understand them. Understanding can only be achieved by care and communication over a long time. Thus, it takes time and efforts to become a caring teacher.

It is without a doubt that being a teacher is a challenging career and it is even harder to become a good teacher. Not only a good teacher has to be knowledgeable in her works but she has to be responsible and caring at the same time.

Please give some feedback and advice.