Reviews - Eunyoung Cho

Arctic deer live on islands in Canada’s arctic regions. They search for food by moving over ice from island to island during the course of the year. Their habitat is limited to areas warm enough to sustain the plants on which they feed and cold enough, at least some of the year, for the ice to cover the sea separating the islands, allowing the deer to travel over it. Unfortunately, according to reports from local hunters, the deer populations are declining. Since these reports coincide with recent global warming trends that have caused the sea ice to melt, we can conclude that the purported decline in deer populations is the result of the deer are being unable to follow their age-old migration patterns across the frozen sea.

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

This argument is unconvincing because of the lack of evidence.

The source of the report of the declining deer population is not credible. Local hunters are not experts of changing patterns and population of deer. Deer might learn how to hide from hunters, move to other places, or take another route to move their habitat.

The writer claims that global warming caused the sea ice to melt but he or she didn’t provide any number or evidence to support the idea. Even though the global warming is the issue, he or she should have provided the evidence that the Arctic ocean level has raised.

A nation should require all of its students to study the same national curriculum until they enter college.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe specific circumstances in which adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous and explain how these examples shape your position.

Education plays an important role in forming the basis of a child’s future. The curriculum should, therefore, be carefully chosen to fulfill these requirements. I think the nation requires the same national curriculum for every student until college to some extent but schools should have some freedom to form their own special curriculum that students benefit.

The universal education curriculum benefits schools and students because it determines a standard level of every student and clearly shows students’ next steps. Also, in case of under-performing students, the curriculum shows clear assignments to follow.

In order to find a place for the future career, the students need to compete with each other. Therefore, uniformity is required at some level so that there is fair competition. Generally, students have to face an entrance test at the college level to secure a seat. This entrance test is based on the knowledge acquired by students in their high schools. If there is variation in the curriculum that they have studied, the entrance test will not be made on similar lines for everyone.

The following appeared in a letter to the editor of the Balmer Island Gazette.

“On Balmer Island, where mopeds serve as a popular form of transportation, the population increases to 100,000 during the summer months. To reduce the number of accidents involving mopeds and pedestrians, the town council of Balmer Island should limit the number of mopeds rented by the island’s moped rental companies from 50 per day to 25 per day during the summer season. By limiting the number of rentals, the town council will attain the 50 percent annual reduction in moped accidents that was achieved last year on the neighboring island of Seaville, when Seaville’s town council enforced similar limits on moped rentals.”

Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation is likely to have the predicted result. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.

Limiting the number of mopeds rented by the island’s moped rental companies is not persuasive.

It is more likely that there are more reasons for accidents between mopeds and pedestrians. To support writer’s point, there should be compared statistics about the number of accidents in summer and in other seasons.

The writer blames the mopeds for the primary factor of the accidents. But there is no clear evidence to support writer’s assumption. Perhaps the significant factor of these accidents is the inaccurate traffic rules. Or maybe there is no any walk side for the pedestrians.

Claim: Governments must ensure that their major cities receive the financial support they need in order to thrive.

Reason: It is primarily in cities that a nation’s cultural traditions are preserved and generated.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim and the reason on which that claim is based.

I agree with the claim and reason because usually, major cities are the cities with a long history.

If we consider the major cities as capitals and big cities with a long history such as Rome, London, and Seoul, the city has a lot of historical sites. The leaning tower of Pisa in Rome, Buckingham Palace in London, and many historical palaces in Seoul. Capitals or big cities are where the presidents or kings had lived.

Preserving historical sites in the big cities need a lot of budgets. To restore and protect the palaces and cultural properties, the cities need a lot of money. As some historical sites like temples built with wood have been destroyed by various reasons such as decomposition or war, the major cities need more budget to preserve the historical and cultural site.

The following appeared in a letter from a homeowner to a friend.

“Of the two leading real estate firms in our town — Adams Realty and Fitch Realty — Adams Realty is clearly superior. Adams has 40 real estate agents; in contrast, Fitch has 25, many of whom work only part-time. Moreover, Adams’ revenue last year was twice as high as that of Fitch and included home sales that averaged $168,000, compared to Fitch’s $144,000. Homes listed with Adams sell faster as well: ten years ago I listed my home with Fitch, and it took more than four months to sell; last year when I sold another home, I listed it with Adams, and it took only one month. Thus, if you want to sell your home quickly and at a good price, you should use Adams Realty.”

Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on these assumptions and what the implications are for the argument if the assumptions prove unwarranted.

In the letter, the homeowner argues that Adams is superior to Fitch due to the various reasons but all of those reasons are not convincing because the claims are based on unsubstantiated assumptions.

The assumption is that agents from two firms have equal skills but it might not be true. It is likely that Fitch has better agents, who can deal with the problems better. Also, as agents at Fitch work as part-time, they might know a broader range of people and more diverse way of looking at houses.

The writer assumes that the quality and characteristics of the houses are the same. Even though Adams average revenue is $168,000, compared to Fitch’s $144,000, we cannot conclude that they sell the same size and quality houses with the different prices.

Scandals are useful because they focus our attention on problems in ways that no speaker or reformer ever could.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

Scandals usually catch public’s attention and bring important issues to the table for discussion. However, I don’t agree with the statement that scandals are useful because they focus our attention on problems in ways that no speaker or reformer ever could because of the following reasons.

Scandals can attract attention to the issues that some people are trying to hide in the countries, which people have no right to speak freely. But in democratic countries, it is possible to have speakers who are much more effective and influential than scandals. For instance, Martin Luther King succeeded in focusing the public’s attention on the issue of segregation, and unequal right for black people. He gave speeches in public and advocated people to protest against segregation. Finally, he successfully directed people’s attention on segregation and forced that country to amend the unjustifiable laws.

Sometimes, scandals may focus on unimportant or unrelated issues about celebrities. For instance, we have heard many sexual scandals about many politicians, in some cases, these politicians may be competent in public office and good leaders, but people may start to distrust them or deny their abilities because of their misbehaviors in their personal life. In addition, we may hear some scandals like some politicians are alcoholic or rude to their friends, and these scandals can tarnish their images, and exaggerate the problems, which can possibly mislead the public, and ignore their contributions and talents.

The following appeared as a letter to the editor from a Central Plaza store owner.

“Over the past two years, the number of shoppers in Central Plaza has been steadily decreasing while the popularity of skateboarding has increased dramatically. Many Central Plaza store owners believe that the decrease in their business is due to the number of skateboard users in the plaza. There has also been a dramatic increase in the amount of litter and vandalism throughout the plaza. Thus, we recommend that the city prohibit skateboarding in Central Plaza. If skateboarding is prohibited here, we predict that business in Central Plaza will return to its previously high levels.”

Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation is likely to have the predicted result. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.

The argument is weak.

The writer does not prove that the reason for more litter and vandalism is done by skateboard users. More trash and vandalism cannot be the result of more skateboarding in Central Plaza.

The writer does not mention the key factors of the Central Plaza, such as the price, amenities, and store owner’s kindness. The main factors to choose a shopping mall are the price, amenities, and the owners. We cannot conclude that the decreasing of customers has resulted from skateboarding.

The writer failed to provide enough information about the surroundings of the Central Plaza. Is there a new shopping mall around? Is more place to go shopping? There might be cheaper and better place out there for shopping. Blaming skateboard riders without knowing the situation is irrational.

Educational institutions have a responsibility to dissuade students from pursuing fields of study in which they are unlikely to succeed.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

It is not educational institutions’ responsibility to dissuade students from pursuing fields of study in which they are unlikely to succeed. Educational institutions’ responsibility is to support students to pursue what they like.

No educational institution can judge and decide what a student is good at.

It is hard to know what a student will succeed in by looking at him or her few years.

The following appeared as part of a letter to the editor of a scientific journal.

“A recent study of eighteen rhesus monkeys provides clues as to the effects of birth order on an individual’s levels of stimulation. The study showed that in stimulating situations (such as an encounter with an unfamiliar monkey), firstborn infant monkeys produce up to twice as much of the hormone cortisol, which primes the body for increased activity levels, as do their younger siblings. Firstborn humans also produce relatively high levels of cortisol in stimulating situations (such as the return of a parent after an absence). The study also found that during pregnancy, first-time mother monkeys had higher levels of cortisol than did those who had had several offspring.”

Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and explain how your explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts presented in the argument.

The argument the editor made provides with some conclusions but it lacks proper correlation between hormonal levels of first new born monkeys and human babies. What has been studied about monkeys does not show that humans show the same characteristics.

As rhesus monkeys and humans are different species, the explanation should provide that they have the same or at least similar stimulation. But, it does not explain how human’s stimulation and monkey’s stimulation are the same in the explanation.

A sample size of this study is eighteen rhesus monkeys and it is too small to conclude that all species are the same.

To understand the most important characteristics of a society, one must study its major cities.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

We cannot understand everything about a society by studying its major cities. Many people live outside of cities but we are able to learn the most important characteristics of a society by studying its major cities because of the following reasons.

Major cities have the society’s or country’s most population. Therefore, learning about the major cities covers a large number of the people in that society. To understand most of its people, we must understand the city.

Studying about education facilities is essential to understand a society because it shows so many factors such as culture, courtesy, and future of the society. Learning centers, colleges, universities are usually in a city so understanding major cities is the most important to learn about a society.

Woven baskets characterized by a particular distinctive pattern have previously been found only in the immediate vicinity of the prehistoric village of Palea and therefore were believed to have been made only by the Palean people. Recently, however, archaeologists discovered such a “Palean” basket in Lithos, an ancient village across the Brim River from Palea. The Brim River is very deep and broad, and so the ancient Paleans could have crossed it only by boat, and no Palean boats have been found. Thus it follows that the so-called Palean baskets were not uniquely Palean.

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

The argument shows poor reasoning that the Palean baskets were not uniquely Palean because of the following reasons.

The Brim River could have been shallower and narrower in the past. If the Brim River was shallower and narrower, people at that time would have been able to bring the Palean baskets even without boats to Lithos.

People at that time could have taken the route around the river to go to Lithos. As Palea and Lithos are not islands, it could have been possible to take the route that doesn’t need boats.

As people rely more and more on technology to solve problems, the ability of humans to think for themselves will surely deteriorate.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

Disagree — People think more deeply to solve problems to use technology more effectively.

There is so much information out there online, but it is hard to choose the appropriate information that is essential for me. So people study and think more to have more and better information. For example, using Google Scholar made us more accessible to countless papers and literature but we have to think to use it in the right place.

As the online platform developed, there are many websites to discuss the topics that we are interested in. We can think more deeply by talking and discussing with others. For example, Coursera provides people with free courses in a variety of topics. “Students” take the course and discuss with each other and that makes people think more deeply.

GRE Writing PracticeIntroduction to the Analytical Writing Measure

https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/analytical_writing/

Pool of Issue Topics

https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/analytical_writing/issue/pool

Pool of Argument Topics

https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/analytical_writing/argument/pool

Magoosh

I found this document while researching Gitlab handbook. As I’m now starting to set up the culture for my company, this was the right time for digging in Gitlab. And this document is about diversity and inclusion from Russell Reynolds Associates. 

I have thought the most important value for an organization is diversity and inclusion since I was in UCLA Middle School Diversity Project led by Dr. Juvonen. The lab was the most diverse and safe place for me in UCLA and I attribute my feeling to the diversity and inclusion of the lab. So, as I was reading this, I couldn’t agree more. I hope I could bring this atmosphere in my company in near future.

A journey towards a more diverse workforce and inclusive culture today is therefore critical to companies in their quest for a more resilient tomorrow.

They fight against unconscious bias - training to combat unconscious bias came up in every conversation with our #GameChangers.

In our performance management process, we began eliminating the self-assessed year-end rating after we saw a clear pattern of junior women rating themselves lower than their male counterparts.

Aim to get everyone on board, even if you do not always achieve it.

Inclusive leaders pay attention, assume nothing and question everything.

#GameChangers stand out because of leaders who see the value that diversity brings, foster inclusive cultures and exemplify behaviors that instill a sense of belonging among employees.

A conversation about diversity alone is not enough: Inclusion is essential.

#GameChangers see diversity and inclusion as inextricably linked to business goals.

Diversity and inclusion are about the long game. It affects everyone in the company.

#GameChangers move beyond talk and symbolic hires.

Engaged and inclusive leadership is critical to success. Leaders should be the ones to lead D&I.

Therefore, rather than simply accommodating employees of diverse backgrounds, an inclusive culture must go further, encouraging them to bring their “whole selves” – their passions, strengths, beliefs, backgrounds, priorities, and relationships – to work.Inclusion/belongingness is so important.

Belonging is the extent to which employees feel they can be their authentic selves at work.

The basic premise is each employee asking the question, “Can people like me be successful here?” The key is to make them feel included.

Having a sense of “belonging” to the company and seeing it as a place where they can be their authentic selves.

A better ability to serve customers - Meet the customers from diverse backgrounds.

A higher level of innovation

All employees understand the importance of safety and understand their accountability (regardless of level or position) for safety.

A stronger employer brand - employees bring their friends to the company.

Tackle D&I issues within their own companies, rather than replicating initiatives from other companies.

This is the interview of Heather Doshay, the first HR hire at Rainforest. She explains what she has done during the first 90 days as the first HR hire at a startup.

It has been two months since I joined this company as the first non-engineer. I am not a 100% HR person but as a part of HR in 8 people startup, I read this article at the beginning of my second month. Now, I wanted to see how I have done and what I should do for the next month.

What works for a team of 10 doesn’t usually works for a team of 50.

Playbook for the first 30 days

Usually, startups don't hire HR people when a company is small. They hire them when the problems are already real and apparent The beginning should really just be about listening and getting a full picture of all the challenges the company is facing. 

There are challenges that I have seen and felt during my first two months but I never thought that I had to list them up. Since I am struggling with the absence of the guideline, it’s time for me to make my own guideline, which can be done by listing the challenges we are facing right now.

Setup 1:1s

Beyond getting to know everyone on a professional level, another important aspect was getting to know everyone personally.

I started 1:1s at the beginning of my second month. As I want to make a better team by empowering each member, I should know what team members want and the way to develop their skills. For the first round, the purpose of my 1:1 was to know each member better and the first round ends tomorrow.

Send a company-wide survey

How supportive is Rainforest QA of your career development?

Imagine it's 2 years from today. What do you hope you are doing professionally?

How do you feel about your own performance?

Do you get feedback?

Do you feel comfortable giving feedback?

Since we are 8 people team, I can ask those questions to each member during the second round of 1:1s. I feel like that would be more effective but at the same time, I am thinking a survey can lead to the more honest answers. - so should think about this more

Sit in on meetings

It’s about making strategic choices with people, their time, how we enable them, the resources we give them, the ways we give them freedom or structure so that they can be the most successful, so, that the company hits its business goals. 

HR should understand the business and what is going on across the company.

Making Changes and Mending Mistakes

She repaired a crack in the company’s processes while also making it beautifully fit into the startup’s existing culture.

I haven’t done something remarkable to check mistakes and change yet. Will do when it happens!

Keeping The Good, But Making It Scale

It's about creating the right structures that enable people to feel supported and resourced and able to speak up without creating so many structures that they feel limited. It's a hard balance.

This is the most difficult part as the company grows. For now, communication is not very challenging but soon it will so I should prepare for that!!!!

Flat organizations can’t always scale

Rather than having everyone speaking, you had the voices of the three executives speaking, and assuming that people were sharing things. But they weren't always sharing things. 

The reality is that this isn’t the case. Hiring more executive leadership “actually enables people to speak up because they weren't afraid to speak up to their VP.

I agree that it could be faster and more effective for juniors to learn in a hierarchical organization. Also, it’s harder for juniors to talk to C levels directly. Flat organizations are not always the best but when the bigger executive leadership should be supported by sharing information clearly across the team and coaching the leaders to communicate more clearly and honestly with their team members and the executives. And that might require more leadership education or coaching program.

You’re A Coach, Not An Administrator

Doshay positioned herself early as a coach and strategic partner to senior leadership and continues to do so rather than as an administrative burden. Likewise, she positions herself to the team as a resource rather than a policing agent. She likes to offer one-on-one coaching sessions and career workshops, making herself available to help any employee.  If you look at VP of People, my job is to still help the company meet its business goals and revenue goals, but through people. 

Actually, this is exactly what I want to do. To do this, I need more strategic thinking skills and understanding of my team members. 

It’s a Balancing Act

Your goal is to build a stronger organization that is better for having dealt with its flaws making sure that they’re filled with gold. The best way to do that is by improving the intent of existing process and acknowledging what has made the company successful. Doing so will ultimately make the organization stronger, more beautiful and an amazing place to build a career.

수평적 조직문화

의사결정의 과정에 여러 사람들의 의견이 직급에 상관없이 충분히 논의되고 반대 의견도 묵살되지 않는다. 팀원이 반대 의견을 말할 수 있고, 반대했다는 이유로 불이익을 받지 않는다. 하지만 결국 의사 결정은 의사결정자가 내린다. 왜냐하면 그가 책임을 져야하기 때문이다. 

자율적 조직문화

원칙은 반드시 지키되 원칙으로 정해지지 않은 부분에서 눈치 볼 필요가 없다. 즉, 쓸데없이 눈치보지 않아도 되는 회사. 조직 차원에서 서로의 영역과 권한을 존중하고 조직원이 하는 일에 과도하게 이래라 저래라 하지 않는다. (micromanage 하지 않는다.)

닉네임을 부르고 “님 문화"를 따른다고 해서 수평적이거나 자율적인 조직이라고 할 수 없다. 조직원이 자율적으로 일하지 못한다면 시키는 것만 하게 되고, 책임지고 싶지 않아 하고, 결국 결정을 내리고 책임지는 연습을 할 기회가 없어서 리더를 키워내지 못 하게 된다.

When we consider the low levels of reported workplace engagement, it becomes clear that “not taking it personally” can have real costs. It’s when executives and teams adopt the mindless notion of “it’s not personal, it’s business” that they absolve themselves of their responsibilities as social actors, custodians of the planet, and guardians of the well-being of their employees, customers, and communities. A dehumanized and depersonalized workforce is more likely to treat its multiple stakeholders poorly. If work becomes too dominant a part of your identity, that can also be dangerous.