3. Associate
• What other topic/thing does your topic make you think
of? Can you compare it to anything else in your
experience? Don't be afraid to be creative here: include
everything that comes to mind.
From http://users.humboldt.edu/tduckart/Cubing.htm
4. Example: a Film
• To expand upon the film as a possible subject for the association
technique, write down the memories/thoughts that arose as you
watched a particular film.
• Did you identify with any of the characters? If so, then why? Did
their stories ring true? Why? Was the setting for that film (or any
other, for that matter) one that was familiar? Why?
• Allow the associations to flow freely from you. Who knows? You
might draw upon one of those memories to serve as the opening
for your paper, or a key point on which to hang the composition.
From http://www.csun.edu/~hcpas003/Cubing.html
5. Example:
Learning to Speak a Foreign Language
• Initially, I associate it with survival!
• Over the long term, learning to speak a foreign language
makes me think of recreating myself or my identity in a new
way for a new context because some words, actions, or
expectations that may not be appropriate in my language and
culture may be appropriate in another.
• I associate it with learning a new way of looking at the world,
or learning how to look at the world through the eyes of
people who live in a reality different to my own.
From http://survivaltips.blogspot.com/2005/05/cubing-pre-
writing-exercise.html
6. Brainstorm using Associate Technique
(5 mins) Individually open a Word document and save it as
ID#_CT3&4
1. With your partner, together brainstorm, using the Associate
technique, on the following topic:
Learning to Speak a Foreign Language
9. Analyze
• Look at your topic's components. How are
these parts related? How is it put together?
Where did it come from? Where is it going?
From
http://users.humboldt.edu/tduckart/Cubing.htm
10. Example: a Film
• Break the subject down into parts and then tell how each
of these assists in propelling the film.
• You might want to discuss plot, setting, characterization,
mood, tone, style.
• This analysis can be positive and negative. It can be
negative when looking at a film and saying that while the
theme was a great one, the character development was
weak, or poorly done. Tell why.
• Remember, no censorship is involved in the creating
process! Every idea is a potential gold mine.
• From http://www.csun.edu/~hcpas003/Cubing.html
11. Example:
Learning to Speak a Foreign Language
• Learning a foreign language has many stages.
– The first stage that many experience is the “silent period” -
listening and trying to understand, but not ready to speak
because of being overwhelmed or too scared.
– How quickly one learns or advances in learning to speak a
foreign language depends on several factors: ability to hear
different sounds, interpret contextual clues, or take risks in
trying to speak even if mostly incorrect.
– Progress is influenced by how much one needs the foreign
language on a daily basis or if one has
social/personal/emotional connections to the foreign culture.
continued
12. Example:
Learning to Speak … continued
• Improvement also depends on the quality of formal
instruction and how much effort the language student
puts in/studies.
• Language development is often linked to the culture
shock and adaptation processes. Adaptability depends on
the individual and/or how similar or different their native
language and culture are from the foreign language and
culture.
Fromhttp://survivaltips.blogspot.com/2005/05/cubing-pre-writing-
exercise.html
13. Tips & Strategies
• In Analysis, you could
– compare and contrast
– explain similarities and differences
– explain causes and effects
• Read about using analysis in your writing, analytical
techniques and an example of analytical writing at
http://www.umuc.edu/writingcenter/onlineguide/chapter3-04.cfm
14. Brainstorm using Analysis Technique
(10 mins) On your Word document saved as ID#_CT3&4
1. Brainstorm using the Analysis technique, on same topic:
Learning to Speak a Foreign Language.
2. In particular use all 3 of the following analytical approaches to
come up with ideas related to the topic:
– compare and contrast with learning your mother tongue
– explain similarities and differences between the two mother
tongues
– explain causes/reasons for promoting that school children learn
another language starting from Grade 3 and the effects
expected if this happens
3. Save and upload your document to Moodle.
