Networking & Digital Communication

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Networking and Digital Communication

Sebelum ditemukannya berbagai macam teknologi dalam bidang komunikasi, ketersediaan informasi yang dibutuhkan banyak orang sangatlah terbatas. Cara mereka dalam bertukar informasi maupun berkomunikasi terbatas melalui percakapan langsung ataupun yang lebih praktis yaitu melalui aktivitas surat-menyurat. Namun, setelah berbagai teknologi dalam bidang komunikasi, misal komputer dan handphone, kegiatan tersebut sudah tidak lagi menjadi suatu keterbatasan.

Pada awal penemuannya, penggunaan komputer hanya terbatas untuk kegiatan penelitian maupun untuk kepentingan personal. Sehingga belum banyak aktivitas yang dapat dilakukan oleh komputer pada saat itu. Tetapi sekitar pada tahun 80-an, kebutuhan akan penggunaan teknologi dalam berbagai pekerjaan semakin meningkat, dan pada saat itu mulailah digunakan networking (jaringan) pada komputer. Dengan penggunaan network, setiap pekerjaan bisa diselesaikan dalam waktu yang cepat. Hal ini disebabkan dengan penggunaan network, antara satu komputer dengan komputer yang lain, baik itu berada dalam satu ruangan maupun berbeda ruangan, bisa melakukan interaksi misalnya bertukar informasi dan sharing data pada setiap komputer.

Seiring berjalannya waktu, penggunaan teknologi network yang semakin luas, maka perkembangan teknologi tersebut meningkat tajam. Berbagai jenis jaringan telekomunikasi telah banyak dikenal dan dipergunakan. Berdasarkan media elektronik yang digunakan, jaringan komputer dapat dibedakan, diantaranya:

1.       Jaringan kabel (Wireline)

2.       Jaringan tanpa kabel (Wireless)

3.       Jaringan dengan modem

4.       Jaringan dengan satelit

1.       Jaringan kabel (Wireless)

Jaringan komputer wireline bekerja dengan menggunakan kabel-kabel sebagai penghubung antar komputer. Kabel yang dapat digunakan antara lain kabel coaxial, twisted pair, dan serat optic. Pada setiap komputer harus dilengkapi dengan katu antarmuka yang disebut dengan NIC (Network Interface Card) atau LAN (Local Area Network).

·         Kabel coaxial terdiri dari berbagai ukuran, dengan diameter yang besar dan memiliki transmisi yang panjang dan dapat menolak noise (cross talk). Thick coaxial atau disebut juga dengan kabel coaxial gemuk memiliki diameter 12 mm dan berwarna kuning. Kabel ini dikenal dengan nama 10base5, dengan daya jangkau kabel berkisar 500 s.d. 2500 meter. Kabel ini banyak digunakan untuk komunikasi broadband seperti pada jaringan TV kabel. Thin coaxial /kabel coaxial kurus berdiameter 8 mm, kabel berwarna hitam, dan digunakan oleh kalangan radio amatir yang memerlukan outpit daya besar,  untuk jaringan LAN yang menggunakan topologi jaringan fisik bus dan ring.

·         Twisted pair

Twisted pair adalah kabel yang terbuat dari tembaga yang terdiri dari delapan kabel. Kabel ini dililit secara bersamaan untuk menghindari terjadinya noise electrics (cross talk) yang berasal dari dalam kabel serta interferensi elektromagnetik dan frekuensi radio yang berasal dari luar kabel. Kabel twisted pair terdiri dari Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) dan Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP). Perbedaan antara dua kabel ini terletak pada tambahan lapisan pembungkus pada kabel. Kecepatan transmisi kabel twisted pair yaitu antara 2-10 Mbps.

·         Serat optic

Kabel serat optic adalah kabel dalam jaringan wireline yang dapat mentransmisikan bit menjadi cahaya. Dengan mentransmisikan sinyal (bit) menjadi cahaya menunjukkan bahwa kabel ini memiliki kecepatan yang sangat tinggi dibandingkan dengan kabel coaxial dan twisted pair. Serat optic dapat menahan atau menolak interferensi elektromagnetik dan cross talk serta tidak membawa sinyal listrik. Kabel ini memiliki kemampuan jangkauan berkisar 550 s.d. ratusan kilometer dengan transfer data 100 Mbps.

Jaringan kabel bisaa digunakan pada area yang kecil, misalnya dalam satu ruangan dan gedung. Setiap komputer yang terhubung dalam jaringan memiliki NAC Address atau IP Adress (Internet Protocol) yang berbeda-beda.

Keunggulan dari jaringan wireline antara lain:

1.       Transmisi data 2-100 Mbps

2.       Delay atau waktu koneksi antar komputer cepat

3.       Transmisi data berjalan lancar

4.       Biaya peralatan terjangkau

Kelemahan dari jaringan wireline antara lain:

1.       Penggunaan terbatas pada satu tempat yang terjangkau kabel

2.       Waktu instalasi lama

3.       Membutuhkan lokasi dan tempat yang permanen

4.       Membutuhkan biaya pemeliharaan rutin

5.       Sulit untuk berpindah tempat

2.       Jaringan tanpa kabel (Wireless)

Dengan bertambah canggihnya teknologi informasi, untuk membangun suatu jaringan komputer dapat dimungkinkan tanpa penggunaan kabel (nirkabel). Sebagai gantinya, dapat digunakan gelomban radio (Radio Frequency), sinar inframerah (infrared), Bluetooth, dan melalui gelombang mikro (microwave). Komputer mobile seperti notebook dan Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) merupakan komputer yang dapat digunakan pada jaringan nirkabel.

Keuntungan dari jaringan nirkabel antara lain:

1.       Memberikan layanan akses real-time kepada pengguna jaringan di mana saja selama dalam batas aksesnya

2.       Proses instalasi tergolong cepat

3.       Tergolong fleksibel, dapat digunakan pada berbagai tempat tanpa bergantung pada kabel

4.       Kemampuan jangkauan luas dan dapat melayani ribuan pengguna.

Kelemahan jaringan nirkabel antara lain:

1.       Transmisi data hanya 1-2 Mbps

2.       Transmisi data dari komputer yang berbeda dapat mengganggu satu sama lain

3.       Biaya peralatan mahal

4.       Adal delay atau waktu koneksi yang lama

5.       Adanya masalah propagasi radio, seperti terhalang, terpantul, atau terjadi interferensi

6.       Keamanan data tidak terjamin

7.       Sinyalnya dapat terputus-putus karena adanya benda yang menghalangi

3.       Jaringan dengan modem

Jaringan komputer dapat dibuat dengan menggunakan modem. Modem (modulator demodulator) adalah media elektronik yang digunakan untuk menghubungkan komputer dengan jaringan Internet. Cara kerja modem adalah dengan mengubah sinyal digital yang telah diterjemahkan menjadi sinyal analog untuk ditransmisikan dan sebaliknya, menerjemahkan sinyal analog menjadi sinyal digital. Berdasarkan teknologinya, modem dapat dibedakan menjadi:

·         Modem dial-up (Modem telepon)

Modem dial-up bekerja denganmenggunakan jaringan wireline yaitu kabel telepon. Pemasangan modem dial-up lebih mudah dan biaya yang jauh lebih murah dengan kecepatan akses bervariasi. Untik dapat berlangganan Internet dengan modem dial-up dapat menghubungi Internet Service Provider (ISP). Modem dial-up yang tersedia di pasaran terdiri dari modem eksternal yang dipasangkan di komputer melalui kabel data USB, maupun modem internal yang dipasang pada slot ekspansi mainboard.

·         Cable modem

Cable modem memiliki cara kerja yang sama dengan NIC atau kartu Ethernet yang dipasang pada komputer untuk LAN. Perbedaannya hanya dalam masalah jarak. Modem tidak dipengaruhi oleh jarak walaupun kecepatan akses hanya sekitar 50 Kbps, sedangkan pada Ethernet yang memiliki kecepatan 10-100 Mbps hanya bisa bekerja dalam jarak maksimum kurang lebih 1 km. Cable modem memiliki kecepatan akses berkisar antara 3-56 Mbps dan bisa bekerja pada jarak 10 km lebih.

Kecepatan transfer modem dipengaruhi oleh beberapa factor, misalnya:

·         Kecepatan prosesor dan memori komputer

·         Hardware dan software yang mengatur alur data antara jaringan dan Internet

·         Kepadatan lalu lintas Internet melalui backbone Internet dari penyedia jasa Internet

·         Kemampuan dan kecepatan dari server pusat akses data

·         Jumlah pengguna yang mengakses suatu server dalam waktu yang bersamaan.

4.       Jaringan dengan satelit

Dengan penggunaan satelit pada jaringan komputer, kebutuhan akses internet yang berkecepatan tinggi dan kebutuhan aplikasi multimedia seperti webcam dan teleconference bisa terpenuhi. Teknologi Internet dengan satelit mampu mencakup daerah geografis yang luas dengan kecepatan akses tinggi.

Kelebihan jaringan satelit antara lain:

1.       Jangkauan yang luas antar benua

2.       Mampu mentransmisikan data dengan kecepatan tinggi

3.       Pembangunan infrastruktur relative cepat

Kelemahan penggunaan jaaringan satelit antara lain:

1.       Keamanan data kurang terjamin

2.       Peralatan yang dibutuhkan sangat mahal.

Selain berdasarkan media elektronik yang digunakan, jaringan komputer juga dapat dibagi berdasarkan jarak, misalnya Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), dan Wide Area Network (WAN)

1.       Local Area Network (LAN)

Jaringan area lokal, yaitu jaringan yang terbatas untuk area kecil, seperti pada lingkungan perkantoran, gedung, maupun sekolah. Dalam jaringan LAN terdapat satu komputer yang berfungsi sebagai file server. Fungsinya adalah untuk memberikan layanan perangkat lunak (software), mengatur aktivitas jaringan, dan menyimpan file. Selain komputer server, ada pula komputer lain yang terhubung dalam jaringan (metwork) yang disebut dengan workstation (client). Pada umumnya, jaringan LAN menggunakan media kabel (wireline) untuk menghubungkan komputer-komputer yang digunakan.

LAN memiliki ukuran yang terbatas yang berarti sewaktu mentransmisikan data terburuknya dapat diketahui sebelumnya sehingga memudahkan pengaturan jaringannya. Bisaanya, kecepatan transmisi pada jaringan LAN berkisar antara 10-100 Mbps dengan delay rendah dan factor kesalahan kecil. Topologi yang sering digunakan bisaanya topologi bus dan ring dengan teknologi transmisi broadcast.

2.    Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

        Jaringan MAN memiliki wilayah jangkauan yang lebih luas dibandingkan dengan LAN. Jaringan MAN menghubungkan jaringan-jaringan kecil yang ada, seperti LAN menuju ke area yang lebih besar. Sebagai contoh, beberapa bank yang memiliki jaringan komputer di setiap cabangnya dapat berhubungan satu sama lain sehingga setiap nasabahnya dapat melakukan transaksi menyimpan uang, mengambil uang, atau transaksi lainnya di cabang manapun dalam provinsi yang sama.

3.    Wide Area Network (WAN)

        Jaringan ini mencakup area geografis yang lebih luas dengan menjangkau daerah yang berada di belahan bumi yang lain. Jaringan WAN menghubungkan satu komputer dengan komputer yang lain melalui jaringan satelit atau kabel bawah laut. Komunikasi da transformasi data dapat dilakukan dalam beberapa menit dengan menggunakan perangkat mesin atau komputer yang disebut dengan host. Host dihubungkan dengan sebuah subnet komunikasi. Subnet membawa pesan dari host satu ke host yang lain.

Perbedaan antara LAN, MAN, dan WAN terletak pada jangkauan wilayah dan kecepatan proses pengalihan data. LAN memiliki jangkauan terbatas sekitar 2 km, tetapi memiliki kecepatan transfer data sampai 100 Mbps dan WAN memiliki jangkauan yang lebih jauh sampai ribuan kilometer tetapi kecepatan transfer data terbatas sampai 64 Kbps.

Media komunikasi digital

Berkembangnya teknologi informasi membuat arus budaya dan kebisaaan hidup berubah. Sebagai contoh, pada awalnya komunikasi antar orang hanya bisa terjadi jika ada interaksi langsung antar pelaku. Akan tetapi setelah berkembangnya teknologi, komunikasi yang semula mustahil untuk dilakukan, seperti berbicara dengan orang-orang dari berbagai penjuru dunia, dapat terjadi. Selain itu, untuk bertukar informasi tidak perlu lagi menggunakan surat yang harus ditulis tangan. Dengan adanya fasilitas e-mail (electronic mail), semua orang bisa berinteraksi secara bebas dengan siapapun, kapanpun, dan dimanapun tanpa ada suatu batasan yang berarti. Fasilitas komunikasi yang tersedia, misalnya e-mail, instant messaging, blogging, telekonferensi, dan lain-lain.

E-mail (electronic mail/surat elektronik)

E-mail adalah suatu fasilitas di internet untuk kepentingan surat-menyurat. Melalui email kita dapat mengirim surat elektronik baik berupa teks maupun gabungan dari beberapa tipe file, seperti file office dan gambar, yang dikirimkan dari satu alamat email ke alamat lain di jaringan internet. Pada saat ini, fasilitas e-mail tidak hanya ditujukan kepada kegiatan surat-menyurat saja, tetapi juga sudah merambah ke dunia pendidikan dan bisnis. Contohnya saja banyak katalog-katalog suatu produk yang ditawarkan oleh suatu perusahaan melalui e-mail. Penyedia layanan e-mail yang banyak digunakan saat ini diantaranya yahoo, plasa, dan g-mail.

Adapun manfaat penggunaan e-mail antara lain:

1.       Efektif untuk kepentingan surat-menyurat. Surat yang telah dikirim akan cepat sampai kepada si penerima.

2.       Efisien untuk mengirim lembar dokumen dalam jumlah yang banyak.

3.       Fleksibel, tidak lagi tergantung kepada kertas dan perangko.

4.       Dapat dijadikan sebagai forum diskusi.

5.       Untuk berlangganan informasi tertentu secara periodik.

6.       Untuk mengirim lamaran pekerjaan.

7.       Sebagai tanda identitas di internet.

8.       Sebagai penampung surat dan pesan dalam jumlah yang banyak.

Dalam penggunaan e-mail sebagai sarana komunikasi, perlu diperhatikan beberapa etika agar tidak terjadi penyalahgunaan e-mail.

1.       Jangan mengirim surat elektronik dengan lampiran (attachment) yang terlalu besar (lebih dari 512 kB). Tidak semua orang mempunyai akses Internet yang cepat, dan ada kemungkinan lampiran tersebut melebihi kapasitas surat elektronik penerima, sehingga akan ditolak mailserver penerima. Selain itu, perhatikan juga bahwa beberapa penyedia surat elektronik juga menerapkan batasan tentang jumlah, jenis, dan ukuran surat elektronik yang dapat diterima (dan dikirim) penggunanya,

2. Jangan mengirim lanjut (forward) surat elektronik tanpa berpikir kegunaan bagi orang yang dituju. Forward e-mail yang terlalu berlebihan akan menyulitkan si penerima memahami isi sebenarnya dari e-mail yang dikirim dan memakan kapasitas penyimpanan yang lebih besar.

3.       Selalu isi kolom subjek, jangan dibiarkan kosong.

4. Dalam mengutip tulisan orang lain, selalu usahakan mengutip seperlunya. Hal-hal yang harus diperhatikan antara lain: 
1. dalam menjawab surat elektronik orang lain, kutip bagian yang kita tanggapi saja, selain lebih jelas juga tidak memakan waktu / jatah akses penerima,
2. dalam mengutip tulisan orang ketiga, kutip sesedikit mungkin dan jangan lupa untuk member sumber rujukan.

5.       Jangan menggunakan huruf kapital karena dapat menimbulkan kesan bahwa si pengirim sedang dalam keadaan marah atau membentak si penerima e-mail.

6.       Gunakan kata-kata dengan santun. Adakalanya sesuatu yang kita tulis akan terkesan berbeda dengan apa yang sebetulnya kita maksudkan.

Blogging

Blog adalah kependekan dari weblog, istilah yang pertama kali digunakan oleh Jorn Barger pada bulan Desember 1997. Jorn Barger menggunakan istilah weblog untuk menyebut kelompok website pribadi yang selalu diupdate secara berkelanjutan dan berisi link-link ke website lain yang mereka anggap menarik disertai dengan komentar-komentar mereka sendiri.

Secara garis besar, Weblog dapat dirangkum sebagai kumpulan website pribadi yang memungkinkan para pembuatnya menampilkan berbagai jenis isi pada web dengan mudah, seperti karya tulis, kumpulan link internet, dokumen-dokumen (file-file word,PDF,dll), gambar ataupun multimedia.

Para pembuat blog dinamakan blogger. Melalui blognya, kepribadian blogger menjadi mudah dikenali berdasarkan topik apa yang disukai, apa tanggapan terhadap link-link yang di pilih dan isu-isu didalamnya. Oleh karena itu blog bersifat sangat personal.

Perkembangan lain dari blog yaitu ketika blog memuat tulisan tentang apa yang seorang Blogger pikirkan, rasakan, hingga apa yang dia lakukan sehari-hari. Blog kemudian juga menjadi Diary Online yang berada di Internet. Satu-satunya hal yang membedakan blog dari diary atau jurnal yang bisaa kita miliki adalah bahwa blog dibuat untuk dibaca orang lain.

Berbagai macam jenis blog yang dikenal diantaranya:

1.       Blog politik

2.       Blog kesehatan

3.       Blog sastra

4.       Blog agama

5.       Blog media

6.       Blog pendidikan

7.       Blog bertopik (blog yang fokus pada bahasan tertentu)

8.       Blog bisnis

Keuntungan dari penggunaan Weblog antara lain:

1.       Melalui weblog,kita dapat memperluas hubungan teman/ kenalan hingga dapat membentuk suatu komunitas yang besar.

2.       Weblog melebihi surat elektronik (Email), karena satu posting blog yang anda bahas, dapat dibaca oleh pengunjung blog yang tak terbatas. Beda dengan email yang hanya bisa dibaca oleh orang yang kita kirimkan. Selain itu, pengunjung blog juga dengan cepat dapat memberikan respon terhadap posting blog melalui komentar yang dapat langsung dituliskan di blog tersebut.

Seiring perkembangan weblog dari waktu ke waktu, pengertian weblog juga akan berkembang seiring dengan ide - ide dan kemauan para blogger.

Blog juga dapat menjadi media untuk mengungkapkan usul, komentar dan saran seorang siswa tentang sistem pengajaran yang ada di sekolah, sehingga pihak guru dan sekolah dapat meningkatkan kinerja mereka sesuai yang diharapkan para peserta didik dalam hal ini adalah siswa sekolah.

Kekuatan blog dalam dunia dalam dunia pendidikan

• Isinya bisa luas menyangkut banyak hal pengajaran
• Bisa dijadikan ajang belajar menulis untuk menuangkan ide
• Menembus ruang dan waktu
• Pengembangan proses pembelajaran yang bervariatif

Blog sangat mudah pengelolaannya dibandingkan website. Bahkan untuk di wordpress.com jika belum berpengalaman dapat mempelajari cara membuat blog. Hal ini mudah untuk diikuti. Dengan adanya software blog editor yang bisa dipakai secara offline maka waktu koneksi bisa dipersempit dan hemat biaya jika harus membayar rekening telepon. Dibutuhkan koneksi internet tidak lebih dari 1 jam jika tulisan sudah dipersiapkan secara offline.

Blog sebagai media informasi dan promosi sebuah institusi

Dengan semakin berkembangnya zaman maka media komunikasi juga semakin berkembang salah satunya yaitu blog. Jika dahulu mengiklankan sebuah produk perusahaan dengan mengguakan media cetak atau pamflet dan poster yang mengelurkan biaya banyak, maka sekarang promosi sebuah produk dapat menggunakan sebuah blog yang murah meriah dan gratis. Blog juga dapat di jadikan sebagai media promosi seorang penulis untuk memasarkan bukunya. Dengan blog seorang penulis buku dapat memberikan tulisan singkat atau resensi buku ang ditulisnya, sehingga para pembaca dapat tertarik untuk membeli buku tersebut

.

Blog dapat disimpulkan sebagai media informasi baik yang bersifat formal (pada sebuah institusi) atau informal (ajang tulis menulis kegiatan sehari-hari seorang blogger) yang bersifat murah meriah dan tidak memerlukan keahlian khusus untuk membuatnya misalnya keahlian HTML. Blog sangat mudah dibuat oleh seorang awan dalam dunia website. Blog dapat dihias sesuai dengan keinginan pembuatnya misalnya dipercantik dengan hitcounter, lokasi dan IP address pengakses dan merubah background sesuai keinginan.

Manfaat dari penggunaan blog antara lain:

1.       Media aktualisasi diri

Dengan menggunakan blog, setiap orang dapat apa yang dipikirkannya, apa yang menjadi perhatianya, apa yang menarik untuknya, apa yang disenanginya, apa yang dibencinya, apa pemikirannya dan apa yang diinginkannya. Media aktualisasi diri yang digunakan bisa dalam bentuk tulisan yang dimuat di blog.

2.       Media promosi

Dengan penggunaan dan strategi yang tepat, kita bisa mendatangkan para pengguna internet ke blog yang kita miliki dan membuatnya membaca apa yang kita promosikan.

3.       Mendapatkan penghasilan

Dengan berbagai konten dan entri yang berkualitas, kita bisa berafiliasi dengan suatu produk atau langsung menjual produk tersebut melalui blog yang kita miliki.

4.       Media sharing

Kita bisa berbagi pengalaman, informasi dan pengetahuan yang kita miliki kepada orang lain melalui tulisan yang ada di blog kita.

Dengan majunya ilmu pengetahuan, terutama dalam bidang teknologi, cara setiap orang untuk bekerja maupun berkomunikasi satu sama lain berubah drastis. Beberapa contoh perubahan gaya hidup manusia setelah adanya revolusi teknologi:

1.       Sebelum masa perkembangan teknologi, banyak orang mengandalkan surat sebagai media untuk komunikasi dengan kerabat mereka yang berada di tempat yang jauh. Namun setelah dikenalnya e-mail, SMS, dan telepon, jarak yang jauh tidak lagi menjadi halangan. Komunikasi antar orang yang berjauhan sudah seperti komunikasi dengan tatap muka langsung. Malah, berkomunikasi menjadi lebih efektif dan efisien bila menggunakan media elektronik dibandingkan dengan surat bisaa.

2.       Pekerjaan yang pada awalnya berat, bahkan mustahil untuk dilakukan, dapat diatasi berkat bantuan teknologi. Misalnya penggunaan alat-alat berbasiskan mesin dan komputer pada setiap kegiatan industry. Pekerjaan yang dilakukan akan lebih cepat selesai tanpa harus bekerja terlalu keras.

3.       Dalam kegiatan bisnis, setiap orang yang ingin melakukan transaksi jual beli tidak perlu lagi harus bertatap muka untuk melakukannya. Dengan berbagai fasilitas yang ditawarkan melalui media internet, transaksi jual beli dapat dengan cepat dan mudah dilakukan.

4.       Untuk menulis apa yang dialami atau pengalaman hidup yang ingin di-share dengan orang lain, tidak perlu lagi menggunakan diary atau catatan harian. Dengan fasilitas blog, setiap tulisan yang kita posting akan bisa dibaca oleh orang lain. Bahkan dengan menggunakan blog, kita juga bisa mempromosikan diri dan mendapat keuntungan dengan melakukan berbagai aktivitas bisnis didalamnya.

Dengan banyaknya keuntungan yang bisa kita dapatkan dari perkembangan teknologi, terutama dalam bidang telekomunikasi, kita juga tidak lantas melupakan media komunikasi tradisional lainnya. Hal ini dikarenakan adanya keterbatasan dalam media elektronik, terutama dalam bidang sosial. Dengan komunikasi tatap muka langsung dengan orang lain, tentunya rasa keterikatan sosial kita dengan orang lain akan lebih terjaga. Intinya adalah bagaimana kita menyikapi berbagai perubahan dalam hidup ini, serta mampu bersikap bijak dan selektif dalam menangkap segala perubahan tersebut.

Sumber rujukan

http://kangbudhi.wordpress.com/2007/12/01/manfaat-blog-sebagai-media-informasi/

http://bloggingly.com/11-manfaat-blog-dari-media-aktualisasi-hingga-mendapatkan-penghasilan/

http://blog.bukukita.com/?nav=helpArtiBlog

http://www.navinot.com/2008/09/19/17-tips-etika-penggunaan-e-mail/

http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surat_elektronik

Teknologi Informasi & Komunikasi SMA Kelas X, karangan Rudi Hidayat, Nana Juhana, dan Deden Suryana. Penerbit Erlangga tahun 2006.

Ruang Terbuka Hijau / Green Open Space (Lagi" Tugas Bahasa Inggris)

Kali ini (lagi-lagi) saya coba posting hasil essay yang telah saya buat untuk tugas akhir mata kuliah Bahasa Inggris. Sekarang, jumlah kata yang harus tersedia dalam satu essay minimal 2000 kata (baik banget tuh yang ngasih tugasnya...). Tapi sekarang jangan dilihat dulu dari segi aspek tugas kuliahnya, tapi dari kenyataan yang ada. Saya tinggal di Bandung, dan yang namanya Ruang Terbuka Hijau itu makin lama makin sempit, atau tetap ada tapi tidak terawat dan rawan dialihfungsikan. Jadi maklum sajalah kalo misalkan orang-orang yang datang ke Bandung bakal ngerasa kalo Bandung itu makin panas (meski tidak sepanas kota-kota besar lainnya seperti Jakarta atau Surabaya). Di essay ini juga, saya nambahin argumen-argumen mengapa RTH itu penting untuk ada di suatu kota dan kendala-kendala yang dihadapi terhadap eksistensi RTH saat ini. Silahkan dibaca... :) (Maaf kalo misalnya ada kata atau kalimat yang sulit dimengerti atau salah dalam penyusunannya, manusia memang ga ada yang sempurna kan :p )

Green Open Space: The Heart of Our City

Nowadays, our world is getting more developed rather than in the past. Every side in our live is improved significantly such as science and technology. This means that the way we live in this world is changed time by time. We can take the development in the city as an example. If we compare between our cities in 1980’s and now, we will see so many difference. The quantity of building exists in the city, the space used to build highways, and also the quantity of vehicle which across the highways everyday is grown. Actually, this kind of development doesn’t seem to have any negative effect. But recently, the environmental issues come as a side effect of the city’s development. We know that global warming become a hot issues that spread widely entire the world, and the air pollution containing many harmful gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) is the major factor why this problem happened. The main source of air pollution in the city area is coming from the vehicles. The quantity of vehicle is increasing, proportional with our necessity to stay mobile in order to do many activities in this global life. So, we cannot reduce the quantity of vehicle easily. In the other side, there is another way we can do in order to reduce the side effect of the development. The rearrangement of city’s system is an alternative solution. The way our cities is arranged, it must concern with the maintenance of the environment. One way to keep the environment safe is expanding the quantity of green open space in the city. Although there are not enough space to build some green open spaces, and the green open space that exists now in the city is vulnerable to be damaged, but basically it have many benefits for the society in many aspects of live. Green open space can balance the development in the city, control and maintain the city’s environment from any damage, and reserve the natural biodiversity. Green open space also can be used as a place where people can gather each other and do social activities, or as a landmark that can attract tourists from other cities or country, so the city government can take additional regional income.

Green open space (Indonesian: Ruang Terbuka Hijau) is defined as a tree-planted public places in a city. The definition of green open space include the variety of city park with trees that standing close each other, or open space in the city that also containing trees. In many countries, including Indonesia, the existence of green open space is ruled by the government. The government makes the policy about the environments, including the existence of green open space, to keep them protected. In Indonesia, every city must have at least 30% green open space from the total area of the city, and 20% of them must be the open space that accessible for public. The remaining space can be maximized by the city government to expand the infrastructure for citizen’s activity like office buildings and highways. The arrangement of the city has a great role to create positive city image in every people’s view.

Every city in the world, especially metropolitan city, is known by its appearance. This appearance can be seen by the high building standing in the center of the city, the wide highway that moved across by a large amount of vehicle, and many things. People who come at first time to the city will be excited by this kind of view. But, it will be an irony if a large city don’t have or only have little space of refreshing-look places like a city park. How can we still stand in such hot weather in a huge city without any shaded-cool places? So, the development of city must be balanced by adding some green open spaces in city area. This area will make the city’s appearance is more different. The view of city that known as a high polluted area, with many traffic problems in the highways can be balanced by a refresh scenery coming from green space area like city park. Outsiders will enjoy the city more if they can see a nice arrangement of city that combines high tall buildings with wide city parks exist entire the city.

The environmental issues, as explained above, come as a side effect of the city’s development and also the way people live now. The increasing of earth’s temperature caused by global warming can be felt by us now. The air pollution is getting more and more serious. Eventually, we will be hard to take a fresh breath when we stand in the edge of the street. The air is contaminated by smoke coming from the vehicles, which contain several dangerous substances like carbon monoxide gas, and lead. Carbon dioxide gas will be emitted by vehicles and basically it’s not too dangerous. But, if the amount of carbon dioxide is more increasing, then it will be dangerous for the environment. As we know that global warming is caused majorly by carbon dioxide gas. Actually, the trees that exist in the city park or in the street can control the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. The trees need this gas to do a photosynthesis process. This cycle will produce oxygen gas which needed by people. Therefore, the existence of green open space in the city is so important in order to control and maintain the environment from getting any damage. It can keep the amount of air pollutant and also produce useful substance for our life. By this action, we can keep the environment in stabilize condition even though it can’t be reduce the amount of pollutant coming from the vehicle.

Theoretically, the green open space is categorized as an ecosystem, comprising both living (people, shrubs, herbs, animals, microorganisms), and nonliving parts or physical environment (light, moisture, soil, rocks). The ecosystem itself is formed by the interaction between living and nonliving parts. The living parts like animals and herbs can make a symbiosis mutualism, which allow them to get the usefulness from each other. Also, the living parts can use physical environment to do their activity and keep them life. Those interactions will keep both of them preserved. Green open space can be analogized as a miniature of forest exists in the city. It can reserve natural biodiversity like trees and other vegetations. We will see plenty kinds of tree standing in the city park, which can grow without taken any damage because of human activity. It can be happened if the green open space is maintained and preserved time by time.

As mentioned above that the green open space is so useful for the environmental side. Moreover, it can be useful in social aspect too. Nowadays, the city has its own place where people can gather each other, for example in the shopping district, food court, or gaming zone. Actually, it doesn’t seem bad if people often meet each other in that place. But, it will be more meaningful if people not only interact with the other, but they also interact with other living parts like nature. The green open space like a city park can be used as a place where people can gather each other and do their social activities like doing some exercises. The advantage of the green open space is that people can also interact with nature. We can imagine the daily activity occur in the city park. Many people, young and old, come to this place, especially during the daytime. They can do many things and eventually will feel refresh because of the scenery and condition of this place. The children also can play with the other, for example play football or hide and seek, which cannot be done if they are in the place like shopping district or food court. As we know that the playing court available in many cities is getting more slightly. Children can’t play in the edge of the road or they can get an accident. So, the green open space can be a solution for this problem.

Many cities in the world not only exist as a center of industry or business activity, but they also become the destination place to be visited by some people, especially during the holiday. The city in other countries like Singapore is visited by so many tourists each year. It can be happened because the image of the city itself is excellent in people’s view, mainly in the environmental side. Although the center of interest of a city can be many things, like the luxurious of the city, but the nature of city itself can be an important reason why people can come to the city. As we know that many places are known by their landmark, for example Paris with its Eiffel Tower or China with its amazing Great Wall. The city government can maximize the function of the green open space, not only for the environmental aspect, but also for being a center of interest from the city. The green open space, like the city park, can be existed as a landmark. The image of the city isn’t decided only by its glamorous appearance. A small city can be popular, same with metropolitan city, if that city can arrange and optimize its city’s system correctly. By maintaining and keeping the environment and the important place like green open space as a landmark, the city can attract many people to come to that place. The city government itself will earn many advantages, especially increasing the amount of city’s income. It can grow up the economic side in the city too, because it can open the opportunity for the citizens to get the job, for example as a guide tour. Overall, the optimizing of the green space area’s function will create remarkable advantages for the city development.

The green open space will give many advantages for the city, but the reality that exists now is different. We will see that the advantage itself is hard to be proven. The city development is getting faster, and the necessity to add and expand the infrastructure of the city become more important. As a center of business activity, the city government will concern more in building some factories to maintain the increasing of economic rate growth or widening the highways to make the citizen’s activity become easier. It seems good if the development itself can be balanced by the maintaining of the city environment. But, we must aware that although the development is getting more increase, but the city itself won’t get wider. It means that there will be a time that the city becomes more and more pressed. The space available in the city will used up only for the commercial interest. And this will sacrifice the city environment, especially the existing green open space. The amount of green space area will get no significant increasing. Instead, it will get more pressed. As mentioned above that in Indonesia, every city must have at least 30% green open space from the total area of the city. But we can see the actual fact that only less of the space in the city is used for build the green space area. In several cities, they take only 10% of the total area of the city to build the green space area. The other thing, it seems to be a tragic fact if we see the edge of the street now. It only has a few of tree standing there. Some of them is damaged because lack of maintaining. So, it will be ordinary thing that we will feel so exhausted if we walk in the street for a long distance now.

The other fact we will see about the green open space is the existing green open space now is vulnerable to be damaged. The lack of maintaining by the government or the citizen is a major factor why the green open space will get damage easily. We usually see the city park which not maintained in right order. Rubbish scattered everywhere, the vegetation in the park is withered, and the other physical properties like trash can or bench’s park is broken. It seems to be like an irony if the green open space is only exists as a formality for the city. Next, some green open spaces isn’t owned fully by the city government, so the function of them sometimes will be changed or eventually those existence will be no more because some people will be interested in the commercial aspect rather than environmental side. So, they will prefer to build the shopping district rather than keeping the existence of the green open space if they see that the green open space isn’t too benefit for them.

Finally, the world development makes the environmental issue becomes more complicated. This thing can threaten our life, except if we can handle it and also balance both the world development and the environment condition. The existence of green open city is so important now. It’s like a “heart” of our city. It’s like our real heart which can maintain the circulation of blood bringing the oxygen for our life. We can’t life pleasantly in such a big city if the city itself has no or only a few of green space. The basic benefit of the green space area as a center of environment control in the city can explain the importance of the green open space. It can serve the citizen’s necessity to take a fresh breath, as a place to take shelter from the hot weather, and also as a space where people can interact with other. The city government has a great role in order to keep the environment entire the city. The city government has made a rule about the land usage or the specific policy about the green open space. The strict rule will prevent non responsible persons doing something bad to the environment. But, the citizens, including us, can do the things better than the government can do. Although it won’t be easy to get full of the advantages, but we still can get those by keeping and maintaining the green open space. Doing little things like throw the rubbish in the trash can or planting the tree in the street is better than do nothing. One little step done by us now will serve better future for our world.

Yang Saya Ketahui Tentang 'Sentences'

Waktu kelas Bahasa Inggris, saya disuruh membuat suatu assignment tentang sentences. Ga tanggung-tanggung, baru awal kuliah udah dikasih tugas kaya gini, jumlahnya juga harus 12 halaman. Daripada apa yang telah saya buat dibiarkan menganggur begitu saja, lebih baik saya share aja :) . (Maaf kalo ada kata-kata yang aneh atau konteks pembuatan kalimatnya yang rada ngaco)

Sentences

Making a paragraph is one of the basic training to improve our skill in writing. To make a good paragraph, we must know how to create the sentences which develop the paragraph. The sentences are a vital part of making a paragraph, because the sentences can be used as the explanation of writer’s opinions or information written in the paragraph. The writers always use a variety of sentences to make their paragraph interesting. They create the effective and correct sentences in their paragraph. Too many short sentences in the paragraph will make the information described in the paragraph incomplete, while making too many long sentences will make the paragraph difficult to be read or understood by the readers. Every reader will be attracted to read if the writer can create a good paragraph. In conclusion, we must know how to make a good sentence before we make a paragraph.

A sentence is built by the clauses. A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb. The clauses can be divided into two kinds:

1.      Independent clause

2.      Dependent clause

1.      Independent clause

An independent clause is a form of clause that contains a subject and a verb. This kind of clause can stand alone as a sentence, because it expresses a complete though. An independent clause can be used as a simple sentence. Besides a subject and a verb, a complement can be added to the clause, but it doesn’t have to have one.

The structure of independent clause is formed with:

Subject + Verb (+ Complement)

Example:

·         I want to go home, but it’s still raining outside.

·         Newspaper is a kind of media mass.

·         The mechanist repairs the washing machine.

2.      Dependent clause

A dependent clause is a form of clause that contains a subject and a verb, but this clause can’t stand alone as a sentence. Contrast with independent clause, dependent clause doesn’t express a complete though. This kind of clause is depended on another clause to make the clause have a complete though. To make a dependent clause, a subordinator such as if, when, or although, is required as a beginning of clause, followed by subject and verb.

The structure of dependent clause is formed with:

Subordinator + Subject + Verb (+ Complement)

Dependent clauses can be divided into three types:

1.      Noun clause

2.      Adjective clause

3.      Adverb clause

1.      Noun clause

Noun clauses can be used as noun. So, noun clauses function as the subject or object in a sentence. Noun clauses begin with question words such as what, where, when, why, who, how, or other words like if, whether, or that. Although noun clauses begin with question words, they have the same order as a statement, not a question. They also don’t use auxiliary verbs like do, does or did. No commas (,) are necessary.

Example:

·         I don’t know why he isn’t come to my party.

·         My father tells me that one of my chickens is dead.

·         I wonder who send me this letter.

2.   Adjective clause

Adjectives clauses (relative clause) can be used as adjective. They can modify nouns or pronouns. Adjective clauses use relative pronouns such as who, which, whose, and whom or that. They can use relative adverbs such as where and when. A relative pronoun in an adjective clause carries the following information about the noun to which it refers. For example, we use who if the noun refers to person and which if the noun refers to thing. We use whose in relative clause instead of his/her/their. Whom is possible instead of who (for people) when it is the object of the verb in relative clauses. The word that doesn’t carry the person or thing information. It can be singular or plural refers to the noun that the clause described. Where is used in relative clause to talk about places and when is used to talk about time or event.

Example:

·         The boy who is sitting on the chair is my brother.

·         The book, which was borrowed by me last week, is a chemistry book.

·         We saw some people whose car had broken down.

·         The man whom I wanted to see was away on holiday.

·         The letter that was sent yesterday is a personal letter.

·         The hotel where we stayed wasn’t very clean.

Adjective clauses with relative pronouns or that can be reduced. When an adjective clause is reduced to an adjective phrase, the first step is deleting the subject of the clause. If the verb is in progressive tense (present or past progressive), the helping verb –be also needs to be deleted.

If the verb in the clause is in the active voice, the adjective phrase remains active. If the verb is in the passive voice, the adjective phrase stays in the passive voice.

If the verb in the clause isn’t in progressive tense, different step is used to reduce the adjective clause. For active adjectives, -ing has to be added to the simple form of the verb (without the present or the past tense). Passive verbs remain unchanged.

Example:

·         One of the students who reading in the library is my brother.

·         One of the students reading in the library is my brother. (Who is deleted)

·         The book which was borrowed by me last week from the library is gone now.

·         The book borrowed by me last week from the library is gone now. (Which is deleted)

·         The man, who sleeps in the sofa, will be your rival in chess tournament.

·         The man sleeping in the sofa will be your rival in chess tournament. (Who sleeps is replaced by sleeping)

 3.  Adverb clauses

Adverb clause can be used as adverb. They can modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. An adverb clause begins with an adverbial subordinator such as after, although, as, because, even though, etc. There are some possibilities in positioning an adverb clause. It can be positioned before or after the independent clause. If it comes before the independent clause, it is followed by comma (,). If it comes after the independent clause, comma (,) isn’t used. If we put incorrect adverbial subordinator in the sentence, the readers will feel confused in order to understand the meaning of the sentence.

Example:

·         After working hard, finally I can take a rest for a while.

·         My friend decides to stay home because it’s raining outside.

Adverb clause can be reduced to participial phrases. To reduce an adverb clause, first step is examining the subject of independent clause/main clause and the subject of the adverb clause. If both of them are same, the reduction can be processed. If the subjects aren’t same, the reduction can’t be processed.

Example:

·         After the rain stopped, we went for a walk. (The subject of independent clause, we, and the subject of adverb clause, the rain, is different. So, the reduction can’t be processed)

When the subject of the adverb clause is replaced by a pronoun in the independent clause, the subject of the clause has to be moved. If the verb in the adverb clause is active, -ing needs to be added to the simple form of the verb. If the verb in adverb clause is passive, -ing needs to be added to helping verb be. If –ing is already added to be, it doesn’t need to be added again.

Example:

·         After I and my friend finished our assignment, finally we can go home.

·         After finishing our homework, finally I and my friend can go home. (Word finished is replaced by finishing, and the subject in the independent clause, we, is deleted and replaced by the subject in adverb clause, I and my friend)

·         After the e-mail is received, I will reply it immediately.

·         After being received, I will reply the e-mail immediately. (Word is received is replaced by received, and word being is added in the adverb clause)

When reducing adverb clauses, subordinator as and because must be deleted. The words before and since can’t be deleted in clauses of time. The words after, while and when have to remain if the adverb clause follows the independent clause. If the adverb clause is in front of the independent clause, they may be deleted.

As we know, the independent clause can stand alone while the dependent clause can’t stand alone. In order to make the dependent clause have a though meaning, we can join it with the independent clause. To connect clauses in order to form different kinds of sentences, there are three groups of words that can be used. They are:

1.      Subordinators (subordinating conjunctions)

2.      Coordinators (coordinating conjunctions)

3.      Conjunctive adverbs

1.      Subordinators (Subordinating Conjunctions)

Subordinators are used in the adverb clauses and adjective clauses. We use subordinators such as because, if, and although for adverb clauses and words who, which, whom, whose, and that for adjective clauses. Subordinator show different kinds of relationship between two clauses. They may show cause and effect (because, so, as, since), time (when, while, after, before, until, as soon as), condition (if, unless), or a contradiction (even though, although). The sentence will be false or confused the readers if we use incorrect subordinator to join the clauses. So, be careful to use right subordinator in order to join the clauses. Check the meaning of dependent clause and independent clause to know which subordinator must be used.

Example:

·         Because of my sickness, I can’t go to my friend’s birthday now.

·         When he arrives, we will ready for the presentation.

·         You won’t be smart unless you study hard and be a diligent boy.

·         Although my leg is hurt, I still play football in this tournament.

2.      Coordinators (Coordinating Conjunctions)

Coordinator (coordinating conjunctions) may link similar ideas (and), opposite or contradictory ideas (but), or choices (or, nor). There are seven coordinators and we can remember all of them by the phrases FAN BOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

Example:

·         The recent technology is more effective and efficient to make our live easier.

·         I want to see a movie this night, but I have many assignments to do.

·         I have some plans for next holiday weekend. Sight-seeing to the zoo or hiking to the mountain?

3.      Conjunctive adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs are used to join two or more independent clauses or sentences. When connecting two clauses, they may be preceded by a semicolon (;). There are many kinds of conjunctive adverbs, such as accordingly, therefore, consequently, however, nevertheless, in addition, moreover, etc. Conjunctive adverbs like therefore, accordingly, hence, and consequently are used to show a cause and effect relationship between two clauses. These conjunctive adverbs have similarity with coordinator so. Words however and nevertheless are used to show something that contradicts a main clause. These conjunctive words have similarity with coordinators but and yet. Words in addition, moreover, and furthermore are used to show that something is added to the idea of a main clause. These conjunctive adverbs have similarity with coordinator and. Word otherwise is used to show about choices. It have similarity with coordinator or. Be careful to use correct conjunctive adverb to join two independent clauses. The important thing to do is check the meaning of each independent clause, and join them with correct conjunctive adverb.

Example:

·         He always trains hard for this tournament; therefore, he will have the big chance to be a champion in the tournament.

·         She has prepares everything for the exam; however, she get a cold and can’t attend the exam today.

·         There will be a memo on the subject; in addition, there will be an announcement.

·         Every contestant must submit this form to the committee; otherwise, they will be failed in registration session.

After learning about the clauses, we now have some knowledge how to write a good paragraph. The clauses are an important aspect in order to create a good paragraph. We can create a sentence by combining two or more clauses added by subordinator, coordinator, or conjunctive adverb. By using correct words and the connector, the meaning of sentence created by us can be informed to the readers with no misunderstanding. Now, we will learn about the sentence itself.

A sentence is a group of words that contains at least one subject and one verb. Like an independent clause, a sentence expresses a complete though. There are four kinds of sentence:

1.      Simple sentence

2.      Compound sentence

3.      Complex sentence

4.      Compound-complex sentence

1.   Simple sentence

The most basic type of sentence is the simple sentence. A simple sentence, also called an independent clause, contains a subject and a verb, and it expresses a complete thought. The subject tells who or what did something. The verb tells the action (or condition) did by the subject. The subject and the verb in a simple sentence may be a compound subject or verb.

Example:

·         Some children like to play football in this field.

·         Tom and Jerry make some experiments for their presentation tomorrow. (The subject in this sentence is a compound subject which contains more than one subject)

·         The professor observes and analyzes the sample of water in the laboratory. (The verb in this sentence is a compound verb which contains more than one verb)

A complement can be added in a simple sentence. But it doesn’t have to have one. A complement can make the verb used in the sentence have complete meaning. It can add more information in the sentence too. There are many types of complements. A complement in a simple sentence may be a noun, pronoun, adjective, adverb, noun phrase, verb phrase, prepositional phrase, or a combination.

Example:

·         I borrowed book. (Word book is a noun)

·         This book is mine. (Word mine is a pronoun)

·         The auditorium is dirty. (Word dirty is an adjective)

·         My teacher speaks English fluently. (Word fluently is an adverb)

·         My brother lost his laptop. (Word his laptop is a noun phrase)

·         I need to go home to study. ( Word to go home to study is a verb phrase)

·         That man is come from New Zealand. (Word from New Zealand is a prepositional phrase)

·         I borrowed book in the library. (Book + in the library is a combination between noun and prepositional phrase)

2.   Compound sentence

A compound sentence is a type of sentence which contains two or more independent clauses joined together. To join each independent clause to be a compound clause, there are three ways to join them:

1.      With a coordinator

2.      With a conjunctive adverb

3.      With a semicolon

1.      With a coordinator

Two or more independent clauses can be joined together by adding a coordinator. There is a notice about joining the independent clauses by a coordinator. A comma (,) must be put after the first independent clause. Each coordinator has different function. So, be careful when using a coordinator to make the sentence easy to understand.

A compound sentence can be formed as follows:

Independent Clause, + Coordinator + Independent Clause

Example:

·         I watch television, and my mother cook in the kitchen.

·         You must come at 9 o’clock, or I will go to the library alone.

2.      With a conjunctive verb

A conjunctive verb can be used to join two independent clauses. A semicolon (;) follows the first independence clause, and a comma (,) follows the conjunctive adverb. The conjunctive adverbs express relationship between the clauses. The relationship may be a cause-effect relationship, a contradiction, and many more. The sentence will be wrong or the readers won’t understand the meaning of the sentence if we put wrong conjunctive adverb in order to join the clauses. So, we must add correct conjunctive adverb to join the independent clauses.

A compound sentence can be formed as follows:

Independent Clause; + Conjunctive Adverb, + Independent Clause

Example:

·         He has many experiences working in the industrial companies; therefore, he is hired in this office.

·         The college students want to take a vacation for a while; however, they have so many assignments to do.

3.      With a semicolon

Two independent clauses can be joined without using a coordinator or conjunctive verb. They can be joined by using only a semicolon (;). This kind of compound sentence is possible only when the two independent clauses are closely related in meaning. If they aren’t closely related, they should be written as two simple sentences, each ending with a period. A compound sentence can be formed as follows:

Independent Clause; Independent Clause

Example:

·         I work in a telecommunication company; my brother works in a construction company.

·         A mouse is walking in the kitchen. The television in the living room is broken. (Two clauses don’t have a close meaning; therefore, they should be written as two simple sentences, separated by a period)

3.      Complex sentence

A complex sentence has an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses. A complex sentence is very different from a simple sentence or a compound sentence because it makes clear which ideas are most important. One idea is generally more important than the other idea. The more important idea is placed in the independent clause, and the less important idea is placed in the dependent clause.

A complex sentence always has a subordinator such as because, since, after, although, or when or a relative pronoun such as that, who, or which. The punctuation used in the complex sentences depends on the type of dependent clause. There are three types of dependent clause used in the complex sentence such as noun phrase, adjective phrase, and adverb phrase.

Example:

·         The students are studying because they have a national examination tomorrow.

·         Although the television have been repaired by the mechanist, it still broken until now.

·         The person who drives the plane is called a pilot.

4.      Compound-complex sentence

A compound-complex sentence is a combination of two or more independent clauses and one (or more) dependent clauses. Many combinations are possible, and their punctuation requires careful attention.

Example:

·         I want to travel abroad after my graduation; however, I must get the job immediately.

The sentence contains two independent sentences (I want to travel abroad and I must get the job immediately) and a dependent clause (my graduation). To join an independent clause and a dependent clause, we use a subordinator (after). The dependent clause is positioned after the independent clause, so we don’t use a comma (,). To join a complex sentence with another independent clause, we use conjunctive adverb (however). We put a semicolon (;) after the compound sentence and a comma (,) after the word however.

·         After my graduation, I want to travel abroad, but I must get the job immediately.

The sentence contains two independent sentences and a dependent clause. To join an independent clause and a dependent clause, we use a subordinator (after). The dependent clause is positioned before the independent clause, so we must put a comma (,) after the dependent clause. To join a complex sentence with another independent clause, we can use a coordinator (but). We put a comma (,) before the word but to make a compound-complex sentence.

The sentences are a part of the paragraph. Making a good sentence will affect the paragraph where the sentence is placed. By using a good sentence, the paragraph will be better and easier to read. The readers will enjoy our writing. We can explore our ideas or experiences by write the paragraph.

Now, we have much knowledge about writing the paragraph. We know how to make a clause, how to use subordinator, coordinator, or conjunctive adverb, and finally how to make a sentence. With our knowledge, we can create a better paragraph and our writing skill will be more improved.