Lecture 3: How to Write Body

Lecture 3: How to Write Body Presented by Li Xiaoli Beijing Language and Culture University

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: • Content: The topic contains two aspects: to ban the use of private cars and promote public transport. You may emphasize one aspect, but your argument needs to cover both of them. • Spelling: convenient, punctually, vehicle, substitute, inevitable, forbid, license, resident, the suburbs, enthusiasm

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: • Some useful words: traffic jam/traffic congestion, traffic accident, traffic regulation, traffic lights, driving license, license plate, expressway, overpass (flyover), underpass (subway), subway (tube/underground), city train, light rail, streetcar (tram), sidewalk (pavement) • Words: among---during, amount---number, spend---cost, otherwise---moreover, arise---raise, instead---instead of, passenger---pedestrian, fast---fastly

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: • Words: 1.) Among the problems mentioned above, traffic jam is the most serious one. 2.) Because of the increase of the number of private cars, … 3.) The hours-long commuting costs much time and makes people tired. 4.) An economical way means that we spend less money in getting a good result. 5.) In big cities, road construction can’t match the increase of private cars. Moreover, many drivers don’t obey traffic regulations.

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: • Words: 6.) Private cars should not be banned. Otherwise, the national economy would be seriously affected. 7.) Traffic accidents raise the number of traffic jams. 8.) In China, the problem of inequality between the rich and the poor arises. 9.) People begin to give up driving their private cars. Instead, they use public transport. 10.) Instead of driving their private cars, people begin to use public transport.

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: • Part of speech: 1.) It is obvious not wise to ban the use of private cars. 2.) The public transport is playing an increasing important role in a city’s transportation system. 3.) …and the individuals should be more awareness of the importance of traffic regulations. 4.) We all live in a free and democracy country, … 5.) …, although a lot of roads are widen.

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: • Part of speech: 1.) It is obviously not wise to ban the use of private cars. 2.) The public transport is playing an increasingly important role in a city’s transportation system. 3.) …and the individuals should be more aware of the importance of traffic regulations. 4.) We all live in a free and democratic country, … 5.) …, although a lot of roads are wide.

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: • Phrase: 1.)失业人员 (n)： 2.)最近几年 (prep)： 3.)促进…（发展）(v)： 4.)紧急状况 (v)： 5.)不管是否必要 (prep)： 6.) 带来（问题）(v)： 7.) 遵守（交通规则）(v) ： 8.) 闯红灯(v)：

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: • Phrase: 9.)拼车 (v)： 10.)通勤（每天上下班）(n)： 11.)付出努力 (v)： 12.)（比谁）占优势 (v)： 13.)因噎废食 (v)： 14.) 环境污染 (n)： 15.) 上下班高峰期 (n)：

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: • Phrase: 1.)失业人员 (n)：the unemployed (people) 2.)最近几年 (prep): in recent years/recently 3.)促进…（发展）(v)：give incentives to/promote/stimulate/encourage 4.)紧急状况 (n)：emergency 5.)不管是否必要 (prep)：whether it is necessary or not 6.) 带来（问题）(v)：bring about 7.) 遵守（交通规则）(v) ：abide by/obey/follow 8.) 闯红灯(v)：run red light

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: • Phrase: 9.)拼车 (n)：the practice of carpooling 10.)通勤（每天上下班）(n): commuting 11.)付出努力 (v)：endeavour to/make efforts to/work hard to/try best to 12.)（比谁）占优势 (v)：take advantage over 13.)因噎废食 (v)：give up eating for fear of being choked 14.) 环境污染 (n)：environmental pollution 15.) 上下班高峰期 (n)：rush hours

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: • Passive tense: 1.)…because government’s decision will be depended on only the situation of public transport. 2.)The drivers of public transport are usually be trained. 3.)…more and more traffic jams been happened in big cities. 4.)Public transport should be gotten more fund to develop.

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: • Passive tense: 1.)…because government’s decision will depend on only the situation of public transport. 2.)The drivers of public transport are usually trained. 3.)…more and more traffic jams happen in big cities. 4.)Public transport should be granted more fund to develop.

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: • Sentence: 1.) 私车增长是造成交通拥堵的重要原因。 2.) 除了私车数量多以外，交通拥堵还有其他原因。 3.) 但是我们为什么想要有自己的车呢？因为我们需要它，而且它给我们带来很多方便。 4.) 政府应该大力改善公共交通，使它到达城市的每个角落。

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: • Sentence: 1.) The increase of private cars is an important reason for traffic jams. 2.) Besides the large number of private cars, there are many other reasons which cause traffic jams. 3.) But the reason why we want our own car is we need it and it brings us lots of conveniences. 4.) The government should endeavor to improve public transport so that it can reach every corner of the city.

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: 5.) 和私家车相比，公共交通有很多优势。 6.) 现在越来越多的人有车，这使汽车工业发展迅速。 7.) 仅仅禁止私家车的使用并不能有效地缓解交通拥堵。 8.) 如果公共交通很方便，人们就会放弃开车上下班。

Analysis of the Second Writing Assignment: 5.) Compared with private cars, public transport has many benefits. 6.) Now more and more people have cars, which stimulates the development of the automobile industry. 7.) It is not an effective way to reduce traffic jams by only banning the use of private cars. 8.) If we can go to work by public transport conveniently, many people will give up driving private cars.

Two Common Types of Body: • Listing two or three supporting evidences: It’s popular with Chinese writers who like to use two or three paragraphs to prove their point of view. • Arguing from pro and con: It’s commonly found in English native speakers’ writings which usually deal with a topic from both the pro and con sides and then emphasize the writer’s view in the conclusion.

Using Topic Sentence: • In the body, every paragraph should have a topic sentence (central idea) which is usually put at the beginning of a paragraph and followed by relevant supporting evidences. • Topic:Computers have provided great benefits to modern society. Discuss. • Outline:a.)storing and retrieval of information (e.g. libraries); • b.)data processing (e.g. accounting, science and engineering); c.) word processing (students, secretary).

Continue with Using Topic Sentence: • a.) The most important use of computers is in the storing of information which can be retrieved quickly and easily when it is needed.(For example, we can check the card catalogue of a library on computer and find the books we need within only two minutes.) • b.) Another very common use of computers is to process large amounts of technical information.(This is especially true in the fields of science and technology, where data processing done by computer is tremendously faster than what has been done with hands.)

Continue with Using Topic Sentence: • A topic sentence should contain the central idea of a paragraph. It should not be too general! • Eg. Drinking coffee is bad. (too general) Drinking too much coffee could be harmful for People’s health. (clear) • Exercise: Please revise the following topic sentences and make them clear. 1.) The Honda Civic is an excellent automobile. 2.) My hometown is a wonderful place. 3.) Exercise is good for you.

Key to the Exercise: 1.)The Honda Civic has an powerful engine. 2.) My hometown has many wonderful snacks. 3.) Doing regular exercise is good for your health.

Developing Topic Sentence: • You should provide some relevant details, including examples, facts, statistics, personal experiences, etc., to support the topic sentence. • Three common ways to develop topic sentence: example, cause & effect, comparison & contrast. • However, people usually don’t use only one way but the combination of several ways to develop a topic sentence.

Developing Topic Sentence with Examples: • Example:Knowledge often results only after persistent investigation. (topic sentence) Albert Einstein, for instance, formulated his famous Theory of Relativity after a lengthy examination of the characteristics of matter and energy. After years of work, Annie Jump Cannon perfected the classification of the spectra of some 350,000 stars. Investigation into the causes of polio has provided us with the means for prevention and cure of this dreaded disease only after many years of research. As students, we too are determined in our investigation to find, retain, and contribute to the store of human knowledge.

Some Common Sentences: • Giving examples: 1．A common example which is often (frequently) cited (mentioned) is ……. 一个经常被引用的例子是……。 E.g. A common example which is often cited is the case of water pollution in Harbin. 2. I can think of no better illustration of the idea (view) than the case (example) of ……. 说明这个观点的最好的例子就是……。 E.g. I can think of no better illustration of the view than the example of Ma Jajue, a college student who killed his classmates.

Some Common Sentences: 3. …… for example (for instance) ……. 比如，……。 E.g. US government, for example, refused to sign on the Kyoto Protocol and avoided taking the responsibility of protecting environment. 4. Recent (The latest) studies (surveys) show (indicate) that ……. 最近的调查表明……。 E.g. Recent studies indicate that many universities have realized the problems brought by increasing enrollment. 5. I recall from my college life (childhood) a friend (classmate) who ……. 记得我大学时（小时候）的一个朋友（同学），……。 E.g. I recall from my college life a friend who did three part-time jobs a week and had no time for his academic studies.

Developing Topic Sentence with Cause & Effect: • Cause & Effect:In these years, the record companies have been competing to bring out the latest versions of the same pieces, but they didn’t bother finding out if music fans wanted them. (topic sentence) Now they realize their mistakes, but too late. The CD-buying public, it seems, has lost its taste for new recordings of famous pieces. With over 100 different CD recordings of the same piece, the music fans lose their idea of which one to select.

Some Common Sentences: • Cause & Effect: 1．……, because ……. ……，因为……。 E.g. Some people prefer to travel by train rather than by airplane, because they worry that airplane is not so safe as train. 2．Because of (As a result of / Owing to / Due to), ……. 由于……，……。 E.g. Owing to the “one child” policy, the population of China has been steadily decreasing in the past twenty years. 3．The reason why …… is ……. 造成……的原因是……。 E.g. The reason why a lot of people download music from the Internet is that it is the cheapest way to enjoy the newest pop music.

Some Common Sentences: 4．…… mainly result from (stem from) ……. ……主要是因为……。 E.g. The increase of immigrants to Canada mainly stems from Canada’s attractive welfare system. 5．One may attribute (owe) …… to ……. 人们可能会把……归因于……。 E.g. One may attribute “brain drain” to the unsound competition system still existing in some parts of China. 6. As a result (As a consequence / Consequently), ……. 结果，……。 E.g. As a result, most companies could accommodate their nonsmoking workers without alienating their tobacco-dependent colleagues. 7．…… will have (exert / exercise) a far-reaching (profound) influence (impact) on ……. ……对……有深远的影响。 E.g. Inevitably, the prevalence of the Internet will have a far-reaching influence on people’s lives.

Developing Topic Sentence with Comparison & Contrast: • Comparison & Contrast:Life in a big city has become more and more difficult for people to cope with. (topic sentence) In a big city, stress is caused by the crowds of people and restricted space. Travel in rush hour can be a real disaster. Pollution of various kinds is the result of industrialization. Noise bellows out from every side. All these factors add to the pressure of daily existence in a big town. In contrast, life in a country village is much more attractive. Here the pace of life is gentle. There is time to reflect on the beauty of the world. In a village, life is closer to nature. There is ample space for everyone, and fresh air to breathe.

Some Common Sentences: • Comparison & Contrast: 1．The advantages of …… far outweigh (carry more weight than) its disadvantages ……. ……的优点远远大于它的缺点。 E.g. The advantages of studying abroad far outweigh its disadvantages. 2．Although X enjoys (has) distinct (considerable) advantage of ……, it cannot be compared (compete) with Y in ……. 虽然X享有……的优势，在……方面它却比不上Y。 E.g. Although Internet news enjoys distinct advantage of releasing news fast, it cannot be compared with TV news in the visual aspect. 3. X may be preferable to (better than) Y, but it brings (poses) its own problem of ……. 虽然X比Y有优势，但是它也有……的问题。 E.g. Solar energy may be preferable to fossil energy, but it brings its own problem of being hard to gather.

Some Common Sentences: 4. Like anything else, …… has also its pitfalls (disadvantages). 和其他东西一样，……也有缺点。 E.g. Like anything else, public transport has also its pitfalls. 5. X and Y have several things in common (are alike in many aspects). X和Y有很多相似之处。 E.g. American culture and British culture have many things in common. 6. X and Y differ widely (have remarkable differences) in ……. 在……方面，X和Y有很大区别。 E.g. American culture and Chinese culture differ widely in their attitudes toward individuals’ identity in society.

A Class Exercise: • Develop the following topic sentences as required: 1.) Some of the backward parts in traditional cultures are dying.（举例法） 2.) Due to the change of family types, old people have to take care of their own life.（对比法） 3.) The automobile industry plays an important role in our national economy.（因果法）

Answer Key to the Class Exercise: 1.) Some of the backward parts in traditional cultures are dying.One example is that in the past the whole Chinese families preferred to live together, grandparents, parents, and children all living under the same roof. This created a lot of conflicts between family members and people seldom had privacy under this circumstances. But now, more and more people prefer to live by their own family, especially young people.

Answer Key to the Class Exercise: 2.) Due to the change of family types, old people have to take care of their own life.In the past, an old person could expect to be cared for by his children. It was customary for an old parent to move into the home of one of his married children. Here he would be loved and honored until his dying day. Nowadays, however, this is by no means the natural progression of life. Many old people are left alone to fend for themselves, absolutely abandoned by their children.

Answer Key to the Class Exercise: 3.) The automobile industry plays an important role in our national economy. It has been proved that more and more individuals are the customers of cars. So banning private cars does more harm to the economy than it would benefit to the improvement of traffic conditions.

About Using Connective Words: • Using some connective words correctly can make your argument more coherent and clear. • Some common connective words: 1.) and, also, besides, in addition, moreover, furthermore, etc. 2.) but, however, on the contrary, nevertheless, etc. 3.) so, therefore, as a result, consequently, etc. 4.) obviously, clearly, in fact, etc. 4.) on the one hand, on the other hand, either/or, both/and, not only/but also, etc. 5.) for example, for instance, in some cases, etc. 6.) firstly, secondly, finally, etc.

A Class Exercise: • Use appropriate connective words to fill in the blanks in the following passage about environment. For some time now, scientists and conservationists of all kinds have been giving more and more urgent warnings about the dangers of man’s destruction of the environment. __________ most people __________ can no longer claim to be ignorant about the damage we are doing to our planet. __________, we have __________ an enormous amount of evidence about how we are polluting our waters, our land and our forests with chemicals. __________ this may occur __________ directly, through such means as insecticides, or the dumping of chemical wastes in rivers and seas, __________, it may happen indirectly, such as in the case of acid rain. __________ we are __________ aware that the last of the world’s great rainforests are being cut down at such a rate that perhaps none will remain by the end of the century.

Continue with a Class Exercise: __________ it seems very strange __________ that so little is being done to prevent all this destruction. __________ there are probably two main reasons for this. __________ conservation is __________ against the interests of developers, industrials and politicians, who are simply too greedy, selfish or short-sighted to worry about anything except their own immediate benefits. __________ there is __________ the ever-increasing population of the world, needing more land, more fuel and more food, and quickly using up all the remaining resources of the planet just for short-term survival. __________ if we are to save our environment, we must attack __________ political and industrial self-interest __________ the problem of overpopulation.

Key to the Class Exercise: For some time now, scientists and conservationists of all kinds have been giving more and more urgent warnings about the dangers of man’s destruction of the environment. (Therefore,) most people, therefore, can no longer claim to be ignorant about the damage we are doing to our planet. In fact / However, we have __________ an enormous amount of evidence about how we are polluting our waters, our land and our forests with chemicals. __________ this may occur either directly, through such means as insecticides, or the dumping of chemical wastes in rivers and seas, or, it may happen indirectly, such as in the case of acid rain. __________ we are, also, aware that the last of the world’s great rainforests are being cut down at such a rate that perhaps none will remain by the end of the century.

Continue with the Key to the Class Exercise: __________ it seems very strange, therefore, that so little is being done to prevent all this destruction. __________ there are probably two main reasons for this. Firstly / On the one hand, conservation is __________ against the interests of developers, industrials and politicians, who are simply too greedy, selfish or short-sighted to worry about anything except their own immediate benefits. Secondly/ On the other hand, there is __________ the ever-increasing population of the world, needing more land, more fuel and more food, and quickly using up all the remaining resources of the planet just for short-term survival. Obviously / Clearly /Therefore, if we are to save our environment, we must attack both political and industrial self-interest and the problem of overpopulation.

The Third Writing Assignment: Topic: In recent years, higher education has gradually been industrialized in China. Some people think this will bring great benefits to both the universities and students. What’s your opinion? You must write an argumentative essay of no less than 250 words within 40 minutes. Please write your essay on the answer sheet provided.

Lecture 3: How to Write Body