Learn to Write

1. Learn to Write Chapter II: The Paragraph Lecture One: The basics

2. Contents • Thesis • Topic sentence • Structure of paragraph

3. Thesis Study the following composition: It was a Monday morning, Linsay, a freshman, came to my dormitory and asked me if I could go with him to practice spoken English at the English Corner. I agreed with pleasure. When it comes to Linsay, I had better say something about him. The fellow is full of confidence, and good at boasting. He once said he used to rank first in English tests when in middle school.

4. Thesis Study the following composition: … It occurs to me that if every student cherished the idea of just speaking up without fear and put it into practice, nothing could prevent him from improving his oral English. Don’t you believe me? Just try it! conclusion

5. Thesis Difference between Chinese writing and English writing: Chinese writing: a reader - responsibility pattern, implied or no thesis, where the argument/talk is coming from. English writing: a writer- responsibility pattern, thesis at the beginning, where the argument/talk is going

6. Thesis Improved composition: thesis I learned from Linsay, a freshman, that even people who irritate us with their boasting can offer us valuable insights. One Monday evening he came to my dormitory and asked me if I could go with him to practice spoken English at the English Corner. I agreed with pleasure.

7. Topic sentence Study the following paragraph: I have been learning English for almost eight years. Although I have made a lot efforts, and spend much time on it, I do not make very obvious progress. I think this is because we have few opportunity to practice what have learned. How can I memorize it if we learn a new word without any chance to use it? But if we encounter or use it in real life many times, things will be quite different.

8. Topic sentence Improved paragraph: Topic sentence To a Chinese it is not easy to learn English. Although I have been learning English for eight years and made a lot effort, I do not make very obvious progress. One of the main reason, I think, is that we have few opportunity to practice what have learned. How can I memorize it if we learn a new word without any chance to use it? But if we encounter or use it in real life many times, things will be quite different.

9. Topic sentence： • Not the statement of the fact A dog chased me home after I got off the bus. Yesterday was Sunday. Yesterday was one of the worst days of my life! • Limit the topic

10. Topic sentence： Yesterday was one of the worst days of my life. I forgot to set my alarm clock so I was late for school. In the rush to leave my home, I forgot an important paper on my desk, too. My teacher was very upset with me over that. My pen ran out of ink in English class, and when I tried to borrow a pen from one of my classmates, my teacher yelled at me for disturbing others. As if all that was not bad enough, a big, mean dog chased me home after got off the bus. Maybe I should have just stayed in bed!

11. 话题 topic Computers are playing an increasingly important role in modern society. its importance Computers relieve people of great burden of doing complicated work. Benefit brought by computers Computers make people lazy. disadvantage I like playing games on computers. one’s hobby I think that computer has brought us more good than harm. personal opinion

12. why For whom how Topic sentence We can ask questions like“who, what, when, where, why or how” to limit the topic 1.one of the reasons I love Alice is her attitude toward me. 2. The busiest season for farmers is the summer. 3. Music arouses many different emotions in listeners. • I love Alice. • The busiest season is the summer. • Music is enjoyable.

13. Structure of paragraph Study the following paragraph A good boss should possess three important qualities: being fair, leading as a teacher, and acting consistently. Such a boss can make his employees work both hard and well.

14. Structure of paragraph supporting ideas and details: 1There are three important qualities necessary in a good boss. 2The most important is fairness. 3If the boss is fair, workers can feel that if they do a good job, their work will be appreciated, and their efforts will be rewarded. 4The second most important quality is leadership. 5The boss should be an example and a teacher. 6This

15. Structure of paragraph supporting ideas and details: allows workers to learn from a boss, so that they can increase their job skills and get promoted. 7The third most important factor is that the boss acts with consistency. 8That way the workers know what to expect each day. 9They know how they’ll be treated and what their share of the workload will be. 10I would hire a boss with these qualities for myself.

16. Topic sentence 1 1st supporting idea: 2 supporting detail: 3 Supporting ideas 2nd supporting idea: 4 supporting detail: 5,6 3rd supporting idea: 7 supporting detail: 8,9 Concluding sentence 10

17. Structure of Paragraph Topic Sentence Detail 2 Detail 1 Detail 3 Concluding Sentence

18. Positive and negative argument: As a popular saying goes, “Health is better than wealth.” Good health enables one to enjoy his life and achieve what he hopes for in his career. On the other hand, poor health tends to deprive one of his interest in everything around him. Therefore, health is indispensable to one’s happy life.

19. Circular argument: As a popular saying goes, “Health is better than wealth.” The better one’s health is , the wealthier one tends to be. On the other hand, if one is in poor health, he is deprived of his wealth. Therefore, health is indispensable to one’s happy life.

20. Circular argument: My candidate is the best qualified of all. In experience, education, and intellectual ability, she is superior to everyone else who is running for this office. No one even remotely approaches her qualifications for the position. She stands head and shoulders above the other candidates. Therefore, she deserves your vote.

21. Improved paragraph My candidate is the best qualified of all. Of all the persons who are running for this office, she is the only one that has got the degree of Ph. D and she has five years’ experience, having held a similar position with one of the best companies in this country. What’s more, she stands head and shoulders above the other candidates as for the knowledge and skill in computer, which is essential for the job. Therefore, she deserves your vote.

22. Assignment: rewrite the following topic sentences • The Olympic Games are exciting. • Professor Smith is a very good teacher. • Good study habits are useful. • People should make better use of their time. • This summer I spend a pleasant holiday.

23. Reference for the assignment • In the Olympic Games, the athletes of many nations compete intensely. • Professor Smith is very patient in answering students’ questions. • Good study habits are useful to a college student. • People should make better use of their leisure time. • This summer I spent a pleasant time in Qingdao.