Learn to Write
Chapter III: The Essay
Lecture One: The basics
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Lecture One: The Basics
1
Discourse patterns
2
Strategies
3
Steps
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1. Discourse patterns
Introductory remark
Thesis statement
Developing sentence
Head
Topic sentence 1
Developing sentences (Supporting facts)
Topic sentence 2
Developing sentences (Supporting facts)
Body
Topic sentence 3
Developing sentences (Supporting facts)
Restatement
Closing remark
Feet
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2. Strategies
(1) Narrow the scope of discussion →p.135-1
(2) Make clear your attitude toward the
subject at the beginning
(3) Prepare sufficient supporting facts
(4) Conclude your essay with a forceful
restatement of the thesis
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2. Strategies
Remember :
(1) Logical unity
(4) Dramatize the issue
(2) Logical order
(5) Establish authority
(3) Logical coherence (6) Make concessions
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2. Strategies
标题搬入中心句，写作方法看文体。
文章分成三大段，段段都有主题句。
上下段小中间大，论据排列要合理。
承上启下很重要，起承转合要牢记。
卷面整洁字写好，认真检查勿忘记。
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3. Steps
• Think carefully
Brainstorm → p.37
Comprehend the subject
• Make an outline
• Write
• Check
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Cet-4, 2004.6
A Terrorist Attack???
Directions:
For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to
write a composition entitled A Brief
Introduction to a Tourist Attraction. You
should write at least 120 words according to
the following guidelines:
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Cet-4, 2004.6
Your role: a tour guide
Your audience: a group of foreign tourists
Your introduction should include:
* some welcoming words
* the schedule for the day
* the description of the place the tourists will be
visiting (e.g. a scenic spot or a historical site, etc.)
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Cet-4, 2003.6
Directions:
For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an
eye-witness account of a traffic accident. You should
write at least 120 words according to the outline given
below in Chinese:
1）车祸发生的时间及地点
2）你所见到的车祸情况
3）你对车祸原因的分析
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Forms of composition
(1) Narration:
(2) Argumentation:
(3) Exposition:
(4) Description:
time, place,
character, event
point, details
(supporting facts )
argument (point),
supporting facts
order, diction
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Cet-4, 2003.6
Directions:
For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an
eye-witness account of a traffic accident. You should
write at least 120 words according to the outline given
below in Chinese:
1）车祸发生的时间及地点 —— Narration
2）你所见到的车祸情况 —— Description
3）你对车祸原因的分析 —— Exposition
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exposition
Cet-4, 2003.6
exposition
or
narration
description
or
narration
Directions:
For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write
a composition on the topic The Day My Classmate
Fell Ill (or Got Injured). You should write at least 120
words according to the outline given below in Chinese:
1.简单叙述一下这位同学生病（或受伤）的情况
2.同学、老师和我是如何帮助他/她的
3.人与人之间的这种相互关爱给我的感受是……
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The outline
∵ Supporting facts
∴ Topic idea
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Example
Who Should Have the Final Say?
1. Parents should choose careers for their children.
(1) Parents are responsible for their children.
(2) Parents are more experienced.
2. Children should choose their own careers.
(1) Children know what they are interested in.
(2) Children have the right and ability to choose.
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Class work
On Learning About Life
1. By listening to the advice of…
(1) To avoid loss: draw lessons from others’ experience
(2) To know more: old people are more experienced
2. Through personal experience
(1) To understand better: get firsthand experience
(2) To have a deeper impression: live and learn
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Homework assignment
1. Preview: pp. 40~42
2. Discuss: p.135-2-3
3. Write in the book: p. 152-2-2
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