Academic Writing II
Spring 2013 Meet twice a week Monday, Tuesday
Time: Monday 8:00-9:50 (3-106) Wednesday 4:10-6:00 (1-
307)
E-mail: austinkc@hotmail.com
Phone: 134 3922 0499
Website: http://austincasey.yolasite.com/
Office Hours: (ICB 319) Wednesday 6-8, Thursday 10-12
1

Homework Due: FOV p.68-70
Writing Test
T1
T2
Homework: Midterm
2

No classes week 9
April 24 th , Wednesday: 9:00-10:00am
*must arrive by 8:20 for listening test

IELTS Score TOEFL Score
9 118-120
8.5
115-117
8 110-114
7.5
102-109
7 94-101
6.5
79-93
6 60-78
5.5
46-59
5 35-45
4.5
32-34
0-4 0-31
4

-I am going to show... X
-I am going to talk about... X
-In this essay... X
-In this paper let's consider...
X
5

Don't use : <<Title>> or “Title”
These are not necessary, as English has spaces and capital letters
….. in the movie Shashank Redemption there is...
…. in the book Harry Potter and the Chamber of
Secrets ….

Never use all CAPS in writing, it is not academic
Brands are always: Nike, Coca-cola, etc
Only some brands are special like iPhone
(if the brand uses all caps, then you can use it, check internet to find official spelling of brand)

… ellipses (not a complete thought)
Rules:
1.Research Essay (3 Academic References)
2.Counter argument + refute
3.Who disagrees with you
4.One quote (1-3)
5.Cannot use first or second person (I, you, etc)

An argument where nearly 50% of the general population agree, while 50% disagree.
Like Task 2 w

1. Make your own argument about something that doesn’t really matter. It is not a serious social problem.
2. Be creative
3. Choose a small topic
4. It can just be a simple opinion
5. Describe your point and counterpoint
6. Who agrees and who disagrees (two groups)
10

Example:
Bananas are the most convenient food because they have their own wrapper and you can carry them around and trade them.
Other's Opinion: Many people think eggs are more convenient, but they can easily spoil or break and make a mess.
Counterargument / refute

I like cats.
Rice is better than noodles.
TVs are bad.
Blue is the best color.
Cats are a useful pet because they can catch mice.
Rice is better than noodles because it is healthier.
TV programs are bad for children because they show a lot of violence.
Blue is the best color because it can make you feel calm.

You must choose a topic that at least 50% of people disagree about.
Ex: I think eating well is healthy for your life. NO
Ex: I think pollution is wrong because... NO
Ex: Why the pencil is better than the pen.
NO, small problem
Ex: How to install windows 7 NO, too small
Ex: Once I saw a dog eating a pie.
NO, horribly written, not a thesis
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50% or more disagree:
Ex: Unfortunately, war is important to develop better technology. YES
Ex: Unlike my classmates, I think we should study more and sleep less to become more competitive YES
Ex: I may be different, but I think smoking is an important way to relax yourself because...
YES
14

Your topic must be a social issue that can relate to others.
Ex: I had a difficult exam last week. NO
Ex: I always struggle with English essays. NO
Ex: Many people will struggle with exams if they were not properly educated because... YES
Ex: Tests should not be given in our university because... YES
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Ex: Bananas are the most convenient food because they have their own wrapper and you can carry them around and trade them. NO
Ex: Reading magazines is better than reading novels because you can get more information from the pictures. NO
Ex: Children should be limited in the time they spend watching TV everyday for their mental and physical development. YES
16

Bottled water is better than tap water
Pet fish are better than pet dogs
Taking too much medicine is bad for you
Eating too much junk food is bad for you
ALL NO
17

The government needs to control the food industry more
Gender specific schools are better (all-boys or all-girls school)
International companies need to be controlled more
Lotteries are effective to raise money
Curfews help teenagers stay away from trouble and get better grades
Companies should not market to children
Children should be 17 before dating
ALL YES
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You may want to challenge something serious:
Interracial adoption, Human Cloning, Nursing homes, Cremation, Censorship of the internet,
Organ donation, Death penalty, Animal rights,
Gambling, Hunting and Guns, Steroids in
Sports, Robots & Jobs, Genetically Modified
Foods, Space Exploration, One Child Policy,
Euthanasia, Vegan, Student Suicide, Political
Dispute
19

Growing Up, Love, Friends, Family, Education
Jobs
Health, Security & Police, Animals, Crime,
Censorship
Resources (food, water, oil, etc)
Child raising, technology
20

At least 50% of people should disagree with you
Pollution is bad = No , nearly everyone agrees
Government needs to control companies more to prevent pollution even if it hurts the economy =
Yes , about 50% will disagree
21

60%
60% or more disagree:
Ex: Unfortunately, ...
Ex: Unlike many of my classmates, I think we should...
Ex: I may be different, but ...
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1.To secure sth = to make sure to get sth
Ex: Secure one's salary = to makes sure to get one's salary
2.to promote sth = to get
Ex: promote the grade = get a good grade
3.sphere = globe/global world
Ex: sphere of influence = area of influence
Ex: Sinosphere = Chinese world (East Asia)
Ex: Twittersphere = Twitter's world
Ex: blogosphere = the blog world 23

4. correct pressure = appropriate pressure
5. pile pressure on (the shoulder of) = put a lot of pressure on sb
6. reclusive behavior = shy / introverted behavior
7. dog eat dog world = cruel world (extreme competition)
8. a burden = negative / influence pressure on you
9. dark depression (collocation)
10.correct pressure is a force that …. force=factor

12.to have the eye of the tiger = to be totally focused on sth
13.unforeseen problem = problem that is not anticipated (you did not predict it)
14.loads of sth = loads of stress = a lot of
15.psychological damage = mental damage / trauma
16.muscle one's way = to force your way into somewhere
17.recall = remember
18.alter = change
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19. strain = stress
20. cater
21. implement = to carry out = to do
22. implementation = the act of carrying out
23.in spite of = despite = although
Ex: In spite of having a hurt arm, she played badminton very well. = Although she had a hurt arm, she played badminton very well.
24.get ahead of sb = do better than sb
25.school pressure = academic stress
26

26.daft = stupid (more academic)
27.drop off = fall = decline
Hook = a sentence to catch the reader's attention, the first sentence. “In this dog eat dog world, every second 4 people are born, while 2 die.”
27

I am for/against organ donation for ...
1.
2.
3.
I am for/against the death penalty (capital punishment) because ...
1.
2.
3.
28

production, manufacturing process
As featured in the flow chart, there are ______ steps that
________.
Notice the general trends
For the conclusion, just paraphrase your introduction.
Illustration = diagram, illustrated figure, set of pictures, layout, drawing, representation of _______

1. talent = ability, skill, to have a knack for sth
T2: Synonyms
2. to be born with talent = inborn talent = innate talent = raw talent/ability
= god-given ability = to be endowed with gifts
3. a genius = a savant = an idiot savant = born a genius = a naturally born genius = gifted kids = hand picked by god
4. fostered talent = book smart, learned abilities, acquired knowledge
5. the age old question of nature vs. nurture = book smart vs. street smart
6. “hard work beats talent”
Quote: “hard work beats talent when talent refuses to work hard”
7. on the other hand = to the opposite end
8. clever = street smart, to have moxy, to be cunning (like a fox), to be savvy, to have the right stuff, to be mentally deft

accuracy, accurate demonstrate, demonstrative, demonstration achieve, achievement intense, intensity, intensely alter, alteration mental, mentally reject, rejection attribute, attributive, attribution motivate, motivation, motivating stable, stability challenge, challenging emerge, emerging participant, participate, participation consistent, consistently perceive, perception
Vision, visual, visually

You should spend 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Recently, there has been a debate about athletes in sports. In 2008 Michael Phelps was accused of using Marijuana while in 2013 bicyclist Lance
Armstrong was found to have been using
“performance enhancing drugs”.
To what extent do you believe they should be punished?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words

You should spend 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people think that nuclear technology is a danger to life on earth, while others believe it can bring great benefits to mankind.
Which side do you support and why?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words

Write about the following topic:
These days the collegiate system in Western academia relies on students loans to pay for its costs and this has contributed to the problem of student debt.
Who should be responsible for paying college costs: the parents or the students themselves?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

The university's bread and butter is student loans
Crushing debt
Interest rates
Filial piety

What is the most important quality of a good friend?
What do you think can make friends break up?
Why do modern people have fewer friends these days?
What do you think of the educational system in your country?
How can teachers encourage creativity in students?
Who is the most successful person you know?
Do you think an adventurous spirit is born or nurtured?
What kind of people are more likely to succeed?
Who do you admire the most?

1. What is the most important quality of a good friend?
Topic: Important quality of friends
Thesis: Friendship can teach us the benefits of teamwork, as well as how to get along with others and be successful, therefore trust is an essential quality in a good friend.

1. bread and butter = ?
2. bread winner = ?
3. bring home the bacon = ?
4. at all costs = ?
5. born with a silver spoon in one's mouth = ?
6. face value = ?
7. to cash in on sth = ?
8. hit the jackpot = ?
9. strike it rich = ?
10. to be in the red = ?
42

1. bread and butter = reliable income
2. bread winner = the supporter of the family
3. bring home the bacon = bring home money for family
4. at all costs = no matter what
5. born with a silver spoon in one's mouth = rich/spoiled kids
6. face value = the obvious value, surface value
7. to cash in on sth = draw out money, take advantage of sth
8. hit the jackpot = to get rich, lucky
9. strike it rich = to get rich
10. to be in the red = to be in debt
43

Born with a silver spoon in one's mouth face value hit the jackpot to be in the red

Apple of my eye
Carry a torch for someone
Kick the bucket / have a bucket list
Diamond in the rough
My knight in shining armor
Have your cake and eat it too
All the world's a stage
Be like clay

Apple of my eye = your treasure
Carry a torch for sb = carry a secret love for sb
Kick the bucket = to die
Diamond in the rough = sth good in the bad
My knight in shining armor = your hero
Have your cake and eat it too = best of both worlds
All the world's a stage = everyone plays their part in this world
To be like clay = moldable, easy to control (person) *neutral word *

Jane, clay
Bill, diamond in the rough
Bill, kick the bucket
Jane, have her cake and eat it too

You will write 2 essays and weekly journals
1. Remembering an Event (550-650 words)
Something that happened to you. An interesting event that you remember clearly.
2. Writing a Profile (550-650 words)
You will describe something or someone.
3. Proposing a Solution (550-650 words)
You will discuss a problem and explain how to fix it
6. Journal Entries
These will be given by the instructor. They will cover various topics.
Very similar to IELTS Task 2 questions
7. Vocabulary Quiz
A weekly quiz on the target words

Lesson A Lesson B
Week 4 Essay 1: Choose your topic T2
Week 5 Essay 1 Rough Draft Due (550+ words)
Week 6 Essay 1 Final Draft WEDNESDAY (550+ words)
Week 7 T1 T2 J3
Week 8 Quiz J4
Week 9 Midterm
49

Different Shops
Write an essay comparing and contrasting the experience of shopping at two different kinds of stores. Use specific reasons and examples to illustrate the stores' similarities and differences.
Use 4 vocabulary words from Chapter 6

Choose an IELTS Task 2 question and answer it.
Remember choose a trend or a problem. Then use the format “what are your opinions on this”
Use 4 vocabulary words from Chapter 6

A bucket list is a list of things you want to do in your life before you die.
Although this is a creative writing assignment, you must still follow the correct structure as usual.
250+ words, follow normal structure: Introduction,
Body, Conclusion. Make a thesis

Choose a science or technology based IELTS
Task 2 question and answer it. Remember choose a trend or a problem. Then use the format
“what are your opinions on this”
Write the question clearly and paraphrase it for the introduction.
250+ words, use 4 vocabulary words from
Chapter 7

TOPICS: people's reliance on machines, government spending money for space exploration and development of new energy tech like ITER or CERN, military tech, functional robots
Will modern people forget basic survival and necessary skills like writing and cooking because they use machines too much?
How do you think people in the future will use robots?
Why do people long for tech?

Journal 4