Academic Writing IV
Spring 2013 Meet twice a week M, W (Sec.201)
Monday 2:00-3:50 (3-505) Wednesday 8:00-9:50 (3-516)
E-mail: Austin Casey austinkc@hotmail.com
Phone: 134 3922 0499
Website: http://austincasey.yolasite.com/
Office Hours:
1
Important Announcement
I will be attending an IELTS Teacher Training
Workshop on Mar 12, 13 (Next Week, Tuesday &
Wednesday)
I will miss the class next Wednesday afternoon.
I will let you know later about a makeup class.
Today:
Vocabulary synonyms
Narrative Style Essay
MLA Referencing
useful phrases for IELTS writing T1 & T2
Grammar Handout
Homework: Journal 1
3
Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Machine translation (MT) is slower and less accurate than
human translation and there is no immediate or
predictable likelihood of machines taking over this role
from humans.
Do you agree or disagree?
Write at least 250 words.
Useful phrases for IELTS wT1 & T2
1. It is crucial that we analyze the causes of this
disturbing issue and explore effective solutions.
From my own perspective, the causes are multiple.
2. One of the most evident reasons is that...
3. Another factor that should be taken into
considerations is that...
4. On the other hand, there are many opponents who
strongly argue that _____. However, further
analysis make it clear that _____.
5. Taking into account of all these factors, we may
reach the conclusion that _____.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Many magazines and websites feature stories about the private lives of
famous people. We know their personal lives and we also can see
photos of them in private or embarrassing situations. They are not
paid for their image being used.
Is it appropriate for a magazine or website to give this kind of private
information about celebrities?
Give reasons for your answer.
Write at least 250 words.
Many magazines and websites feature stories about the private
lives of famous people. We know their personal lives and we also
can see photos of them in private or embarrassing situations.
They are not paid for their image being used.
Is it appropriate for a magazine or website to give this kind of
private information about celebrities?
1. It is crucial that we analyze the causes of this disturbing issue and explore
effective solutions. From my own perspective, the causes are multiple......
2. One of the most evident reasons is that...
3. Another factor that should be taken into considerations is that...
4. On the other hand, there are many opponents who strongly argue that
_____. However, further analysis make it clear that _____.
5. Taking into account of all these factors, we may reach the conclusion that
_____.
Essay Types: You will write 2 essays & weekly journals
For essay 1, choose #1 or #2. For essay 2, everyone will do #3
1. Remembering an Event – Narrative Style Essay (550-650 words)
An interesting event that you remember clearly.
2. Writing a Profile – Descriptive Style Essay (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
4. Journal Entries
These will be given by the instructor. They will cover various
topics.
Very similar to IELTS Task 2 questions
5. Vocabulary Quiz
A weekly quiz on the target words
Writing Assignment: Choose one of the following words about
people and define them. Remember to make them interesting
with lots of description. What is the definition of........
a lazy person
a person who always gets good grades
someone who fishes
person who uses a mobile too much
someone who hunts
a good neighbor
a bodybuilder
a super busy person
a history buff(loves history) a person who is childish
a sports coach
a con artist (tricks/manipulates others)
a practical joker (person who always tricks others for fun)
an optimist
an artist or musician (also a dancer)
a cheapskate (cheap person)
a loser
a bully too much makeup
a religious person
video game player a snob (think they are better than others)
Citing Sources: Guide to
MLA Style
MLA is a style of citing sources (another is APA).
MLA =Modern Language Association
MLA is a popular and simple way to cite sources.
In the back of your book (AW Appendix E p.303)
p.310 Works Cited
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MLA Example Essay
See the PDF called:
A Call to Action: Regulate Use of Cell Phones on the Road
I will put a copy on my website or you can get one after class.
Pay attention to the references inside the paragraphs.
11
MLA Research Paper (Daly)
Angela Daly
Professor Chavez
English 101
14 March XXXX
A Call to Action:
Regulate Use of Cell Phones on the Road
When a cell phone goes off in a classroom or
at a concert, we
are irritated, but at least our lives are not
endangered. When we
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MLA p.310-311
This is how to make your Works Cited page
(some books call it a reference page).
It is an extra page, that is separate from your
essay
It tells us where you got your information
13
Book by One Author
Last Name, First Name. Title. Place: Publisher,
Date.
Smith, Bill. A History of Everything. New York:
Broadway Books, 2012.
14
Book by Two or More Authors
Last Name, First Name, and First Name Last
Name. Title. Place: Publisher, Date.
Simon, David, and Edward Burns. The Corner.
New York: Broadway Books, 2009.
15
Magazine Article
Last Name, First Name. “Title” Magazine Name
Day Month. Year: Pages.
Kalb, Claudia. “Brave New Babies.” Newsweek
26 Jan. 2008: 45-52
16
Film
Title. Director, Producer, or Writer Name
(normal English order). Company, Year.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Dir. Peter Jackson. New Line Cinema, 2003.
17
Article from Website
Author (normal English order) “Article.” Title.
Year (last update). Day Month Year (when you
went there) <link>
“Being Chased.” Dreams and Nightmares.
Internet Resources. 2009. 19 September. 2012
<http://dreamnightmares.com/chasedindreams.
html>.
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Paraphrasing
Mention the authors full name:
Scott Smith identified…
Several researchers such as Anthony Li, Greg Jacobs, and James
Duck reported…
At the end of the paragraph put the
Author’s last name and page number:
(West 47).
19
Make it simple: I want it to look like
this:
In his book Physics for Future Presidents,
Richard Muller writes that we must overcome
political differences and understand the science
to make a better future. “I think the president
has to understand the physics to make correct
decisions”. (Muller p.76)
Works Cited / Reference Page:
Muller, Richard. Physics for Future Presidents.
Berkeley, California: Berkeley Books, 2010.
20
Example:
I think people should have the right to own a
gun and go hunting. According to Lucky Smith
in Hunting Diaries, hunting is an old custom and
it makes us feel more natural. We also get the
benefits from cleaner meat and good exercise in
the forest. “hunting is a way of life” (Smith 78)
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Outline:
Introduction
Hook: catch reader's interest
Thesis statement
Body
P1 Topic sentence 1 with 3 evidence (supporting sentence)
P2 Topic sentence 2 with 3 evidence
P3 Topic sentence 3 with 3 evidence
Conclusion
Summary
Final Comment
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Writing Descriptive Essays
I. Introduction
1. Lead-in: Introduce the person or place to be described in
an interesting way.
2. Transition: Explain how you get to know this person or
place.
3. Thesis Statement:
1). Present the main impression of the person or place.
2). Present the three features that support the dominant
impression.
Body
Body Paragraph 1
1. Topic Sentence: Introduce the first feature.
2. Supporting Details: Use descriptive details.
3. Closing Remarks: Summarize this paragraph.
Body Paragraph 2
1. Topic Sentence: Introduce the second feature.
2. Supporting Details: Use descriptive details.
3. Closing Remarks: Summarize this paragraph.
Body Paragraph 3
1. Topic Sentence: Introduce the third feature.
2. Supporting Details: Use descriptive details.
3. Closing Remarks: Summarize this paragraph.
Conclusion
1. Rephrase the thesis sentence.
2. Restate the three features.
3. Extend the significance of the description.
Make an Outline:
Topic Sentence 2
a. Evidence
b. Evidence
c. Example
Introduction with hook &
thesis
Topic Sentence 3
a. Evidence
Topic Sentence 1
a. Evidence
b. Evidence
c. Example
b. Evidence
c. Example
Conclusion
Make an Outline:
Cannot Drive certain days
a. License plate number
b. Too many want license
c. Price was increased
Thesis: Private car is a
hassle
Difficult to park
a. Expensive
Traffic Jam
a. I had a traffic jam
b. No spaces
c. Waste time park
b. Too many cars
c.
Conclusion
Journal 1
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 FOV2 Chapter 6 or
from the new words list
Extra Journal 1
I want you to write your own IELTS Task 2 type
question and answer it. Remember choose a
trend or a problem. Then use the format “what
are your opinions on this”
Homework
Learn the new vocabulary words
Journal 1: Due next Wednesday