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.
Dont 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
?? 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.
ones hobby
I think that computer has brought us more good
than harm.
personal opinion
12
Topic sentence
We can ask questions likewho, 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 theyll
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 ones
happy life.
19
Circular argument
As a popular saying goes, Health is better
than wealth. The better ones 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
ones 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. Whats
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.