Purpose

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Purpose
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What should we include in the opening paragraph?

• Topic
• Background
• Problem
• Standpoint

You're telling people why you write!
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What kind of phrases will you use in stating your
purpose?

• My purpose in this paper is to show that
• Personally, I think
• In my opinion
• I think

too personal!
Your opinion may not be my opinion!
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A good opening sentence should

• Introduce the topic
• Justify the topic (why its important, why we
  have to discuss that)
• Tell us what standpoint the writer holds
• Indicate whatll be said in the next sentence
• Suggest the writers approach and overall plan

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Advice

• Do not include too much information ( e.g. a
  lengthy explanation of the topic) obscure the
  purpose
• Do not include information thats already obvious
  to the reader boring and insulting

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Look at this and see whether the purpose is clear?

• How many view points expressed? HK govt? local
  attitudes? International attitudes? Vietnamese
  refugees?
• Writers attitude? Critical? Sympathetic?
• What is the problem?

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An Opening paragraph

• Should
• Introduce the topic
• Justify the topic (why its important, why we
  have to discuss that)
• Tell us what standpoint the writer holds( should
  take sides)
• Indicate whatll be said in the next sentence
• Suggest the writers approach and overall plan

• Should not
• be clumsy
• Mention already-known information
• Have a fake purpose
• Start with a quotation
• Start with a definition
• start with a structural question

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opening paragraph
argument
last paragraph
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Argument

• Counter argument -
• Refutation (conclusion)- implied conclusion

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Arguments expression of writers view

• Avoid generalisation
• Supporting views(examples, explanation, reasons)-
  imply a reason for the view

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• Chinese people have a very strong sense of family
  and Chinese children always respect their parents.

Traditionally/ In general/For the most part
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• No government can be called democratic if it does
  not listen to criticism or allow people to
  express their opinions.
• Women are obviously much stronger than men they
  have to endure the pain of childbirth.

It is impossible to fault this
This is meant to be humorous. Not of a serious
argument, Depends on where this is placed.
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• It is well known that the death penalty is the
  only way to deter people from committing crimes
  of violence.

Many people/ Some people believe that.. It has
been Suggested thatIt is possible that the
death penalty is a way to/the best way to The
only way to
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• When they want to be elected, politicians make
  promises that they cannot keep

Politicians often make promises/ Tend to make
promises/ or under certain circumstances
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• Everyone knows that homosexuals are responsible
  for spreading AIDS.

Homosexuals were involved in the initial spread
of Aids in western countries. Homosexuals run a
considerable risk of contracting Aids. REMOVE
RESPONSIBLE FOR
Ho
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• Chinese parents always think that education is
  important because it enables you to get on in the
  world.

generally, always is implied in the use of tense
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• Sometimes too much education is not a good thing
  because it makes people discontented
• Everyone knows that smoking causes cancer.

It is generally thoughtIt is believed/said Smoki
ng is said/thought to causeetc/
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• At least half the worlds tropical rain forest
  has been destroyed since the beginning of the
  century and many people think that if the
  destruction continues at this rate, it is
  possible that by the end of the century there may
  be almost no tropical rain forest left.

Very qualified
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• Many people often said that Christmas has become
  rather commercial.
• Generally speaking it is wrong to put people in
  prison merely because you do not agree with their
  views.

Remove
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Arguments expression of writers view

• Avoid generalisation
• Supporting views(examples, explanation, reasons)-
  imply a reason for the view

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• It would not be right to ban smoking. Admittedly,
  smoking is harmful to health, and every possible
  means should be used to persuade young people not
  to take it up. But there are plenty of things
  that are dangerous many sports, for instance
  and no one proposes that they should be banned.
  To make smoking illegal would be a dangerous
  infringement of the individuals right to make
  his own choice about such matters.

Writers view not right to ban
smoking Counter-argument smoking is
harmful(implicationso it should be
banned) Refutation other dangerous activities
not banned, to ban it would infringe individual
rights (Implied conclusion smoking should not be
banned)
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Counter arguments

• Explanation(examples, reasons)
• Indicators it is true thatTrueOne must admit
  thatIt cannot be denied thatUndoubtedlyThere
  is no doubt thatwithout doubtCertainly..Of
  course

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Refutation

• Supporting views(examples, explanation, reasons)
• Indicators This argument is wrong
  becauseButAccording to this argumentThis is
  like sayingThis argument does not apply because

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Implied conclusion

• is your view the one opposed by the counter
  argument
• Indicators consequently, therefore, thus, then,
  as a result this shows thatFrom this we see
  that

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Last paragraph

• Style coincide( question answers)
• Approach
• Argument - standpoint