CONTENTS Part 1 Sentence Writing
1.1 Introduction to the Sentence
1.2 Sentence Types
1.3 Effective Sentences
Part 2 Paragraph Writing
2.1 Introduction to the Paragraph
2.2 Organization of a paragraph
2.3 Effective Paragraphs
Part 3 Essay Writing
3.1 Introduction to the Essay
3.2 Organization of an Essay
3.3 Essay Development
Part 4 Practical Writing
5.1 Resume and Cover Letter
5.2 Business Letter
5.2.1 Letter of complaint
5.2.2 Letter of inquiry
5.2.3 Letter of request
5.2.4 Letter of apology
5.2.5 Letter of thanks
5.2.6 Letter of job application
5.2.7 Letter of academic application
5.2.8 Letter of recommendation
Part 1 Sentence Writing
1.1 Introduction to the Sentence
A Sentence is a grammatical unit of one or more words, expressing a complete thought or message. A normal sentence contains at least a subject and a predicate or finite verb. If the verb is transitive, there must be an object; if the verb is a linking verb, there must be a predicative or a complement. The following are five basic sentence patterns of English:
-He came. (SV)
-She wrote a letter. (SVO)
-Jack is a student. (SVC)
-The man told his son a story. (SVOO)
-The news made the workers disappointed. (SVOC)
Every English sentence contains a basic statement. It may stand alone as one short sentence as in the examples above, or it may be buried inside a longer sentence. It is the kernel that you have left after you chop away everything in a sentence except its essential meaning; it is the kernel you build on when you want to make a sentence longer.
Besides the basic elements, attributes and adverbials help to make the thought or message of the sentence clear or complete:
-He came to the classroom very early.
-She wrote a long letter to her parents.
-Jack is an intelligent and promising student.
-The man told his five-year-old son an interesting story.
-The news made the workers so disappointed that they decided to go on strike to defend their rights.
Normally, students should try to avoid making sentence fragments or incomplete sentences without a subject or a predicate:
-China is no longer what used to be.
- After graduated from college, I went abroad for further study.
-I spent almost two hours on the phone yesterday. Trying to find someone to repair my car.
-George often told lies. So that no one believed him when he told about a snake in the school yard.
1.2 Sentence Types
According to their structure, sentences are simple, compound, or complex.
A simple sentence has only one subject and one predicate verb, but it may contain more than one object, attribute or adverbial. Short simple sentences are usually emphatic; they have special clarity, and provide variety when used with longer sentences:
Jack was a student. He had a personal computer. There was something wrong with it yesterday. Its memory did not work well. He asked the dealer to come and fix it. Quite unexpectedly, the dealer brought him a new one. It was rare for a buyer to enjoy such a favour.
Jack, however, thought it only too reasonable to get the new one.
A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses (or simple sentences) related to each other in meaning, and linked by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, etc.) or by a semicolon without a conjunction. Coordinated ideas should be compatible and roughly equal in importance, or take shape one by one in orderly sequence:
-Most of us were in the hall, the doors had been closed, and the latecomers had to wait outside.
-The Board of Directors discussed the idea for two hours, but they came to no conclusion.
-Either John is not willing to keep his promise or he has forgotten about it.
-Some trees are useful for their timber and some for their fruit, whereas some are useful for both.
-There was no reply; the old woman?s face was white, her eyes staring, and her breath inaudible; on the husband?s face was a look of sheer horror.
A complex sentence contains one main (or principal) clause and one or more dependent (or subordinate) clauses, with a connective word denoting the relation between the two parts. The dependent clause may play the part of a subject, an object, a predicative, an attribute, or an adverbial in the main clause. As a rule, the major idea is expressed in the main clause and the idea of less importance in the dependent clause. Long complex sentences express ideas clearly and accurately, for they have room for all kinds of modifiers:
- That the match will be cancelled is now uncertain. (Subject)
- The official said that more workers would be laid off. (Object)
- The fact was that he had good reason for his absence. (Predicative)
- The government which promises to cut taxes will be popular. (Attribute)
- I would be failing my duty if I didn?t tell you about the risks involved in the project.
(Adverbial)
Exercise: Rewrite the following by putting the short sentences into compound or complex sentences, or sentences with participial, prepositional, or other phrases.
1. The sky was cloudless. The sun was shining brightly.
2. She appeared on the stage. A stormy applause broke out.
3. Xu comes from a working-class family. He enrolled in college last fall.
4. He returned to his hometown. He had been away for twelve years. He looked in vain for the
familiar landmarks.
5. The gypsies are really a nomadic people from India. They migrated into Europe. Once they
were thought to be Egyptians.
6. It was a poor quarter. There were a lot of small huts. They had mud walls and straw roofs.
They dotted a hillside.
1.3 Effective Sentences
1.3.1 conciseness
A sentence should contain no unnecessary words. If the idea is fully expressed, the fewer words are used, the better. Wordiness only obscures, instead of clarifying, the idea. But one often uses more words than necessary, so it is a good habit to reread what has been written to see if there are words that can be deleted without affecting the meaning expressed. Compare the following: Wordy: It was small in size.
He returned in the early part of the month of August.
Concise: It was small.
He returned in early August.
Repetition is sometimes necessary for emphasis, but unnecessary repetition, either of the same words or of different words with the same meaning, should be avoided:
Wordy: He gave many reasons for the failure, but the reasons he gave were not convincing.
Concise: He gave many reasons for the failure, but none of them was convincing.
Wordy: This machine was jointly designed by the old engineer in collaboration with some of his younger colleagues.
Concise: This machine was jointly designed by the old engineer and some of his younger colleagues.
This machine was designed by the old engineer in collaboration with some of his
younger colleagues.
Conciseness can sometimes be achieved by changing the sentence structure. Compare:
Wordy: Smith usually likes to drink all kinds of wines that are produced in France.
Concise: Smith prefers wines produced in France.
Smith prefers French wines.
Wordy: Man has the power of making certain instruments. Such instruments bring stars into view.
Concise: Man has the power of making certain instruments which bring stars into view.
Wordy: There was a pine tree that stood like a giant on the top of the mountain. It towered over the trees around it.
Concise: The pine tree on the top of the mountain stood like a giant and towered over the trees around it.
The giant pine tree on the top of the mountain towered over the trees around it.
On the top of the mountain was a giant pine tree which towered over the trees around
it.
These examples show that sometimes a clause can be replaced by a phrase and a phrase by a word without any change in the meaning. They also show that sometimes two sentences may be combined with the idea of the less important one expressed in a participial phrase, an attributive clause, or some other form.
Try to make the following passage concise:
Li Qing, who was a first-year student of the college, would go to a park near her school every day in the morning. She would bring a small recorder with her. In the park she would find a quiet corner and listen to a tape of English stories.
Exercise: Revise the following sentences. Try to make them concise.
1. These watermelons are large in size and sweet in taste.
2. What I am trying to say is that in my opinion he has not done his work very well and it
needs improving.
3. You must first work out an outline for your paper, and then after you have done that, you
need to collect all kinds of material to support your point of view.
4. In that country violent death has become a commonplace thing, a thing that occurs every
day.
5. This pretty actress keeps appearing in TV serials repeatedly.
6. According to the speaker, it is obvious that the responsibility system has helped to increase
production and he has no doubt about it.
7. One reason why people are well informed in this country is because of the fact that there are
many newspapers which can easily be bought or subscribed to.
8. Statistics show that in the decade from 1980 to 1990 enrollments at this school doubled : in
1990 there were twice as many students as in 1980.
1.3.2 Coherence
Coherence means clear and reasonable connection between parts. A sentence is coherent when its words or parts are properly connected and their relationships unmistakably clear. It is not coherent if it has faulty parallel constructions, dangling or misplaced modifiers, confusing shifts in person and number, or in voice, tense, and mood.
Faulty: A man is judged not only by what he says but also by his deeds.
Revised: A man is judged not only by what he says but also by what he does.
A man is judged not only by his words but also by his deeds.
Faulty: We thought she was charming, intelligent, and a very capable young woman.
Revised: We thought she was a charming, intelligent, and very capable young woman.
We thought she was charming, intelligent, young, and very capable.
Parallel ideas had better be expressed in parallel constructions, which give emphasis, clarity and balance to a sentence. “What he says” and “his deeds” are not parallel in form, so one of them has to be changed. The second sentence is faulty for the same reason and can be improved.
Faulty: Looking out of the window, the grassland stretches as far as the eye can reach.
Revised: Looking out of the window, he can see the grassland stretching as far as the eye can reach.
Outside the window, the grassland stretches as far as the eye can reach.
Faulty: I read an interesting story in a magazine about sportsmen.
Revised: In a magazine I read an interesting story about sportsmen.
I read in a magazine an interesting story about sportsmen.
In the first example, the dangling modifier “Looking …”is not grammatically related to the noun or pronoun it is intended to modify. The noun or pronoun does not even appear in the sentence. The second one is considered as “faulty” because of the unclear connection between certain parts. The modifier “about sportsmen” seems to modify “magazine”, but it should modify “story”. This fault is caused by misplaced modifier. Such faulty sentences are not coherent and may be hard to understand.
Faulty: An important thing for the student to remember is that when writing a paper, you should not plagiarize.
Revised: An important thing for the student to remember is that when writing a paper, he should not plagiarize.
Faulty: Those who wish to take linguistics are expected to sign his name on this sheet of paper.
Revised: Those who wish to take linguistics are expected to sign their names on this sheet of paper.
Faulty: Students should learn to analyze and solve problems independently. Don’t rely on your teacher?s help.
Revised: Students should learn to analyze and solve problems independently. They should not rely on their teacher?s help.
Faulty: She reviewed the lesson taught last week and all the exercises assigned by the teacher were done.
Revised: She reviewed the lesson taught last week and did all the exercises assigned by the teacher.
The above faulty sentences are not coherent because of a confusing change in person, in number, in mood, and in voice respectively. A sentence should be consistent in these respects. Unnecessary shifts should be avoided.
Exercise: Please make the following sentences coherent:
1. I read the novel on the train, which did not interest me at all.
2. A well-dressed man admitted us to the house, and we later learned that he was a thief.
3.The children promised to be careful and that they would return home early.
4. After years of effort, Gao said that soil erosion has been brought under control in that region.
5. Using either military or peaceful means, most of the remaining enemy forces were put out
of action.
6. In recent years, China has introduced much technology and equipment from abroad, playing
an important role in improving its petrochemical technology.
7. One-sideness means thinking in terms of absolutes, that is, a metaphysical approach to
problems.
8. Efforts will be made to introduce pensions, medical insurance, and housing systems, and the
best way to get laid-off workers out of poverty is to help them find jobs, Li stressed.
1.3.4 Emphasis
When there is an important idea, it should be expressed with emphasis. In speech people use various ways for this purpose, such as speaking loudly or using a gesture. In writing there are also ways for placing emphasis on sentences or words that should be emphasized.
In a passage there may be sentences which convey more important ideas than others do. They can be emphasized in the following way:
·Inverted sentences. They are emphatic because their unusual word order draws the reader?s attention.
- In rushed the noisy children.
- The poet was born poor, and poor he remained all his life.
- Faith in the Chinese economic reforms the majority of people will never lose.
- In no other place in the world can one find such enthusiasm for applying for hosting the
2008 Olympic Games.
·Negative-positive statements. They first point out what is not the truth, and then what is. The contrast makes them emphatic.
- The delegates shouted and quarreled. It was not a meeting; it was a farce.
- There are so many errors in the performance that the result was not a tragedy, but a comedy.
Very often a part of a sentence, whether it is a word or a phrase, should be given more emphasis because it is where the main point of the sentence is. Various ways can be used to achieve this.
·Placing. The beginning and the end, especially the end, of a sentence are the two places that attract the reader?s attention. If possible, important words should be put there. Compare: - There is a big tree, which is said to be 300 years old, in the temple.
In the temple there is a big tree, which is said to be 300 years old.
- There have been many great discoveries made by scientists in the 20th century.
Many great discoveries have been made by scientists in the 20th century.
- Wang Bing is modest and hardworking and is a good student.
Modest and hardworking, Wang Bing is a good student.
Wang Bing is a good student, modest and hardworking.
·Repetition. Unnecessary repetition adds nothing new to the meaning of a sentence; therefore it should be avoided. But sometimes, in a proper context repeating a word or an idea in different words may be a means of emphasis.
- Bright, very bright, were the stars over the wild, dark Yenan hills.
- We long for success and we are working hard for success.
- Now is the time to forget everything in the past. Now is the time to get down to the business.
Now is the time to work hard for the future.
·Subordination. This means putting a minor idea in a dependent element of the sentence so as to give the main idea a prominent position. Compare:
- The professor walked into the classroom and he carried a bag of books with him.
The professor walked into the classroom, carrying a bag of books with him.
The professor walked into the classroom, with a bag of books under his arm.
·A series of short sentences, if related in meaning, may be combined with the main idea properly emphasized.
- They were waiting for the meeting to begin. They talked with each other. They talked
about the women?s football team. The team had won victories in Guangzhou.
- While waiting for the meeting to begin, they talked about the victories won by the
women?s football team in Guangzhou.
- Li is a new student. He comes from a southern province. He speaks a dialect. We find it
hard to understand his dialect.
- Li, a new student from a southern province, speaks a dialect which is difficult for us to understand.
- General Grant was an outstanding commander, but he was not a wise president. This is
what our history teacher said.
- Our history teacher said that General Grant was not a wise president, though he was an
outstanding commander.
- According to our history teacher, General Grant, who was an outstanding commander, was
not a wise president.
·Emphatic words and phrases. There are words and phrases that may be used to emphasize other words. The following are a few examples:
- This is the very dictionary I have been looking for.
- His latest novel is by far the best he has ever written.
- You can buy everything under the sun in this department store.
Exercise: Rewrite the following sentences, emphasizing the main idea in each.
1. She did not spend a day without having some unpleasantness with waiters in the hotel.
2. Huang, who is over two metres tall, is the tallest man of the team.
3. He decided to take the job, and it was something unexpected.
4. China has changed a great deal as a result of reform and the open policy during the past 14
years.
5. An attempt was made by Robert to do all the things that the sailor members of the crew
usually did while serving as a cabin boy on the ship.
6. Mrs. Jones, the famous writer, was among his neighbors.
Part 2 Paragraph Writing
2.1 Introduction to the Paragraph
Paragraph is the basic unit of organization in writing in which a group of related sentences develops one main idea. A paragraph can be as short as one sentence or as long as ten or more sentences; anyhow, it should be long enough to express the main idea clearly. In general, a paragraph comprises three major structural parts: a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It not only names the topic of the paragraph, but also limits the topic to one or two areas that can be discussed completely in the space of a single paragraph. All the other sentences must be written in accordance with it.
Sample:
(1)Gold, a precious metal, is prized for two important characteristics. (2)First of all, gold has a lustrous beauty that is resistant to corrosion. (3)Therefore, it is suitable for jewelry, coins, and ornamental purposes. (4)Gold never needs to be polished and will remain beautiful forever. (5)For example, a Macedonian coin remains as untarnished today as the day it was minted twenty-three centuries ago. (6)Another important characteristic of gold is its usefulness to industry and science.
(7)For many years, it has been used in hundreds of industrial applications. (8)The most recent use of gold is in astronauts? suits. (9)Astronauts wear gold-plated heat shields for protection outside the spaceship. (10)In conclusion, gold is treasured not only for its beauty, but also for its utility.
Sentence 1 is the topic sentence which states the main idea of the paragraph. Sentences 2-9 are supporting sentences which develop the topic sentence by giving reasons, examples, facts, statistics, and quotations. Sentence 10 is the concluding sentence which indicates the end of the paragraph and leaves the reader with important points to remember.
2.2 Effective Paragraphs
A good paragraph is characterized by its unity, coherence, transition, and completeness.
2.2.1 Unity
Every good paragraph has unity, which means that each paragraph is centered on one main idea. If you start to discuss a new idea, start a new paragraph. Furthermore, every supporting sentence in the paragraph must be directly related to the main idea. Avoid including any information that has no relation with the topic sentence.
A unified paragraph is internally consistent and has a simple focus. That means the paragraph has only one fundamental purpose: to be focused. In a unified paragraph, every sentence contributes to this focus by exemplifying it, explaining it, or expanding on it in some way. The following paragraph is an example of a unified one:
Sample 1
(1)The punishment of criminals has always been a problem for society. (2)Citizens have had to decide whether offenders such as first-degree murderers should be killed by being hanged, imprisoned for life, or rehabilitated and given a second chance in society. (3)Many citizens argue that serious criminals should be executed. (4)They believe that killing criminals will set an example for others and rid society of a cumbersome burden. (5)Other citizens say that no one has the right to take a life and that capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime. (6)They believe that society as well as the criminal is responsible for crime and that killing criminals does not solve the problems of either society or the criminal.
Here the writer states the main idea (the focus) in the first sentence (the topic sentence). Sentence 2 then specifies the exact nature of the problem by listing the choices the society has. Sentence 3 breaks the topic down still further by stating the viewpoint of one group of citizens, and sentence 4 gives the reasons for this viewpoint. Sentence 5 states the opposing viewpoint. Sentence 6 lists the reasons for the opposing viewpoint. The paragraph as a whole has a unified and logical structure that follows a clear pattern of development.
Sample 2
Most serious coin collectors carry special insurance on their collections. I became interested in coin-collecting when my aunt gave me sixteen old silver dollars on my sixteenth birthday. Insurance for coins can usually be added as a special rider on a homeowner?s or apartment-dweller?s policy. Although it is somewhat expensive, many coins in a good collection are irreplaceable, so insurance is well worth the cost.
One of the greatest enemies of paragraph unity is the human thought process. We tend to think associatively rather than logically. One fact reminds us of another, even if the latter is not logically related to the former. In sample 2, mentioning coin collectors reminded the writer of how she began collecting coins. This may be an interesting fact, but it does not deal with insurance in the paragraph. So it should be excluded.
Unity in a paragraph requires the consistent development of a central idea. Any sentence that has no clear relation to the topic of the paragraph will obscure the point you are trying to make. Thus, each sentence must show a clear connection to the central idea to achieve a single focus, that is, unity in the paragraph.
2.2.2 Coherence
Coherence is the orderly presentation of ideas. In a coherent paragraph, all the ideas flow smoothly from one sentence to the next sentence. Therefore, the paragraph reads as an integrated whole rather than as a series of separated sentences. Coherence in a paragraph depends chiefly on developing the sentences according to a logical order that is easy to follow.
Sample 1
Whether you do or do not open a gift in the presence of the giver; whether you should or should not turn the plate over to look at the maker?s symbol on the back; whether you put your coat on before or after you leave the host?s house; whether you eat as quietly or as noisily as p ossible; whether you carry on a conversation during a meal; whether you walk in front of or behind a seated person; whether it is a friendly or an offensive gesture to put your hand on the arm of the person with whom you are talking – these and a thousand other questions are matters of cultural definition. None of them is inherently right or wrong, and none is good or bad manners except as a society defines it.
Sample 1 presents one possible way to arrange details or examples in a paragraph –from the specific to the general. The details are mentioned first, and the general statement, which may serve as the topic sentence, comes at the end of the paragraph, summarizing the main idea of the paragraph. What?s more, the parallel structure of the sentences adds to the coherence of the paragraph.
Sample 2
It is commonly recognized that dogs have an extreme antagonism toward cats. This enmity between these two species can be traced back to the time of the early Egyptian dynasties. Archaeologists in recent years have discovered Egyptian texts in which there are detailed accounts of canines brutally mauling felines. Today this type of cruelty between these two domestic pets can be witnessed in regions as close as your own neighborhood. For example, when dogs are walked by their masters, and they happen to catch sight of a stray cat, they will pull with all their strength on their leash until the master is forced to yield; the typical result is that a feline is chased up a tree. The hatred between dogs and cats has lasted for so many centuries; it is unlikely that this conflict will ever end.
Sample 2 is coherent. All the sentences effectively relate back to the topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph. All of the sentences have something to do with dogs not liking cats. There is a flow of thoughts and ideas among the sentences in this paragraph. There are also good transitions employed in the paragraph.
In short, to gain coherence in a paragraph, you must plan and arrange the content deliberately so that the paragraph will develop naturally and logically. As to the order you should choose when writing a paragraph, that depends on your purpose and the content of the paragraph.
2.2.3 Transition
We have discussed two of the qualities that make for a good paragraph, unity and coherence, but we might note here a special problem in paragraph development that relates to continuity – transition. Continuity may not be perfect even if the writer arranges his sentences in a clear, logical order. He has to use good transitions so that one sentence leads smoothly to another.
The following ways may help the writer to produce a fluent paragraph:
1) Using transitional expressions;
2) Repeating key words and phrases;
3) Using pronoun reference;
4) Using parallel constructions.
Sample 1
1) The ancient Egyptians were masters of preserving dead people's bodies by making mummies
of them. Mummies several thousand years old have been discovered nearly intact. The skin, hair, teeth, fingernails and toenails, and facial features of the mummies were evident. It is possible to diagnose the disease they suffered in life, such as smallpox, arthritis, and nutritional deficiencies. The process was remarkably effective. Sometimes apparent were the fatal afflictions of the dead people: a middle-aged king died from a blow on the head, and polio killed a child king. Mummification consisted of removing the internal organs, applying natural preservatives inside and out, and then wrapping the body in layers of bandages.
2) The ancient Egyptians were masters of preserving dead people's bodies by making mummies of them. In short, mummification consisted of removing the internal organs, applying natural preservatives inside and out, and then wrapping the body in layers of bandages. And the process was remarkably effective. Indeed, mummies several thousand years old have been discovered nearly intact. Their skin, hair, teeth, fingernails and toenails, and facial features are still evident. Their diseases in life, such as smallpox, arthritis, and nutritional deficiencies, are still diagnosable. Even their fatal afflictions are still apparent: a middle-aged king died from a blow on the head; a child king died from polio.
Paragraph1) starts with a topic sentence, and the sentences that follow are clearly related to the topic sentence. In the language of writing, the paragraph is unified (i.e., it contains no irrelevant details). However, the paragraph is not coherent. The sentences are disconnected from each other, making it difficult for the reader to follow the writer's train of thought.
Paragraph 2) is the same paragraph revised for coherence. The paragraph is much more coherent. The organization of the information and the links between sentences help readers move easily from one sentence to the next. Notice how this writer uses a variety of coherence devices, sometimes in combination, to achieve overall paragraph coherence.
Useful Transitional Expressions
It is important to choose appropriate transitional devices for the kind of relationship you want to indicate. Be sure that you know exactly what the relationship is before you pick a transitional word.
Time: immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then …
Addition:and, again, and then, furthermore, in addition, besides, next, first, second, moreover …
Example: for example, for instance, as an example, like, specifically, consider as an illustration, that is, such as, in this case, on this occasion, in this situation, take
the case of, as an illustration …
Emphasis: chiefly, equally, indeed, even more than important, in particular, most important, definitely, extremely, obviously, in any case, absolutely, emphatically,
unquestionably, without a doubt, on no account, under no circumstances …
Comparison:similarly, likewise, and, also, in the same way …
Contrast:however, yet, nevertheless, on the other hand, but, on the contrary, by contrast with, conversely, whereas, compared to, although, in contrast, despite that, even
so, in spite of, …
Concession:although, of course, admittedly, true, doubtless, granted that, no doubt …
Consequence: thus, so, then, it follows, as a result, therefore, hence, consequently, accordingly, otherwise, thereupon …
Conclusion:in brief, briefly, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in conclusion, as I have shown, as I have said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result, consequently,
after all, all in all, all things considered, by and large, in any case, in any event, in
short, in summary, in the final, in the long run, to summarize, to sum up, on
balance, finally…
Sequence: first, second, third, and so forth. next, then, following this, at this time, now, at this point, after, afterward, subsequently, finally, consequently, previously, before this,
simultaneously, concurrently, thus, therefore, hence, next, and then, soon, at first,
first of all, to begin with, in the first place, the next step, meanwhile, the meantime,
at the same time, for now, later on, later
The following example is given to illustrate how these transitional words are used to show the relationship between the sentences. Obviously, each sentence in the paragraph is properly related to the preceding and following sentences.
Sample 2
Another difference among the world?s seas and oceans is that the salinity varies in different climate zones. For example, the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe is only one-fourth as saline as the Red Sea in the Middle East. There are two reasons for this. First of all, in warm climate zones, water evaporates rapidly: therefore, the concentration of salt is greater. Second, the surrounding land is dry and, consequently, does not contribute much fresh water to dilute the salty sea water. In cold climate zones, on the other hand, water evaporates slowly. Furthermore, the run-off created by melting snow adds a considerable amount of fresh water to dilute the saline sea water.
2.3.4 Completeness
Completeness in a paragraph means that the topic is adequately developed by details, explanations, evidence, and the like, so that the reader is not left with only a fuzzy idea of what you mean. The degree of development depends on the purpose and the content of the paragraph.
Sample 1
New filming techniques and new methods of creating special effects contribute to the influence a film will have on the industry. This influence is one aspect of whether or not a film is considered a classic. King Kong was one of the most important films in history and had a profound effect on the technical aspects of the film industry.
This passage is really more an outline than a paragraph. The reader is left wondering about the nature of new filming techniques and special effects. What is the exact relationship between a film?s influence on the industry and whether or not it is considered a classic? What were some of the new techniques of King Kong? What films did King Kong directly influence? Just because of the generalization, this potentially good paragraph is ineffective for lack of completeness.
A paragraph may contain a fair amount of information but still be incomplete if this information is not fully developed. The following paragraph is poorly proportioned, therefore, incomplete in developing its topic sentence.
Sample 2
(1)Railway travel in Spain is a nightmare which tourists should know about before embarking on
a trip. (2)Each compartment holds eight people, which usually results in a conglomeration of soldiers, tourists, farmers, and villagers. (3)Within minutes after the train pulls out of the station, the compartments become saturated the mixed odor of wine, urine, and sweat. (4)Chickens and dogs casually stroll the narrow passageways. (5)Drunkards and perverts roam through the cars shouting obscenities and pinching the oversized rear-ends of standing or passing females. (6)Travellers suffer silently, passing the dreary hours by playing tic-tac-toe and poker.
This writer begins by stating the topic: railway travel in Spain is a nightmare. A description of the size of the compartments and the different kinds of travellers follows. Sentence 3 states the result of the crowded conditions. Sentences 4 and 5 give details about the passageways of the cars. Finally, the writer describes how travellers respond to all these conditions. The reader is left with a vivid picture of why the writer calls railway travel in Spain a nightmare. All the details are necessary because railway travel in Spain is the topic of the paragraph.
In conclusion, when you develop a paragraph, don?t just write more; instead, say more. A paragraph should not go on and on; it should go in and in. The ideas should be specific rather than general. To make your discussion clear and convincing, keep in mind the reader?s question, “What do you mean by that? ” and “What is your proof?” Know you r subject thoroughly, and develop the topic adequately so that it fulfils its promises and realizes its potentialities.
Exercises
1. The following sentences are out of order. Please reorder them so as to get coherent paragraphs.
A
A.Three major groups appeared, the Caucasian, the Negro, and the Mongolian.
B.Will all people someday belong to one group?
C.Human beings populated a large part of the planet Earth.
D.Today, however, the groups are constantly mixing and spreading to all parts of the world.
E.Each group has its home area.
F.The Caucasians are identified with Europe; the Negroes with Africa; and the Mongolians with
Asia.
G.Yet, at one time, the number of people was small and probably limited to one part of the globe,
like Central Asia or possibly Africa.
H.Is it possible that our future will be like our past?
I.Scientists say that originally humans may all have been the same.
https://www.doczj.com/doc/308135237.html,ter, as people began to multiply and move, they began to change in physical appearance.
________________________________________
B
A. At one end of the courtyard a group of youngsters had gathered behind an artist painting a
flourishing limb, which looked so charming and real that a boy stopped to sniff at a half-open flower.
B. Under one of the trees stood her parents, who, while keeping one eye on her, were examining the
milkwhite blossoms with great interest and admiration.
C. In the middle of the rectangular-shaped courtyard stood three magnolia trees, all in full bloom.
D. At the opposite end a few elderly men and women stood admiring the leafless flowering trees
and the people looking at them.
E. In front of another tree a young couple, fresh and bright as the flowers, were posing for a
picture.
F. A little girl was hopping among them, now gazing at bud, now collecting fallen petals.
______________________________________
C
A. The increase was also due in part to the general peace and prosperity of the Second Empire.
B. Paris grew because it was the only city in France where anyone could arrive and know he
could at least survive.
C. From 1851 to 1872, the number of Parisians nearly doubled from 1, 242, 000 to 2, 212, 000.
Three factors contribute to this population explosion.
D. But the city?s population rise came about m ainly because the railroads carried the promise of
Paris to rural France.
E. The increase was the result partly of better health conditions (the cholera epidemic of 1830
had claimed 1, 000 victims a day).
___________________________________
D
A. Such poor budgeting of time keeps them from concentrating on their studies.
B. The sooner, the better.
C. Students? failure to pass through college education is due to a variety of causes.
D. Another cause of their academic failure is their lack of motivation.
E. But some of the causes can be traced to non-adaptive behaviour on the part of the student
himself.
F. When they can find well-paid jobs without a university degree, how can they feel obliged to
study hard?
G. The most important cause may be the student?s poor study habits, such as insufficient preview
and review, failure to hand in their assignments, etc.
H. Therefore, in order to achieve success at college, one must be well adapted to college life.
I. Then too many social activities take up most of their time.
_____________________________
2. Delete the sentences that do not contribute the unity of the following paragraphs
A
Millions of years ago, Australia was linked to Asia by a land bridge. Then an earthquake caused the land bridge to bend in deep folds. The sea rushed in, and Australia became an island. Later, this island became a British colony.Many animals that once wandered back and forth across the land bridge were stranded in Australia. The gentle kangaroos were among the stranded. Though fierce beasts killed them elsewhere, they were able to survive in Australia.
B
A fairy tale is a serious story with a human hero and a happy ending. The hero in a fairy tale is different from the hero in a tragedy in that his progression is from good fortune, rather than the reverse. In the Greek tragedy “Oedipus Rex??, for example, the hero goes from highest fortune to lowest misery, but in the end he recognizes his error in judgement and maintains a noble posture
despite profound suffering. The audience watching him is purged of pity and fear through what Aristotle labelled …catharsis?. The hero in a fairy tale usually has a miserable beginning. He is either socially obscure or despised as being stupid and lacking in heroic virtues, consequently winning fame, riches, and love. We clearly see this bad-to-good-fortune progress in stories like “Cinderella??, “Sleeping Beauty??, and “The F r og Prince??.
3. Divide the following passages into a reasonable number of paragraphs in terms of unity.
More and more people today are realizing the importance of regular physical exercise. In the past, work for the most people involved manual labor in the fresh open air of the fields. However, nowadays an increasing number of people are employed in offices or factories. Their daily work does not provide them with the amount of exercise their bodies need. Therefore, they have come to see that in order to keep fit, it is necessary for them to spend part of their free time doing regular physical exercise. There are many different forms of exercise to suit different tastes. For example, those who enjoy competitive sports may take up ball games. If they prefer to exercise alone, they can have a run or take a walk in the morning or in the evening. Besides, people can go swimming in the summer or go skating in the winter. In short, no matter what their interests are, they can always find one or more sports that are suitable to them. However, the form of physical exercise must be chosen carefully. More harm than good will result if people choose the wrong form of exercise. For the aged, Qigong or Taiji Boxing will suit them better than competitive sports. Those who have little spare time may have a regular run in the morning. Only if the kind of exercise is chosen properly and performed regularly, will it benefit their health, work, and study.
4. Analyze the following paragraph. List the logical, grammatical and transitional devices that make them coherent.
Analogy would lead me to one step further, namely, to the belief that all animals and plants have descended from some prototype. But analogy may be a deceitful guide. Nevertheless all living things have much in common, in their chemical composition, their germinal vesicles, their cellular structure, and their laws of growth and reproduction. We see this even in so trifling a circumstance as when the same poison often similarly affects plants and animals; or when the poison secreted by the gall-fly produces monstrous growth on the wild rose or oak-tree. Therefore I may infer from analogy that probably all organic beings which have ever lived on this earth have descended from some one primordial form, into which life was first breathed by the Creator.
5. Paragraph writing
1) Write a paragraph about a place that impressed you.
2) Write a paragraph about a person whom you admire.
3) Write a paragraph about a moment which you will never forget.
4) Write a paragraph using the following as the topic sentence:
If I could choose again, I would major in …
5) Write a paragraph relating an occasion when you behaved like an optimist or like a
pessimist.
6) Write a paragraph about two of your favourite books.
7) Write a paragraph about the causes of the improvement of transportation in Zhengzhou or
the effects of college students doing part-time jobs.
8) Write a paragraph of classification on the movies you have seen or the music you enjoy.
Part 3 Essay Writing
3.1 Introduction to the Essay
An essay is a piece of writing with several paragraphs. It is written about one topic, just as a paragraph is. Since the topic of an essay is longer and more complex than that of a paragraph, you must divide or expand the topic into a number of paragraphs, one for each major point. Normally an essay has three main parts:
◇The opening (the introduction)
◇The middle (the body)
◇The ending (the conclusion)
The opening consists of two parts: a few general statements about the topic and a topic statement to state the main idea. A topic statement for an essay is just like a topic sentence for a paragraph. It attracts the reader?s attention to the topic of the essay or provides necessary background information
The middle consists of one or more paragraphs. Each paragraph develops a major point of the topic, so the number of paragraphs in the body will vary with the number of the major points. The paragraphs of the body are like the main supporting points of a paragraph. It gives a clear and logical presentation of the facts and ideas the writer wants to put forth.
The ending in an essay, like the concluding sentence in a paragraph, sums up the main points discussed in the body. It often ends up the essay with an emphatic and forceful statement to influence the reader?s final impression of the essay and shows the implication o r consequences of the argument.
The principles and techniques that you have already learned for paragraph writing can be applied to the writing of essays.
3.2 Organization of an Essay
3.2.1 Beginning an Essay: Creating an open paragraph
The opening paragraph of an essay has four purposes:
◇It states the topic of the essay.
◇It gives background information on the topic.
◇It should arouse the reader?s curiosity about the topic.
◇It often indicates the focus, purpose, or direction of the essay.
The opening paragraph has two parts:
◇General statements: (1) introduce the topic of the essay.
(2) give a general background of the topic.
◇The topic statement: (1) states the main idea.
(2) limits the topic.
(3) gives the topic a focus or even lists the major subtopics that will be
discussed in the body.
(4) may indicate the method of organization.
(5) is usually the last sentence in the opening paragraph.
Sample 1
(1) A person born in the twentieth century has seen a lot of changes take place in almost all areas of human life. (2) Some people are excited by the challenges that these changes offer; others want to return to the simpler, less automated life style of the past. (3) Living in the twentieth century has certain advantages such as a higher standard of living, but it also has some disadvantages such as a polluted environment, the depersonalisation of human relationships, and the weakening of spiritual values.
Sample 2
(1) Since China opened its door to the world in the late 1970s, it has encountered various foreign cultures, among which the most important one is American culture. (2) At the beginning, many Chinese people were curious about the strange American manners and customs, and soon they adopted some of the American ways. (3) As a result, American culture has greatly influenced Chinese culture, particularly in the areas of language, music and food.
For a good opening, you may consider the following strategies:
◇Give a striking fact that can provoke the reader’s interest.
◇Ask a question that the essay will answer.
◇Use a vivid quotation from a good source.
◇Tell a story that illustrates the main point of the essay.
◇Write a direct opening, setting the mood or scene.
◇Give relevant background material.
◇Quote the opposite point of view and disprove it.
◇Give a definition.
Examine the following samples and decide which strategy each of them uses.
Sample 1
In the past decade, the average price of hamburger has risen from forty-one to more than two dollars a pound. Other meats have shown even greater price jumps. As a result of this high inflation and an increased awareness of proper dietary habits, many American families are decreasing the amount of meat in their diet and substituting healthier but less costly vegetables or vegetable products.
Sample 2
A factory must have machines and the power to make them run. But who are the people who run a factory? A factory is run by a number of people with different skills who work together.
Sample 3
Hegel, the German philosopher, says, “We learn from history that men never learn anything from history.?? This wry remark has been confirmed time and again by historical events, one of which is Hitler?s invasion of the Soviet Union. He must have utterly forgotten or wilfully ignored the great disaster Napoleon brought upon himself by attacking Russia early in the nineteenth century.
Sample 4
An 18-year girl goes to the chemistry laboratory of her college, mixes together a few chemicals, and drinks the solution. She is dead on arrival at the community hospital. A 20-year-old
man who attends a prominent East Coast college returns to the dormitory from a late party and slits his wrists. He is found dead in his room on the following morning. These horrifying events occur more often than we would like to think. The number of youthful suicides has almost doubled in the past ten years. A number of psychologists are currently investigating the kinds of personalities that fall victim to this behaviour and how much the pressures of college life play a role in the tragedies.
Sample 5
Now people become increasingly aware of the importance of acquiring a mastery of a foreign language. To them, the knowledge of a foreign language, say, English often means a good opportunity for one’s career, even a passport to a prosperous future. Many of them equate success in life with the ability of speaking a foreign language.
Sample 6
The social and economic conditions in England during the sixteenth century influenced Sir Thomas More to develop his theory of punishment. Farmers had been forced from their homes to roam the countryside because their lands were needed for grazing. They wandered until their funds were depleted; without jobs, they then had to alternative for survival but stealing. The state tried to deter these vagabonds by inflicting a death penalty – hanging – as punishment for theft. It felt obliged to destroy the very thieves it had produced. More, however, suggested an approach which, although it required a restructuring of the economic system, was far more practical and humane.
Sample 7
It may be that too many of our foods are nutritionally depleted by refining, but Adelle Davis?s statement that we all need vitamin and mineral supplements daily to prevent malnutrition and other diseases is misleading. In fact, the intake of vitamin and mineral supplements should be watched carefully by a physician because, in excess, they can cause more health problems than Ms. Davis claims they can solve.
Sample 8
Flexibility is defined as being adaptable to change. In the course of your lifetime, it is essential that you learn to bend and flex around every new circumstance, as rigidity deprives you of the opportunity to see new possibilities. Paradigms change over time, and so must you. Your company may restructure, and you will have to survive. Your spouse may choose to leave the marriage, and you will have to cope. Technology will continue to advance and change, and you must constantly learn and adapt or risk becoming a dinosaur. Flexibility allows you to be ready for whatever curve lies ahead in life instead of getting blindsided by it.
3.2.2 Ending an Essay
The concluding paragraph is also an important part of an essay. It should, either directly or indirectly, show the reader that you have finished and remind him or her of the main points of the essay. For an effective conclusion, you can use one or more than one of these strategies: ◇A summary of the main points of the essay.
◇A restatement of the main idea in different words.
◇A quotation which supports your main idea.
◇Your final conclusion, comment, discovery, or attitude, based on the information you have provided in the body.
◇A solution to the problems you have discussed.
◇A reference to a question, fact, or quotation used earlier.
◇A new question or questions your essay raises.
Examine the following samples and decide which strategy each of them uses.
Sample 1
In conclusion, although the twentieth century has indeed given us a lot of advantages by making us richer, healthier, and freer to enjoy our lives, it has, in my opinion, not made us wiser. The twentieth century has also made our Earth dirtier, our people less humane, and our spiritual lives poorer. We should continue to enjoy the benefits of technological advancements because they free us to pursue our interests and goals. However, we must make a concerted effort to preserve our natural environment for future generation. Moreover, we should take the time now to make our lives more meaningful in an increasingly impersonal, mechanized world.
Sample 2
The spread of the desert affects most countries. The big question today is, how can an expanding world population find food and space without destroying the land it lives on? For many countries, battling the desert is the only chance to avoid starvation, and disaster.
Sample 3
It is clear that isolation from urban pressures and pollution, clear mountain air, daily hard work, moderate diets, good genes, and a youthful approach to life all contribute to the health and remarkable long life of all these people.
Sample 4
Admittedly, science has created atomic bombs and produced pervasive pollution. But it has transformed the lives of millions of people. It has multiplied man?s energy, hopes, ambitions and understanding. It has elevated and will continue to elevate man intellectually and spiritually.
Sample 5
We must act on this crucial problem now. Citizens throughout the world must realize we cannot tolerate illiteracy and the problems that it breeds. To solve the problem, countries can begin by budgeting more funds to provide teachers for areas with few or nonexistent schools. Second, countries must establish nationwide campaigns to recruit adults as well as children to enrol in literary programs. Most important, government leaders must make a firm commitment to eliminate illiteracy. Only through government support and financial commitment will the danger of illiteracy be destroyed.
Exercise
1. Study the following topic statements from different essays on the topic of the status of women in Hon, an imaginary country. Which method of origination (time order, exemplification, cause and effect, or comparison and contrast) does each one indicate? How many paragraphs will the body of each essay probably contain?
(1) Al though the status of women in Hon has improved remarkably in recent years, it is still very
low when compared to the status of women in the countries of the Western world.
(2) Beginning in World War ll and continuing through the period of economic boom, the status of
women in Hon has changed remarkably.
(3) The status of women in Hon has improved remarkably in recent years in the areas of economic
independence, political rights, educational opportunities, and social status.
(4) The status of women in Hon has changed remarkably in recent years due to increased
educational opportunities and changes in the country?s laws.
2. Write a concluding paragraph for each of the following opening paragraphs. Follow these two steps: 1) Summarize the main points or paraphrase the topic statement. Be sure to introduce the
conclusion with a transition. 2) Add your comments.
(1)The busy schedules that most adults face from day to day have created a rising health problem
in the modern world. Stress affects almost everyone, from the highly pressured executive to the busy homemaker or student. It can cause a variety of physical disorders, ranging from headaches to stomach ulcers and even alcoholism. Stress, like a common cold, is a problem that cannot be cured; however, it can be controlled. A person can learn to control stress by setting realistic goals, enjoying a hobby and/or physical exercise, and by maintaining a good, warm relationship with family and friends.
(2)Earthquakes are the most destructive natural disasters known to man in terms of the millions of
deaths and millions of dollars in property loss that they cause. Despite these heavy losses, scientists are still unable to predict earthquakes. Although scientists have experienced with different methods of prediction, from observing animal behaviour to measuring radio signals from quasars, they have not proven successful. This paper will review the history of the science of earthquake prediction, then discuss each of the methods in more detail, and finally present data indicating the success/failure ratios of each method.
3. Choose one of the following topics and write an opening paragraph. Be sure to include a topic
statement in your paragraph.
(1) Choosing a career. (2) Space exploration.
(3) Losing a job. (4) Violence on TV
(5) The social function of literature.
3.2.3 Developing the Body
The body of an essay develops each major point of the essay topic in detail. Basically, each point of the topic should be discussed in a separate paragraph. Each paragraph should 1) have a topic sentence that shows the main point of the paragraph and how that point relates to the essay topic; 2) develop its topic sentence according to some clear pattern of organization, such as time order, order of importance, cause and effect, etc.; 3) relate to another body paragraph.
Because an essay is longer and more complex than a paragraph, it is important to organize your thoughts and to plan your essay before you begin to write. The best way to do this is to make an outline, which allows you to see relations between thoughts, to identify lesser (subordinate) items, to emphasize more important information, and to visualize the progression of ideas in a logical manner.
The General Form of an Outline
Introduction (leading to the topic statement)
Body Paragraphs
A. Topic Sentence
1. Supporting details
2. Supporting details
3. Supporting details
a. detail
b. detail
(1)minor detail
(2)minor detail
B. Topic Sentence
1. Supporting details
一、网恋 Directions: Write an essay entitled On-line Love Affair, your essay should meet the requirements below: (1)its side-effect (2)your viewpoints You should write 160~200words neatly on ANSWER SHEET 2. 背诵范文： Although the popular belief is that internet increasingly plays an important role in our daily life, a current survey indicates that it has also brought some youngsters great disadvantages. They can do whatever they like, such matters as playing games, chatting. And some are even falling in love with chatters, which is called on-line love. Fresh notion as on-line love is, it sounds ridiculous when analyzed profoundly. What these young people fail to understand is that both sides have not well acquainted with mutually. Some net friends are reported to have been deceived by those people who are doing some criminal activities per year through the internet. Internet has indubitably provided various information for us, and on-line love is nothing but an artifact of fictitious world offered by internet. On the other hand, it is vital that we should make internet serve us better, and at the same time,as far as on-line love is concerned, being objective and levelheaded analysis is not far from being a sensible attitude. 范文精译： 尽管大家普遍认为网络在我们的日常生活中越来越重要，但当前的调查表明它同时也给一些年轻人带来了弊端。人们可以通过网络做他们喜欢做的一切，诸如打游戏、聊天。有些人甚至与聊天者谈起了恋爱，这就是所谓的网恋。 尽管网恋比较新颖，但仔细分析过后不免有些荒唐。这些年轻人没有意识到他们双方并不彼此了解。据报道，每年都有网友被那些专门通过网络做非法勾当的人欺骗。 毋庸置疑，网络给我们提供了各种各样的信息，而网恋只不过是网络这个虚幻世界的产物。一方面，我们应该使网络更好地为我们服务；同时就网恋而言，客观对待、冷静分析才是明智之举。 二、论美女经济 Directions: Write an essay with the title of On“Beauty Economy”，and your essay should be based on the following outline : (1)describe briefly the phenomenon of “beauty economy” (2)list positive effect (3)list negative effect You should write 160~200 words neatly on ANSWER SHEET 2. 背诵范文： The “beauty economy” actually is “the eyeball economy”. The beauties are used to attract the public attention and make a profit. Meanwhile, the beauty contest activity which we are familiar with is regarded as the most gigantic manifestation of beauty economy. In the supporter’s eyes, the beauty economy gains high business profits through plans, organization, propaganda of the beauty contest. The participants can have the qualifications to participate in the competition as honour. The winners make their social status reach a high position. Thereupon, people become enthusiastic about beauty economy. The merchant has been laughing uproariously which hawked. The beautiful woman has the stage which declares a position. However, others don’t agree with it. Firstly, the beauties are treated as “unliving objects” just like the flower vase, and people pay too much attention to the pretty appearance of the beauties, but their internal world is ignored. Secondly, it leads to the distorted beauty culture. Many girls even women worship blindly the beauties and spend a lot of money in face-lifting to emulate them. Then our traditional aesthetic conceptions are totally overturned, and our conventional virtues completely disappear. Last but not the least, the beauty economy misleads the values. Relying on“being beautiful”, pursuing the wealth, they go after like ducks. And it also causes them to be the money worship.
考研英语历年图表作文范文 图表作文是英语二大作文的考察形式，由一张图表和两段提纲构成，图表又分为4种类型来考察，包括柱形图，饼图，曲线图和表格。当然，同学在复习时，无需每种图表都各自准备，我们可以寻找图表中存在的共性，出万能的表达，化繁为简。以下就是图表作文的谋篇要点和万能表达。 首段为图表阐释段，也就是用文字描述图表中的相关数据。在本段中包括四大信息要点，图表标题，整体表现，极值和过渡句。在本段中将图表归为两类，动态图和静态图，在此同学们不必太过纠结，只需注意图表中反映的内容有无时间跨度，存在时间的变化为动态图，没有时间上的跨度称为静态图。 动态图和静态图在图表标题和过渡句上表达是一致的。首先图表标题是汉译英，具体的方法我们会在强化课程上讲解。在整体表现上，主要体现的是全部指数的变化或差异。动态图的表达为“As is clearly reflected by the chart, 全部指数witnessed some changes from 时间 to 时间.”静态图为As is clearly reflected by the chart, 全部指数show totally different attitudes towards 话题。
到了极值描述，就是反映出数据的最大变化和差异，它们都是趋势，所以，可以用这样的表达， Especially, 某指数 shows the most obvious tendency that 具体表现.在具体表现的描述中一定要包含具体数字，最后过渡句的通用句式是Obviously, the inclinations, clearly reflected by the chart, should be given more consideration. 中段为分析论证段，主要是从原因或者影响方面找切入点分析这种现象。 在这里只说原因方面，影响的切入点会在强化课程中具体介绍。段落包含两大要点-中心句和具体原因。中心句的作用就是承上启下，也就是承接上文提出的问题，开启下文阐释的原因。大家看看以下表达，Theoretically, several reasons may trigger the trend that 最大变化/差异， but the following two, for my part, could aount for the prevalence of the phenomenon mentioned above.接下来就是具体原因的介绍了，不建议同学们套用小作文中的分条写模板，第一字数太少，第二语言不够优秀。 “To begin with, it is universally admitted that +原因一. So long as you regard this analysis reasonable, I may go further. Another special consideration in this case is that+原因二.”这样的表达不仅吸睛，同学们自己需要写的内容也不多，避免了字数不够的尴尬。第三段为总结预测段，就是总结上
S e c t i o n I V W r i t i n g Part A 51. Directions: You are going to host a club reading session. Write an email of about 100 words recommending a book to the club members. You should state reasons for your recommendation. You should write neatly on the ANSWER SHEET. Do not sign your own name at the end of the letter. Use Li Ming instead.
Do not write the address. (10 points) 【参考范文】 要点归纳： 1.题目要求写一封信，书信格式要完整； 2.收信人为俱乐部成员，是自己的朋友，用语要友好、亲切； 3.写信内容必须包括：推荐一本书，陈述推荐理由，可以从书的名气、内容和意义等方面构思理由。 Dear friends， There will be a big even for book lovers next week --- a book reading session will be hosted. For its
efficiency and effect, I’d like to recommend a book. The book deserving praise and attention is The Road Less Traveled. It is about how to be spiritually healthy and has been a best seller of psychology category for nearly 30 years. The secret of life achievement the author listed stands the test of time and proves to be more meaningful in the modern time when there are an increasing number of people suffering emotionally. It is definitely a highly informative and readable book and hopefully you will love it.
考研英语历年小作文真题及范文（其他类型） 一、邀请信 2013 Part A Write an email of about 100 words to a foreign teacher in your college inviting him/her to be a judge for the upcoming English speech contest. You should include the details you think necessary You should write neatly on the ANSWER SHEET Do not sign your own name at the end of the e-mail Use “Li Ming” instead. Dear Mr. Williams, I am the assistant of the English Department of Pecking University. I am writing on behalf of the department to invite you to give a lecture in our college. We know that you are an expert on American literature. As English majors, our students would like to know something about American literature. We would be very grateful if you could give a talk on ‘Contemporary American Literature’ to students of the English Department on Saturday, June 4 in our campus. If this subject does not suit you, any other similar topic would be welcomed as well. We sincerely hope that you can accept this invitation. We are looking forward to the opportunity to benefit from your experience and wisdom. Yours sincerely, Li Ming 二、询问信 大纲样题 Dear Sir or Madam, As a student to take CET-6 in this coming December, I am writing to ask if there are some high quality test preparation materials. I wonder if you have the following books: a vocabulary book covering the 5,500 words for the CET-6 test as well as past test papers with keys and model essays and a Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, which I can turn for help. Besides, how should I pay for
考研论说文写作范文：谈竞争 《谈竞争》 “缺乏自信力的人，谈不上竞争意识!缺乏崇高目标的人，也难以坚持卓越的竞争状态。” 竞争无处不在，竞争是人向上的不竭动力，竞争是选拔人才的最佳方式，竞争是完善自我，实现民族自强的根本途径。 在非洲的一个草原，每天早晨斑马一睁开眼，想到的第一件事就是：我必须跑得更快，否则，我就会被豹子吃掉;而同一时刻，豹子从睡梦中醒来，首先闪现在脑海里的是：我必须跑得更快一些，追上更多斑马，要不然我就会饿死。于是几乎同一时刻，斑马与豹子一跃而起，迎着朝阳竞跑。 生活显然不像斑马与豹子般弱肉强食，但竞争是不可避免的。你看江河湖海，到处都是千帆竞渡。你看城市乡村，处处都是行色匆匆的芸芸众生，生活是公平的，在人生的每一道驿站，每一瞬间，我们若消极懈怠，不思进取，必将被时代抛得老远，或是淘汰出局。因此，无论你是斑马还是豹子，每当太阳从东方升起的时候，就应该毫不犹豫地向前奔跑。 中国加入世贸组织后，面临着巨大的挑战和机遇。政府原以为我国的企业将无法适应国际市场激烈的竞争，面临破产的危机。但事实证明，我们并没有失败，反而越挫越勇，有些企业已在国际市场占有一席之地，如海尔集团，这正是竞争的力量。优胜劣汰，自古就遵循着这样一个规律。企业在竞争中不断地完善自我，提高生产效率，加强管理，国际环境正像一个大漩涡，唯有逆流而上，才能取得胜利。 但竞争并不意味着不择手段，盲目地竞争只会使自己陷于孤立，甚至损害别人的利益，某重点中学的一次座谈会上，一个学生公开说：“人就是自私的，我会做的题不愿告诉别人，因为我们之间的关系是竞争。” 显然，这是对竞争的误解，竞争的目的在于使双方共同促进、提高，而不在于更加封闭和敌视。如果长期下去，必然会使你变得孤僻，不可一世。你的身边也不会有知心朋友，成功也将离你而去。“良好的竞争心理，正当的竞争精神，这就是使事业成功与督促个人向上的动力。” 只有启程，才会到达理想的目的地;只有播种，才会有收获;只有竞争，才能脱颖而出，更好地实现人生价值。 凯程教育张老师整理了几个节约时间的准则：一是要早做决定，趁早备考;二是要有计划，按计划前进;三是要跟时间赛跑，争分夺秒。总之，考研是一场“时间战”，谁懂得抓紧时间，利用好时间，谁就是最后的胜利者。 1.制定详细周密的学习计划。 这里所说的计划，不仅仅包括总的复习计划，还应该包括月计划、周计划，甚至是日计划。努力做到这一点是十分困难的，但却是非常必要的。我们要把学习计划精确到每一天，这样才能利用好每一天的时间。当然，总复习计划是从备考的第一天就应该指定的;月计划可以在每一轮复习开始之前，制定未来三个月的学习计划。以此类推，具体到周计划就是要在每个月的月初安排一月四周的学习进程。那么，具体到每一天，可以在每周的星期一安排好周一到周五的学习内容，或者是在每一天晚上做好第二天的学习计划。并且，要在每一天
2010考研英语一大作文真题解析及范文 Write an essay of 160-200 words based on the following drawing. In your essay, you should 1) describe the drawing briefly, 2) explain its intended meaning, and then 3) give your comments。 You should write neatly on ANSHWER SHEET 2. (20 points) (图略)文化“火锅”：既美味又营养 文字说明：佛、解构、人本、功夫、毕昇、儒、礼、后现代、老舍、莎士比亚、爱因斯坦、道、仁、天鹅湖、启蒙、京剧等 真题解析 2010年考研英语(一)大作文再次考察图画作文，这已是考研写作第十二次考查图画作文这种题型，广大考生应该不会陌生。图中的火锅里，五味杂陈着诸多多元文化元素，大致可分为三类：一是古今名人，包括中国古代的印刷术发明者毕昇，现代作家老舍，16世纪英国作家莎士比亚，现代物理学泰斗爱因斯坦；二是哲学概念，涵盖中国古代的儒、佛、道、仁、礼，西方的启蒙、人本、后现代与解构；以及京剧、功夫、天鹅湖等中外表演艺术。文字说明显示：文化“火锅”，既美味又营养。显而易见，本文的主题是多元文化融合这一正面观点。 2002年考研写作题目即“文化——民族与世界”，八年之后，考研写作再次考查文化交流这一话题。如果大家参加过新东方的培训，我们的写作培训教材34页和35页分别提供了2002年教育部公布的当年写作状元与榜眼：20分和18分的高分作文，其中诸多表达均可用于2010年写作。我的强化班和基础班写作讲义也提供了一篇2002年范文，第二、第三两段今年完全可以使用。拙著《2010考研英语高分写作》一书166至170页详细讲解了2002年真题，并详尽分析了三篇经典范文，考生均可使用。只要平时认真准备，将范文背诵得滚瓜烂熟、脱口而出、多多益善，考场上应有喜出望外之感。 本文提纲与2008、2009年提纲完全一致，第一段为图画描述，应将图画描述一至二句，最好能够写出图中的一些术语，多多益善，展示自己的词汇基本功，末句可点出图画文字说明。第二段为意义阐释段，最好首句点出图画的象征寓意：多元文化融合，其次使用因果、举例、正反或联系现实等多种手段进行充分论证。第三段为归纳结论，可以提出自己的观点，并给出结论或建议。只要考生语言精彩(正确+变化)、结构严谨、论证充分，即可取得理想成绩。 参考范文 As is symbolically illustrated in the portrayal, there is a boiling hotpot containing various ingredients of multi-cultures. These pluralistic cultures can be categorized as celebrities home and abroad as Bi Sheng, Lao She, Shakespeare and Einstein, philosophical concepts as Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, benevolence, rite, humanism, enlightenment, post-modernism and deconstruction, as well as performing arts as Peking Opera, Kong fu and Swan Lake. We are informed that the
考研作文指导及范例
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考研作文指导及范例:应用文之建议信 A lettｅｒ of Advice建议信是向别人提出合理性的建议，以便使对方接受自己的想法、主张,解决有关问题,因此要求建议信要写得简明扼要，目的明确,理由充足,具有合理性和说服力。 常用句型： 1. I'ｄ like to suｇｇesｔ tｈａt yｏｕ can give me a proｍｐt response。 ２. Maｙ I sugｇest thａt you cａn… 3. I ｗish… ４. I rｅaｌlｙ hｏｐe ｔhaｔ… ５．Wｈａｔaboｕｔ… ?? 6. How aboｕｔ…? ７. Mｙsｕｇgestions ａｒe as fｏllows。 8. Ｉt is mｙpｌeaｓｕrｅ to ofｆｅｒ yoｕsome advice ｏn… 9. If you ｃould takｅｗhat I suｇgeｓt sｅriouslｙ，yo ｕｗｏuld… 10. Ｗheｎ it cｏｍes tｏｓucｈ a situatｉｏn, I ｗoul ｄ liｋe to suggest that yｏｕcan… 范文: Direｃｔionｓ: Your frｉend Wang Ｌi waｎts tｏ get sｏmｅ adviｃe f ｒoｍ you aboｕt what to ｓｔｕdy iｎ uｎｉｖｅrsｉtｙ, ｃompｕter sciencｅ or histoｒy. Ｗｒite a lｅtteｒｔo ｈｉm， wｈich includes: １) ｗｈat do you ｔｈink aboｕt the twｏ sｕbjｅｃtｓ， ２) giｖe yｏｕr advｉce to him, ａnd 3) encouｒaｇe him in ｈis ｆutuｒｅ sｔｕｄｙ。
2020年考研英语作文范文 Part A 51. Directions： you are going to hold a club reading session.Write an email of about 100 words recommending a book to the club members。 You should state reasons for yourrecommendation。 You should write neatly on theANWSER SHEET. Do not sign you own name at the end of the letter, use “Li Ming ”instead. Do not write the address 。(10 points) Dear friends， I am writing to tell you about a fantasticbook I have just read, as we always share the same taste of books。 The book is called Journey to the West, which tells us a story thatfour monks conquered multiple handicaps to achieve their final destination.Besides the touching and thrilling plot, the book also features humorouslanguages, thanks to the talented author。 So I recommend it to all of you as one ofthe favorite books that I have ever read. I am sure you will love it as much asI do. I am looking forward to discussing more with you after you read it. Yours sincerely, LiMing
13年考研作文范文 12月22日，XX年研究生考试开考，全国290万考生报名，创下10年来最高记录。第一天英语考试就难哭，“考研英语一难”，“debate是什么意思”连着两个考研英语相关话题上了微博热搜。 看到热搜话题，网友们纷纷表示：“看到大家都不会，我就放心了。” 有监考老师看到卷子后都果断放弃了： 不少人表示，根本没看懂，今年的题似乎不能按套路来…… “感觉今年英语难出新高度，新题型半天选不出来，翻译题做得狗屁不通……和往年真题比也太难了。” 到底是什么题目难倒了广大考生呢？根据考生回忆，英语一的小作文题目是，我为一个援助乡村小学（aiding rural primary school）工作，一个国际志愿者要求我写新告诉他项目的细节。许多网友表示，“只认识school”，“rural”什么意思?
英语一的大作文是一幅图，两个爬山的人，一个想要放弃，另一个劝他坚持。根据图片写文章，要求简单描述图片内容，阐述图片表达的含义，并给出你的评价。 考研二的小作文是一个教授让学生设计一个关于城市交通的辩论(debate)主题。很多考生不认识debate这个单词，拿到题目一脸懵。大作文是根据图表写文章，主题是大学生毕业去向。图表是中文的，描绘了xx年-2018年毕业生的几个选择，很多考生看到“创业”就懵了，不知道用英语怎么表达。 那么，今年的考研英语真的有那么难吗？看看专家的解读。 20XX考研英语一真题小作文 【】 Dear friend, I am greatly pleased to receive your letter and I am writing to you to express my sincere hope that I can offer you some details about the project of Aiding Rural Primary School. The details are as follows.
2020考研英语精选作文热门习题目及范文格式：咨询信必背表达 第一部分：自我介绍、说明目的 I’m interested in … Could you provide me with more details? I would be very grateful to you if you let me know… I would appreciate very much if you can provide me with more details about… I have learned from…that you will…I just want to know specifically about… I am writing to see if it is possible for you to provide me with information regarding/concerning… 第二部分:具体询问事宜 Could you please tell me something about your …? Would you please send me all the information and the forms as soon as possible? Thank you very much. I would be much obliged(感激) if you let me know the procedures I have to go through. 第三部分：表示感谢、期盼回复 I am expecting your early reply/ your immediate response. Your prompt attention to this letter would be highly appreciated.
英语作文必背范文二十篇 考研英语作文必背范文一 Dear Mr. Wang, I am much grateful to be employed by you two months ago as an editor for your magazine Design & Fashions. I appreciate the opportunity of having worked here with you and other colleagues. The experiences will be unforgettable throughout my life. However, as a young man whose primary interest is in computer science rather than fashion designing, I find my present job doesn't fall in with my previous training and strength. I therefore decide to quit this job for something else that may conform to my former preparation. Please accept my sincere apologies for any inconvenience my leaving may cause. Yours truly, Li Ming 考研英语作文必背范文2 Dear Sir or Madam, Moved by the noble cause of Project Hope and encouraged by what has been achieved so far, I would like to contribute my bit to the project by offering financial aid to a child in a remote area of your province. I would be much grateful if you could help me seek out a girl who has just started schooling but whose family cannot afford her education. My plan is to pay for her tuition on an annual basis till she finishes her secondary education. I would like to remit my donation directly to a bank account opened by her family in her local area. Yours truly, Li Ming 考研英语作文必背范文3 Dear Sir/Madam, I am a student in this university who regularly comes to the library to spend my spare time. Generally speaking, the services you offer here are quite good; however, I have some suggestions for you to adopt. And I would like to extend my greatest appreciation if you are so kind as to take my suggestions into consideration. To begin with, will you please prolong the time for reading? In the daytime, most of the students are having class, so they ca n’t come to the library. Moreover, some of the books on shelves are out of date. If you are so kind as to provide us some books such as the latest magazines, we will be very pleased. I really wish to have a more comfortable library. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely yours, Li Ming 考研英语作文必背范文4 Dear Bob, I am writing to make an apology to you for I forgot to return a music CD which I borrowed from you last week. Yesterday I have come back from Canada and I found it in my luggage. I am so sorry that you cannot listen to it at present. The CD which I borrowed from you is made in Canada, so I believe you can find another one in your local store. How about your buying another CD by yourself and I will pay for it? If you cannot find the similar one, I would send it back to you through a post office. And if there are any other solutions you like, please let me know. I am sorry again for my carelessness. Looking forward to your reply. Yours sincerely,
考研英语十年真题大作文（2002-2011） 一、题目 2002 Directions: Study the following picture carefully and write an essay entitled “Cultures---National and International” In the essay you should 1.describe the picture and interpret its meaning, and 2.give your comments on the phenomenon. You should write about 200 words neatly on ANSWER SHEET II. 2003 Directions: Study the following pictures carefully and write an essay about 200 words based on the following 1.describe the set of drawings and interpret its meaning 2.point out its implications in our life. 2004 Directions: Study the following drawing carefully and write an essay in which you should 1. describe the drawing. 2. interpret its meaning, and 3. support your view with examples. You should write about 200 words neatly on ANSWER SHEET 2.
第一篇 Book Knowledge vs. Experience Knowledge can be acquired from many sources. These include books, teachers and practical experience, and each has its own advantages. The knowledge we gain from books and formal education enables us to learn about things that we have no opportunity to experience in daily life. We can study all the places in the world and learn from people we will never meet in our lifetime, just by reading about them in books. We can also develop our analytical skills and learn how to view and interpret the world around us in different ways. Furthermore, we can learn from the past by reading books. In this way, we won’t repeat the mistakes of others and can build on their achievements. Practical experience, on the other hand, can give us more useful knowledge. It is said that one learns best by doing, and I believe that this is true, whether one is successful or not. In fact, I think making mistakes is the best way to learn. Moreover, if one wants to make new advances, it is necessary to act. Innovations do not come about through reading but through experimentation. Finally, one can apply the skills and insights gained through the study of books to practical experience, making an already meaningful experience more meaningful. However, unless it is applied to real experiences, book knowledge remains theoretical and, in the end, is useless. That is why I believe that knowledge gained from practical experience is more important than that acquired from books. 参考译文： 书本知识与实际经验 获得知识的来源有很多，其中包括书本、老师，以及实际经验，而每一种都有其优点。从书本上及正规教育中所获得的知识使我们知道在日常生活中没有机会亲身去体验的事。通过读书，我们可以研究世界各地的资料，还可以向不曾谋面的人学习。我们也可以培养分析的技巧，并学习如何以不同的方式去观察并理解周围的世界。此外，我们可以通过读书，从历史中获取教训。如此一来，就不会再重复别人的错误，并且能够以他人的成就作为我们行动的基础。 另一方面，实际经验能够给我们更多有用的知识。大家都说从做中学的效果最好，我也认为的确如此，无论一个人成功与否。事实上，我认为犯错是最好的学习方式。此外，如果想要有新的进展，就必须要付诸行动。想要创新，只靠阅读是不够的，必须要去实践。最后，我们可以将通过读书所获得的技巧和见解应用于实际经验中，使得原本有意义