purpose
DESCRIPTION
Purpose. What should we include in the opening paragraph?. Topic Background Problem Standpoint. You're telling people why you write!. 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 … - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
What kind of phrases will you use in stating your purpose? My purpose in My purpose in
this paper is to this paper is to show that…show that…
Personally, I Personally, I think…think…
In my opinion…In my opinion… I think…I think…
A good opening sentence should… Introduce the topic Justify the topic (why it’s important,
why we have to discuss that) Tell us what standpoint the writer
holds Indicate what’ll be said in the next
sentence Suggest the writer’s approach and
overall plan
Advice Do not include too much
information ( e.g. a lengthy explanation of the topic) – obscure the purpose
Do not include information that’s already obvious to the reader – boring and insulting
Look at this and see whether the purpose is clear? How many view points expressed? HK
gov’t? local attitudes? International attitudes? Vietnamese refugees?
Writer’s attitude? Critical? Sympathetic?
What is the problem?
An Opening paragraphShould…Should… Introduce the topic Justify the topic (why it’s
important, why we have to discuss that)
Tell us what standpoint the writer holds( should take sides)
Indicate what’ll be said in the next sentence
Suggest the writer’s approach and overall plan
Should not…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
Arguments – expression of writer’s view
Avoid generalisation Supporting
views(examples, explanation, reasons)- imply a reason for the view
Chinese people have a very strong sense of family and Chinese children always respect their parents.Traditionally/ In general/For the most part
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.
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 that…It is possible that… the death penalty is a way to…/the best way to…The only way to…
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
Everyone knows that homosexuals are responsible for spreading AIDS.
Ho
Homosexuals were involved in the initial spread ofAids in western countries.Homosexuals run a considerable risk of contracting Aids.REMOVE ‘RESPONSIBLE FOR’
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
Sometimes too much education is not a good thing because it makes people discontented
Everyone knows that smoking causes cancer.
It is generally thought…It is believed/said…Smoking is said/thought to cause…etc/
At least half the world’s 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
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
Arguments – expression of writer’s view
Avoid generalisation Supporting
views(examples, explanation, reasons)- imply a reason for the view
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 individual’s right to make his own choice about such matters.
Writer’s view: not right to ban smokingCounter-argument: smoking is harmful(implication:so it should be banned)Refutation: other dangerous activities not banned, to ban it would infringe individual rights(Implied conclusion: smoking should not be banned)
Counter arguments
Explanation(examples, reasons) Indicators: it is true that…True…
One must admit that…It cannot be denied that…Undoubtedly…There is no doubt that…without doubt…Certainly..Of course…
Refutation Supporting views(examples,
explanation, reasons) Indicators: This argument is
wrong because…But…According to this argument…This is like saying…This argument does not apply because…
Implied conclusion is your view – the one opposed by
the counter – argument Indicators: consequently,
therefore, thus, thenthen, as a result …this shows that…From this we see that…