………………………………………………………. (Concluding Sentence)…………………………….. 例如：
Examinations can be unfair in several ways. [Topic Sentence] For example, the whole career of a candidate depends on what he or she does on a certain day and hour of an exam. [First Example]If the candidate is ill, or has had some emotional trauma, these factors could have a negative effect on a student’s exam results. [Explanation] Furthermore, some students do not perform well under pressure and require a longer time to reach useful conclusions. [Second Example] Even though they may have studied diligently and know the subject matter thoroughly, their performance does not reflect their ability. [Explanation] For these students, examinations appear to be unfair. [Concluding Sentence]
4．2 有效段落 (Effective Paragraph)
一个段落是否有效可以从三个方面来衡量：统一性 (unity)、发展性 (Development)、连贯性 (Coherence)。 Three Characteristics of Effective Body Paragraphs: UDC U = Unity Have you made a clear connection between the main idea of the paragraph and the sentences that support the main idea? D = Development Have you included detailed and sufficient support for the main idea of the paragraph? C = Coherence Have you progressed from one sentence to the next in the paragraph smoothly and logically?
1．统一性 (Unity)
一个具有统一性的段落应包含一个主题句 (topic sentence)，表达一个明确的主题 (main idea)。还应包括一些围绕主题的支持性细节 (supporting details)，如：原因、事实、数据、例证等。不要因字数的缘故而添加一些与主题无关的支持性细节。
比较一下下面三个段落，哪一个是内容统一的段落。
(1) From some people’s point of view, advertisements have produced numerous positive effects on our lives.
First of all, they help the manufacturers promote their new products and enhance marketing. Moreover, they introduce a good many new products and new lifestyles to us and help us to keep abreast with the ever-accelerated updating of science and technology. Without them, many products would have still remained in factories or even in laboratories, unknown to us. Thirdly, some public welfare advertisements arouse the public awareness of some social issues. Last but not least, some advertisements are of high artistic value with vivid pictures and witty language, which offer us great visual and audio enjoyment and enlightenment. A modern world without advertisements is truly unimaginable.
(2) Television presents a vivid world to us. No newspaper can show so clearly what is happening right now in the
world. Transforming information, television not only gives the news instantly but also shows it in pictures more powerful than words. In particular, important events are often broadcasted live so the audience often feel as if they are participating. In addition, programs about life and adventures in foreign countries can teach us geography. Programs about historical events can teach us history. English programs provide an excellent
opportunity to learn English for those who study this language.
(3) Many older students have difficulty for a while in their courses in college. Having been out of school for
several years, they have lost the habit of study and the power to concentrate. Formulas in chemistry and mathematics, which are recited readily by students fresh from high school, are only dim memories to them. Their age and the greater sense of responsibility most older students have is an advantage to them. Many of them have held responsible jobs or positions in the armed services, and now many of them have families dependent on them. Consequently, they are serious about getting an education.
2．发展性 (Development)
如果一个段落没有充分展开，缺乏对中心意义的支持和阐释，论述简单抽象，缺乏细节，那么这个段落就缺乏发展性。
(1) I don’t really agree that we should try to understand why someone has committed a crime. I think criminals
should be punished and that’s it. It isn’t fair on the victim. In addition, I would like to comment that most criminals know what they are doing when they commit a crime. There are too many crimes these days. I don’t think there were so many in the past.
(2) Those advocates are of the opinion that more public funds should be invested into the artistic and cultural
projects because the plan will surely bring many advantages to the whole society. First of all, more places of entertainment and recreation will be available for common people to enjoy their leisure time. Secondly, by visiting these places, people can cultivate a better taste for arts and enhance the sensitivity to beauty, thus enriching their spiritual life and upgrading their quality. They claim that without art, life would be dull and meaningless. Furthermore, these artistic projects will add to the beauty of the city, which is sure to boost the local tourist industry. Most important of all, it is an essential part of spiritual civilization construction. Do remember that a man does not live only by bread.
3．连贯性 (Coherence)
连贯性是指一个段落中的句子之间具有逻辑联系，环环相扣，清晰易懂。内容表达遵循逻辑顺序，过渡词运用恰当，结构组织严谨。
Techniques for Achieving Coherence ? ? ? ? ?
(1) A sample of one hundred people were interviewed at random about their views on the Internet. Most people
had heard of the computer facility. Few knew how to use it. 20% of the people had access to it. The people who said they could use the Internet were students or were under 40 years of age. The people who had not heard of it were 60 years old or more. The sample was felt to be representative of the general population.
(2) A sample of one hundred people were interviewed at random about their views on the Internet. While the
Using appropriate transitional expressions. Using pronouns when possible. Using deliberate repetition of a key word. Using parallel structure. Using coherence techniques to create connections between paragraphs. majority of those interviewed had heard of the computer facility, relatively few knew how to use it and only 20 per cent of the sample had access to it. In most cases, those who said they could use the Internet were students or were, not surprisingly, under 40 years of age. The minority who had not even heard of it tended to be 60 years old or more. Overall it was felt that the sample was representative of the general population.
4．3 常用过渡表达法
ADDITION: also, in addition, too, moreover, and, besides, furthermore, equally important, then, finally EXAMPLE: for example, for instance, thus, as an illustration, namely, specifically
CONTRAST: but, yet, however, nevertheless, nonetheless, conversely, in contrast, still, at the same time, on the
other hand,
COMPARISON: similarly, likewise, in the same way CONCESSION: of course, to be sure, certainly, granted RESULT: therefore, thus, as a result, so, accordingly
SUMMARY: hence, in short, in brief, in summary, in conclusion, finally TIME: first, second, third, next, then, finally, afterward
SEQUENCE: before, soon, later, meanwhile, subsequently, immediately, eventually, currently
PLACE: in the front, in the foreground, in the back, in the background, at the side, adjacent, nearby, in the
distance, here, there
综合练习
There is a proposal to build a road through some woods near to where you live in order to relieve traffic congestion on another road.
Write a letter to a newspaper supporting or opposing the construction of the proposed bypass.
Dear _______
I have lived near Haisham for more than 30 years and I am convinced that the proposed bypass is not only the only way to relieve the intolerable congestion on the present Hastings road but is also essential to attract the visitors to the area that the local economy so badly needs.
A bypass is the only practical solution if traffic is not to slow to a crawl throughout most of the day, and if summer visitors are not to stay away altogether. In the first place, traffic can scarcely manage to find its way to and from Hastings on the present road because of the large number of bends and the step gradient on Swallow Hill. But to widen the road would destroy valuable farming land and be prohibitively expensive when the compensation to be paid to the farmers is taken into account.
Furthermore, building the bypass will not only overcome the problem of congestion but will also draw more visitors to the area. Summer visitors who stay in bed-and-breakfast accommodation are our main source of income. The villages near Haisham depend on tourism to survive but tourism is not growing as fast as it should. There has also been a steady exodus of light industry from the area over the years, not least because of the area’s chronic traffic bottlenecks, which make goods uneconomic to transport. Thus our young people have been forced to move away to find jobs. With the bypass, some industry may also return in time.
Although we must not altogether disregard the effect on the environment, experience elsewhere shows that new habitats can be provided for any species. Meanwhile, the bypass plan should go ahead. Building the road means building our future.
Questions:
1. What is the main point of the letter?
2. What are the topic sentences for paragraphs 2 and 3?
3. What argument does the author use to support each topic sentence? 4. What action does the writer propose?
Assignments:
1. Fill in the blanks with proper words or phrases given and then put the sentences in a logical sequence to form an effective paragraph under the following outline.
Topic sentence First main point Second main point Third main point Conclusion
______________, I am very excited about learning English.
The United States, England, Australia and many other countries all use English as their primary language. It is now used by most international companies, including the company where I work, for business communication. I will become a manager for my company soon. There are three reasons why I want to learn English.
______________, I want to learn English because I plan to move to the U.S. in the future. ______________ English has become an international language.
______________ I want to learn English is so that I can travel to English-speaking countries.
One reason is that, Another reason why, Finally, For all these reasons
There are three reasons why I want to learn English. One reason is that English has become an international language. It is now used by most international companies, including the company where I work, for business communication. Another reason why I want to learn English is so that I can travel to English-speaking countries. The United States, England, Australia and many other countries all use English as their primary language. Finally, I want to learn English because I plan to move to the U.S. in the future. I will become a manager for my company soon. For all these reasons, I am very excited about learning English.
2. Paragraph writing Topic Options:
Discuss the reasons why cars should or should not be banned in the city centre.
Discuss the advantages or the disadvantages of China's birth-control policy (one child family). Discuss the benfits or the drawbacks of internet.
第五讲 篇 章
Part A 论说文
5．1 英文作文的基本构成
雅思作文（以task2论说文写作为例）一般分为三部分：开头段、正文段和结尾段所构成。各段所包括的内容如下：
I. Introductory Paragraph ? ?
II. Body Paragraphs ? ?
Consist of 2-4 paragraphs arranged in a logical way to develop a main idea.
In each paragraph, every sentence should be directly related to the topic sentence. After the topic sentence come explanations, examples, factual details, logical inferences, statement of cause and effect, comparisons and contrasts, etc. ? ?
III. Concluding Paragraph ? ? ?
5．2 如何写开头段
开头段包括general statement和thesis statement两部分。 （1）General Statement
General Statement的主要作用是介绍写作背景，引入话题。不能照抄题目，应用同义词、近义词替换题目中的相关词语，并用不同的句子结构来改写题目中的句子结构。例如： Example 1:
It is widely believed that mothers are by nature better parents than fathers. It is therefore more important for mothers to spend time with children than fathers. Others think fathers make equally good parents. What is your opinion?
Indicate the end of the essay.
Present the final ideas and evaluation on the essay subject. Put forward suggestions, recommendations, warnings etc. Write a listing paragraph. Use linking or connecting words.
Begin with a general statement, perhaps in the form of a quotation, or an idea of your own that takes into account the key topic words or their synonyms.
The last sentence of the introduction should contain a thesis statement which show s the point of view and will be argued in the essay.