Signal Words in Cause-and-effect Writing For showing the causes or effects accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, due to, if … then, for this purpose, hence, otherwise, since, then, therefore, thereupon, thus, to this end, with this object, lead to certainly, may, necessarily, perhaps, possibly, probably, undoubtedly, unquestionably For showing the degrees of certainty For showing the levels of importance above all, equally important, finally, first, initially, last, primarily, second
Useful Expressions in Cause-and-effect Writing
? For introducing the topic: Recently, … What amazes us most is ... It is true that ... As is known to all, ... People / students seem to get accustomed to ... In fact, ... Nowadays, ... For one thing, ... For another thing, ... It is obvious... ? For introducing the topic of graph essays As is shown / described / illustrated / indicated / revealed in the cartoon / picture / graph / chart / table, it is clear that ... From the graph / chart / table / picture, we learn that …, which has aroused the great / common concern. What impresses us most is ... The table / chart /diagram /graph / picture / cartoon shows that ... started climbing steadily, peaking at ..., and flattened out at a level of ... According to the diagram, the number of … rose sharply between … and…, before plunging back down to its original level. The graphs show a plateau at the level of ... The diagram depicts that there were more … than … between … and … ? For presenting the causes There are many reasons explaining ... The main reason is ... Furthermore, ... Thirdly, ... As a result, ... The reasons of … lie in several aspects. First of all, ... In addition, ... Last but not least, ... Many remarkable factors contribute to... …is the first reason. Moreover, ... Thirdly, ... The big three reasons for … to … are ... Firstly, ... Secondly, ... Thirdly, ... ? For citing the supporting evidences The same is true of …, which …, and which … A typical instance of this was . It seemed that . We may quote a common example of . Just think of . And . In addition, … This does not mean that … As for me, ... However, ... In a word, ... ? For giving the effects Considering all these, ... For one thing, ... For another, ... In conclusion, ... As a matter of fact, ... On the one hand, ... On the other hand, ... Therefore, ... 16
Exercise
Analyze the following writing task and develop an outline on it. Topic: What Electives to Choose 1．各大学开设了各种各样的选修课
2．学生因为各种原因选择了不同的选修课 3．以你自己为例??
Now You Try It
Write an essay of at least 120 words based on your outline, using the expressions you have learnt.
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Book 4
Unit One Powerful Words
Section B
Pre-reading Questions
1. Which American president do you admire most? Why?
2. If you were a newly-elected president, what would you say in the inaugural ceremony? 3. How much do you know of the campaign process of becoming an American president?
On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama changed history by becoming the first African-American President of the United States.
President Barack Obama’s Inaugural
Address
1 My fellow citizens:
2 I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
3 Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often, the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because
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of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our ancestors, and true to our founding documents.
4 So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans. 5 That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
6 These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land — a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
7 Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.
8 On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
9 On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
10 We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has
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come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
11 In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor — who have carried us up the long, rugged path toward prosperity and freedom.
12 For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
13 For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
14 For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh.
15 Time and again, these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
16 This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this
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