研究生写作讲义

09级第一学期写作课讲义

选自《研究生英语写作教程》李争鸣编著北京师范大学出版社

1+2x6

Spanish place names from the Rio Grande (in Texas) to San Francisco (in California) are all part of the heritage of the early Spanish settlers. [以下一级扩展句] Latin Americans have also added to the variety of the American diet.[以下二级扩展句]From the gourmet-style churrasco (marinated tenderloin of beef) to the everyday taco, Latin food has become an integral part of American dining habits. [以下一级扩展句] Finally, American music, too, has become more diverse as a result of the Latino sound.[以下二级扩展句]The Salsa beat has had a startling effect on popular music, just as the rhythms of the tango and the cha-cha-cha have become a part of the repertoire of dance bands throughout the country. Instruments, such as the congas and the timbale, also have their origins in Latin countries. [以下结论句] In summary, the language, the food, and the music are what Latin Americans have given to the United States.

[1. 引言段] [以下概述句] We are all aware that American culture is, in fact, a combination of the contributions of all of those who have settled within its borders. From the founding of the country to the present day, immigrants have brought with them the traditions of their native lands, many of which have been interwoven into the cultural patterns of their new homeland. Immigrants from Latin America, who currently comprise approximately 8 percent of the total population, are no exception to this rule. [以下篇题句] Latin influences on American culture are reflected in the words we speak, the foods we consume, and the music we enjoy.

[2. 正文段] [以下主题句] The Spanish influence on the English language in the U.S. began with the early explorers and continues even today. Spanish place names, from the Rio Grande (in Texas) to San Francisco (in California), characterize the southwestern part of the country. Los Angeles, Santa Fe, the Colorado River, and the Mojave desert are all part of the heritage of the early Spanish settlers. Other Spanish words such as adios, amigo, rodeo, and adobe, have actually become part of the English language. More recently, a blend of English and Spanish known as Spanglish, producing expressions like ir al movies(to go to the movies), has developed, particularly in Texas, California, and south Florida, which have a high concentration of Latino residents.

[3. 正文段] [以下主题句] Latin Americans have also added to the variety of the American diet. From the gourmet-style churrasco (marinated tenderloin of beef) to the everyday taco, Latin food has become an integral part of American dining habits. Foods ranging from black beans and rice in a Cuban restaurant to frozen burritos, tropical papayas, and jalapeno peppers on supermarket shelves are evidence of the Latin influences on the American diet. It is not surprising, therefore, that over $1 billion per year is spent on Mexican food in the United States.

[4. 正文段] [以下主题句] American music, too, has become more diverse as a result of the Latino sound. The Salsa beat has had a startling effect on popular music, just as the rhythms of the tango and the cha-cha-cha have become a part of the repertoire of dance bands throughout the country. Instruments, such as the congas and the timbale, also have their origins in Latin countries. Mariachi bands, Brazilian jazz, and the new Miami Sound are further examples of the strong influences of Hispanic musical traditions on American culture.

[5. 结论段] [以下总结] In summary, the language, the food, and the music, although a small part, are what Latin Americans have given to the United States. [以下最后陈述] In the final analysis, the essence of their contributions to American culture is a sensibilidad (a unique sense of style), which promoted Time magazine to report, “This …sensibilidad? is changing the way America looks, the way it eats, dresses, drinks, dances, the way it lives.”

Paragraph

Part One: The Topic Sentence

A topic sentence is the sentence that states the subject that the paragraph will develop. A good topic sentence has the following features:

1) It is a complete sentence; that is, it should contain a subject and a verb.

2) It is usually a statement, not a question.

3) It is the most general statement in the paragraph. It does not give any specific details.

4) It has two parts: the topic and the controlling idea. The topic refers to the subject of the paragraph, and the controlling idea is a word or phrase that the reader can ask questions about: How? Why? In what ways? What does that mean? etc.

A. Disneyland has (several unique attractions).

The question a reader can ask is "?"

B. Listed below are (a number of tips) on how to get along with people.

The question a reader can ask is "?"

C. Boys and girls have (different) dreams.

The question a reader can ask is "?"

Exercise 3-2-2. Read each sentence below. Underline the topic and enclose the controlling idea in parentheses.

1. A homestay helps foreign students know more about American customs.

2. First impressions can be misleading.

3. Being a twin has both advantages and disadvantages.

4. It’s difficult for a Chinese student to study abroad.

5. There are two factors which determine an individual’s wisdom.

Exercise 3-2-8. Rewrite the topic sentence:

A phone call offers more advantages over a business letter. The first advantage of a phone call is speed, of course, because you can ordinarily be speaking with the other person within minutes of placing the calling. Another advantage is the fact that you can exchange information, clear up questions, and often reach an understanding on the basis of a single ten-minute phone call. In contrast, a letter gives you an opportunity to set forth (阐明) your views in a much more careful, detailed way. Furthermore, the other party has an opportunity to reread and think carefully about what you have said. The other person can also seek the advice of associates (有关人员) and, if necessary, check other documents thoroughly. Finally, a written message can always be taken from the files and consulted(查阅) if any question arises about exactly what was said.

Exercise 3-2-9. Read the following paragraphs, and then write an appropriate topic sentence for each one.

Paragraph one.

_______________________________________________________________. Some students stay up the night before, trying to cram into their brains what they avoided all semester. Others pace themselves, spending a little time each night going over the notes they took in class that day. Still others cross their fingers (祈盼、祷告) and hope they absorbed enough from lectures. Some dishonest students always pray that their classmates will give them the answers during the exams.

Paragraph two.

____________________________________________________________________. In college, for example, we use writing to communicate with our instructors and other students in a variety of classes, no matter what our majors are. Exams in many courses also require essays. On the job, we need to write to communicate with our employers, fellow workers, and customers. In fact, a major requirement for getting any good job is the ability to write effective letters, memos, reports, and summaries. A glance through the want ads shows that “good communication skills” are essential to high-paying jobs.

Paragraph three.

_____________________________________________________. First, some books on job hunting and business communication can tell him what to include on a resume and how to present the information on the page. Moreover, word processing programs frequently offer patterns for resumes that are easy to read and understand. Finally, copy centers offer professional-looking printing at low cost－including special paper that will make a resume stand out in the pile of applications an employer receives. Paragraph four.

____________________________________________. In a host family, the student is able to learn about a different way of life by experiencing it with people who are from the culture and who can help explain it. Additionally, the student has the advantage of being surrounded by a group of people who can provide emotional support when he is feeling homesick and lonely. This is especially true when the family has children who are the same age as the international student. Finally, although not all homestay experiences are pleasant ones, the international student who lives with a host family will be able to practice the target language far more than one who lives with friends from the same country.

Paragraph five.

__________________________________________________________. Instead of cooking a simple, nourishing meal, we pop a frozen dinner into the oven. Worse still, instead of studying a daily newspaper, we are content with the capsule (概述) summaries on the network news. Worst of all, instead of walking even a few blocks to the local convenience store, we jump into our car.

Exercise 3-2-10. Write a topic sentence based on the general topic Our University

a) to describe the courses : ____________________________________________________________

b) to compare it with another university: _________________________________________________

c) to suggest improvements: __________________________________________________________

Part Two: Supporting Sentences

There are many ways for students to spend their summer vacations. First, they can find a part-time job Working in the holiday, they can no t only earn some money, but also get more experience that they can’t get on campus. Second, they can travel during the summer holiday. Some classmates can travel together to a city which is different from their hometown. Also, they can have a good time by swimming in the sea with their parents or by climbing the mountains. Third, the summer holiday is the best time for them to learn. A holiday is the good time for students to improve their spoken English. Besides, they can learn some other skills that they have no time to learn in the university. For example, they can learn how to play the guitar or play basketball.

There are several methods to develop a topic sentence. (见课件)

Exercise 3-2-1.

Listed below are the reasons why the gap between the rich and the poor is obviously widening in China today.

A ______________________________________________________________________________

B ______________________________________________________________________________

C ______________________________________________________________________________ Exercise 3-2-2.

Our library provides three services for its readers.

A. T he library has a huge collection of books from natural science to social science.

B. D igital information is also available in the library.

C. Journals are accessible to readers.

The resulting paragraph:

First, the library has a huge collection of books

of books are available, such as literature, law, education, economy, and psychology, readers can borrow whatever interests them. Reader are allowed to borrow ten books at a time and keep them for as long as seventy days. Second, digital information is also available in the library. This kind of service has made it easier for readers to get information. By searching and downloading what they need, readers can acquire great amount of knowledge. Last, but not least, journals are accessible to readers. Although journals can not be taken out of the library, readers can read them in the reading room. If a reader finds some essays useful, he can photocopy them.

1. Money can’t serve every purpose in our daily life.

2. Life is full of choices.

3. Opportunities are only for the prepared minds.

4. I’m proud of some of the progress I have made so far.

5. To effectively manage our time, we can use the following techniques.

6. Competition is a common phenomenon in our daily life.

7. An individual deals with anxiety in a variety of ways.

8. Chatting on the Internet has both advantages and disadvantages.

9. There is more joy in simple pleasures than in life’s great events.

10. Applying for a job can be a negative experience.

Part Three: The Concluding Sentence

a) Restate the topic sentence in different words. Do not just copy the topic sentence.

Penguins and human beings have three aspects in common. First, like human beings, most penguins keep the same mate in their life. And both parents care for the young. Second, penguins also amuse themselves. For example, they often ride on floes (大浮冰) for no other reason than pleasure. Swimming is another activity they all enjoy. Finally, some of the penguins, like human beings, are thieves. They steal from each other the pebbles used for nest-building. When one catches another in the act, a great disturbance resembling a human quarrel ensures. So people can make a safe conclusion that penguins are similar to human beings in several respects.

b) Summarize the main points in the paragraph.

At present, there are two means of earthquake prediction. First, seismographs, which are instruments to record and measure earthquakes, can show when the earthquakes will probably happen. These instruments record the different kinds of waves, called S-waves and P-waves, that are sent out when the earth vibrates, or moves. Scientists have learned that P-waves slow down for a while and then speed up just before an earthquake. Thus, seismographs can predict earthquakes. The second way to predict earthquakes is to watch animal behaviors carefully. Scientists have noticed that dogs, chickens, horses, and other animals often behave in unusual ways before an earthquake. They run around excitedly and act afraid. Scientists think that animals can sense earth vibrations long before humans can. To sum up, scientists are trying to foretell the coming earthquakes by using scientific instruments and observing animal behaviors.

c) Conclude the paragraph with comments such as a suggestion, a solution, a prediction, or a personal opinion.

Football has more mystery than baseball. In football there is always doubt about where the ball is and where the play is going. In baseball, however, there is no sense of mystery; the ball is always out in the open. Football also has a faster pace than baseball. In football, one dramatic play follows another, while baseball drags on slowly with its strikes and ball. For these reasons I find football a more exciting sport to watch than baseball.

Exercise 3-2-13. Write a concluding sentence for each of the following paragraphs.

Paragraph one.

A university professor has many duties. In the classroom, he lectures to the students and answers questions. If the professor is a science instructor, he also conducts laboratory experiments. During office hours, students are free to visit the professor to get help on difficult materials or problems. In addition, a professor may often work for many hours in a laboratory doing a research project. Another professor might spend his time writing a scholarly paper for a professional journal. Still another one might spend time writing a book. _________________________________________________________________.

Paragraph two.

People keep pets for three major purposes. First, pets are great companions. They prevent us from being lonely, but always waiting for us to come home. And pets give us relief from a stressful life by providing unconditional love. Second, pets make us healthy. Petting or talking to an animal can lower blood pressure, whereas talking to a human can raise blood pressure. Additionally pets can increase rate of survival after a heart attack. The rate of survival is one-third greater for those who have pets. Finally, pets provide mental and emotional benefits. Contact with animals stimulates both children and adults to talk more. Emotionally, pets make people feel better. ____________________________________________. Paragraph three.

Valentine’s Day makes people feel sad if they are alone. Last Valentine’s Day, I was alone because I had broken up with my boyfriend the week before. On that Valentine’s Day, I was expecting roses and chocolates from him when he took me out to a romantic dinner, but instead I stayed in and ate a frozen pizza and a candy bar in front of the TV while I looked at my artificial flowers. I was so upset. Then, I found the present that I was going to give him on Valentine’s Day. It was a cute teddy bear holding a big heart that said, “I love you!” As I held it, I realized that the only Valentine card I had received was from my grandmother. I started to cry and wondered how many other people felt as sad as I did. ___________. Paragraph four.

Going to college can be expensive. Everyone knows that tuition and room and board can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 per semester, but there are other expenses that make going to college even more expensive. For instance, books typically cost between $150 and $400 each term. Supplies, too, are not cheap, for as any student knows, paper, notebooks, writing utensils, and the many other supplies needed usually cost more at the college bookstore than at a local discount department store. For instance, a package of notepaper costing $1 at a discount store might cost $2 at a college bookstore. In addition, there are all kinds of special fees tacked onto the bill at registration time. A student might have to pay a $30 insurance fee, a $15 activity fee, a $10 fee to the student government association, and anywhere from $20 to $100 for parking. If a student decides to add or drop a course after his registration, there is yet another fee.________________________________________________________________________________. Paragraph five.

There are many reasons why Karima is excelling in her university studies this semester. First, she took a non-credit study skills course as soon as she arrived on campus. As a result, she is better able to use her time effectively, access library resources, write well-organized term papers, and prepare for exams. Second, since she is clearly focused on her studies and not easily distracted by those around her, she is doing well in all of her courses. Many of her friends have parties on week nights but Karima never attends. Instead, she studies hard and lets off steam on the weekends when she goes to movies or parties with friends. Because she wants to get good grades, she doesn't let her social life interfere with her studies. Third, Karima attends all of her lectures and labs regularly. While some of her friends are sleeping after a long night of partying, Karima is on her way to class. _________________________________________. Paragraph six.

People can accomplish more with their lives if they are well organized. Students who have neat and carefully arranged desks don’t have to waste time before they begin their homework. Thus, they can actually do more work in less time than disorganized students who must clear their desks of clutter and hunt for their notebooks and pens before beginning an assignment. People in business also need to be organized. A business executive who keeps track of her appointments and keeps important documents carefully filed will be more successful than one who forgets appointments and misplaces papers. _______. Paragraph seven.

Rita, our roommate, is very inconsiderate. First, she always makes the kitchen messy. Whenever Rita makes a sandwich, she leaves the lettuce and mayonnaise on the breadboard. Also, she frequently leaves one or two dirty pots or pans in the sink. Besides, Rita uses the bathroom for an hour or more every morning. After she comes out of the bathroom, we can find towels on the floor and toothpaste on the washbasin. She even puts her dirty laundry on the towel racks. To make matters worse, Rita seldom takes any phone messages for us. When she does take a message, she either can not remember who has called or forgets to write down an important phone number. ___________________________________________.

Paragraph eight.

A police officer must observe many details in the process of investigating the scene of a crime. He must first, upon arriving at the scene, determine that a crime has been committed. After that he must make sure what type of crime happened. The next detail that the officer must follow is to protect the crime scene. This is done so that any evidence present will not be destroyed. Then the officer must ask the people around if they witnessed the crime. If there are some witnesses, the officer will either take their names and addresses or ask them to wait and talk with other investigators who may arrive. If the crime is a murder, the officer will search the surrounding area for the murder weapon. After the search, he will patrol the area to see if he can find and arrest a suspect. As soon as the investigation of the crime scene is completed, the officer must file a report on the crime. ___________________________________________________. Paragraph nine.

People may reject certain foods because of their religious and cultural habits. Hindus do not eat beef. Muslims do not eat pork. North Americans do not eat dog meat or horse meat. In certain parts of Africa, fish is considered an unclean food. Some Europeans think that corn and oats are only for animals. Ugandans think milk carries a skin disease. _____________________________________________. Exercise 3-2-11.

1. hobby

2. animal

3. challenge

4. marriage

5. environment

6. money

7. holiday

8. festival

9. gratitude 10. achievement

11. dream 12. family 13. memory 14. imitation 15. childhood

16. gift 17. service 18. romance 19. invention 20. transportation

21. sports 22. health 23. weather 24. birthday 25. entertainment

26. idol 27. Internet 28. tradition 29. custom 30. impression

31. media 32. fashion 33. curiosity 34. donation 35. prediction

36. career 37. season 38. volunteer 39. education 40. technology

41. regret 42. travel 43. hospital 44. happiness 45. information

46. crime 47. culture 48. mistake 49. friendship 50. communication

Essay

Section Two. The Introductory Paragraph

The Thesis Statement and its Characteristics

1) It is a straightforward statement; therefore, there is no room for suspense or surprises.

2) It contains controlling ideas that will be used in the topic sentences of the body paragraphs of the essay.

3) It is the most specific sentence in the introductory paragraph.

4) The main points in the thesis statement should be grammatically parallel.

5) It is usually the last sentence of the introductory paragraph.

Exercise 4-2-1. (见课件)

Exercise 4-2-3. 改错

1. Organization, expression, and revising are three keys to good writing.

2. Adam convinced most of the audience because he argued logically, calmly, and was reasonable.

3. Working with children is interesting, challenging, and has its rewards.

4. Nuclear power is a safe, renewable, and not expensive source of energy.

5. If we’re not careful, we’ll leave the next generation polluted air, contaminated water, and forests that are dying.

6. While waiting for the exam to start, small groups of nervous students glanced over their notes, drank coffee, and were whispering to each other.

7. Air China aims at safety, being on time, and good service.

8. Climbing frozen waterfalls requires strength, knowledge of the proper tools, and it is very important to have clothes that keep you warm, too.

9. Political candidates can be grouped by age, gender, and whether people like them or not.

10. We are constantly bombarded with message in the form of oral communication, written communication, and what we see.

Exercise 4-2-4.

The following ideas gathered from brainstorming(集思广益)are about some of the problems that many people from Honduras (洪都拉斯) encounter when they live in the United States.

Step 1.

-formal vs. informal -cold weather in America -tropical in Honduras

-lots of unfamiliar food -prefer mother tongue -English is too difficult

-heavy snow in America -extended families in Honduras -dating is different

-constant rains in Honduras -high tuition in America

Step 2.

Group 1. Languages:

-prefer mother tongue -English is too difficult

Group 2.Climates:

-tropical in Honduras -constant rains in Honduras

-heavy snow in America -cold weather in America

Group 3.Customs:

-formal vs. informal -lots of unfamiliar food

-dating is different -extended families in Honduras

Step 3.

Thesis Statement:

Many people from Honduras find it difficult to live in the United States due to different languages, climates, and customs.

Exercise 4-2-6.

Brainstorm to gather as many ideas as you can about the reasons that lead to a student?s failure to pass an exam.

_____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Thesis Statement: ______________________________________________________________________

The General Statements

1) Although the general statements usually refer to some general information, they must be naturally relevant to the subject of the essay, too.

2) The general statements and the thesis statement should be smoothly connected. Any awkward jump in thought between these two parts should be avoided.

The busy schedules that people face from day to day have globally created a rising health problem－mental stress. Mental stress affects almost everybody, from the highly pressured top leaders in a government to the busy students in schools. Although mental stress is not a curable disease like a common cold, it can be controlled by setting realistic goals, by enjoying a hobby and/or physical exercise, and by maintaining a close relationship with his/her family and friends.

Exercise 4-2-8.

(1) To find out, I conducted a survey. (2) After looking over their answers, I realized that there are three types o f students in my class: the “Don’t know” type, the “Go Back Home” type, and the “Stay Abroad” type. (3) Will they return to their own countries or stay abroad? (4) Where will my classmates be next year after they graduate? (5) I asked each of them what he or she plans to do after graduation.

Exercise 4-2-9.

Brainstorm to gather as many ideas as you can about the multiple pressures that college students are facing today.

_____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Thesis Statement: ______________________________________________________________________

Exercise 4-2-15.

Write the introductory paragraph ONLY based on one of the topics below:

1. Discuss the multiple pressures that college students are facing today.

2. Discuss the three best things (or worst things) about our campus.

Section Three. The Body Paragraphs

The Plan of the Body Paragraphs

1. There are three major differences between New York City and Washington, D.C.: population, business, and traffic.

2. Filling a car with gas at a self-serve station requires three steps: pulling up to the proper pump, putting the gas in the tank, and paying money to the attendant.

3. The Campus Bookstore is the worst place to buy books because of its unreasonable prices, unqualified employees, and constant book shortages.

A. unreasonable prices

a. books too expensive compared to other stores

b. the prices keep increasing from day to day

B. unqualified employees

a. clerks with little knowledge about the books

b. clerks unfamiliar with the location of books

C. constant book shortages

a. wrong books and/or wrong edition ordered

b. delayed orders

The Bridges between the Body Paragraphs

a) The thesis statement: The barriers that wheelchair users face lie mainly in transportation, access to public buildings, and employment.

The first barrier the wheelchair users face every day relates to transportation.

The second barrier for the wheelchair users is the stairs in front of public buildings.

The last, but the worst barrier of all is the occupational barrier.

b) The thesis statement: There are three things you must think about when choosing clothes for a job interview: color, style, and size.

Topic sentence 1. The color of your clothes sends a message about whether or not you should be hired.

Topic sentence 2. In addition to color, the style of your clothes makes a difference.

Topic sentence 3. Along with color and style, your clothes must also fit you perfectly.

Exercise 4-3-1.

People commit crimes because they are poor, ignorant, or greedy.

Some people commit crimes because they are poor.

Some people commit crimes because they are ignorant.

Some people commit crimes because they are greedy.

Exercise 4-3-2.

To become a qualified athlete, one must have intelligence, determination, and training.

_____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Exercise 4-3-3. Write the three topic sentences with paragraph bridges.

The three major reasons for a student?s failure in an exam can possibly result from the following three points: ineffective learning methods, poor preparation, and nervousness.

_____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Exercise 4-3-5.

Write the three topic sentences based on the topic:Discuss the multiple pressures that college students are facing today.

_____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

Exercise 4-3-6. Write the three body paragraphs ONLY based on one of the topics below:

1. Discuss the multiple pressures that college students are facing today.

2. Discuss the three best things (or worst things) about our campus.

Section Four. The Conclusion

The Summary

a) Restate the three main points in the thesis statement using synonyms.

Topic: Three Major Issues People Face in the Twentieth Century

The world we live in today has some disadvantages: a polluted environment, the depersonalization of our human relationships, and the weakening of spiritual values.

Body paragraph 1. .....................................

Body paragraph 2. .....................................

Body paragraph 3. .....................................

The summary:

In conclusion, we can find our earth dirtier, our people less humane, and our spiritual lives poorer.

Exercise 4-4-1. Topic: English Learners in China

Many Chinese learn English in order to find a high-paying job, to study/work abroad, and to communicate with foreigners.

Body paragraph 1. .............................................

Body paragraph 2. .............................................

Body paragraph 3. .............................................

To conclude, _____________________________________________________________________

b) Summarize the meaning of the thesis statement in extremely general terms.

Topic: Typewriting---A Skill That Pays

In the past, typewriting was strictly left to the job of the secretary. However, in today's society, more and more positions, both executive and non-executive, need a certain amount of typing ability. In an effort to obtain a typewriting skill that will enable a person to meet a job requirement, he should follow the three basic steps: develop accuracy at the keyboard, develop speed and coordination in the use of the fingers, and combine both the accuracy and the speed in a smooth fashion.

Body paragraph 1. .....................................

Body paragraph 2. .....................................

Body paragraph 3. .....................................

The summary:

In short, typewriting is a very challenging skill to master.

Exercise 4-4-2. Topic: The TOEFL Examination: Why?

One obstacle that most international students run into when they come to the United States to study at the university level is the TOEFL examination. Before permitting a foreign student to enroll, universities always demand that they have a high score on the TOEFL exam. Although the TOEFL exam has been devised to measure the students' English skills, it has some disadvantages, such as the nervousness of the students taking the test, the length of the test, and the luck involved in passing or failing the test.

Body paragraph 1. .............................................

Body paragraph 2. .............................................

Body paragraph 3. .............................................

In summary, ______________________________________________________________________ The Memorable Statement

a) Prediction b) Suggestion c) Solution d) Personal opinion

e) Thought-provoking quotation f) Thought-provoking question g) Judgment

Conclusion 1. The memorable statement provides a suggestion.

It is obvious from what has been said that most students who study in a foreign country face some of these same difficulties: language, culture shock, and loneliness. Therefore, before going to study abroad, each student should have adequate exposure to not only the new language but also some of the cultural differences between his own country and the new country. Most importantly, each student should be assigned a host family to help make the transition to the new lifestyle less difficult.

Conclusion 2. The memorable statement shows a personal opinion.

In brief, changes in marriage patterns and family structure have significantly changed living arrangements in San Francisco. These changes may have come about more quickly in San Francisco than in other cities, but the same trends are found in many major American cities. They are trends that, to some, indicate a healthy diversity or freedom of choice and, to some others, a dangerous weakening of the family.

Conclusion 3. The memorable statement has a prediction (the second sentence and the third sentence) and a suggestion (the last sentence).

In short, acid rain is a dangerous pollutant in the United States. If acid rain is not reduced considerably, the Americans may witness more serious damage to their environment. This damage has already threatened some of our valuable natural resources and may someday disrupt our environment seriously enough to affect our food supply. Only when the government takes action now can the damage to the environment be slowed down.

* * * * * *

1) Do not jump from the summary to the memorable statement.

2) Do not introduce any new ideas in the conclusion because this is the end of your essay.

3) Do not change your attitude.

Exercise 4-4-6. Write a summary and the memorable statement for the following topic: Discuss three major reasons that lead to a student’s failure to pass an exam.

_____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Exercise 4-4-6.

Write the concluding paragraph ONLY based on one of the topics below:

1. Discuss the multiple pressures that college students are facing today.

2. Discuss the three best things (or worst things) about our campus.