《英语写作》作业Unit 1: 段落和篇章知识（Paragraph and whole composition）必做题1.What is a paragraph?A paragraph is a division of writings expressing one central idea. It usually consists of several closely related sentences. It can also be called a unit of thought. It is a unit in itself and part of a larger whole.2.What is a paragraph made up of?Paragraph is made up of a group of sentences which altogether express a controlling idea or central idea. It includes topic sentence, supporting sentences, and concluding sentence. The paragraph is the basic unit ofa composition.3.What are the features of an effective paragraph?l It focuses on one major idea. This major idea is called the topic sentence.l It provides enough details to develop the idea. An effe ctive paragraph does not waste the reader’s time. It doesn’t start something without finishing it. It contains enough specific details to enable the reader to understand the writer’s point.l It is sensibly organized: An effective paragraph does not bore the reader. It is organized so the reader has no trouble following the writer’s progression of thought—so the reader can see three parts in a paragraph—1) the topic sentence; 2) supporting details, and 3) the concluding sentence.4.What is the topic sentence and why is it important?A topic sentence is a brief statement of the subject of the paragraph. It is very important because it determines the content of the whole paragraph. Therefore, special attention should be paid to it.5.Which sentence is the topic sentence in the following paragraph?My mother has passed along to me certain rules for getting along with others.6.The following topic sentences are not good ones, try to make them better.●There is much to say about any problem.●Time is money●He found an old book in our library last Thursday afternoon1 There is much to say about the problem of unemployment.2 It is a shame to waste time in college years.3 One of his interests is to spend time in libraries.7.What are the requirements of a good topic sentence?n A good topic sentence presents both a subject and an attitude toward that subject.n A topic sentence only states one fact or one opinion.n the topic should be neither too abstract nor too specific.n Furthermore it is better to be placed at the beginning of the paragraph.8.What are the requirements of supporting details?l Supporting details deal with different aspects of a topic sentence.l supporting details never say things that are irrelevant to the topic sentence.l supporting details should be developed naturally and logically from one to another.l each supporting detail should not be either too long or too short.9.What is the concluding sentence?The concluding sentence is the restatement of the topic sentence. It usually summarize the idea of the whole paragraph and to open doors to the next paragraph. Therefore, a concluding sentence of a paragraph issupposed to be the link between the two paragraphs.10.W hat is a composition made up of? What is the function of each part?1) Most, if not all, compositions are made up of a beginning, a middle, and an end.2) The beginning ( the introduction) rouses the reader’s interest in and secures his attention to the subject matter of the essay or provides necessary background information.The middle (the body) gives a clear and logical presentation of the facts and ideas the writer intends toput forth.The end ( the conclusion ) winds up the essay often with an emphatic and forceful statement to influence the reader’s final impression of the essay and shows the implication or consequences of the argument.11.H ow many ways can you write your introduction ?A quotation \ Figures or statistics\A question or several questions.\The time and place of the event to be described\Relevant background material\An analogy \ A definitionUnit 2: 记叙文和论说文（Narration and argumentation）必做题1.What are narrate and narration?To narrate is to give an account of an event or a series of events. In its broadest sense, narrative writing includes stories, real or imaginary, biographies, histories, news items, and narrative poems.¨ Narration, in its broadest sense, is any account of an event or series of events. When it is defined simply, narration is the telling of a trued or imaginary story.2.How many types of narration ?Matter-of-fact Narration : It is an exact account of what happened. In this kind of account the facts are stated in chronological or time order. Narration with plot: this kind of narration is used to tell a story so it includes enough details for clearness and some description to make the story vivid. It often follows a chronological order with one action after another as it happened and developed in original experience.It mainly includes travel account , news , biography , diary , essay , anecdote , adventurous personal experience , historic events , epitaph3.What aspects should you consider when you plan a narration?Purpose: when a writer begins to narrate, there must be a purpose in his mind for writing. He should choose enough details and design the plot of his narration carefully in order to let others to understand what he wants to express clearly.¨ Organization: Events in a narration are usually related in the order in which they occur. That is to say, it is written in chronological order. But sometimes it is also possible to start from the middle or from the end of the narration with the event that is most important to arouse the interest of the reader and then go back t the beginning by using flashbacks. Generally, a narration is made up of three parts: a beginning, a middle part and an end. There is no need to make a concluding paragraph when the story is clearly told and comes to the end naturally. However, sometimes, it is necessary to add one or more paragraphs about the significance of the story or about what happens afterwards.¨Context: In narrative writing, it should be often made clearly at the beginning that “ when” “where” and “to whom” the action in the narration happened, which provides with a context,or circumstances to the reader so as to help him to understand the whole narration.¨Selection of details: In order to help the reader know what is happening, the writer should offer enough details. But, there should not be too many details. To highlight the development of narration, the useful and effective things are only relevant details or things that contribute to bring out the main ideas of the narration4.What is an argumentation?An argument involves the process of establishing a claim and then proving it with the use of logical reasoning, examples, and research5.What is the organization of an argumentation?Title\ Introduction: Thesis statement\ Body Paragraphs\Constructing Topic Sentences\Building Main Points\Countering the Opposition\ Conclusion6.What is a thesis statement?n The most important sentence in your papern Lets the reader know the main idea of the papern Answers the question: “What am I trying to prove?”n Not a factual statement, but a claim that has to be proven throughout the paper7.What is the role of the thesis statement?n The thesis statement should guide your reader through your argument.n The thesis statement is generally located in the introduction of the paper.n A thesis statement may also be located within the body of the paper or in the conclusion, depending upon the purpose or argument of the paper8.Write a composition on the following topic.How Do People Keep HealthyThe Best Way to Stay HealthyAs the living standard improves more and more people are paying attention to their health conditions. Different people usually have different ways to stay healthy. In my opinion, the most important thing is to keep a healthy attitude toward life.It is true that physical factors affect one’s health conditions a great deal, but at the same time, we should not neglect the mental factors. Many scientific researches have shown that anger, suspicion and envy do great harm to human bodies while being optimistic can cure some small diseases. We have also heard of many people who live much longer than doctors’ prediction after they have been diagnosed incurable diseases. That is, because they keep a good mood and struggle with the difficulties in life. Compared with those people who suffer serious physical pain, we healthy people are much more lucky and therefore have more reasons to maintain a healthy attitude to life no matter what kind of hardship life may give us.People use all kinds of methods to keep healthy because they want to live happily. Then in my point of view, there is no other way than keeping a healthy attitude toward life can make peoplehappier or more healthy, both physically and mentally.9. Write another composition on the following topicShould Raising Pets be Banned?With the steady growth in the country’s economy as well as the people’s living standard, a great many city dwellers take up the hobby of keeping pets. To their mind, pets bring great happiness and fun to their life. In reality, pets have become a member of the pet owner’s family. However, recently this phenomenon has triggered a heated discussion as to whether city people should be allowed to raise pets. There are people on both sides of the argument who have very strong feelings.The pet lovers claim that raising a pet benefits us a lot. First of all, a pet is a faithful and obedient companion to its owner. Pets are affectionate and cute. Secondly, they possess the inborn ability to entertain people, providing a rich source of pleasure and fun. They help people rid their loneliness and ease the tense life pressure. Moreover, keeping a pet does good to childr5en’s psychological development, because it teaches children how to care for others and how to appreciate life while helping them to cultivate a strong sense of responsibility. Pets also have some practical uses. They can be a loyal companion, a doorkeeper or a guide dog. In some special cases, pets even act as the protector and savior of the owner. In a word, there are many advantages to keeping a pet at home.On the other hand, there are also many opponents who strongly condemn this hobby. From their point of view, pets bring far more harm than good to us city dwellers. To begin with it is a costly and time-consuming hobby. You have to accommodate them, care for them and spend time with them. How can a bustling city person afford that? Moreover, it is very dirty. They litter everywhere and may carry some fatal viruses, which are great threats to human health. They even spread some infectious diseases to their owners and sometimes even those people around the. Last of all, they are troublemakers to the neighborhood. Some pet dogs or cats enjoybarking or miaowing at midnight, which is an irritating disturbance to the neighbors. Pets may sometimes attack neighbors and passers-by. On some occasions, they cause some damage to other’s property. On any accounts, they are unwelcome and troublesome.Just as the saying goes, “so many people, so many minds”, it is quite understandable that views on this issue vary from person to person. As far as I am concerned, it is advisable not to keep a pet in a city,because this hobby brings us more drawbacks than merits.If there were too many pets running on the streets, baking at night, lettering everywhere better give up this hobby for the common good.Unit 3: 说明文和描写文（Exposition and description）必做题1.What is an exposition?Exposition means explaining or expounding something, the purpose of which is to inform or instruct, to make the reader understand what he reads. It is a kind of writing that is used often by a scientist, a specialist, a professional or a college student. In expository writing, the writer may present a concept, a process or a fact, and explain it by using the ways of listing the elements or steps, which make up the concept, the process or the fact. It deals with processes and relationships mainly.2.What are the common methods of writing an exposition?a)Illustration by exampleb)Division and classification: The purpose of division is to divide a thing intoparts and it is used to deal with one thing.c)Classification is used to organize things sharing certain qualities and thepurpose of which is to group these things systematically.d)Comparison and contrast: a comparison means the way to explain how things aresimilar; but contrast explains how tings are different.e)Cause and effect: it means a piece of expository writing which shows or explainsthe cause and effect of something.f)Definition: it means the way that a writer uses when he wants to introduce tothe reader a new and unfamiliar term or concept.3.What is a Description?Description is painting a picture in words of a person, place, object, or scene4.Write a composition on the following title:My favorite Color.When referring to colors, we have certain aspects of them. For instance, red may stand for passion, white for peace and purity, black for mystery, and so on. As far as I am concerned, blue is my favorite color, and there are a brief story and reasons behind it.The story could be traced back to my childhood. At the age of 8, I received a gift from my dear grandparents who paid their first overseas visit to Japan. It was a blue Mickey Mouse watch. The watchband was made of leather dyed in navy blue, and the watchcase was also of navy stainless with inside a cute navy-uniformed Mickey Mouse whose hands pointed at the hours and minutes. At that time, about 22 years ago, this kind of watch was rare and Mickey Mouse seemed to me a fairytale whichI could only imagine instead of possessing the real object; therefore, everytime I put the watch on, I gained jealousy from my peer and classmate s. In other words, this behavior satisfied my childish vanity then. However, since it was a delicate and beautiful watch, I seldom put it on. On one rainy evening, my younger sister, Wen-fang, had a serious fever. Having decided to take her to see a doctor, my mother had my brother on her back, held my other 2 sisters’ hands and asked me to embrace my sick young sister, and we walked half an hour to the clinic. After coming home, I found my Mickey Mouse watch disappeared. I hurried to seek for my lost watch in the exact path that we walked through, but couldn’t find it. I was quite sad about it, but fortunately, my sister soon recovered under the doctor’s treatment. Till now, I still remember that lost blue watch vividly and from then on, I made a special and favorable impression on blue.Moreover, it is magical that blue sky and blue sea have enchanting and amazing power over me. Whenever I am depressed, I especially enjoy looking up the blue sky and if it is allowed, I like going to see the deep blue oceans as well. It’s a great relief to see the blue color, and it really soothes my nerves. Under this enormous blue vault, I, myself, and my depression are too tiny to be compared to it; the peaceful deep blue seas with the touchable melody of which the waves compose is the best cure for my unhappiness or sadness.To sum up, my definition of blue stands for relief and freedom of soul.Though some may consider blue is a sign of gloom, since I am an optimistic and independent person, when I am blue, I will tell myself to look on the bright side instead of including myself into being over sorrowful. I favor blue for its fine distinction and definition as mentioned above. Hence, I consider that no other colors are more suitable to me than blue.5.Write a composition on the following title ：The Pet I KeptMany people have an experience of raising a pet. They may have different feeling and sensations towards their pets. No matter how they feel, the same feeling of having a pet is love. People treat their pets with love and the pets also spend their whole lives companying with their masters.When we have pets, we have to take care and love them. Therefore, keeping a pet is not a tough work but as a good learning experience to learn how to be responsible and patient.I kept a dog as a pet when I was in elementary school. Its name was“little white” because it was white in color. I got the puppy from my classmate because there were too many dogs after his mother-dog reproduced. He wanted me to pick up one from 7 puppies. I choose “little white” because it has a pair of beautiful and bright eyes and a very cute face. I happily brought it home and cleaned it and fed with milk. From thatmoment, the puppy became one of my family members.Few months later, when it grew up, it became a big dog with a short month, sharp teeth, bright eyes, a small black nose, fox-like ears and a feather duster-like tail. It had bad temper and was interested in biting anything, especially people. I was been one of the victims. Although it got a terrible temper, it gave me the unforgettable and happy moments during my childhood.After possessing “little white”, I could have a little realization about how difficult of being parents. The puppy could have faces anywhere in the house and I got to clear them up. The defecation smelt bad and made me feel vomitive. Every time after I cleaned the feces, I shout to the puppy to release my bad emotion of cleaning the stink shit. Besides, I had to catch the fleas, which are too small to be caught on the puppy. Moreover, I had to clean the puppy regularly. The puppy was so hated to be scrub that it ran away when it heard “taking washing”. Therefore, every time I had to chase the dog on the street and catch it back and then tie it up and give a rinse. Thus, cleaning dog is not only a hard work but also an exhausted exercise.However, having a pet did not mean having a trouble. Sometimes, a pet can play an important role in our mental health. For example, when I was in bad mood, the puppy became my royal listener and stayed with me andnever could not “complain” because it could not speak “human language” to grumble at me. When I was in good mood, I played with the dog and shared my happiness through having good time on the playground or giving some special abundant meals. On the contrary, the dog also had its own emotions and would have many special method of expressing its feeling. For instance, when “little white” was in good mood, it would ask me to play with it by “throwing” its “toys”, such as the fake bones or some clothes i t liked to sleep with. Also, the “little white” had emotional reactions and would show its feeling on face. When the dog was happy, it would not only shake its tail but also “smile”. When the dog felt bored, it would ask me to play with it by biting my pants. When the puppy wanted to go out for fun, it would scratch the door and bark. When the dog was hungry, it would bark like “begging”. Although the puppy could not talk, it also could express its feeling through many ways.In addition, the “little white”was also the security guide of family because of its “sharp nose, ears, and bad temper”. The dog almost barked at and bit anyone who tried to get into my house, including our friends, classmates, neighbors, visitors, and even the passerby except my family. Therefore, when the visitors came, we had to catch the “little white” and locked it into the “toilet” until the visitor left. After a long time, all my friends knew that I had a very bad temper dog.As a result, keeping a pet is not a tough work but a good learning experience to learn how to be responsible and patient. After raising a dog,I not only learn how to take care of a dog but also realize that “littlewhite” as a pet is a life, which has feelings and thought as human did and spends all its life with me, and depends on me, and trusts me. Therefore, I shall cherish the relation between us.Unit 4: 实用文（Practical writings）必做题1.What aspects should you pay attention to when you design a cover letter?Whether mailing or hand-delivering a resume, always include a short covering letter. The following aspects you should especially pay attention to:n Address your letter to an individual, not to a title alone. .Although you may address your resume to Mr. Patrick Burns, Marketing Manager, don't address your letter (or envelope) to Marketing Manager.The employer may conclude that, because you were unable or unwilling to search out his actual name, you will demonstrate an equal lack of initiative on the job. He may be instinctively more sympathetic to the applicant who uses his correct name.n Stipulate the type of job you are applying for.If you don't mention the specific job or type of work, it implies that you are simply looking for "work." If so, you may not be the interested, motivated, and dedicated individual that the employer is looking for.Tell also what caused you to apply, whether an advertisement, the recommendation of a friend who works there, etc, or your own research, etc. Be direct and to the point. Don't waste the employer's time.n Be specific and factual.Mention any personal characteristics that may be relevant to the opening. Be specific and factual. Avoid generalities and exaggeration. Back up any claim modestly and succinctly. .n Be direct and natural.Write as if you were speaking face to face to the employer. Avoid ostentation. Stay clear of complicated grammar.n Be brief. Keep the letter to one page.n Propose a next step (e.g., a meeting).n Tailor your letter to different readers.Although you may want to send the same resume to all employers, you probably should vary the covering letter somewhat in order to emphasize different interests or strengths. Certain of your qualifications may be of more importance to one employer than to another.2.Write on Answer sheet one a note of about 50-60 words based on thefollowing situation:You have heard that your friend, Jack, wishes to sell his walkman. Write him a note expressing your interest in it, asking him about its condition and offering a price for it.April 7, 2003 Dear Jack,I have heard that you want to sell your walkman. You know, I want to buy a used walkman in order to do some listening practice. I want to know if your walkman functions well. And I offer 200 yuan to buy it. Please give me some detailed information about it as soon as possible.Yours sincerelyHenry3.Write a business letter to your customer to talk about the price yourcompany offers to buy his/her computers. You think that the price he/she offers is too high and you think that 5800 RMB for each computer is better for both sides. Now write a business letter to express this intention. Payattention to the form of a business letter.English DepartmentZhejiang UniversityHangzhou, 310027ChinaEditorNewsweek International435 Madison EvenueNew York, NY10022U.S.A.Dear Editor: --------- SalutationI read in Newsweek (September 14, 1987) that an updated second editionof the unabridged Random House Dictionary of the English Language is being published. I would be very grateful if you could give me some information on where and how I can get a copy of the dictionary and if there is a less expensive edition than the one described.Thank you for any help you can give me.Yours Sincerely,Lin HuafengLin HuafengEnglish DepartmentZhejiang UniversityHangzhou, 310027ChinaProf. Rechard MillerNewsweek International435 Madison EvenueNew York, Ny 10022U.S.A.4.Suppose now you are a freshman (大一学生) in a college. You want tohave a part-time job. Yet your parents don’t agree with you and urge you to focus your time and energy on your study. Now write a letter no less than 150 words to tell them the importance and value of part-time job to a college student, ensure them that you can balance your study and the part-time job well, and therefore persuade them to agree with your choice at last.Pay attention to the form of a letter: the heading, the salutation,complementary ending , and make your letter as powerful as possible.April 21, 2004 Dear Mr. Smith:I read in Newsweek (September 14, 1987) that an updated second edition of the unabridged Random House Dictionary of the English Language is being published. I would be very grateful if you could give me some information on where and how I can get a copy of the dictionary and if there is a less expensive edition than the one described.Keep well.Sincerely yoursLin Huafeng。