1、Chapter 3Basic Skills in Writing Essays1.Structure of an essay-Much like that of a paragraph,as shown in the following chart.Matching chart of an essay with a paragraphStructure of a ParagraphStructure of an EssayFunction of Each PartI.Topic sentenceI.Introduction1.General StatementsAbout the topic2
2、.Topic Statement/Thesis StatementTo state the main ideaII.Supporting sentencesII.Body(at least one,but usually two or more paragraphs)Paragraph 1Topic SentenceEach paragraph develops a major point of the topic,so the number of paragraphs in the body will vary with the number of the major points.Supp
3、orting SentencesConcluding SentenceParagraph 2Topic SentenceSupporting SentencesConcluding SentenceParagraph 3Topic SentenceSupporting SentencesConcluding SentenceIII.Concluding sentenceIII.ConclusionRestatement or Summary of the main points;Final comment;Writer view,attitude,etc.To sum up or reflec
4、t the main points discussed in the body.2.Beginning an Essay:Creating an Opening ParagraphFour purposes of the opening paragraph:1)It states the topic of the essay.2)It gives background information on the topic.3)It should arouse the readers curiosity about or interest in the topic.4)It often indica
5、tes the focus,purpose,or direction of the essay.Two parts of the opening paragraph 1)General statements:a-introduce the topic of the essay b-give a general background of the topic 2)The topic statement:a-states the main point b-limits the topic c-gives the topic a focus or even lists the major subto
6、pics that will be discussed in the body.d-may indicate the method of organization.e-is usually the last sentence in the opening paragraph.Sample 1 A University Professor (S1)Mr.Li is a senior professor in HIST.(S2)Over the years of his teaching career,he is praised by his students for his teaching s
7、kills,personalities and sense of responsibility,as well as his colleagues for his qualifications,scholarship and contribution.(Sentence 1 is a general statement which give a general background of the topic;sentence 2 is a topic statement which lists the major subtopics that will be discussed in the
8、body.)Sample 2 A University Professor In information age,teaching as a university professor becomes increasingly challenging.A university professor should have a strong curiosity for new knowledge but also keep himself in a leading academic position.(Sentence 1 is a general statement which gives a g
9、eneral background of the topic;sentence 2 is a topic statement which states the main point and limits the topic.)3.Ending an Essay:Creating a Concluding Paragraph The concluding paragraph should directly or indirectly give reader the signal that you have finished and remind your reader of the main p
10、oints of the essay by the following strategies:1)A summary or restatement of the main points of the essay.2)Your final conclusion,comment,discovery,or attitude,based on the information you have provided in the body.3)A solution to the problems you have discussed.Sample 1:A summary or restatement of
11、the main points of the essay.TelevisionHarmful to Children Nowadays,television sets have become standard pieces of equipment in most homes,and watching television has become a standard activity for most families.Children in modern society grow watching television in the morning,in the afternoon,and
12、often in the evening as well.Although there are many excellent programs for children,many people feel that television may not be good for children.In fact,television may be a bad influence on children for three main reasons.First of all,some programs are not good for children to see.For example,ther
13、e are many police stories on television.People are killed with guns,knives,and even cars.Some children might think that these things could happen to them at any time.Therefore,they can become frightened.In addition,some youngsters might begin to think that violence is a normal part of life because t
14、hey see it often on television.They may begin to act out the violence they see and hurt themselves or their playmates.Second,television can affect childrens reading ability.Reading requires skills and brain process that watching television does not.If children watch television too many hours a day,t
15、hey dont practice the skills they need to learn how to read.Finally,television may affect childrens school work in other ways.If they spend too much time watching television,they may get behind in their homework.Also if they stay up to watch a late movie,they may fall asleep in class the next day.Co
16、nsequently,they will not learn their lessons,and even fail in school.In conclusion,if children watch too much television or watch the wrong programs,their personalities can be harmed.Furthermore,their progress in school can be affected.Therefore,parents should know what programs their children are w
17、atching.They should also turn off the television so that their children will study.Analysis:Topic in the introductory paragraph:In fact,television may be a bad influence on children for three main reasons.A summary in the concluding paragraph:In conclusion,if children watch too much television or wa
18、tch the wrong programs,their personalities can be harmed.Furthermore,their progress in school can be affected.Sample 2:Your final conclusion,comment,discovery,or attitude,based on the information you have provided in the body.Title:Living in the Twentieth Century Topic in the introductory paragraph:
19、Living in the twentieth century has certain advantages such as a higher standard of living,but it also has some disadvantages such as a polluted environment,the depersonalization of human relationships,and the weakening of spiritual values.Restatement and comments in the ending paragraph:In conclusi
20、on,although the twentieth century has indeed given us a lot of advantages by making us richer,healthier,and freer to enjoy our lives,it has,in my opinion,not made us wiser.The twentieth century has also made our earth dirtier,our people less humane,and our spiritual lives poorer.We should continue t
21、o enjoy the benefits of technological advancements because they free us to pursue our interests and goals.However,we must make a concerted effort to preserve our natural environment for future generations.Moreover,we should take the time now to make our lives more meaningful in an increasingly imper
22、sonal,mechanized world.#Sample 3:A solution to the problems you have discussed.Title:Fake Goods Introductory paragraph Markets all over the country are swamped with fake and poor quality products.This has harmed greatly the states interests and peoples health.For example,false poison made in one fac
23、tory not only cannot kill rats,but also gives them immunity and makes them healthier.Concluding paragraph Society should pay great attention to these illegal activities,which should be punished according to the law.The leaders in charge should take measures to stop these harmful activities.Otherwise
24、,they should be made accountable for the consequences.Exercise:Write a concluding paragraph for the following opening paragraph by drawing a conclusion.Choosing a husband or wife is one of the important decisions in a persons life because a good marriage can mean the difference between a happy and a
25、n unhappy life.In many cultures,young men and women choose their own marriage partners.In some cultures,on the other hand,parents arrange their childrens marriages.Such arranged marriages have both advantages and disadvantages.Key to Exercise Above In conclusion,neither an arranged marriage nor a marriage for love is necessarily going to be happy.Both kinds of marriages take work,patience,and perhaps a little bit of luck.
