Paragraph TechniquesParagraph Techniques

Unit 4 Special Types of ParagraphsUnit 4 Special Types of Paragraphs

Lecturer: Shang YanzhiLecturer: Shang Yanzhi

1. Introductory paragraphs1. Introductory paragraphs

2. Transitional paragraphs2. Transitional paragraphs

3. Concluding paragraphs3. Concluding paragraphs

1. Introductory paragraphs1. Introductory paragraphs

A good introduction to an expository or A good introduction to an expository or

argumentative essay accomplishes these functionsargumentative essay accomplishes these functions::

(1) It arouses readers’ interest.(1) It arouses readers’ interest.

(2) It introduces your subject.(2) It introduces your subject.

(3) It presents your thesis logically and quickly.(3) It presents your thesis logically and quickly.

(4) It sets the tone---humorous, serious, somber, (4) It sets the tone---humorous, serious, somber,

light- hearted, angry---of what will follow.light- hearted, angry---of what will follow.

1.1 Effective methods for introductions1.1 Effective methods for introductions

1.1.1 A directly stated thesis1.1.1 A directly stated thesis 1) general-specific1) general-specific

For generations, morality has been molded primarily byFor generations, morality has been molded primarily by

parents, religion, and school. Children traditionally acquiredparents, religion, and school. Children traditionally acquired

their ideas about what is right and wrong, which goals are their ideas about what is right and wrong, which goals are

important in life, and how others should be treated from theseimportant in life, and how others should be treated from these

sources. But now there is another powerful force influencing sources. But now there is another powerful force influencing

youngsters. youngsters. Television is implanting in children negativeTelevision is implanting in children negative

values about sex, work, and family life.values about sex, work, and family life.

1.1.1 A directly stated thesis1.1.1 A directly stated thesis

2) Thesis-explanation2) Thesis-explanation We all know that We all know that failure is the mother of failure is the mother of

success.success. It means that when a person fails, he It means that when a person fails, he doesn’t lose heart or give himself up, instead, doesn’t lose heart or give himself up, instead, he draws some lessons from his failure and he draws some lessons from his failure and works even harder. Such a person is sure to works even harder. Such a person is sure to make success sooner or later. make success sooner or later.

1.1.1 A directly stated thesis1.1.1 A directly stated thesis3) Claim & counter–claim3) Claim & counter–claim Nowadays, with the improvement of Chinese Nowadays, with the improvement of Chinese

people’s living standard, more and more families can people’s living standard, more and more families can afford to buy private cars. Some people regard afford to buy private cars. Some people regard owning a private car as a sign of success. They think owning a private car as a sign of success. They think private cars can bring them respect, convenience and private cars can bring them respect, convenience and comfort. I don’t think so. In my opinion, private cars comfort. I don’t think so. In my opinion, private cars have many negative effects, and have many negative effects, and should not be should not be encouraged in China.encouraged in China.

  

1.1.2 Dramatic Introduction 1.1.2 Dramatic Introduction

1) A Brief Narration ( a story or personal experienc1) A Brief Narration ( a story or personal experiencee ））

Last year, I went traveling to Nanjing with my Last year, I went traveling to Nanjing with my mother. In one of the parks, we saw many dead fish mother. In one of the parks, we saw many dead fish floating on the surface of the lake. My mother told floating on the surface of the lake. My mother told me these fish were killed by the polluted water. me these fish were killed by the polluted water. How terrible! Nowadays, How terrible! Nowadays, pollution has become a pollution has become a serious problem that calls people’s attention all over serious problem that calls people’s attention all over the world.the world.

1.1.2 Dramatic Introduction1.1.2 Dramatic Introduction

2) A Description2) A Description My hometown used to a beautiful small village. The My hometown used to a beautiful small village. The

village was covered by many kinds of green trees. Every village was covered by many kinds of green trees. Every morning the birds were singing happily in the trees. The morning the birds were singing happily in the trees. The small river running around the village was clean and small river running around the village was clean and pure with many fish in it. But now, everything has pure with many fish in it. But now, everything has changed. The trees have died. The birds have stopped changed. The trees have died. The birds have stopped singing. The river has got dry. And the fish have all singing. The river has got dry. And the fish have all disappeared. What happened to them? It was pollution. disappeared. What happened to them? It was pollution. The village was severely polluted by the newly built The village was severely polluted by the newly built factories around it. factories around it.

1.1.2 Dramatic Introduction1.1.2 Dramatic Introduction3) A Question3) A Question

My Roommate’s DishonestyMy Roommate’s Dishonesty

Have you ever known a person who tells lies about Have you ever known a person who tells lies about

you behind your back? Has anyone ever stolen your you behind your back? Has anyone ever stolen your

English paper and turned it in as his own, or told English paper and turned it in as his own, or told

stories about himself that you later found were stories about himself that you later found were

untrue? My roommates Fred is guilty of all of these untrue? My roommates Fred is guilty of all of these

acts; acts; he’s dishonest in his dealings with me and with he’s dishonest in his dealings with me and with

othersothers..

Have you noticed that the once clear and Have you noticed that the once clear and blue sky has turned to be dark and grey? Have blue sky has turned to be dark and grey? Have you considered the problem that the birds have you considered the problem that the birds have stopped singing in the morning? Have you stopped singing in the morning? Have you wondered why we can seldom observe the wondered why we can seldom observe the bright moon and shiny stars in the city’s bright moon and shiny stars in the city’s evening sky? evening sky? This phenomenon is caused by This phenomenon is caused by the serious environmental pollution.the serious environmental pollution.

1.1.3 Serious Introduction1.1.3 Serious Introduction1) A Quotation1) A Quotation

The Importance of HealthThe Importance of Health

As the proverb goes, As the proverb goes, “No one knows the value of health “No one knows the value of health until he loses it.”until he loses it.” In other words, nothing is more valuable In other words, nothing is more valuable than health.than health.

How to Read BooksHow to Read Books

““Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.”and some few to be chewed and digested.” Perhaps this is Perhaps this is the best advice on how to read, given by Francis Bacon.the best advice on how to read, given by Francis Bacon.

1.1.3 Serious Introduction1.1.3 Serious Introduction2) Startling facts or statistics2) Startling facts or statistics

Seventy percent of the respondents (Seventy percent of the respondents (回答者回答者 ) in a poll ) in a poll

conducted by columnist (conducted by columnist (报刊专栏作家报刊专栏作家 ) Ann Landers stated ) Ann Landers stated

that, if they could live their lives over, they would choose not to that, if they could live their lives over, they would choose not to

have children. This starting statistic makes one wonder what have children. This starting statistic makes one wonder what

these people believed what parenthood wood be like. these people believed what parenthood wood be like. Most Most

parents, it seems, have unrealistic expectations about their parents, it seems, have unrealistic expectations about their

childrenchildren. Parents what their children to accept their values, . Parents what their children to accept their values,

follow their paths, and succeed when they failed.follow their paths, and succeed when they failed.

1.1.3 Serious Introduction1.1.3 Serious Introduction

3) Quotation3) Quotation What is a little learning? A little learning What is a little learning? A little learning

suggests “ scanty knowledge,” “ being ignorant suggests “ scanty knowledge,” “ being ignorant and ill –informed,” or “ half baked knowledge.” and ill –informed,” or “ half baked knowledge.” An English proverb reads: “A little learning is s An English proverb reads: “A little learning is s dangerous thing.” I think it quite right. But why is dangerous thing.” I think it quite right. But why is it dangerous? The following points will clarify my it dangerous? The following points will clarify my stand and reasoning.stand and reasoning.

  

1.1.3 Serious Introduction1.1.3 Serious Introduction

4) Definition4) Definition A proverb reads: “ A little learning is a A proverb reads: “ A little learning is a

dangerous thing.” It means “People with a dangerous thing.” It means “People with a little knowledge are often unaware of their little knowledge are often unaware of their ignorance and are consequently misled.” ignorance and are consequently misled.” (quoted from Pope’s (quoted from Pope’s Essays on CriticismEssays on Criticism) I ) I agree to both the sayings and will prove the agree to both the sayings and will prove the truth by deduction as follows. truth by deduction as follows.

1.2 Ineffective Methods for 1.2 Ineffective Methods for IntroductionsIntroductions

1. Avoid beginning your paper with a complaint 1. Avoid beginning your paper with a complaint or an apology.or an apology.

2. Avoid beginnings that start too far back.2. Avoid beginnings that start too far back. 3. Avoid beginning with an introduction that 3. Avoid beginning with an introduction that

merely repeats the assignment.merely repeats the assignment. 4. Avoid starting your essay with a reference to 4. Avoid starting your essay with a reference to

the title.the title.

A SummaryA Summary 1) A directly stated thesis1) A directly stated thesis 2) A story or personal experience2) A story or personal experience 3) A brief narration or description3) A brief narration or description 4) A question4) A question 5) A quotation or definition5) A quotation or definition 6) Startling facts or statistics6) Startling facts or statistics

Transitional ParagraphsTransitional Paragraphs State Of Mind and EfficiencyState Of Mind and Efficiency

College students tend to complain either about their teachers’ teaching College students tend to complain either about their teachers’ teaching methods, or about their intelligence quotient if they find, however hard they are, methods, or about their intelligence quotient if they find, however hard they are, they cannot achieve satisfactory results. Is it really the case that their poor results they cannot achieve satisfactory results. Is it really the case that their poor results are solely due to the problems as they think to be? The answer is definitely “No”.are solely due to the problems as they think to be? The answer is definitely “No”.

As a matter of fact, there are many other factors that have something to do As a matter of fact, there are many other factors that have something to do with a student’s performance, among which with a student’s performance, among which his state of mind is the most his state of mind is the most important.important.

When a student is in good mood and his mind in peace, his brain works most When a student is in good mood and his mind in peace, his brain works most efficiently. On the contrary, if he is in a troubled mood, he cannot concentrate on efficiently. On the contrary, if he is in a troubled mood, he cannot concentrate on anything he is doing. He may find his head as numb as a block of wood, unable anything he is doing. He may find his head as numb as a block of wood, unable to think., to deduce, to calculate or even to read. This is typical of the case when to think., to deduce, to calculate or even to read. This is typical of the case when a student worries too much about his studies, when he has too many things to do, a student worries too much about his studies, when he has too many things to do, when he thinks too much about other things. So to get a good result in his when he thinks too much about other things. So to get a good result in his studies, a student must learn to keep his mind in peace under any circumstances. studies, a student must learn to keep his mind in peace under any circumstances. Only in this way can he work most efficiently and get a satisfactory result.Only in this way can he work most efficiently and get a satisfactory result.

  

3. Concluding Paragraphs3. Concluding Paragraphs An effective conclusion will accomplish the An effective conclusion will accomplish the

following functions.following functions. 1. Summarizing the essential points 1. Summarizing the essential points

discussed in the essaydiscussed in the essay 2. Arriving in an conclusion2. Arriving in an conclusion 3. Raising an echo to the beginning 3. Raising an echo to the beginning

3.1 Effective Methods for Conclusions3.1 Effective Methods for Conclusions 1) A restatement of the thesis1) A restatement of the thesis Since private cars bring us much trouble Since private cars bring us much trouble

and waste us a lot of money, and waste us a lot of money, they should be they should be reduced in China.reduced in China. If government can open up If government can open up more bus routines and increase the taxes for more bus routines and increase the taxes for using cars, more and more people will choose using cars, more and more people will choose to travel by bus and private cars will become to travel by bus and private cars will become fewer and fewer in China. fewer and fewer in China.

3.1 Effective Methods for 3.1 Effective Methods for ConclusionsConclusions

2) A summary or conclusion2) A summary or conclusion Therefore, Therefore, you must keep healthy before you must keep healthy before

you become wealthy. you become wealthy. In order to be healthy, In order to be healthy, you should develop a good living habit and do you should develop a good living habit and do physical exercises regularly. Remember the physical exercises regularly. Remember the proverb “Health is not valued until sickness proverb “Health is not valued until sickness comes.”comes.”

3.1 Effective Methods for 3.1 Effective Methods for ConclusionsConclusions

3) An Echo3) An Echo Now the law has passed to allow college Now the law has passed to allow college

students to get married. College students students to get married. College students can be free to have their choice. I think it is can be free to have their choice. I think it is fight. If such law had been passed 15 years fight. If such law had been passed 15 years earlier, what has happened to the two earlier, what has happened to the two college students would have been avoided.college students would have been avoided.

3.1 Effective Methods for 3.1 Effective Methods for ConclusionsConclusions

4) A few words of encouragement4) A few words of encouragement a. a. Writing is an important skill for college Writing is an important skill for college

students to master. If they read a lot and keep students to master. If they read a lot and keep practicing everyday, they are sure to make some practicing everyday, they are sure to make some progress in writing..progress in writing..

b. Generation gap can lead to many troubles in b. Generation gap can lead to many troubles in life and need people’s great care. If both parents life and need people’s great care. If both parents and children can stand in each other’s shoes and try and children can stand in each other’s shoes and try to understand each other, generation gap is sure to to understand each other, generation gap is sure to be narrowedbe narrowed. .

3.1 Effective Methods for 3.1 Effective Methods for ConclusionsConclusions

5) 5) A call for support or actionA call for support or action It is high time that we solved the problem It is high time that we solved the problem

The school authority should realize the The school authority should realize the injustice cheating will bring and take some injustice cheating will bring and take some measures to prevent it. Every honest student measures to prevent it. Every honest student should also be encouraged to fight against should also be encouraged to fight against those students who cheat. Only in this way can those students who cheat. Only in this way can the phenomenon disappear in examinations. the phenomenon disappear in examinations.

3.2 Ineffective Methods for 3.2 Ineffective Methods for ConclusionsConclusions

1) Don’t merely repeat your thesis.1) Don’t merely repeat your thesis. 2) Avoid some overworked expressions as In 2) Avoid some overworked expressions as In

conclusion, conclusion, In summary, I hope, I have In summary, I hope, I have shown., or In the final analysisshown., or In the final analysis

3) Don’t introduce a new topic. 3) Don’t introduce a new topic. 4) Avoid conclusions that apologize or back 4) Avoid conclusions that apologize or back

out.out.

Choose one of the following topics Choose one of the following topics and write an essay of about 200 and write an essay of about 200 words. Pay attention to your words. Pay attention to your introduction.introduction.

1. My Friends1. My Friends 2. Saving Money2. Saving Money 3. The Value of Exercise3. The Value of Exercise 4. Teenage Love4. Teenage Love