高级英语写作教程

Contents

CHOOSING RIGHT WORDS 1

1.1 General and Specific Words 1

1.2 Denotation and Connotation 3

1.3 Figurative Language 4

1.4 Levels of Diction 5

Exercises

SHAPING EFFECTIVE SENTENCES 17

2. 1 Sentence Variety 17

2.1.1 Varying sentence length 17

2.1.2 Varying sentence structure 20

2.1.3 Varying sentence beginnings 20

2.2 Impressive Sentences 21

2.2.1 Using strong verbs 21

2.2.2 Using right voice 22

2.2.3 Using repetition 23

2.2.4 Using inverted order 24

2.3 Sentence Emphasis 25

2.3.1 Periodic sentences 25

2.3.2 Cumulative sentences 25

2.3.3 Climactic sentences 26

2.3.4 Antithetical sentences 26

2.3.5 Short sentences 27

2.3.6 The dash 27

2.4 Concise Sentences 28

2.4.1 Wordiness 28

2.4.2 Needless repetition 29

2.4.3 Redundancy 29

2.4.4 Buzzwords 29

2.4.5 Pretentious language 30

Exercises

31

UNDERSTANDING PARAGRAPHS 38

3. 1 Paragraph Structure 38

3.1.1 Topic sentence 39

3.1.2 Supporting sentences 44

3.1.3 Concluding sentence 47

3.2 Paragraph Unity 47

3.3 Paragraph Coherence 49

3.3.1 Transitional words and phrases

50

3.3.2 Repeated key words and phrases

51

3.3.3 Parallel structure 52

3.4 Paragraph Development 53

3.4.1 Examples and details

53

3.4.2 Comparison and contrast 54

3.4.3 Analogy 55

3.4.4 Classification 55

3.4.5 Cause and effect 56

3.4.6 Process

56

3.4.7 Space order 57

3.4.8 Question-answer order 57

3.4.9 Order of importance

57

Exercises

58

WRITING DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPHS 65

4.1 About a Person 65

4.2 About an Object 71

4.3 About a Place 75

4.4 More Practice on Description

79

4.4.1 About an unusual person

79

4.4.2 About a room 79

4.4.3 About an animal 80

Student Practice Paragraphs 81

Exercises 85

Writing Activities 88

WRITING NARRATIVE PARAGRAPHS 89

5.1 Framework of a Narrative 89

5.1.1 Point of view 89

5.1.2 Dialogue

90

5.1.3 Setting 91

5.1.4 Order of events

93

5.2 About an Experience 93

5.3 About an Activity 99

Student Practice Paragraphs 106

Exercises

109

Writing Activities

110

6 WRITING OTHER TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS 111

6.1 Example Paragraph 111

6.2 Process Paragraph 112

6.3 Comparison Paragraph 114

6.4 Cause-Effect Paragraph 115

6.5 Definition Paragraph 116

6.6 Opinion Paragraph 117

Student Practice Paragraphs 118

Exercises 121

Writing Activities 122

7 WRITING BEYOND THE PARAGRAPH 123

7.1 Thesis Statement 124

7.2 Outline 129

7.3 Introduction 132

7.4 Body Paragraphs

134

7.5 Conclusion 135

7.6 Revision of First Draft 136

Student Practice Papers

137

Exercises

139

Writing Activities 140

8 WRITING A SUMMARY 141

8.1 Summarizing Paragraphs 141

8.2 Summarizing Longer Pieces

145

Exercises

152

9 WRITING ABOUT LITERATURE 157

9.1 The Elements of Literature 157

9.1.1 Plot 158

9.1.2 Narrator and point of view 158

9.1.3 Characterization 160

9.1.4 Setting 160

9.1.5 Symbols 162

9.1.6 Language and style 162

9.1.7 Theme 165

9.1.8 Some literary devices and terms 166

9.2 Literal Versus Analytical Reading 168

9.2.1 Denotation versus connotation 168

9.2.2 Paraphrase and summary versus analysis

169

9.2.3 Context and analysis 170

9.2.4 Symbolism and analysis 171

9.2.5 Imagery and analysis 173

9.2.6 Structure and totality of a work 175

9.3 Writing a Literary Interpretation 177

9.3.1 Theme idea 177

9.3.2 Examples of defining theme idea 178

9.3.3 Solidity of content 179

9.3.4 Poor mixture of summary and analysis 182

9.3.5 The scissors and paste approach 183

9.3.6 Identification of a pattern in a text 184

9.3.7 Five basic steps

190

9.3.8 A practical demonstration 191

9.4 Writing a Research Paper 201

9.5 Format for Documenting Sources 209

9.5.1 Using explanatory notes 20.9

9.5.2 In-text citations 210

9.5.3 A sample list 213

9.6 Writing Logical Argument 217

9.6.1 Persuasion and argument 217

9.6.2 Induction 217

9.6.3 Deduction 218

9.6.4 Arguing from authority, testimony 219

9.6.5 Building a good argument 219

9.6.6 Avoiding fallacies 221

9.7 Questions Often Asked about Research Papers 223

A Sample Research Paper 231

Exercises 241

10 WRITING FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES 246

10.1 Book Report 246

10.2 Book Review 248

10.3 In-Class Papers 260

10.4 Job Applications 264

10.4.1 Resumes 264

10.4.2 Letters of application 266

A GLOSSARY OF LITERARY TERMS - 269

ANSWERS TO SELECTED EXERCISES 287

INDEX 305

BIBLIOGRAPHY 310