Exercises
1. Study the following topic statements from different essays on the topic of the status of women in Hon, an imaginary country. Which method of organization (time order, exemplification, cause and effect or comparison and contrast) does each one indicate? How many paragraphs will the body of each essay probably contain?
1) Although the status of women in Hon has improved remarkably in recent years, it is still very low when compared to the status of women in the countries of the Western world.
2) Beginning in World War II and continuing through the period of economic boom, the status of women in Hon has changed remarkably.
3) The status of women in Hon has improved remarkably in recent years in the areas of economic independence, political rights, educational opportunities, and social status.
4) The status of women in Hon has changed remarkably in recent years due to increased educational opportunities and changes in the country’s law.
2. Complete the following topic statements by adding subtopics to them.
1) The basic causes of poverty are ____________________________________. 2) A teacher must have the following qualities: __________________________. 3) Technology is changing our lives in three important areas: _______________. 4) Women generally live longer than men for two main reasons: _____________. 5) The purpose of this report is to ______________________________________.
3. Choose one of the following topics and write an opening paragraph. Be sure to include a topic statement in your paragraph. 1) Choosing a career 2) Space exploration 3) Losing a job
4) Pollution and the environment 5) Violence on TV
4. Write a concluding paragraph for the following opening paragraph. Follow these two steps:
1) Summarize the main points or paraphrase the topic statement. Be sure to introduce the conclusion with a transition. 2) Add your comments.
The busy schedules that most adults face from day to day have created a rising health problem in the modern world. Stress affects almost everyone, from the highly pressured executive to the busy homemaker or student. It can cause a variety of physical disorders, ranging from headaches to stomach ulcers and even alcoholism. Stress, like a common cold, is a problem that can’t be cured; however, it can be controlled. A person can learn to control stress by setting realistic goles, enjoying a hobby and/ or physical exercise, and by maintaining a good, warm relationship with family and friends.
Keys 1.
1) The topic statement indicates that the method of organization should be “comparison and contrast”. Examples of their low status in two or more areas compared with that of women in western societies should be given in this part. So, the body part of this essay will probably contain two or three paragraphs.
2) The topic statement indicates that the method of organization should be “time order/chronological order”. The introduction of their status during World War II and the period of economic boom will be provided in this part. So, the body part of this essay will probably contain two paragraphs.
3) The topic statement indicates that the method of organization should be “exemplification”. The description of women’s status in Hon in the areas of economic independence, political rights, educational opportunities, and social status will be written in this part. So, the body part of this essay will probably contain four paragraphs.
4) The topic statement indicates that the method of organization should be “cause and effect”. Two reasons will be given concerning the improvement in women’ s status. So, the body part of this essay will probably contain two paragraphs.
2.
1) The basic causes of poverty are lack of knowledge, poor health, laziness (or: overpopulation, low income, big family, natural disaster, geographic location, etc.) 2) A teacher must have the following qualities: rich/profound knowledge, patience, humor, willingness to help students, well-prepared lessons,etc. 3) Technology is changing our lives in three important areas: ways of communication, convenience in travel, medical care service. 4) Women generally live longer than men for two main reasons: less pressure, fewer bad habits than men (or: endurance which helps to good health). 5) The purpose of this report is to reveal the effect of distance education on lives and choices of courses and subjects in distance education.
3.
1) Choosing a career
(1)
Now people in growing number are coming to realize that choosing a proper career is one of the most important things in people’s life. If you don’t choose an appropriate career for yourself, you may be depressed, unhappy and lose confidence. Your decision for career
can be decided by your educational background, your interest and the prospect of the trade you are going to enter.
? Method of organization: exemplification ? Number of paragraphs: three
(2)
Almost every young person will face the problem of choosing a career sooner or later. What aspects should you consider for your career choice? Personal interest, individual ability, salary level and the prospect of the company you will enter are all very important.
? Method of organization: Exemplification (Illustration) ? Number of paragraph: Four
(3)
With the development of our society and the change of our conventional thought, we have more standards to choose a good career nowadays than ever before in the areas of kinds of job, situations of employment and personal interests.
? Method of organization: Comparison and contrast/Exemplification ? Number of paragraphs: three
(4)
There’re no certain standards for a person to choose his career, because there’re too many factors which have to be considered. In my opinion, the most important factors are: prospect of the job, location and working-condition.
? Number of paragraphs: three
? Method of organization: Exemplification (illustration)
2) Space exploration:
During the last ten years, China makes lots of efforts in space exploration and makes a long-step progress, but when compared with western countries, China will have a long way to go to catch up with some developed countries.
? Method of organization: Comparison and contrast ? Number of paragraphs: two
3) Losing a job
What will you do when you lose your job? Of course, different people have different ideas. Optimistic people treat/regard it as a new start while the pessimistic people think it the