Purpose

What should we include in the opening paragraph? Topic Background Problem Standpoint

What kind of phrases will you use in stating your purpose? My purpose in My purpose in

this paper is to this paper is to show that…show that…

Personally, I Personally, I think…think…

In my opinion…In my opinion… I think…I think…

A good opening sentence should… Introduce the topic Justify the topic (why it’s important,

why we have to discuss that) Tell us what standpoint the writer

holds Indicate what’ll be said in the next

sentence Suggest the writer’s approach and

overall plan

Advice Do not include too much

information ( e.g. a lengthy explanation of the topic) – obscure the purpose

Do not include information that’s already obvious to the reader – boring and insulting

Look at this and see whether the purpose is clear? How many view points expressed? HK

gov’t? local attitudes? International attitudes? Vietnamese refugees?

Writer’s attitude? Critical? Sympathetic?

What is the problem?

An Opening paragraphShould…Should… Introduce the topic Justify the topic (why it’s

important, why we have to discuss that)

Tell us what standpoint the writer holds( should take sides)

Indicate what’ll be said in the next sentence

Suggest the writer’s approach and overall plan

Should not…Should not… be clumsy Mention already-

known information Have a fake purpose Start with a quotation Start with a definition start with a structural

question

Argument Counter argument - Refutation – (conclusion)- implied

conclusion

Arguments – expression of writer’s view

Avoid generalisation Supporting

views(examples, explanation, reasons)- imply a reason for the view

Chinese people have a very strong sense of family and Chinese children always respect their parents.Traditionally/ In general/For the most part

No government can be called democratic if it does not listen to criticism or allow people to express their opinions.

Women are obviously much stronger than men; they have to endure the pain of childbirth.

It is impossible to fault this

This is meant to be humorous.Not of a serious argument,Depends on where this is placed.

It is well known that the death penalty is the only way to deter people from committing crimes of violence.

Many people/ Some people believe that.. It has been Suggested that…It is possible that… the death penalty is a way to…/the best way to…The only way to…

When they want to be elected, politicians make promises that they cannot keep

Politicians often make promises…/Tend to make promises/ or under certain circumstances

Everyone knows that homosexuals are responsible for spreading AIDS.

Ho

Homosexuals were involved in the initial spread ofAids in western countries.Homosexuals run a considerable risk of contracting Aids.REMOVE ‘RESPONSIBLE FOR’

Chinese parents always think that education is important because it enables you to get on in the world.

generally,‘always ‘is implied in the use of tense

Sometimes too much education is not a good thing because it makes people discontented

Everyone knows that smoking causes cancer.

It is generally thought…It is believed/said…Smoking is said/thought to cause…etc/

At least half the world’s tropical rain forest has been destroyed since the beginning of the century and many people think that if the destruction continues at this rate, it is possible that by the end of the century there may be almost no tropical rain forest left.

Very qualified

Many people often said that Christmas has become rather commercial.

Generally speaking it is wrong to put people in prison merely because you do not agree with their views.

Remove

Arguments – expression of writer’s view

Avoid generalisation Supporting

views(examples, explanation, reasons)- imply a reason for the view

It would not be right to ban smoking. Admittedly, smoking is harmful to health, and every possible means should be used to persuade young people not to take it up. But there are plenty of things that are dangerous – many sports, for instance – and no one proposes that they should be banned. To make smoking illegal would be a dangerous infringement of the individual’s right to make his own choice about such matters.

Writer’s view: not right to ban smokingCounter-argument: smoking is harmful(implication:so it should be banned)Refutation: other dangerous activities not banned, to ban it would infringe individual rights(Implied conclusion: smoking should not be banned)

Counter arguments

Explanation(examples, reasons) Indicators: it is true that…True…

One must admit that…It cannot be denied that…Undoubtedly…There is no doubt that…without doubt…Certainly..Of course…

Refutation Supporting views(examples,

explanation, reasons) Indicators: This argument is

wrong because…But…According to this argument…This is like saying…This argument does not apply because…

Implied conclusion is your view – the one opposed by

the counter – argument Indicators: consequently,

therefore, thus, thenthen, as a result …this shows that…From this we see that…

Last paragraph Style – coincide( question –

answers) Approach Argument - standpoint