Часть 3. (Третий год обучения)

Тема 11. Написание резюме.

Тема 12. Написание эссе (сочинение – рассуждение, сочинение – мнение).

Opinion composition.

An opinion composition expresses the writer's personal opinion about a particular subject and contains arguments that support that opinion. Here are some tips on writing a good opinion composition:

• use a formal or semi-formal style,

• make sure that all the points you include are relevant to the subject,

• state your opinion in the introduction,

• begin a new paragraph for each main point and give examples or supporting arguments,

• use linking words to connect your ideas in each paragraph, and to link the paragraphs together,

• in the conclusion, summarize your main points and re-state your opinion in different words.

Q Work with a partner. Look at the school subjects above, and discuss which are fun, interesting, helpful, boring or not useful.

Q Decide which of these sentences could be used in the discussion in exercise 2.

The most important subject, in my opinion, is maths.

Teachers shouldn't give us so much homework.

I can't see why we should do ancient languages like Latin.

If you don't do well in maths you can't get into university.

I must work harder at school.

One of the most useful subjects is geography.

We should do more experiments at school.

Physical education is a waste of time.

Do you agree or disagree with these statements?

Read the composition below. Which paragraphs have the following functions?

to make a statement

to justify the statement using examples

to sum up

The most important school subjects.

Nowadays, we have to study a lot of subjects at school. Although most subjects can be interesting, I think the most important subjects are those which are useful, that is, those which help you to find a job.

In my opinion, we shouldn't have to study subjects which are not useful, such as Latin. Latin is a language that nobody speaks, and is therefore not likely to be useful in many jobs.

English, on the other hand, ought to be taught because we might find it useful for writing letters and applications. We might also need English to express ourselves in interviews for a job.

Information technology is another important subject. It should be taught because everyone will need to use computers in the future, otherwise they won't be able to get a job.

In conclusion, subjects such as classical languages might be interesting but they aren't important in terms of getting a job. Personally speaking, I think subjects should be useful, but they should be interesting too.

Q Look at the text again and find words which have the following functions:

• three phrases which give a personal opinion,

• one purpose clause,

• one phrase which introduces an example,

• one superlative phrase.

© Now it's your turn. Write your composition following these instructions.

Which are the most important subjects for young people to study at school and why? Write between 120 and 180 words.

Use this plan to help you:

1. State your opinion clearly.

2. Make two or three points supporting your opinion.

3. Sum up by restating your opinion in a different way.

Упражнение.

1. Read the following answer to the sample question. In what areas is it good? In what areas is it weak? Think about:

a). length, b). organisation of ideas and paragraphing, c) grammar, d). spelling, e). use of linking expressions, f). handwriting, g). logical order of argument, h). vocabulary, i). appropriacy of language for context. Correct the mistakes.

Should parents limit the amount of television their children watch.

First of all I think it is impotent to say that qality of television has improved a great deal in recent years. There is now a wide range of programms suitabel for all ages and interests. In my opinion, there are many things that children can learn from television. They can, for example, learn about other countrys, other ways of living and so on. As well as this, television can give parents a chance to be free of their children for a short time, which can be very important! On the other hand, sometimes children will just sit and watch rubish for hours at a time and oviously this is not a good thing and needs to be controlled. Therefore, I think parents should discuss and aggree just how much TV the children watch. I do think, however, that it is important that children are involved in the desision and not just told, otherwise they will want to watch TV even more because it is something they are not alowed to do. To sum up then, parents need to think about how there children use TV and be prepaired to limit the time when it is on when they feel their children are becoming addicted to it in an unhealthy kind of way.

4 Now write your answer to the question in Exercise 2. You should follow this procedure:

Read the task instructions carefully. Think about what type of text you are writing and what sort of people you are writing for.

Make a list of points to include in your answer. Turn the question into a statement: Parents should limit the amount of TV their children watch. How do you feel about this? Why might this be a good/bad idea? List your ideas under a positive (+) heading, like this:

1. Which of the underlined linking expressions in the above text are used to: give more information (e.g. and)? introduce a contrasting idea (e.g. but) explain the consequence of something (e.g. so)?

2. Choose the correct alternative in the following sentences. Then add each new linking expression to the appropriate group above.

a). I like him although/in spite of he is rather selfish. b). As well as this/In addition to having a lot of money, he is very good-looking. c). It was raining so/therefore we decided to stay at home. d). Building a road here will destroy an area of great natural beauty. Furthermore/And, all the local people are against it. e). Not only/Moreover was the party awful, but we also had a flat tyre on the way home. f). They lost the match despite/however playing very well.

3. Fill in the gaps in the following sentences with an appropriate linking word/expression from the completed groups in. a). Television kills conversation in families. ……... , it has led to an increase in violent crime. b). We are going to be away for a few days, ….. I have asked my mother to come in and water the plants. c). Tom is a really nice guy …… of seeming quite unfriendly when you first meet him. d). I really like the job I'm doing at the moment. ……, the salary is awful. e). The hotel was miles from the sea and …… this, our room was small and badly decorated. f). …. being very interested in the situation in the Middle East, I still don't understand it very well. g). I finished reading that book, ……. I didn't find it very interesting. h). We decided not to go to the cinema ….. the fact that we all wanted to see the film, i) …… The cost of the proposed project is more than we expected and …….. we do not feel we can go ahead.

1. Write a draft. Organise your article into the following paragraphs:

a). Introduction: state the general situation/problem referred to in the question.

b). Give your opinion and specific examples to support your case where possible.

c). Refer to counter arguments.

d). Conclusion: summarise your view and possibly give advice or make recommendations to those concerned.

2. Read your draft through. Does it answer the question? Is it effective in the various areas?

3. Write a final version

The Structure of the opinion composition:

1. Introduction (Introduce your subject and give your opinion).

2. Main Body (Contains several paragraphs): Your first point of view supported with reasons and examples, Your second point of view supported with reasons and examples, The opposing point of view with reasons and examples. Your comments.

3. Conclusion (Summarize what you’ve said. Restate your opinion using different words)

Рекомендации к написанию.

1. Стройте высказывание в соответствии с предложенным планом.

2. Начните введение с общего представления темы и предложения, отображающего его проблемный характер.

3. Перефразируйте тему, данную в задании, а не переписывайте ее дословно.

4. Делите текст на абзацы, которые отражают логическую и содержательную структуру текста.

5. Абзацы должны быть сбалансированы по объему и смыслу.

6. Сначала высказывается свое мнение, затем представляются другие точки зрения и дается своя аргументация, почему вы с ней не согласны.

7. Введение и заключение должны быть одинаковы по объему.

8. В заключении еще раз указывается на проблемный характер темы, переформулируется ваше мнение, подчеркивается способность видеть и другие точки зрения, но свою считаете более убедительной.

9. Особое внимание уделяйте средствам логической связи текста.

Рекомендуется следующая структура абзаца:

а) формулируется аргумент, б) развивается, поясняется и подкрепляется фактами и примерами.

The Useful Phrases for the Introduction.

1. State the topic: Is there too much emphasis placed on … Nowadays, we are often told … There is no doubt that … Over the past few years … Are you among those who think that … There are various facts that support the opinion that … In my opinion … To my mind … It seems to me …

2. To list the points: In the first place … First of all … To start / begin with … Secondly, … Thirdly, … Finally, … The last but not least is that … In the end …

3. To add more points to the same point: What is more … Furthermore … In addition to this … Besides …

4. To introduce contrasting view points: It is argued that … People argue that … Opponents of this view say … There are people who oppose … Contrary to what most believe …

5. To present examples: For example … / For instance … There are … such as … … in particular …

6. The Useful Phrases for the Conclusion: To sum up … All in all … All things considered … On the whole … In conclusion … Taking everything in to account … As it was previously stated … In the end, I still feel that the benefits of … outweigh the disadvantages. I still stick to the point that … I appreciate / follow / support / am convinced in / stand for the point that …

Cohesive Markers.

1. “And” type: in fact, also, furthermore, apart from this, what is more, in addition, in the same way, not only .. but also …, besides.

2. Example: as follows, that is to say, in this case, for instance.

3. Stating the obvious: obviously, it goes without saying, clearly, naturally, of course, as one might expect, surely, after all.

4. Generalising: in general, on the whole, as a rule, for the most part, generally speaking, in most cases, usually.

5. “Or” type: in other words, to put it another way, to be more precise, or rather, alternatively.

6. Contrast: on the other hand, alternatively, in contrast to.

7. Equivalence: in other words, namely, that is to say.

8. Concession: however (much), even though, nevertheless, still, yet.

9. Cause and effect: because, because of this, thus, accordingly, hence, in order to, so that, in that case, under those circumstances, as a result, for this reason, as a consequence.

10. “But” type: although, however, whereas, yet, nevertheless, despite, in spite of, on the contrary.

11. Highlighting: in particular, especially, mainly, particularly.

Opinion Essay (Formal Style)

Introduction. § 1

- introduce the subject and state your opinion.

Main Body. § 2-4 (or more paragraphs)

• first point, supported by reasons/examples

• second point, supported by reasons/examples

• the opposing view supported by reasons/examples

Conclusion. § 5

• summarize what you've said

• restate your opinion using different words

More tips:

• use a question or a quotation in the introduction;

• make a plan (an outline) with key words and phrases (100-150 words);

• be accurate and specific in presenting opposing viewpoints and giving reasons. •

Managing Words and Time

Count the number of the words in your handwritten line. An average line has 10 words. So you need 20-25 lines to cover the content.

Write an outline with 100-150 words during the first 20 min­utes. Then you have 20 minutes left to rewrite your essay making additions and corrections. The table below can help you manage your time and keep word records:

	lines	words	sentences	min
Introduction	3-5	30-50	3-4	3+5 = 8
Main Body	14-15	130-150	10-12	15+10 = 25
Conclusion	3-5	40-50	3-4	2+5 = 7
Total	20-25	200-250	16-20	20+20 = 40

More hints:

• Keep word count recording on the left side of each line.

• Number the lines on the right side.

• Remember to separate each part of the essay with a blank line.

Тренировочное задание

C2. You have 40 minutes to do this task.

Comment on the following statement.

Some people believe that teenagers today are generally

rude, lazy and badly behaved. Other people, however, think

that teenagers have a bad reputation for no reason.

Do you believe that teenagers are often criticized un­fairly?

Write 200-250 words. Use the following plan:

• make an introduction (state the problem)

• express your personal opinion and give reasons for it

• give arguments for the other point of view and explain why you don't agree with it

• draw a conclusion

Комментарий к выполненному заданию

Критерии оценки включают: содержание, организацию текста, лексику, грамматику, орфографию и пунктуа­цию.

Содержание

Во вступлении отражена проблема. В тексте сочинения представлено обоснованное и развёрнутое мнение автора о том, что не только сами подростки виноваты в грубом поведении, дана аргументация другого мнения, в заключении сделаны общие выводы. Формулировка проблемы, данная в задании, переосмыс­лена и перефразирована, задан ключевой авторский вопрос о том, кто виноват.

A “For and Against” Essay (p. 89)

Упражнение. Read the essay and match the paragraphs (A-D) with the headings.

*your conclusions, *arguments against the title, *introduction, *arguments for the title.

Exams are a fair way of testing students. Do you agree?

(A) Every year thousands of students take important exams which can decide their future. For example, students have to pass exams with satisfactory grades in order to get a place in a university. However, are exams a fair way of judging a student’s ability?

(B) On the one hand, exams seem fair. The questions are the same for all students. Also, the exams are marked according to the strict scheme and usually by more than one examiner. Furthermore, students do the exams at the same time and under the same conditions.

(C) On the other hand, there are some drawbacks with exams. Despite some students deserving to pass, they might be so nervous on the big day that they make a mess of the exam. Moreover, there may be other reasons, such as illness, which affect a student’s performance in an exam. An alternative to exams would be a system of continuous assessment of course work by teachers during the year although it would mean more regular testing and more work for teachers. There would be a greater opportunity for students to copy work, too.

(D) To sum up, exams are not the ideal way of testing students and the idea of assessing students’ work over a longer period is becoming more popular. In my opinion, the best system would be a mixture of the two - 50% exams and 50% course work.

2. Which of the underlined linking words:

*contract ideas, * list ideas, *summarize, *give examples.

3. Write an essay on one of the topics:

* There should be no compulsory school subjects. Students should be allowed to choose the subjects they want to study.

* Schools don’t prepare young people for life in the real world.

*There should be more discipline in schools.

Упражнение.

1. Discuss what you think about graffiti. Is it an art or is it a crime? What should happen to people who draw graffiti on walls in public places?

2. Look at the following comments about graffiti and decide which are in favour of graffiti and which are against. Which comment is neither for nor against?

• Graffiti can be colourful, humorous and vibrant. 'The right sort of graffiti can liven up the ugly part of cities,' says Frank Coffield, Professor of Education at Durham University.

• Graffiti has been a showcase for creative talents. It helped launch the careers of New York artists who used the streets and subways as an unofficial art gallery.

• Costs of cleaning up graffiti are passed on to rail passengers in higher fares.

• Some councils have set aside areas which graffiti artists can legally spray. This redirects their energies away from vandalism and, it is said, lets them develop their creative talents in the open.

• Some people find graffiti offensive, even intimidating. 'I have visited public parks where obscenities and racist slogans have transformed a peaceful and relaxing place into a place of intolerance,' says Professor Frank Coffield.

• It disrupts travel. London Underground and other rail networks take trains out of service for cleaning when they have been sprayed.

• Graffiti can be dangerous. At least five graffiti artists have been run over or electrocuted.

• 'Some graffiti art is better than some official public art, because it actually fits into its surrounding - it isn't imposed,' says Zoe Shearman, director of visual arts at London's Riverside Studios.

• 'Graffiti-painting can lead to other crimes,' claims Nicholas Emler, a social psychologist at Dundee University. 'It's often just the starting point for much more serious delinquent behaviour.'

3. Look at the following exam task. An international young people's magazine is investigating the question:

Graffiti: Is it art or a crime? Write a short article in 120-180 words on the topic, expressing the different sides of the argument. Note that this time you are being asked to offer arguments for and against, not just your own opinion.

4. Write a rough plan. It should look something like this:

• Introduction: a general statement about the issue.

• Paragraph 2: points against.

• Paragraph 3: points for.

• Conclusion: sum up and state your opinion briefly.

5. Now write your answer. Use some of the arguments for and against graffiti given in Exercise 2 if you wish, and include as many of the following words/phrases as possible.

• To begin with ...

• On the other hand ...

• Another point is that ...

• It is worth remembering that...

• As far as I'm concerned ...

• However...

• In addition to this...

• To sum up ...

Упражнение.

Упражнение.

Argumentative Composition.

Life is much better than it was 200 years ago. (Discuss)

Although there are many things wrong with the way we live today, in my view, life is better now than it was 200 years ago.

Firstly, we are much more technologically advanced today. Modern communication systems mean that we can now communicate easily with people all over the world.

Also, nowadays, people's standard of living is quite high and people live longer due to modern advances in medicine and healthcare, as well as improvements in living conditions and diet.

On the other hand, today we face serious environmental problems such as pollution of the atmosphere and global warming.

Another problem related to modem living is the pace of life; many people today suffer from stress-related illnesses.

To sum up, I believe life today is easier in many ways because of progress in science and technology but we have created new problems too.

Look at this advice a teacher gave her student. Look at the model again and decide whether the student took the teacher's advice.

• “Don't forget to give the basic outline of your argument in the first paragraph.”

• “One paragraph should be about arguments in favour of the statement.”

• “Another paragraph should contain arguments against the statement.”

• “Your conclusion should be a balanced summary taking both sides into account.”

Read the following sentences and divide them into arguments 'for' and 'against' the question in exercise 2. Then decide in which paragraph the writer might have used the sentences.

• Overcrowding is a common sight in cities all around the world.

• People are better-educated these days.

• All in all, I think life is better today.

• We have very efficient forms of transport.

• New incurable diseases have appeared.

Find words or phrases in the composition which:

1) refer to the present, 2) draw comparisons, 3) give examples, 4) express an opinion.

Work with a partner and complete the diagram using words below. Decide which words are good things and which are bad things.

Computers, telephones, airplanes, central heating, cars, television, nuclear energy, diseases, poverty, video, pollution, noise, violence, space travel.

Now it's your turn. Write your composition following these instructions.

“There are more bad things than good things about living in the 21st century.”

Discuss. Write between 120 and 180 words

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