Principles of English Writing

C2 Chinese and English-speaking people seem to look differently on the use of set phrases and expressions. Good English Writing encourages originality and discourages “cliches”.
英语写作教程（一）
How to Write Effectively
Lecture One Presented by Ass. Prof. David LIN
Outline
I. The importance of writing II. Writing in Chinese vs Writing in English III. Criteria of a good piece of writing IV. Methods to improve your writing
9
friends at all. And look at the way she’s dressed.” Chassy now is starting to laugh. “maybe she is his wife.” He adds jokingly. “His wife… no, she’s too old!” I turn around looking at Chassy, “what then?” he asks, then continues, “Maybe she is an old hooker, maybe he can’t afford a young one or he just likes them old? Who knows?” By now Chassy’s imagination is running away, he is making me laugh. He jabs me in the ribs. “What!” I snap. “Shhhhs, they are coming.” “Good evening, how can I help you,” I asked “Yes, we need two tickets for 7 o’clock Panic Room, please,” the lady says. “Sure, anything else?” I ask as usual. “Mm, I also want a large pop corn, two ice creams – with nuts, two large cokes, one pack of Maltesers, one pack of peanut M&M’s and two cups of frozen coke.” I quickly press the buttons on the screen. Chassy walks behind me: “I’ll help you to get them.” On the way to the pop corn machine,
8
It’s raining outside, so there aren’t many people buying movie tickets. My co-worker Chassy is standing at the next till and is selling movie tickets with me today. “A boring day isn’t it?” He turns to me with his innocent face. “Yeah…”I reply. Before I complete my sentence, he suddenly turns and quietly mutters: “ Hey that guy has been standing over there for almost 15 minutes. Do you see him? He keeps looking at his watch. What is he waiting for?” “Which guy?” I ask. “The guy in the dirty oily shirt with the messy hair.” He points with his finger below the counter so that the man cannot see
5
IV. Methods to improve your writing
B
Keep in mind that your audiences are foreign users of English when considering what to write and how to express yourself.
7
C3 English-speaking writers tend to be less militant in tone and language than most Chinese in such writings as news, social or political essays, and editorials. The idea is to “let the facts speak for themselves”.
Similarities
Principles of writing
Differences
Purpose of Writing
III. Criteria of a good piece of writing
Contents special, important, interesting
Organization
IV. Methods to improve your writing
C
Note that cultural differences result in stylistic differences in English and Chinese writing. C1 C2 C3 C4
6
C1 Narration and description in Chinese seem to be a bit more ornate or “flowery” than in English. I walked joyfully along the path that was lit up by the golden rays of the morning sun. Beautiful flowers of many colors were blooming. How fragrant they smelled! Little birds were singing in the trees, as if greeting me “Good morning!Good morning!”… my heart was bursting with happiness.
Francis Bacon •读书使人充实，讨论使人机敏，摘记使人严谨。
I. The importance of writing
C
Writing ability is often the mark of a cultured person.
3
II. Writing in Chinese vs Writing in English
B
C
I. The importance of writing
A
Writing activities of a native-speakereigner.
Investigation on communicative activities of adult native speakers before Internet came into being.
2
I. The importance of writing
B Writing is one of the five basic skills one should
master in the course of learning any language.
Reading maketh a full man; conference, a ready man and writing an exact man.
1
I. The importance of writing
A Writing activities of a native-speaker may be different from those of a foreigner. Writing is one of the five basic skills one should master in the course of learning any language. Writing ability is often the mark of a cultured person.
clear
Language
correct, appropriate
4
IV. Methods to improve your writing
A B C D E F G H
IV. Methods to improve your writing
A
Bear in mind that writing well involves other abilities than simply being able to write correct English, especially when content and organization are concerned.
I realize there is a tall rough looking guy standing about 15 meters away from us. His shirt is dirty and there’re a lot of ink on it. He is unkept, unshaven with thick dark stubble covering most of his dirty oily face. His stained clothes tell their own sad stories. His pants are threadbare and splattered with grease and paint, his shoes are torn and his toes poke through revealing worn dirty sox. Far a man of his age, probably mid thirties, he is a sorry sight indeed. “He must wait for someone.” I say. “Look! That lady!” Chassy surprisingly cries. As we watch he is approached by an older woman. In contrast to him she is smart if not overly made up. Her makeup is thick and her hair obviously colored. Her lipstick is bright and her jeweler brash. As we watch a thick heady scent of cheap perfume fills the air. “Who is she?” Chassy curiously asks me. “His friend.” I replied. “Oh, no way man. They don’t look like