上外高级英文写作教程复习整理

上外高级英文写作教程

复习整理

写作填空题

Exposition

On the basis of controlling purpose we traditionally divide all prose into three kinds: narration,

description, and exposition.

Exposition is writing that explains.

If the writer intends to tell us how something looks, to re-create the thing in words, we may call it description. A narrative arranges its material in time. Description most often organizes in space.

Exposition organizes its subject by logic.

We find that paragraphs of exposition contain two different kinds of statements. The first- a general, rather abstract statement- is called the topic sentence.

The expository writer, therefore, uses the common methods of logic and thinking: he develops his material by offering examples as evidence, by comparing and contrasting, by making analogies, by restating, by giving reasons, by classifying and dividing his subject, by showing cause and effect, by defining, by arguing from premise to conclusion.

Definition

Definition is in fact a form of expository writing.

A definition is the effort to distinguish an entity from all other things for the purpose of being able to

recognize it or in some way to understand it.

Methods of definition

1. Analysis. The type consists of placing a word in a large class called the genus and then differentiating the word from other members of that class. This method, as old as Aristotle, results in the dictionary kind of definition.

2. Synthesis. This form of definition relates the thing-to-be-defined to something already familiar to the reader or listener. It often reveals the thing-to-be-defined as part of some larger whole.

3. Negative Definition. Which helps to define a thing by making clear what it is not.

4. Exemplification. Often appearing as an aid to definition by analysis or by synthesis is definition by example.

5. Synonyms. Almost as familiar as definition by example is definition by synonyms.

Types of definition

1. Consensual Definition

2. Stipulative Definition

3. Normative Definition

Judgment

Judgment, requires the writer to look at both sides of an issue, to find out what evidence exists and present it clearly, and finally to draw a conclusion.

In argument persuasion is the main purpose. The writer of argument must perforce take sides, be attorney either for the plaintiff or for the defense. The writer of judgment is more like a referee. He must listen to what can be said both for and against, and then he must decide-as objectively and as intelligently as he can- where the truth lies.

Good judgment writing requires more than facility with words. One must begin by learning what he can about the matter in hand. Secondly, the writer of judgment must present the facts clearly and in coherent order. Finally, since facts alone are often not enough, the writer needs to be able to draw the proper inferences.

Argument

The essence of the argument is reason, and reason may work in two ways: by deduction and by induction. The first argues from general premise to particular conclusion; the second from particular fact to broad conclusion.

Deductive argumentation is usually cast in the form of a logical syllogism. At its simplest a syllogism contains two premises and an inference that necessarily follows from them.

If the major premise and the minor premise are true, the inference, or conclusion

The student who wishes to argue well should consult 1) a good textbook, 2) master at least the rudiments of logic, 3) and train himself to detect the common fallacies.