写作

写作：

1. Learning to Write the Topic and the Thesis

First, we‟ll decide a topic. And then we‟ll write the thesis about the topic

How do we choose a suitable topic and write a good thesis?

1) Choosing a suitable and limited topic

Let‟s make a comparison of th e following topics

Marriage Honeymoon

Family My older sister

Children Discipline of children

Sports Players‟ salaries

Work Working as a dishwasher

2) Writing a good thesis

What is a good thesis? (P190)

Thesis statements:

A honeymoon is perhaps the worst way to

begin a marriage.

My older sister helped me overcome my

shyness.

My husband and I have several effective ways of disciplining my children.

Players‟ high salaries are bad for the game, for the fans, and for the values our children are developing.

Working as a dishwasher in a restaurant was my worst job.

3) Some tips on writing a good thesis:

(1) Do not write announcements:

× The subject of this paper will be my parents. ×I want to talk about the crime wave in our country.

×The “baby boom” generation is the concern of this essay.

√ The parents each struggled with personal demons.

√ The recent crime wave in our city has several apparent causes.

√ The “baby boom” generation has changed American society in key ways.

(2) Avoid the thesis statements that are too broad

×Disease has shaped human history.

×Insects are fascinating creatures.

×Men and women are very different.

√ In the mid-1980s, AIDS changed people‟s attitudes about dating.

√Strength, organization, and communication make ants one of nature‟s most successful insects.

√ Men and women are often treated very differently in the workplace.

(3) Make sure thesis statements develop only one idea

×One of the most serious problem affecting young people today is bullying（恃强欺弱）and it is time more kids learned the value of helping others.

×Studying with others has several benefits, but it also has drawbacks and can be difficult

to schedule.

2. Making an outline

The steps of making an outline

1) Make a thesis statement

2) Find the major supporting points for the thesis.

3) Provide supporting details for each major supporting point.

Example:

Thesis: Working as a dishwasher in a restaurant was my worst job.

a. Working conditions

(1) Heat in kitchen

(2) Noisy work area

b. Working hours

(1)Ten-hour shifts

(2) Hours changed every week

c. Pay

(1) No bonus for overtime