Academic Writing IV

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Academic Writing IV

Spring 2013 Meet twice a week M, W (Sec.201)

Monday 2:00-3:50 (3-505) Wednesday 8:00-9:50 (3-516)

E-mail: Austin Casey [email protected]

Phone: 134 3922 0499

Website: http://austincasey.yolasite.com/

Office Hours: (ICB 319) Wednesday 6-8, Thursday 10-12

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Today:

Go over grammar quiz Writing TestT1T2

Homework: Essay Final Draft

End of Session Exam

Next week is the End of session exam

No class next week:

Monday (4:10-4:50)201,202-Academic Communication IV-1-Warren-3-124

(4:50-5:50)201,202-Academic Writing IV-1-Austin/Matthew-3-124

Essay 1

Hand in the rough draft (first draft) of essay with the final draft.

2 together

A.Writing T1-T2

Remember do T2 first (66.% of the grade) and T1 secondly.

Writing Task 1: Choc Production

How chocolate is produced, manufacturing process

Notice there are 10 steps according to the diagram. Notice the general trends: growing, transporting, and processing the chocolate. Do not report on all features, just the main trends. Then, specifically mention a few of the important processes.For the conclusion, just paraphrase your introduction.

Illustration = diagram, illustrated figure, set of pictures, layout, drawing, representation on chocolate production

T2: Synonyms1. talent = ability, skill, to have a knack for sth

2. to be born with talent = inborn talent = innate talent = raw talent/ability = god-given ability = to be endowed with gifts

3. a genius = a savant = an idiot savant = born a genius = a naturally born genius = gifted kids = hand picked by god

4. fostered talent = book smart, learned abilities, acquired knowledge

5. the age old question of nature vs. nurture = book smart vs. street smart

6. “hard work beats talent”Quote: “hard work beats talent when talent refuses to work hard”

7. on the other hand = to the opposite end

8. clever = street smart, to have moxy, to be cunning (like a fox), to be savvy, to have the right stuff, to be mentally deft

WRITING TASK 2You should spend 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Nowadays, there are basically two ways to bring up children. One is to encourage them and let them do what they want and make their own decisions. The other is to guide them strictly to do what the parent thinks best.

Which method of fostering children do you agree with?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words



Some people think that it is parents' responsibility to teach children how to become good members of society, while others think it is the job of schools.

Whose responsibility do you think it is to teach children the values of society?





It is generally believe that some peopple are born with certain talents, for instance for sport or music, and others are not. However, it is sometimes claimed that any child can be taught to become a good sportsman or musician.

Which side do you believe has the biggest influence on us, nature or nurture?



You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.


Many people believe that educational standards have declined in recent times particularly in the areas of mathematics and science.

Discuss the causes of this problem and offer some possible solutions to it.

Write at least 250 words.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.


The children of rich families are better able to cope and deal with the pressures of society and therefore are more successful.

Do you agree or disagree?


Write at least 250 words.

Activity: Choose one, write topic, thesis, supporting evidence

What is the most important quality of a good friend?

What do you think can make friends break up?

Why do modern people have fewer friends these days?

What do you think of the educational system in your country?

How can teachers encourage creativity in students?

Who is the most successful person you know?

Do you think an adventurous spirit is born or nurtured?

What kind of people are more likely to succeed?

Who do you admire the most?

Example

1. What is the most important quality of a good friend?

Topic: Important quality of friends

Thesis: Friendship can teach us the benefits of teamwork, as well as how to get along with others and be successful, therefore trust is an essential quality in a good friend.

Metaphors and Similes

Make comparisons of two dissimilar things.

Similes use the word as/like

Metaphors do not

Ex: Simile – Bill was like an annoying bird chirping in my ear

Ex: Metaphor – Bill was an annoying bird chirping in my ear

Metaphors and Similes

Ex: Simile – Bill ran as fast as a cheetah in the school marathon.

Ex: Metaphor – Bill was a cheetah in the school marathon.

Similes make the sentence meaning more clear and therefore are used for rare comparisons.

Metaphors are more ambiguous and are more poetic.

Common Similes

"as old as dirt"

"slow as molasses"

"white as a ghost".

“run like the wind”

Common Metaphors

Bill is a pig

This room is an oven. = a hot room

The crowd began to simmer down. = calm down

You are a recipe for disaster = someone who's personality will always cause trouble (note: “recipe for disaster” is a set phrase you cannot change it)

A wire is a highway for electrons (it is not actually a highway)

Veins are highways for blood

The lawyer grilled the witness = the witness felt so hot due to questioning by the lawyer

Very Common Metaphors – Cooking

Boiling mad = very angry

The netizens flamed Bill on the blog = said bad things about him

James cooked Bill = yelled at him

He knew that he was going to be toast when he faced his parents

Activity: Make a sentence using:

To be boiling mad

To flame someone

To cook someone

To be toast

Make a sentence 1-4.

Examples:

1. Jane was boiling mad when she discovered her boyfriend playing badminton with another girl.

2. A hobby of lonely or shy people is often to flame others on internet blogs.

3. The doctor cooked the trainee for making a critical mistake in the medical exam.

4. I'm going to be toast when my father finds out that I missed 2 Biology classes.

Activity – make a metaphor with the following word sets

Car, refrigerator

Tommy, pig

Cindy, mule

Bill, glass of water

Chad, airplane

Activity – make a metaphor or simile with the following word sets

Even though it was a burning hot day, my car was as cool as a refrigerator thanks to the new air conditioner.

Tommy is as cute as a pig.

Cindy is a mule when it comes to her studies, she won't even take a break to eat lunch until her homework is finished!

Bill is as plain as a glass of water. (also pure, boring, dull, transparent)

Chad was an airplane in track, gaining the gold medal in running.

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Essay: Useful Idioms 21. paint the town red = ?

2. kill two birds with one stone = ?

3. don't cry over spilled milk = ?

4. the early bird catches the worm = ?

5. butterflies in the stomach = ?

6. fish out of water = ?

7. give it a whirl = ?

8. tip of the iceberg = ?

9. black sheep = ?

10. bring home the bacon = ?

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Essay: Useful Idioms 21. paint the town red = have an amazing night around town!

2. kill two birds with one stone = accomplish 2 things at once

3. don't cry over spilled milk = don't worry about a small thing

4. the early bird catches the worm = early person has advantage

5. butterflies in the stomach = nervous

6. fish out of water = in a new environment

7. give it a whirl = give it a try

8. tip of the iceberg = just a small part of the whole

9. black sheep = sb who is different than others in a group

10. bring home the bacon = the bread winner, provide for the family

Activity – make a sentence with the following idioms

Butterflies in the stomach

fish out of water

black sheep

paint the town red

Common Idioms 3

Apple of my eye

Carry a torch for someone

Kick the bucket / have a bucket list

Diamond in the rough

My knight in shining armor

Have your cake and eat it too

All the world's a stage

Be like clay

Common Idioms 3

Apple of my eye = your treasure

Carry a torch for sb = carry love for sb

Kick the bucket = to die

Diamond in the rough = sth good in the bad

My knight in shining armor = your hero

Have your cake and eat it too = best of both worlds

All the world's a stage = everyone plays their part in this world

To be like clay = moldable, easy to control (person) *neutral word *

Activity – make a sentence with the following word sets

Jane, clay

Bill, diamond in the rough

Bill, kick the bucket

Jane, have her cake and eat it too

Essay Types:You will write 2 essays and weekly journals

1. Remembering an Event (550-650 words)Something that happened to you. An interesting event that you remember clearly.2. Writing a Profile (550-650 words)You will describe something or someone.3. Proposing a Solution (550-650 words)You will discuss a problem and explain how to fix it

6. Journal EntriesThese will be given by the instructor. They will cover various topics.

Very similar to IELTS Task 2 questions7. Vocabulary Quiz

A weekly quiz on the target words

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Course Schedule:Lesson A Lesson B

Week 3 Grammar, T1 MLA Referencing Journal 2 Due

Week 4 Essay 1: Choose your topic T2

Week 5 Essay 1 Rough Draft Due (550+ words)

Week 6 Essay 1 Final Draft WEDNESDAY(550+ words)

Week 7 T2, Reading Test J3

Journal 1

Different Shops

Write an essay comparing and contrasting the experience of shopping at two different kinds of stores. Use specific reasons and examples to illustrate the stores' similarities and differences.

Use 4 vocabulary words from Chapter 6

Journal 2

Choose an IELTS Task 2 question and answer it. Remember choose a trend or a problem. Then use the format “what are your opinions on this”

Use 4 vocabulary words from Chapter 6

Journal 3: Bucket List

A bucket list is a list of things you want to do in your life before you die.

Although this is a creative writing assignment, you must still follow the correct structure as usual.

250+ words, follow normal structure: Introduction, Body, Conclusion. Make a thesis

Journal 4: IELTS T2

Choose a science or technology based IELTS Task 2 question and answer it. Remember choose a trend or a problem. Then use the format “what are your opinions on this”

Write the question clearly and paraphrase it for the introduction.

250+ words, use 4 vocabulary words from Chapter 7

Journal 4: Tech

TOPICS: people's reliance on machines, government spending money for space exploration and development of new energy tech like ITER or CERN, military tech, functional robots

Will modern people forget basic survival and necessary skills like writing and cooking because they use machines too much?

How do you think people in the future will use robots?

Why do people long for tech?

Homework

T1&T2 handout

Essay 1 (Final Draft)

Documents

Academic Writing IV