英语段落的分析

英语段落的分析

(1)What is a paragraph?

A paragraph is a group of sentences that develop one central idea.

An effective paragraph must be unified, coherent, specific, and adequately developed.

A standard paragraph has two very important components: a topic sentence—often appearing at the beginning of the paragraph, sometimes at the end, and sometimes in the middle—and supporting sentences.

(2)What is an outline?

An outline is a plan for your writing. It helps you organize your thoughts clearly. Once you’ve worked out a good outline, you have completed 50 percent of the work.

Topic: The Pleasure of Riding a Bicycle

A. Relatively inexpensive

1. To buy

2. To operate

B. Healthy

1. A lot of exercise

2. No pollution

C. Personally satisfying

1. Enjoy the scenery

2. Become part of nature

(3)What is the topic sentence?

The topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is about, contains a controlling idea which is a key word or phrase that express the basic point of a paragraph, and tells the reader what to expect in the paragraph.

E.g.

Writing an outline is an aid to organizing a composition.

(R is the topic, while B a controlling idea.)

Going to college requires much more self-reliance than going to high school.

(4)What is supporting sentences?

The supporting sentences back up and explain the main idea—providing the reader with specific evidence and reasons. They present facts, figures, thoughts, observations, examples and personal experiences. They help to illustrate your point and help the reader understand what your mean. When you provide specific and adequate information, the central idea of your paragraph becomes clear and meaningful.

e.g.2012浙江范文

In the English Reading Week, one of my classmates recommended a quote to us, which goes like this; \"Your future depends on many things, but mostly on you.” I can't agree more with this view. It's true that our future is determined by many things, such as opportunities and help from others, but our own attitude, determination, and hard work play a more important role. In other words, we are the master of our own future.

Take Abraham Lincoln, for example. He was born in a poor family, and only received a limited education in his childhood. Yet through his painstaking efforts, he changed not only his own fate but also the 'history of America. Even to this day. Lincoln is regarded as one of the most inspiring figures in the world. Therefore, I firmly believe that our future is in our own hands.

(5) What is the unity?

Unity means all the sentences within the paragraph must be related to the main point. A unified paragraph is one in which every sentence is devoted to proving the controlling idea in the topic sentence.

(6) What is the coherence?

An effective paragraph not only achieves unity, but also coherence. Both are indispensable. While unity is concerned with ideas or content, coherence is concerned with the form of expression. Coherence refers to the smooth moving from one sentence to the next. If the sentences are well connected, the paragraph is coherent.

To ensure the smooth flow of ideas within a paragraph, you can use the following advice.

1. Pronouns.

This is Tom. He is seventeen years old.

2. Repeating key nouns and key word groups

Conflicts with others are common in everyday life. During the basketball game yesterday afternoon, Su Hua and Li Jiang bumped into each other, trying to catch the ball. Then they started shouting and yelling, and it turned into a horrible

quarrel.

To be honest, it was Su s fault but Li was also to blame—they were not calm enough and both said some really mean things. They cared too much about winning and losing. As a matter of fact, blocking, pushing and bumping are just part of a tough game.

To avoid such conflicts, we should be kind to one another, which is essential to enjoying a harmonious life. It is also a virtue to forgive and forget, especially in such a competitive and stressful society. Instead of blaming each other, we should communicate more and put ourselves in others' place.

Don't be self-centered and try to be considerate. We must learn to handle conflicts calmly and

wisely. (2012江苏)

3. Avoiding pronoun shifts

To be honest, it was Su s fault but Li was also to blame—they were not calm enough and both said some really mean things. We (They) cared too much about winning and losing. As a matter of fact, blocking, pushing and bumping are just part of a tough game.

4. Using transitional signals

Transitional signals are useful words or phrases for helping the reader grasp the connections in a paragraph. Words like “first, next, for example” are like road signs, helping to point the way, to keep the direction clear. They tie ideas together in a paragraph.

e.g.

To avoid such conflicts, we should be kind to one another, which is essential to enjoying a harmonious life. It is also a virtue to forgive and forget, especially in such a competitive and stressful society. Instead of blaming each other, we should communicate more and put ourselves in others' place.