八、Argument结尾段模式训练
Example 1: 上文的最后一段
Example 2:
The following appeared in a letter from a staff member in the office of
admissions at Argent University.
“The most recent nationwide surveys show that undergraduates choose their
major field primarily based on their perception of job prospects in that
field. At our university, economics is now the most popular major, so
students must perceive this field as having the best job prospects.
Therefore, we can increase our enrollment if we focus our advertising and
recruiting on publicizing the accomplishments of our best-known economics
professors and the success of our economics graduates in finding
employment.”
Topic Sentence 1: First, the argument is based on a gratuitous assumption
that students throughout the country must perceive economics as having the
best job prospects because economics is the most popular major at Argent
University.
Topic Sentence 2: Second, the arguer overemphasizes the importance of
economics major and ignores other possible factors that may contribute to
the enrollment.
Topic Sentence 3: Another assumption in short of legitimacy is the causal
relationship claimed between publishing the accomplishments of Argent’s
best-known economics professors as well as the success of its economics
graduates in finding employment and the enrollment increase.
------------------------------------------------第四课时完------------------
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（to continue）
In conclusion, the argument is unconvincing because the arguer
oversimplifies both the problem and its possible solutions. To strengthen
the argument, the arguer would have to provide evidence that the economics
is indeed the most attractive major for undergraduates all over the
country. To better evaluate the argument, we would need more information
about the present enrollment situation of both the economics field and
other fields at Argent University as well as other possible effective means
for promoting enrollment.
九、Argument小结
Part Two
十、是非问题例文分析
Case Study 1：
“People often complain that products are not made to last. They feet that
making products that wear out fairly quickly wastes both natural and human
resources. What they fail to see, however, is that such manufacturing
practices keep costs down for the consumer and stimulate demand.”
Which do you find more compelling the complaint about products that do not
list or the response to it? Explain your position using relevant reasons
and/or examples drawn from your own experience, observations, or reading.
2分作文：
I find the response better than the complaint of people. The response seems
to originate without much thought involved. It is more of an emotional
complaint than one anchored in logic or thought. Yes, it is a waste of
human resources but that is without consideration to the benefits: lower
costs and stimulated demand. Thus, the response fails to recognize the
benefits.
The strength of the response is that it forces the reader to reconsider the
complaint. It adds a new dimension to the argument. It, however, fails to
address the issue of wasting human resources. Does this mean the responder
agrees with the notion of wasting resources.
In all actuality both the response and complaint is ineffective. The
complaint doesn’t recognize or address the benefits, like the response
doesn’t address the issue of wasting resources. The response, however,
does bring in a new dimension and thus weakens the argument of the
complaint.
4分作文：
I find the response to the complaint more compelling. Although the
complaint is valid, it is most often the case the building a product to
last forever will indeed cost more than the average consumer is willing to
pay. Creating such a product would require more materials and/or more heavy-
duty wear resistant materials which inherently are more expensive. Another
factor that would drive costs up is the fact that demand for products would
decrease. The demand would decrease since people do not have to replace old
products with new products as often. With the increased variable costs for
materials combined with a reduction in the production volume associated
with lower demand, manufacturers must raise prices to break even or
maintain the current level of profits.
Although a few producers may make products to last, it is understandable
how these companies can be driven out of existence. If a new competitor
enters the market with a similar product that has a shorter life but a
substantially lower price, then they will probably steal major portions of
the other company's market share. The effects depend heavily upon the
consumer’s perception of quality and what the customers requirements from
the product actually are.
For example, consumers may decide between two types of automobiles. One car
may be built to last a long time but may not have the performance or be as
comfortable as another car that is cheaper. So most consumers would
purchase the cheaper car even though it may not last-as long as the heavy-
duty car. Consumers may not realize that the more expensive car is of
higher quality in the sense that it will last longer and will not be
willing to pay the extra cost.
Consumer decisions also depend on what consumers are actually looking for
in a product. Consumers typically get tired of driving the same car for
many years and want to buy new cars fairly often. This tendency forces
producers to keep costs low enough to allow low enough prices for people to
buy cars often. People don’t want cars to last forever.
In conclusion, producers are in the situation that they're in due to
external forces from the consumers. Producers must compete and they have
found the best way satisfy the majority of the consumers.
6分作文：
Many people feel that products are not made to last, and correspondingly,
many natural and human resources are wasted. On the other hand, it can be
noted that such manufacturing practices keep costs down and hence stimulate
demand. In this discussion, I shall present arguments favoring the former
statement and refuting the latter statement.
Products that are not made to last waste a great deal of natural and human
resources. The exact amount of wasted natural resources depends on the
specific product. For example in the automobile industry, the Yugo is the
classic example of an underpriced vehicle that was not made to last.
Considering that the average Yugo had (not “has” since they are no longer
produced! ) a life expectancy of two years and 25, 000 miles, it was a
terrible waste.
Automobile industry standards today create vehicles that are warranted for
about five years and 50, 000 miles. By producing cheap Yugos that last less
than half as long as most cars are warranted, the Yugo producer is wasting
valuable natural resources. These same resources could be used by Ford or
Toyota to produce an Escort or Tercel that will last twice as long, thereby
reducing the usage of natural resources by a factor of two.
Human resources in this example are also wasteful. On the production side,
manufacturers of a poor quality automobile, like the Yugo, get no personal
or profession satisfaction from the fact that their product is the worst
automobile in the United States. This knowledge adversely affects the
productivity of the Yugo workers.
Conversely, the workers at the Saturn plants constantly receive positive
feedback on their successful products. Saturn prides itself with its
reputation for quality and innovation as is seen in its recent massive
recall to fix a defect. This recall was handled so well that Saturn's image
was actually bolstered. Had a recall occurred at a Yugo plant, the bad
situation would have become even worse.
Another factor in the human resources area is the reaction by the consumer.
A great deal of human resources have been wasted by Yugo owners waiting for
the dreaded tow truck to show up to haul away the Yugo carcass. Any vehicle
owner who is uncertain of his/her vehicle's performance at 7 AM as he/she
is about to drive to work, senses a great deal of despair. This is a great
waste of human resources for the consumer.
While the consumer senses the waste of natural and human resources in a
poor quality product, so does the manufacturer. People who argue that low
quality manufacturing processes keep costs low for the consumer and hence
stimulate demand should look at the Yugo example. In the mid-1998’s the
Yugo was by far the cheapest car in the United States at $ 3995. By 1991,
the Yugo was no longer sold here and was synonymous with the word “lemon.”
Case Study 2：
“The best way to give advice to other people is to find out what they want
and then advise them how to attain it.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion
expressed above. Support your point of view with reasons and/or examples
from your own experiences, observations, or reading.
Student Essay
When I was in Senior Middle School, I was an excellent student. And all my
teachers believed that I would enter into a first-class university and
would have a splendid future. Unfortunately, just before the Entrance
Examination, l met an accident and laid down in bed for several months. At
last, I was only admitted by a second-class university. With great
disappointment, I felt that my future was nothing but darkness. And also I
was afraid of being blamed by my patents.
Mother saw through my thoughts. She borrowed several instructive books for
me and seldom mentioned the exams. For the first time, my parents asked for
several days off and took me to Qingdao--the most famous scenic spot of
China --for vacation. Along the seaside, Mother talked with me for many
times. I can still clearly remember what she said: “The ways to success
are different. If you keep positive and make efforts continuously, I
believe that you will be no less excellent than those from first-class
universities.” At last, eternity? Ask yourself what are you going to be in
the future. Try your best, and you will reach your goal. "
For so many years, Mother' s words seems to have inscribed in my heart and
lead me to gain successes one after another. From this personal experience,
I fully understand and agree that the best way to give advice to other
people is to find out what they want and then advise them how to attain it.
------------------------------------------------第五课时完------------------
-----------------------------
Revised Essay
What is the best way to give advice to other people? The arguer claims that
the best way is to find out what other people want and then advise them how
to attain it. While I admit that many people do give advice by catering to
other people’s desires, I maintain that this method oversimplifies the
issue and often proves both harmful and ineffective.
In the first place, people very often have no clear idea of what they
really want. My personal experience is a case in point. When I was in
Senior Middle School, I was an excellent student. Moreover, all my teachers
believed that I would enter a first-class university and would have a
splendid future. Unfortunately, just before the Entrance Examination, I had
an accident and had to lie in bed for several months. As a result, I was
admitted only by a second-class university, which pushed me to the brink of
despair. At this decisive moment of my life, my mother came to my rescue.
By recommending to me instructive books on life, by talking with me heart
to heart, by taking me on a trip to the beach, mother convinced me that the
goal of my life was to live a successful and happy life rather than to go
to a famous university, and that the ways to success are various. In this
way my mother saved me out of the crisis of my life not simply by finding
out what I wanted and then advising me how to attain it, but by patiently
enlightening me on the essential meaning and purpose of life, making me
realize that what I took for granted as my aim of life was not what I
really needed.
In the second place, more often than not what people want is not what is
best for them. A naive child may want to quit school; a patient suffering
from TB may want to smoke; a jobless young man may want to commit suicide---
-this list can go on and on. In all these situations, should we simply find
out what they want and advise them how to attain it? Obviously not.
Admittedly, it would be unwise to ignore the simple fact that people are
different. As we know, excessive interference with other people’s life
tends to threaten their freedom and independence, causing hostility and
confrontation. Therefore, when offering advice to other people, we should
be very sensitive to their unique feelings and desires, knowing that
individual human beings have the inalienable right to make choices in their
life and that they themselves will be responsible for the results of their
decision-making.
In conclusion, I do not agree that the best way to advise people is simply
to find out what they desire and help them achieve it. In my estimation,
the pitfalls of such a technique outweigh its potential advantages. To be a
responsible advisor, we should take into account far more intricate factors
relevant to the person to be advised.
十一、Issue的立场问题
评分依据是：是否有效地支持了你的立场
Taking a Position:
1. Agreeing with concession
2. Disagreeing with concession
3. Refusing to take sides
4. Agreeing
5. Disagreeing
十二、是非问题例文分析
Case Study 3：
"The rise of multinational corporations is leading to global homogeneity.
People everywhere arc beginning to want the same products and services, and
regional difference are rapidly disappearing." "homogeneity: sameness,
similarity."
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion
expressed above. Support your point of view with reasons and/or examples
based on your own experience, your observations, or your reading.
Student's Essay
During the past few decades, multinational corporations have successfully
implemented strategies expanding themselves into almost every comer of the
world. The products and services they provide are almost the same, leading
to global homogeneity, indeed.
The most prominent corporation among all has to be McDonald Inc. There is
really no doubt that McDonald is a pioneer in globalizing its most produced
and yet very -- American -- taste hamburgers. Some 6 years ago in China,
People usually did not care for foreign food. Very few people ever knew the
taste of cheese, a symbol of difference in oriental and Western food.
However, McDonald proved to be huge success in China. The first branch it
opened in Beijing is the largest among its thousands franchises.
Hamburgers, French fries, Big Mac are becoming household words in China.
Especially among the younger generations, going to McDonald once in a while
becomes a routine activity in life, just as kids in other parts of the
world do.
There is really no better place than China that can demonstrate how
homogeneous our world has become. Another great example is Coca Cola.
Everyone hated the taste when they drank Coca Cola in the first time. In
China, the taste is so different from the traditional soft drinks sold in
China, which mainly feature sweet taste and fruit flavor. The color of the
Coke is also not liked because of its similarity to most herbal medicine
fluids. But it seems that people simply want Coca Cola because they see
people drink it and love it in other countries. People's tastes can change,
and they did gradually. Now Coca Cola is the best sold soft drink in China,
and in many other countries where Coke was originally disliked.
These all have to be attributed to the financial power of multinational
corporations. With superior financial strength and successful products and
services, these giants are shaping the world and the people living in it
into their own favor, making people want the same products and services,
and regional differences have been disappearing.
Revised Essay
Why are people everywhere beginning to want the same products and services?
Why are regional differences rapidly disappearing? The arguer asserts that
it is the rise of multinational corporations that is leading to this global
homogeneity. We don’t have to look very far to see the validity of this
argument.
During the past few decades, multinational corporations have successfully
implemented strategies expanding themselves into almost every corner of the
world, bringing the same products and standard services to customers of
different countries and regions. The most striking example among all is
perhaps McDonald Inc, which has miraculously globalized its mass-produced
American-flavored hamburger all over the world. Take China for an example.
Some 6 years ago, Chinese people did not care for foreign food; very few
people knew the taste of cheese--a symbol of difference between Oriental
and Western food. However, with its overwhelming advertising campaigns,
with its efficient management, with its standardized foods and services,
McDonald’s has proved to be a great success, turning Hamburger, French
fries, Big Mac into household words in China.
In addition to McDonald’s, Coca-Cola is another striking example of the
globalizing trend in world culture. Today almost in every country of the
world, people instinctively think of Coca-Cola when they want to drink
something. Obviously, with the rapid emergence of numerous multinational
corporations like McDonald and Coca-Cola, people of different races and
cultures are more and more likely to eat, drink, wear and use uniform
commodities.
Admittedly, the rise of multinational corporations is not the only factor
that has contributed to the global homogeneity. First, the more and more
prosperous international travel has provided people of every nation with
more and more opportunities to visit and learn from foreign cultures.
Second, television has made it possible for people of different places to
understand and imitate each other’s way of life. Last but not least, the
Internet is connecting every office and family, turning the whole world
into a global village.
In conclusion, while numerous other factors have contributed to and are
still adding to the globalizing trend, the rise of multinational
corporations is certainly one major force in shaping a homogeneous world.
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Case Study 4：
"Every business decision is based on the profit motive. Even charity has as
its ultimate goal generating good will for the person or group doing the
charity."
Assuming that the term "business decision" is broad enough to include the
decisions of any decision-making authority--an individual, a family, a
small business or a large corporation--explain whether you think that this
point is valid. In your discussion, use reasons and/or examples drawn from
your own experience, observation, or reading.
Student’s Essay
Many people believe that profit motive is the base of every business
decision. Even ultimate goal of people or groups is to make profit when
they are doing charity. I think that sometimes people make decision based
on profit , but it is not always true.
The claims may be real and understandable under certain circumstances. In
order to remain in existence, people or organizations must get profit. For
example, a food-processing company may donor its products to Africa
children, so it can solve its excessive store, get a good reputation and
publicity its products. At last, it can gain ultimate its aim--making more
money.
Although this thing may be happening in our lives, I think it is not
consistent with general facts. I believe many people's decision rests on
love sympathy, humanity and other things. The famous nurse--Nightingale is
a good example: She was born in a rich family and she could live in a cozy,
fortunate life. But she chose to be a nurse and devoted her life to the
wound and the poor. Nobody can say what all she did is to make profit.
In conclusion, I hold that business decision sometimes is based on the
profit motive, but in most cases, it is based on people's emotion or
character.
Revised Essay
Many people believe that profit motive is the basis of every business
decision. Furthermore, they claim that the ultimate goal of every people or
group including charity organizations is to make profit. In my opinion, it
is true that people often make decisions by calculating profit, but it is
unfounded to assert that any decision-making is motivated by profit.
The arguer's claim may be true and understandable under certain
circumstances. For one thing, in order to survive in the economic world,
people or organizations have to make profit. As we know, the first thing
that people must do on earth is to survive. Without adequate profit out of
investment, no single human being or organization can make a living. For
another, individuals or organizations are instinctively dissatisfied with
what they have already achieved. They strive for further development, for
greater success and hence for higher profit. For example, a food-processing
company may donate its products to African children so that it can not only
reduce its overstocking products, but also win a good reputation and
publicize its products. As it turns out, the ultimate result is always
expectedly rewarding--big bucks.
Although people all over the world spare no pains to seek fortune through
various means, it is unwise for us to conclude that any decision-making is
necessarily profit-oriented. First, some examples of altruism are difficult
to explain in terms of self-interest alone. The famous nurse Nightingale is
a good example. Born in a rich family, she could naturally live a cozy,
fortunate life. But she chose to be a nurse and devoted all her life to the
wounded and the poor. Nobody can say for sure that all she did is to make
profit. Second, this argument is not consistent with the fact that human
motivation is far too complex. Many of our daily decisions rest on love,
sympathy, humanity and other things. Finally, it is ridiculous to lump
together "profit" and "good will". Obviously, these two terms are not
interchangeable.
In conclusion, the arguer oversimplifies human nature. Although business
decisions and many of our daily decisions are based on the profit motive,
it would be too cynical to assume that profit is the only thing that
motivates people in the world. I wonder if the speaker has any hidden
profit motive in making this argument, which is certainly not a profitable
idea.
Part Three: Summary
十三、Language Skills
1. Sentence Variety
Example 1:
Change: Beijing’s streets are crowded with taxis, company cars and private
vehicles owned by the newly affluent. The number has been rising rapidly in
the last few years. The latest statistics show there are now 1.2 million
vehicles in Beijing alone.
To: Taxis, company cars and private vehicles owned by the newly affluent
have crammed Beijing’s streets in rising numbers in the last few years--
1.2 million vehicles at last count.
Example 2:
Change: Thousands of buildings met the same fate. This alone is now being
preserved. It marks the center of the nuclear explosion. It is being
preserved as a symbol. It symbolizes our wish that there be no more
Hiroshimas.
To: Of the thousands of buildings that met the same fate, this alone,
marking the center of the nuclear explosion, is now being preserved to
symbolize our wish that there be no more Hiroshimas.
Example 3:
Change: It was quite obvious at that time that IQ equals intelligence.
Since then, however, many people have seriously criticized the idea.
To: The idea that IQ equals intelligence seemed obvious at the time but has
since come under much criticism.
2. Parallel Structure
Example 1:
Change: He retired respected by his associates, admired by his friends, and
his employees loved him.
To: He retired respected by his associates, admired by his friends, and
Loved by his employees.
Example 2:
Change: As a young man he had been to Shanghai, had fought in the Anti-
Japanese War, and following the Nationalist Party to Chongking.
To: As a young man he had been to Shanghai, had fought in the Anti-Japanese
War, and had followed the Nationalist Party to Chongking.
Example 3:
Change: This could be a problem for both the winners and for those who lose.
To: This could be a problem for both the winners and the losers.
Example 4:
Change: The sentences are difficult to understand, not because they are
long but they are obscure.
To: The sentences are difficult to understand, not because they are long
but because they are obscure.
Example 5:
Change: He explained that the advertising campaign had been successful,
business had increased more than forty percent, and additional capital was
sorely needed.
To: He explained that the advertising campaign had been successful, that
business had increased more than forty percent, and that additional capital
was sorely needed.
3. Attributive Clause
Example 1:
Change: It is a truth that is universally acknowledged that a single man in
possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
To: It is a truth that is universally acknowledged that a single man in
possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
Example 2:
Change: Only a person who is oblivious to the facts of modern life would
doubt the need of vocational education today.
To: Only a person oblivious to the facts of modern life would doubt the
need of vocational education today.
4. Pronouns
1) Change: He wanted his teachers to think he was above average, as he
could have been if he had used it to advantage.
To: He wanted his teachers to think he was above average, as he could have
been if he had used his ability to advantage.
2) Change: My sister is a biology teacher, it is a profession I know
nothing about.
To: My sister is a biology teacher, but the teaching of biology is a
profession I know nothing about.
3) Change: We should have prepared for our examination earlier. It is too
late to do it now.
To: We should have prepared for our examination earlier. It is too late now.
5. Punctuation Marks
冒号:
1) Most sports programs, despite their excesses, manage to promote the old
virtues such as self-confidence, personal responsibility, teamwork,
persistence, the ability to win and lose with grace.
2) For Omar Khayyam, a Persian Poet, three things are necessary for a
paradise on earth: a loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and one’s beloved.
破折号:
1) What he lacked in intelligence--and he lacked a good deal--he made up
for in physical strength.
2) In many parts of the developing world, life’s basic necessities--food,
clothing, shelter, and taxes--gobble up people’s earnings.
3) Every afternoon, Larry has two hours of track practice. He has followed
the same routine five days a week since he was seven--all in hopes of
winning a college athletic scholarship and eventually a shot at the
Olympics.
4) Government is only as good as the man in it--which is why it needs more
women.
分号:
1) The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feed.
2) Science needs to live alongside religion, philosophy, history and
esthetic experience; alone it can lead to great harm.
3) According to one national survey, high school boys expected a starting
salary of $19,500 for their first full-time job; on the other hand, high
school girls expected a starting salary of only $15,000.
括号:
1) For a long time (too long as far as I’m concerned), women were thought
to be inferior to men.
2) We think (unless we live in a research laboratory), that we have nothing
to discover, and the only things of the utmost importance to us concern the
present of the man.
十四、Prep Tips
1. Recite the outlines;
2. Prepare essay frames;
3. Write as many essays as possible according to your conditions;
4. Read and recite sample essays and the materials in the KIT of my book;
5. Learn to revise your own essays according to the following checklist:
作文自查清单
1)．是否针对题目写作，有没有跑题？
2)．结构是否合理，有无完整的开头、正文（2到3段）和结尾？
3)．是否在开头段提出了自己的立场？
4)．中间段落每段是否有主题句（topic sentence）？
5)．中间段落每段是否用事例或理由支持该段的主题句？
6)．是否使用连接词使文章上下文连贯、通顺？
7)．每段是否有句式变换？
8)．结尾段是否总结了自己的理由并重申了自己的立场？
9)．语言方面是否有下列错误：大小写错误、标点符号错误、拼写错误、串句、错 位修饰、
排比错误、主谓语不一致、定语从句错误、时态错误、名词单复数错误、搭配错误、词性错
误、用词不当，等等？
十五、Suggestions
Practice makes perfect.
