Beginnings & Endings

• What’s in an introduction?– Background information – A thesis statement– A plan of development

• We are becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used in business, hospitals, crime detection and even to fly planes. What things will they be used for in the future? Is this dependence on computers a good thing or should we be more suspicious of their benefits?

• Although no one can deny the fact that computers are transforming our world and lives in an astonishing way and that we rely on them for our daily existence, we should be aware of their potentially damaging impacts on many aspects of our social life and remain skeptical of the overcomputeriziation of world which is ardently advocated by some scientists. In my opinion, computers may jeopardize the overall wellbeing of humans in three fundamental ways if we misuse them.

Another example on page 89

• What is a conclusion?– The conclusion is the last paragraph in your

essay. A conclusion completes the essay and reemphasizes your thesis statement or main ideas.

• A summary of the thesis and the essay’s major points (most useful in long essays.)

• An evaluation of the importance of the essay’s subject.• A statement of the essay’s broader implications.• A recommendation or call to action.• A warning based on the essay’s thesis.• A quotation from an authority or someone whose insight

emphasizes the main point.• A rhetorical question that makes the readers think about

the essay’s main points.• A forecast based on the essay’s thesis.

• So what?– In addition to referring back to your main

idea, your conclusion needs to show your reader the significance of your thesis. When discussing the importance of your thesis, try to address questions such as…

• How and why is this topic important?• How might this topic affect me or other people?• What can be learned from this topic?

As we have seen, international students face a number of difficulties when coming to a new country to study. However, problems such as culture-shock and the language barrier can be lessened before a student comes to the new country through reparation. If you are considering going to school in another country, you should begin learning about the culture, customs, and history of your host nation. Also, you should be sure that you are proficient in the national language or be sure to sign up for language classes once you are there.

• This is the last part of the essay and it makes the final impression on the reader.

• The conclusion should never repeat the assertions presented in the essay word for word.

• Don’t introduce new points or irrelevant material.• Don’t change your stance.• Avoid trite expressions. • A good conclusion should be short but clear.• A good conclusion is always creative and logically

sound.

• Do the activity on page 100.

• A Vote for Same-sex Marriage • A Vote against Same-sex Marriage

• Background – DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act)– Seventeen states - CA, CT, DE, HI, IA, IL, ME,

MD, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NY, RI, VT, and WA - plus Washington, D.C. have the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. In UT, a federal judge has issued a ruling establishing the freedom to marry, and the decision is now stayed pending consideration by the appellate court.

• Possible harms– Children – Ethics– Etc.

Intensifiers

• Extremely important– essential, imperative, vital, indispensable,

crucial• They absolutely wanted to

– they were determined to– they had resolved to– they were bent on– they were insistent upon

• The people have a strong aversion to graft, bribery, embezzlement, and other dirty practice.

• I think there will definitely be genuine stability and unity.

• I firmly believe=I am convinced

• Great historic contributions• If there is serious chaos in Hong Kong• Be firmly banned• Strongly demand• Be totally abolished• The broad masses of the people• A tiny handful of troublemakers

Advice

• Most adverbs are unnecessary. • You probably should delete all intensive

adverbs. Very, really, truly, actually and the like

• Reserve adjectives and adverbs to make your meaning more precise. (a military disaster, a terrible disaster, an economic crisis, an acute crisis, )

Thank You!