English Writing Part 1: Introduction John E. Clayton Nanjing University, Spring, 2005

John Clayton BS – Business, Brigham Young University MBA – Utah State University Joined IBM 1970 Retired 2003 Currently teaching English Writing & Public Speaking at Nanjing University Married 36 years 8 children 17 grandchildren

My Family

We Were Once Skinny

Why We Returned to China

Syllabus 01 Introduction; Overview; Writing a good paragraph 02 Argumentative essays – 03 Journal Journal Journal 1 08 Mid-term exam 09 Business – letters, resumes, SOP Journal Journal Journal Final exam

Objective & Contacts Objective: improve your ability to write in English. Focus: American essays, and business writing. Downloads:

Objective – to Change & Improve

Required Materials One notebook for class notes Two journal writing notebooks 10 RMB materials fee Access to PC for homework

Assignments & Exams Homework: writing assignments, and personal journal. Grade: attendance, participation, homework and exams. Please don’t expect to simply take a test and get a grade. This class is about improving your writing, not just passing an exam.

Attendance & Homework Attendance: sign the roll each class period. Do not ask a classmate to sign for you. Homework: all assignments (except journals) should be done on the PC, and printed out to be handed in. (late homework assignments may not be accepted)

Honesty You are expected to do original work on all of your assignments. Presenting somebody else’s words and ideas as your own (plagiarism) is dishonest, and will result in a “0” on the assignment. Your character is one of your most important assets – don’t sell yourself cheaply.

Circle of Honor I have been asked what I mean by my “word of honor”: I will tell you. Place me behind prison walls – stone, ever so high, ever so thick – there is a possibility that in some way I may be able to escape. But stand me on the floor and draw a chalk line around me, and have me give my word of honor never to cross it. Can I get out of that circle? No, never! I would die first. -- Karl G. Maeser

Is Punctuation Important? Be careful! little things can make a big difference.

Is Punctuation Important? Dear John: I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we're apart. I can be forever happy--will you let me be yours? Gloria

Is Punctuation Important? Dear John: I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we're apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be? Yours, Gloria

Be Careful of Little Things A common problem -- I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Guideline -- A comma: causes the reader to pause briefly should directly follow the last character A period: causes the reader to stop should directly follow the last character

One Little Mistake…

A Balanced Paragraph Riding a bicycle is preferable to driving a car. First of all, a bicycle is relatively inexpensive to buy and to maintain. While a car may cost thousands of dollars annually, a good bicycle will cost only a hundred dollars or so, and its annual maintenance cost is very small. Biking is also healthier. Not only does the biker get more physical exercise than the driver, but bicycles are nonpolluting. The consequence is a person with strong legs and a strong heart whose bicycle helps keep the environment clean. Finally, bicycling is, unlike driving, personally satisfying. Instead of being a robot inside a machine, the biker pedals along, enjoying the scenery, becoming a part of nature. In all but the most inclement weather, the bicycle is a pleasurable means of transportation. Key topic sentence Concluding sentence What specific points are being made?  It's relatively inexpensive  It's healthier  It's personally satisfying

Homework Assignment In Your Notes - Step 1 List 3 subjects you have heard people argue about. In Your Notes - Step 2 Identify the most important item to you. Prepare To Hand-in - Step 3 Write a balanced, detailed paragraph describing three reasons why this issue is important to you.

Homework Example Step 1 (three current arguments) - College freshmen can’t have their own PC - Campus canteens do not meet student needs - Power is turned off at 11:30pm Step 2 (the one most important to me) - Campus canteens do not meet student needs

Homework Example Campus canteens do not meet student needs. Point 1… Point 2… Point 3… Concluding sentence Key topic sentence Concluding sentence What specific points are being made?  The food doesn’t taste good  The food is dirty  The food is too expensive

Getting to Know YOU!

Begin Now Begin homework assignment NOW, while I take your picture

Syllabus 01 Introduction; Overview; Writing a good paragraph 02 Argumentative essays – Structure, Thesis 03 - Introduction, support, conclusion 04- Movie, “Dave”; Essay: “A hero is better than the rest of us” 05- Improving you essay Mid-term exam 09 Review exam, Introduce Business letters, Movie 10 Business – Personal Statement 11 Business – Personal Statement, Resume 12 Business - Resume 13 Business – Cover letters 14 Movie – “Wizard of Oz” – if we are caught up 15 Review for final exam 16 Final exam Holly Springs Video – Sell a town, sell yourself Haunted Mansion – just for fun Dave – what is a hero – a good man 7 Brides for 7 Brothers – process – right way to find a wife Wizard of Oz Johnny Lingo – self confidence Touch of the Master’s Hand – reach out to help someone else Cipher in the Snow – care, and change someone else’s life

Traditional Essay Style We will be studying writing types that will be of use to you during your life First topic: The American Academic Essay This style will be different to you!

Chinese Essay Style Thesis (maybe) Good PointsBad Points Conclusion Thesis (maybe)

American Essay Style Thesis Support Conclusion Support