1 Academic Writing II Spring 2013 Meet twice a week Monday, Tuesday Time: Monday 8:00-9:50 (3-106) Tuesday 2:00-3:50 (3- 422) Phone: Website: Office Hours: (ICB 319)

2 Today: synonyms IELTS T2 useful phrases for T2 Homework: Journal 1 – Due in 1 week

Synonyms Words with the same meaning Such as old people = elderly folks, aged, senior citizens, geriatrics

Synonyms Language lists The words in the following groups are not necessarily synonyms, though many are. It is highly recommended that you study the PPTs or make flashcards in order to learn and review the words in these lists.

Similar words

Language List 1: Statistics & Data (adv.) approximately, almost, around, nearly, roughly (n.) average, mean, median, the norm (v.) categorise, arrange, classify, divide, group, sort (n.) category, class, kind, group, sort, type

(n.) data, facts, figures, information, statistics (n.) factor, aspect, detail, variable (n.) figure, [bar/line/pie/organizational] chart, [flow] diagram, drawing, flow-chart, [bar/line] graph, histogram, illustration, picture, table (n.) frequency, prevalence (adj.) frequent, common, prevalent, regular, ant: infrequent, uncommon, rare (adv.) frequently, commonly, often, regularly, ant: infrequently, rarely (n.) majority, the bulk, ant: minority

(adj.) obvious, clear, apparent, evident (adv.) obviously, clearly, apparently, evidently (n.) occurrence, incidence, rate (n.) odds, chance, likelihood, probability (n.) percentage, portion, proportion, ratio, segment (prep.) regarding, about, concerning, relating to (v.) show, demonstrate, illustrate, reveal (adj.) significant, considerable, notable, remarkable, ant: insignificant, unremarkable (adv.) significantly, considerably, notably, remarkably, ant: insignificantly, unremarkably

Task 2 You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Machine translation (MT) is slower and less accurate than human translation and there is no immediate or predictable likelihood of machines taking over this role from humans. Do you agree or disagree? Write at least 250 words.

On the contrary For instanceespeciallybecause For these reasons In order toIt is trueOf course similarlyhoweverIt seems to be For example Complete the answer by filling the gaps with a word or phrase from the words below: It is true that there have been great advances in technology over the last forty years the use of mobile phones and communication are common these days , machines that translate from one language to another are still in their early stages.

It is true that there have been great advances in technology over the last forty years. For example / For instance the use of mobile phones and communication are common these days. However, machines that translate from one language to another are still in their early stages. On the contrary For instanceespeciallybecause For these reasons In order toIt is trueOf course similarlyhoweverIt seems to be For example

On the contrary For instanceespeciallybecause For these reasons In order toIt is trueOf course similarly howeverIt seems to be For example Complete the answer by filling the gaps with a word or phrase from the words below: that a machine could never do as good a job as a human, when it comes to interpreting what people are saying , machines can translate statements such as “Where is the bank?” but even simple statements are not always straightforward the meaning depends on more than just words the word “bank” has a number of different meanings in English. How does a translating machine know which meaning to take?

On the contrary For instanceespeciallybecause For these reasons In order toIt is trueOf course similarly howeverIt seems to be For example Complete the answer by filling the gaps with a word or phrase from the words below: It seems to me that a machine could never do as good a job as a human, especially when it comes to interpreting what people are saying. Of course, machines can translate statements such as “Where is the bank?” but even simple statements are not always straightforward because the meaning depends on more than just words. For instance / For example the word “bank” has a number of different meanings in English. How does a translating machine know which meaning to take?

On the contrary For instanceespeciallybecause For these reasons In order toIt is trueOf course similarly howeverIt seems to be For example Complete the answer by filling the gaps with a word or phrase from the words below: understand what people are saying, you need to take into account the relationship between the speakers and their situation. A machine cannot tell the difference between the English expression “Look out!” meaning “Be careful!” and “Look out!” meaning “Put your head out of the window”. You need a human being to interpret the situation.

On the contrary For instanceespeciallybecause For these reasons In order toIt is trueOf course similarly howeverIt seems to be For example Complete the answer by filling the gaps with a word or phrase from the words below: In order to understand what people are saying, you need to take into account the relationship between the speakers and their situation. A machine cannot tell the difference between the English expression “Look out!” meaning “Be careful!” and “Look out!” meaning “Put your head out of the window”. You need a human being to interpret the situation.

On the contrary For instanceespeciallybecause For these reasons In order toIt is trueOf course similarly howeverIt seems to be For example Complete the answer by filling the gaps with a word or phrase from the words below: with written language, it is difficult for a machine to know how to translate accurately we rarely translate every word , we try to take into consideration how the idea would be expressed in the other language. This is hard to do every language has its own way of doing and saying things.

On the contrary For instanceespeciallybecause For these reasons In order toIt is trueOf course similarly howeverIt seems to be For example Complete the answer by filling the gaps with a word or phrase from the words below: Similarly with written language, it is difficult for a machine to know how to translate accurately because we rarely translate every word. On the contrary, we try to take into consideration how the idea would be expressed in the other language. This is hard to do because every language has its own way of doing and saying things.

On the contrary For instanceespeciallybecause For these reasons In order toIt is trueOf course similarly howeverIt seems to be For example Complete the answer by filling the gaps with a word or phrase from the words below: I feel that it is most unlikely that machines will take the place of humans in the field of translating and interpreting. If machines ever learn to think, perhaps then they will be in a position to take on this role.

On the contrary For instanceespeciallybecause For these reasons In order toIt is trueOf course similarly howeverIt seems to be For example Complete the answer by filling the gaps with a word or phrase from the words below: For these reasons I feel that it is most unlikely that machines will take the place of humans in the field of translating and interpreting. If machines ever learn to think, perhaps then they will be in a position to take on this role.

Useful phrases 1. It is crucial that we analyze the causes of this disturbing issue and explore effective solutions. From my own perspective, the causes are multiple. 2. One of the most evident reasons is that Another factor that should be taken into considerations is that On the other hand, there are many opponents who strongly argue that _____. However, further analysis make it clear that _____. 5. Taking into account of all these factors, we may reach the conclusion that _____.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Many magazines and websites feature stories about the private lives of famous people. We know their personal lives and we also can see photos of them in private or embarrassing situations. They are not paid for their image being used. Is it appropriate for a magazine or website to give this kind of private information about celebrities? Give reasons for your answer. Write at least 250 words.

Many magazines and websites feature stories about the private lives of famous people. We know their personal lives and we also can see photos of them in private or embarrassing situations. They are not paid for their image being used. Is it appropriate for a magazine or website to give this kind of private information about celebrities? 1. It is crucial that we analyze the causes of this disturbing issue and explore effective solutions. From my own perspective, the causes are multiple One of the most evident reasons is that Another factor that should be taken into considerations is that On the other hand, there are many opponents who strongly argue that _____. However, further analysis make it clear that _____. 5. Taking into account of all these factors, we may reach the conclusion that _____.

Essay Types: You will write 2 essays and weekly journals 1. Remembering an Event ( words) Something that happened to you. An interesting event that you remember clearly. 2. Writing a Profile ( words) You will describe something or someone. 3. Proposing a Solution ( words) You will discuss a problem and explain how to fix it 6. Journal Entries These will be given by the instructor. They will cover various topics. Very similar to IELTS Task 2 questions 7. Vocabulary Quiz A weekly quiz on the target words

Writing a Profile: Description Essay “The devil is in the details.” Benjamin Franklin

What is a Description Essay A description essay appeals to the reader’s five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. It paints a vivid picture with words. The writer’s purpose is to describe people, places, or objects as detailed as possible so that the readers are able to form a clear picture in their minds.

To write a description essay,follow the following steps... Step one: Choose an interesting topic (a person, place or an object)

Step two: Decide on what kind of main impression you want to convey with your description Examples: Topic—Cambridge Campus Main Impression—Cambridge campus is vibrant with the past. It has a great history and historical artifacts like Newton's tree. Topic—My Grandma Main Impression—My grandma is a strong and powerful woman.

Step three: Support the main impression with at least three major features. Examples: Cambridge Campus is vibrant: one can sense the lively atmosphere by watching students busy socializing, faculty members busy conduction classes, and student organizing activities My grandmother is a strong woman. Her strength lies in her intellectual power, her emotional steadiness and her good health.

Step four: Use descriptive details. The following are ways to provide descriptive details. Vague: The pickles tasted strange. Improved: The pickles tasted bitter and spoiled. Vague: The old house smelled strange. Improved: The old house smelled like damp cheese Vague: The man smiled. Improved: The hulking, wild-haired, handsome man grinned widely.

Fixing the wording 1). Replace being verbs (am, be, been, is, was, were) with descriptive action words to improve a description essay. Vague: Leo is having a conversation with Elizabeth. Improved: Leo whispers lovely secrets into Elizabeth’s ear. Improved: Leo yelled at Elizabeth for making a mess in canteen so loud that he embarrassed her in front of her professor Vague: The music is heard throughout the apartment. Improved: The music blares throughout the apartment, destroying dishes and sending our dog to hide away under the bed. Improved: The school choir sings soft songs but has a powerful bass line which can be heard for miles around campus, in fact last year some dogs were so frightened that they began to roam wild and attack citizens.

Fixing the wording 2). Replace boring verbs with action verbs to further enrich the description in the essay. Vague: The salesman looked at Erika when she opened the door. Improved: The salesman started his presentation at Erika when she opened the door. Vague: Paul’s hungry date ate the pastry. Improved: Paul’s hungry date devoured the pastry and got white powdered sugar all over her face until she looked like a scary ghost. 3). Avoid vague nouns, such as thing, stuff, and item. Vague: Honesty is a thing that I admire. Improved: Honesty is a trait that I admire. Vague: Henry gave the stuff to his brother. Improved: Henry gave a truckload of fantasy novels to his brother.

Writing Descriptive Essays I. Introduction 1. Lead-in: Introduce the person or place to be described in an interesting way. 2. Transition: Explain how you get to know this person or place. 3. Thesis Statement: 1). Present the main impression of the person or place. 2). Present the three features that support the dominant impression.

Body Body Paragraph 1 1. Topic Sentence: Introduce the first feature. 2. Supporting Details: Use descriptive details. 3. Closing Remarks: Summarize this paragraph. Body Paragraph 2 1. Topic Sentence: Introduce the second feature. 2. Supporting Details: Use descriptive details. 3. Closing Remarks: Summarize this paragraph. Body Paragraph 3 1. Topic Sentence: Introduce the third feature. 2. Supporting Details: Use descriptive details. 3. Closing Remarks: Summarize this paragraph.

Conclusion 1. Rephrase the thesis sentence. 2. Restate the three features. 3. Extend the significance of the description.

36 Short Assignment: Take out a piece of paper. Describe a simple object. 1 paragraph = about words Use various adjectives and idioms. Make a thesis. Hints: Choose a normal object and make it come to life. Such as a bottle of water or a pencil. Each item has a history. You may attribute human traits to the object. Start with a boring thing and try to make it interesting. It is similar to creative writing.

37 What is a good essay? Structure is more important than content > The structure is correct > At the end of the introduction (the thesis), the reader knows the essay topic clearly. > The main topic is clearly expressed. > The main topic is creative and new. It stands out. > The main idea is well developed. You have already considered any problems that may come up. > The transition is smooth and logical. > Each paragraph has a clear relation to the main topic. > There is evidence and examples to support your essay. > There are good vocabulary words and sentences. > The conclusion is done correctly. > Research is correctly documented. Cite your sources.

38 Review: Thesis Statement A thesis statement needs a topic and an opinion. Topic: what you want to talk about Opinion: what do you think about the topic

39 Example Thesis Statements 1. Our cafeteria would be greatly improved if several changes were made. 2. Doctors are often great role models because of the way they dress, talk, and behave. 3. My first night as a security guard turned out to be one of the most frightening experiences of my life. 4. Motorcycles are inferior to cars because they are harder to control, seasonal, and produce more noise. 5. The twentieth century produced three inventions that dramatically changed the lives of all Americans.

40 Example Thesis Statements 6. Stress in the fast-food workplace has led to serious physical, psychological, and emotional problems for employees. 7. Advertisers target young people in order to market popular goods like shoes, phones, and backpacks. 8. Living in a city has certain advantages over living in the suburbs. 9. Before moving away from home, every person should have mastered certain key skills. 10. Independent “mom and pop” stores are superior to larger chain stores for a number of reasons.

Introduction with hook & thesis Topic Sentence 1 a. Evidence b. Evidence c. Example Make an Outline: Topic Sentence 2 a. Evidence b. Evidence c. Example Topic Sentence 3 a. Evidence b. Evidence c. Example Conclusion

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 1 I want you to write your own IELTS Task 2 type 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