1. Discovering Disciplines General to Specific
Week 2, Tuesday

2. General- Specific Organisation
Academic writing is generally organised by moving from general to more specific ideas.
A paragraph starts with the general topic (in a topic sentence) and then gives more information, reasons and examples (more specific details).
Why do you think this structure is used?

3. Task 1- Matching
Match the words with their meanings.

4. Task 2- Reading & Speaking
Decide which part of the sentence is general and which is specific
There are TWO sentences which are NOT general to specific

5. Task 3-Writing a Paragraph
Paragraphs include: topic sentence, additional information, examples and reasons. Ideally, they finish with a summary sentence.
Put the paragraphs in order  and identify each part of the paragraph.

6. Task 4- Paragraphs
Which part of the topic sentence is the topic and which part is the focus?

7. Task 5- Topic Sentences
Look at the sentence frames for possible topic sentences.
Add prepositions
Identify the grammatical parts of the sentences
Write 3 topic sentences using the frames.

8. [gerund+ prepositional phrase] A Another key major
The two
biggest
greatest
most important
problem _____
reason ____
factor ______
drawback _____
advantage ___
difficulty___ _
examinations
free university
studying abroad
using tests is
are
that + [clause]
[noun]
[gerund+ prepositional phrase] A
Another
key
major
Grammar: Determiner + adjective+ noun + preposition+ HEAD NOUN + is/ are + that + [clause]// + noun// + gerund+ prepositional phrase

9. HEAD Noun + preposition Post- modifier
Determ iner
Adjective
HEAD Noun preposition
Post- modifier
The
The two
biggest
greatest
most important
problem with
reason for
factor in/of
drawback of/to
advantage of
difficulty in/with
examinations
free university
studying abroad
using tests is
are
that + [clause]
[noun]
[gerund + prepositional phrase] A
Another
key
major
With answers

10. Examples
The biggest problem with examinations is that students are often nervous about them.
(+ SVO clause)
Another major difficulty of using tests is reliability. (+ noun)
The greatest advantage of studying abroad is learning about new cultures.
(+ gerund+ prepositional phrase)
Ss identify the grammar.

11. Task 6- Writing a Paragraph
Choose ONE of your topic sentences and write a paragraph developing it (60 words)
Add reasons and examples (specific details)
Exchange the paragraph with your classmate- do the details support the topic sentence?
Pin the paragraphs to the wall and students can review each others’.