写作教程第二版(邹申)-U.ppt

Unit 6 Nature & Thought,Unit Objectives,Definition of Definition,Function of Definition,Features of Definition,Organization of Definition,How to choose right examples,Transitional phrases,Definition of Definition,Sometimes, to avoid confusion or misunderstanding, we have to define a word, term, or concept which is unfamiliar to most readers or open to various interpretations. Definition can be found in almost all expository or persuasive writings. (scientific essays, textbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedia articles, new stories, manuals, government publications and so on.) It answers the questions:,What is it?,What are its limits or boundaries?,To introduce a new term To explain a jargon in some academic discipline To make clear some abstract, controversial or complicated point in argument To make ourselves better understood in everyday affairs,Function of Definition,Definition is, therefore, a very important form of expository writing, a strategy which can be used and found in almost all kinds of writings. Without clear definitions, needless disputes, disagreements and misunderstandings can arise.,Sample 1 P57,The definition in Sample 1 are quite brief, they contain 3 basic elements: The term to be defined The general group or class the term belongs to The distinguishing characteristics of them,There are 3 basic ways to define a word or a term: 1. give a synonym 2. to use a sentence (often with a attributive sentence) 3. to write a paragraph or even an essay.,Features of Definition,Certain principles,1. Avoid circular definitions Democracy is the democratic process. An astronomer is one who studies astronomy. 2. Avoid long lists if synonyms By imagination, I mean the power to form mental images of object; the power to form new ideas; the gift of employing images in writing;. 3. Avoid loaded definitions By state enterprise I mean high cost and poor efficiency.,Pitfalls and strategies P61,1. A good definition. To define the term, the writer relates it to something familiar or already known. 2. Not a good definition. It tends to go in circles. 3. Not a good definition. The term is not adequately differentiated from other similar feelings. 4. A good definition. A synonym is used, which is more familiar. 5. A good definition. It defines by giving a brief explanation. 6. Not a good definition. It uses an example to serve as a definition, but it does not really do the job of defining by putting the term in a class or category and then differentiating it from others in that category.,1. The paragraph mainly offers information. 2. Tornados usually occur (when) on a hot, sticky day with south winds and an ominous sky. (shape) slender twisting funnels averaging no more than 400 yards wide. Tornados may be accomplished by sheet lightning. (color) black, brown or occasionally white. Tornados may sound like a roar of hundreds of jet planes or thousands of railroad cars. (result) buildings to explode. (duration) a very short time. Tornados can be defined as a kind of whirling, highly destructive windstorm.,Sample 2 (paragraph A) P57-58,3. “Tornado” is defined mainly through process analysis of the term, that is to say, by describing where, when, how it occurs, and by describing its shape, sound, effects and duration. Besides, other methods such as description, exemplification, narration, causes and effects, comparison are employed.,Paragraph B P58,1. The first sentence. 2. “wooded area”, “heavy and frequent rains” 3. “Wooded area” The sentences discuss the places where these wooded area exist, the kinds of trees in them, additional characteristics of the trees and other growths in the area. 4. No, sentence 5 is not just about “wooded area”. The sentence ties the 2 ideas of the compound term together. 5. Sentences 6 and 7 set out an example of a particular rainforest, namely, El Yunque.,Unlike sentence definition in Sample 1, the definition in Sample 2 is as long as one paragraph, and this kind of definition is known as extended definition. In Paragraph B, based on a brief explanation of the subject “rainforest” at the beginning, the writer tries to elaborate on the two words “rain” and “forest” through extensive description of their distinctive features, and winds up by citing a specific example of the concept.,Sample 3 P59 Paragraph A,1.It is defined broadly. The first sentence serves as the topic sentence. 2. The term luck is defined in the topic sentence. Then to make clear in a more complete and formal way his personal understanding of the concept, the writer adds a series of short examples to substantiate its reference. 3. It uses an emphatic order, saving the most important detail for the last.,Paragraph B,1. to persuade 2. The extremist goes too far in whatever the person is doing. The extremists are so preoccupied with one concern that they lose their sense of balance. 3. T.S. - The extremist goes too far in whatever the person is doing.,Good people in love are enthusiastic and sincere, tender, sensitive and attentive; Good patriots love their country;,Extremists in love are excessive and intemperate, possessive or smothering; Extreme patriots think citizens from other countries are inferior and suspect;,Results of going extreme: extremists become destructive, nasty and pitiful; lose sense of balance and completeness as human beings. Major methods: exemplification and contrast Minor methods: dictionary definition, etymology 4. The extremist is an involved person who goes too far in attitude or behavior and loses his or her sense of proportions.,Etymology ,tmldi is the study of the origins and historical development of words. 词源学,Transitional Words and Phrases,To define to explain In definition in explanation In other words byis meant To clarify to paraphrase Device method Type property Kind condition Category attribute .,Unit Summary,1. Definition ? 2. Function ? 3. How to use ? 4. Pitfalls & Strategies 5. Transitional words &phrases,Keys for Exercises,1.2(略) 3,4. 1) a stadium is a structure or building in which sports spectaculars are held. 2) socialism is a theory or system of community organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production, capital, land and so forth, in the community as a whole. 3) this is a circular definition, a practice of defining a term with the term itself. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use the energy of light to produce compounds, such as sugar and starch, from a number of substances including water and carbon dioxide. 4) surreptitious means “secret.” 5) political conservatives are people who are dedicated to preserving the existing conditions, such as William F. Buckley, Jr., and Pat Robertson.,6) Hearing aids are a kind of device which enables deaf people to hear sounds such as normal. 5 Task1 - 2 1 3 5 4 6 Task3 to explain a Spanish word which has no exact English equivalent. - courageous behavior and earthy sexuality - “Also” 6 a) For my grandmother, who