英语应用文写作要点问答.doc

Q & A for Practical Writing1What is the purpose of prewriting and what are three methods of this process?Prewriting can help you generate ideas for your writing assignmentThree method listing, free writing and clustering2What is the process of writing?Prewriting: choosing and narrowing a topic, brainstormingPlanning (outlining) Making sub-lists writing topic sentence outliningWriting and revising drafts:3. What is a thesis and how is it related to a dissertation? A thesis is a hypothesis or conjecture. A PhD dissertation is a lengthy, formal document that argues in defense of a particular thesis. (So many people use the term thesis to refer to the document that a current dictionary now includes it as the third meaning of thesis). Two important adjectives used to describe a dissertation are original and substantial. The research performed to support a thesis must be both, and the dissertation must show it to be so. In particular, a dissertation highlights original contributions4. What is the purpose of a literature review?The purpose of a literature review is for you to take a critical look at the literature (facts and views) that already exists in the area you are researching. A literature review is not a shopping list of everything that exists, but a critical analysis that shows an evaluation of the existing literature and a relationship between the different works. It demonstrates the relevance of the research.Literature can include books, journal articles, internet (electronic journals), newspapers, magazines, thesis and dissertations, conference proceedings, reports, and documThe purpose of a literature review is to: establish a theoretical framework for your topic / subject area define key terms, definitions and terminology identify studies, models, case studies etc supporting your topic define / establish your area of study, ie your research topic. The three key points of a literature review Tell me what the research says (theory). Tell me how the research was carried out (methodology). Tell me what is missing, i.e. the gap that your research intends to fill entries.5. Name the main sections that should be included in a resume.Personal information (name address phone number E-mail and so on) Employment Objective, Education work, Experience, Honors and Activities, References6. Why do we write cover letters? The purpose of the cover letter is to: introduce yourself to the employer; indicate which position you are applying for; explain why you are interested in that specific position; direct their attention toward information on your resume that is of particular relevance to the position. An effective letter can get you a phone call for an interview, but a poorly written application letter usually spells continued unemployment.7. How should you address the reader of a cover letter if you dont know the persons name?If you dont have an actual persons name, simply address to Dear Human Resources, or something comparable. Do not use “To Whom It May Concern:” or “Dear Sir/Madam:”8. How should you close a cover letter?Your closing paragraph is where you wrap up your package and reiterate your request. Keep it pleasant, and stay focused on your request for an interview.9. What is the order of information in a resume?Personal information (name address phone number E-mail and so on) Employment Objective, Education, Experience, Honors and Activities, Hobbies, References10. What is the best method for building confidence before an interview?The best approach to building your confidence interviews is simple but most of the time, taken for granted: properly prepared practicing, practicing more, and practicing again and again。11. What are some questions that an interviewer might ask? How did you get your last job? What did you learn from the job? What would be your specific goals for this job? What experience do you have that you think will be helpful for this job? What subjects did you do well in school? What was you major? Where did you attend high school, college or post-graduate school? Did you work at an outside job while going to school? Describe the job12. What should you bring with you to an interview?Be sure to bring anything that is requested. The interviewer may ask you to bring your resume, portfolio, or samples of your writing bring your resume, notepad, a nice pen, and then anything else they ask you to bring.13. How is a cover letter different from a personal letter?A cover letter is a brief introduction to your career.14. Why is it important to write a thank-you letter to an interviewer?Writing effective, post-interview thank you letters may be the deciding factor in your favor, especially when there are many applicants with your qualifications15. What is the purpose of an abstract?An abstract expresses the main claim and argument of a paper. In most disciplines, it never includes bibliographic citations. An abstract concisely highlights or reviews the major points covered along with the content and scope of the writing. An abstract can also be a useful tool for writers to check that they have a clear grasp of their thesis and argument. If the writer can state the thesis and argument clearly in a few sentencesand in such a way that someone who doesnt know the subject will still be able to understand the main ideathen the writer knows she has a good grasp of the ideas she is trying to express. An abstract says everything of central importance in a way that gives the reader a clear overview of what is contained in the essay.16. What are the elements that an abstract should include?Background: A simple opening sentence or two placing the work in context. Aims: One or two sentences giving the purpose of the work. Method(s): One or two sentences explaining what was done. (Described at length only if it is unusual) Results: One or two sentences indicating the main findings. (Absolutely essential) Conclusions: One sentence giving the most important consequence of the work. (Telling what the results mean). 17. Why must an abstract be written last?Because writing a good abstract requires a good understanding of the article, paper or report. One should firstly reread the article, paper, or report with the goal of abstracting in mind.18. How long should an abstract be?An abstract is a summary of a body of information in a paragraph, 100-350 words for a descriptive abstract, 100-250 words for an informative abstract.19. What does an ellipsis () indicate in a quotation?It indicates that you omit part of a direct quotation.20. Why should you avoid using too many quotations in your essays? You should avoid using too many quotations and references to secondary material. In some subjects this can sometimes be required (as in a review of the literature) but in most it is not. Packing your essay with references to other peoples ideas creates the impression that you are unable to create an argument of your own. Remember that your own evidence or points should come first. Quotation should normally be offered after you have established your own argument.21. What are two things business writing should always be?Business writing should be clear and concise.22. What is a memo?A memo is a note or communication that aids the memory by recording events or observations on a topic, such as may be used in a business office.23. Why should you never attach files to emails when sending them to a person youve never spoken to previously?If possible, you should avoid sending email with attachment because receiver needs to take extra time and work load to scan the file to make sure its virus free.24. What are the parts of an essay?An essay has three main parts: an introductory paragraph, a body (at least one, but usually two or more paragraphs) and a concluding paragraph.25. What is fact and what is opinion?Facts are objective statements of truths. Opinions are subjective statements based on a persons beliefs or attitudes.26. Why should you focus on positive wording in business letters?Your letters will be more successful if you focus on positive wording rather than negative, simply because most people respond more favorably to positive ideas than negative ones. Words that affect your reader positively are likely to produce the response you desire in letter-writing situations. A positive emphasis will persuade the reader and create goodwill. In contrast, negative words may generate resistance and other unfavorable reactions. You should therefore be careful to avoid words with negative connotations。27. What is a works cited page and how is it organized?Works cited page is a list of all of the sources in alphabetical order by the authors family name or by the first word of the article if there is no author.27. What are the various ways in which an essay can be organized?Therere four common ways: chronological order, logical division of idea, cause and effect order, and comparison & contrast order.28. What is the difference between block and chain organization in an essay?In block organization, you first discuss all of the cause as a block, then you discuss all o the effects together as a block.In chain organization, you discuss a first cause and its effect, a second cause and its effect, and a third cause and its effect. All the paragraphs are linked in a “chain”.29. Why would you need to begin a new paragraph?Usually, in chain organization, each new cause is the result of the preceding effect. Discussion of each new cause and its effect begins with a new paragraph. So, a new paragraph is in demand.30. What is the function of transitional words and phrases?They are used to separate the “cause” parts from the “effect” parts. The purpose of transitional words and phrases is to conclude the first part of the essay and introduce the second part.31. What is the difference between primary and secondary sources?The difference between a primary and secondary source is often determined by how they were originally created and how you use them. Primary Sources are directly taken from an individual or group of individuals, while secondary sources take information from an individual or group and analyzes the topic.Primary Sources means that it is original article or book created by an individual or sometimes a group of people. Secondary Sources are sources that are written about primary sources.32. What are three methods for supporting your ideas in an essay?Quotations paraphrases summaries33. What do brackets indicate in a quotation?It indicates that you have a good reason to add words of your own to the original, so you put brackets around the words that you have added.34. What is a paraphrase?Paraphrase is restatement of a text or passage, using other words. A paraphrase typically explains or clarifies the text that is being paraphrased. One feature of a paraphrase is that it preserves the essential meaning of the material being paraphrased.35. How many sentences are necessary in a paragraph?A paragraph can be as short as one sentence or as long as ten sentences. A paragraph should be long enough to develop the main idea clearly.36. What two things does every paragraph need?A good paragraph should have the elements of unity and coherence. Unity means that you discuss only one main idea in a paragraph. Coherence means that the movement from one sentence to the next must be logical and smooth.37. What are the parts of a paragraph?A paragraph has three major structural parts: a topic sentence, supporting sentences and a concluding sentence.37. What are the parts of a paragraph?A paragraph has three major structural parts: a topic sentence, supporting sentences and a concluding sentence.38. What should you do in the planning stage of process of writing?3 steps: Making sub-lists; writing topic sentences; outlining39. What is a paragraph?A paragraph is a basic unit of organization in writing in which a group of related sentences develops one main idea.40. What are the parts of a topic sentence?A topic sentence has two parts: topic and controlling idea. 41What is the difference between a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, and preposition?42. What are the various types of