大学英语说明文2

1、Section 5Cause and EffectIn this section, you will: vlearn about a writing skill: cause and ffectvread Text B in Unit 3 and discuss its writing strategyvlearn to use cause and effect in essay writing Teaching ProceduresI. Introduction (1period) * Cause and EffectII. Professional Reading (0.5 period)

2、 * Text B Why I Bought a GunIII. Essay Writing (0.5 period) * Why college students take a part-time job? Cause and Effect I. A General Introduction II. Types of Cause-Effect Pattern III. Cause-and-Effect Discouse at Paragraph Level IV. How to Write a Cause-and-Effect Paragraph V. Sample Paragraphs a

3、nd Essays为什么为什么学语言的女生比男生多？为什么为什么“中国好声音”如此受到追捧？为什么为什么微博如此流行？为什么为什么美剧拥有众多观众？为什么为什么欧洲陷入债务危机？Lead-inObserve the picture and list the causes and effects of the phenomenon? What is cause and effect? The method of development in which the writer analyses the reason(s) for an action, event, or decision, or

4、analyses resulting consequences to support a point. Discover order in a reality that is apparent chaos Inform Speculate Change behaviorA Simple ExampleCause and Effect I. Cause and Effect Analysis II. Types of Cause-Effect Pattern III. Cause-and-Effect Discouse at Paragraph Level IV. How to Write a

5、Cause-and-Effect Paragraph V. Sample Paragraphs and EssaysTypes of the Cause-Effect PatternFour patterns of cause-effect relationshipnSingle-cause-single-effect patternnSingle-cause-many-effects patternnMany-causes-single-effect patternnCausal chain patternsingle causesingle effectMary failed the ex

6、am because she did not study hard. Peer Pressure Since I attend college, I feel more and more peer pressure. While I used to be a top student in senior high school, and was always praised by teachers and envied by peers, now I find there are a lot of talented peers in college and I am temporarily an

7、d relatively poor in academic performance. Therefore, I feel that I have changed from a hero to a zero.Topic: peer pressureCause used to be a top student in senior high school, praised by teachers, envied by peers; a lot of talented peers in college, poor in academic performanceEffect from a hero to

8、 a zeroEffectCause 1Cause 2Cause 3 What has sparked the increasing interest in exercise ? For one thing , people have gained a greater awareness of the need for physical fitness. For another , the constantly improving standard of living enables Chinese people to patronize the increasing number of re

9、creational venues . The main thing perhaps centers on the healthcare and psychological benefits exercise provides . Topic: My learning experience in junior middle schoolCause I had a kind and patient teacher who often praised all of the students. Effect Because of this positive method, I eagerly ans

10、wered all the questions I could, never worrying much about making mistakes. I was at the top of my class for two years. The deep impact of opening to the outside world is readily discernible in a number of areas : the adoption of many Western habits , both good and bad ; changing social and moral va

11、lues ; the trend towards individualism ; and the introduction of state-of-the-art concepts and technology . The key to adopting Western way centers on accepting the good and rejecting the bad .对外开放的深刻影响在许多方面都能看到：模仿西方的习惯，包括好的和坏的；改变社会和道德价值观；个人主义的趋势；引进已发展的概念和技术。采取西方方式的关键在于取其精华，去其糟粕。causal chain: ( caus

12、e 1) ( effect 1) = ( cause 2 ) (effect 2) = (cause 3) effect 3 Jims father has a bad temper, and he often beat Jims mother and the kids. (family violence)Jims mother leaves Jims father, taking the children with her.With only Jims mothers income, the family has less money, so the family experiences f

13、inancial problems.Jims mother moves in with her boyfriend to help the family finances.Jim feels unwanted in his new home and runs away.a homeless childcauseeffect (cause)effect (cause)effect (cause)effectthe most immediate effectCause and Effect I. A General Introduction II. Types of Cause-Effect Pa

14、ttern III. Cause-and-Effect Discouse at Paragraph Level IV. How to Write a Cause-and-Effect Paragraph V. Sample Paragraphs and Essays因果型段落的结构 主题句主题句 “ “果果” “” “果因果因”型语段段型语段段 主题句主题句“因因” “” “因果因果”型语段型语段 主题句主题句“果果”，发展句分析因，再次归纳论点，发展句分析因，再次归纳论点 “ “果果- -因因- -果果”型语段型语段 “因因- -果果- -因因- -果果”型语段型语段 There is no

15、 life on Earth.(S1) For one thing, Earths surface in the area of Manhattan （曼哈顿）is composed of solid concrete (混凝土)and nothing can grow there.(S2) For another, the atmosphere is filled with carbon monoxide （一氧化碳）and other deadly gases and nobody could possibly breathe this air and survive. (S3) topi

16、c sentence 主题主题S1effect(果果)S2S3cause 2 (因因)cause 1 (因因)分析分析主题句主题句 “果果”， “果因果因”型型语段语段The further advancement of human civilization is always followed by the damage to the nature. To propel （推进）the socioeconomic development, most countries try to reach their goals at the expense of the environment. Th

17、ere is one popular saying that we should develop ourselves first, and then we try to save the environment. This shallow consensus（意见） has caused the pollution of all kinds. Thus, its time for mankind to take steps to stop polluting the nature for following generation.主题句主题句“因因” “因果因果”型型语段语段effect 果果

18、 In America, however, it is thought that the reduced accident figures are due rather to the increase in traffic density(密度). This is why it has even been suggested that the present speed limits should be done away with completely, or that a guide should be given to inexperienced drivers and the spee

19、d limits made advisory(顾问的), as is done in parts of the USA.effect 果果cause因因主题句主题句“因因” “因果因果”型型语段语段 The two-day weekend is sincerely popular with college students. It offers students more leisure time for their hobbies and entertainments, which help them relax completely after five-day hard work. It

20、 also relieves the pressure on them from too many courses and assignments. Therefore, many students try to enjoy themselves in many interesting ways such as going camping and having a potluck party.主题句主题句“果果”，发展句分析因，再次归纳论，发展句分析因，再次归纳论点点 “果果-因因-果果”型语段型语段Cause and Effect I. A General Introduction II.

21、Types of Cause-Effect Pattern III. Cause-and-Effect Discouse at Paragraph Level IV. How to Write a Cause-and-Effect Paragraph V. Sample Paragraphs and Essays How to write cause-and-effect paragraph Sound Reasoning or logic When discussing causes and effects, make sure your analysis is of logic. You

22、must not take it for granted that event A causes event B simply because event A occurs before event B. In other words, you must explain clearly what really brings about a particular result.1. Before we start to write, we must think carefully and work out a list of causes and effects, and find out th

23、e logical relationship between them.2. When we write, we had better put the important cause or effect at the beginning of the paragraph. 3. Use some words or phrases that used for discussing cause and effect when it is necessary forassincecausehence(因此) due toowing tothanks toThusthereforewhylead to

24、contribute to accordingly,because (of) as a result result in (from)The result of for the sake of attribute .to .account for on account of for this reason (that)consequentlyas a consequenceit follows that, so thatso as to make it possiblemake it possible/impossible for to dosuch thatnow thatseeing th

25、atfor fear thatthe effect ofhave an effect onowetoStudy the following examplesSentence ConnectorsChildren watch too much television; as a result,consequently,therefore,because of this,hence,they lose creativity. (cause)(effect)Sentence ConnectorsChildrenare SO interested in television THATwatch SO m

26、uch television THATwatch SO many television programmes THATwatch SUCH a lot of television THATare SUCH avid TV watchers THATthey lose creativity.(cause)(effect)Sentence ConnectorsWatching too much television Too much television is the reason foris responsible forleads tocontributes toresults incause

27、sloss of creative ability. (cause)(effect)Sentence ConnectorsChildren lose creative ability sincebecausebecause of the fact thatthey watch so much television.(effect)(cause)Sentence ConnectorsLoss of creativity results fromfollows fromis due tois a result of is a consequence ofwatching too much tele

28、vision. too much television.(effect)(cause)Task: paraphrasing sentences of cause-effect1. Lots of creative ability results from watching too much television.(therefore) Children watch too much television. Therefore, they lose creative ability.(so/ such that) Children watch so much television that th

29、ey lose creative ability.2. Too much TV causes children to withdraw from real-life experiences.(is a consequence of)_(because of the fact that) _3. Children develop a low tolerance for the frustration of learning; hence they are discouraged by any activity that does not give them instant gratificati

30、on.(so/ such that) _(cause someone to) _4. Another result of television violence is that children have come to regard it as an everyday thing.(because of this)_(so/ such that) _5. Because of watching too much television, children expect every problem to be resolved in 30 or 60 minutes.(result from)

31、_(because) _6. Children cannot understand stories without visual illustrations because they cannot form pictures in their minds.(consequently) _(is due to) _Cause and Effect I. A General Introduction II. Types of Cause-Effect Pattern III. Cause-and-Effect Discouse at Paragraph Level IV. How to Write

32、 a Cause-and-Effect Paragraph V. Sample Paragraphs and Essays Bear the following questions in mind while studying the sample paragraphs and essays.nWhich sentence is the topic sentence?nWhich is the focus of the paragraph, cause or effect?nWhat are the main ideas of the supporting sentences?nWhich p

33、attern does the paragraph belong to?nWhat are the signal words expressing the cause-effect relationship? According to official statistics, more than 10,000 people in the country were killed in car accidents last year. The increasing rate of car accidents can be attributed to three general causes. Me

34、chanical problems of cars, such as faulty brakes, bald tires, and flat tires, contribute to the high rate of car accidents. Environmental problems, such as blind corners, narrow streets, heavy fog, slippery roads cause a significant number of disasters. Such errors of human problems as excessive spe

35、ed and drunken driving are considered the major factor of the fatal accidents. If drivers had been careful, many needless slaughters in car accidents could have been avoided. With a subjunctive sentence, the paragraph makes the suggestion that drivers should be careful. The topic sentence indicates

36、that the paragraph focuses on the causes.Sample Paragraph 1 (1) In some areas of the world, you can find many people live to celebrate their 100th birthday, and it is not unusual to see people aged 110 to 140 work in the fields with their great-great- grandchildren. (2) What accounts for this abilit

37、y to survive to such an old age, and to survive so well? (3) First of all, hard physical work is a way of life for all of these long lived people. (4) They begin their long days of physical labor as children and never seem to stop. (5) Second, they get healthful rewards from the environment in which

38、 they work. (6) They all come from mountainous regions at elevations of 1,660 to 4,000 meters above sea level. (7) The air is pollution-free and has less oxygen, which makes the heart and blood vessel system stronger. (8) Another factor that may contribute to the good health is their isolation. (9)

39、To a great extent, they are separated from the pressures and worries of industrial society. (10) Inherited factors also play some role. (11) Most of the longest-lived people had parents and grandparents who also lived to be very old. (12) Finally, although these people dont eat exactly the same food

40、s, their diets are similar. (13) They eat little animal meat, but a lot of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, cheese, and milk.Cause 1: physical workCause 2: healthful environmentCause 3: isolation from the societyCause 4: inherited factorsCause 5: dietSample Paragraph 2 (1) A recent census rep

41、orted that the American population is rapidly getting older. (2) The aging of the nation will bring about serious effects. (3) The most obvious effect is perhaps an economic one: how will the country bear the cost of caring for too many old people? (4) The old are considerably more expensive to main

42、tain. (5)They now live mainly at home and need more services, and medical costs at present are almost twice the bill for people under 65. (6) To support the old, the social-security system already pays more than it receives, and within a matter of four years, it will not be able to help the retired.

43、 (7) Then, to keep the system going, working Americans will simply have to work harder and receive less pay. (8) But there is a danger: the young may refuse to contribute when the burden gets too heavy. (9) In that case, the system will have to allow the elderly to work over 65. (10) In fact, a numb

44、er of major firms have already modified their retirement policies. (11) However, as more and more elderly people stay at their posts, the younger generation will find it even harder to find jobs. Effect 1: taking care of the old costing more money Effect 2: the social security system losing money Ef

45、fect 3: working Americans working harder but getting less pay Effect 4: young people refusing to contribute Effect 5: the elderly being allowed to work over 65 Effect 6: young people having difficulties finding jobs Sample Paragraph 3(1) There are three reasons why some students can not finish their

46、 college studies. (2) Some students fail in college because their academic background is weak. (3)For example, one student might not have had an adequate mathematics course in high school, so he fails his university mathematics class. (4)Next, because of financial problems, other students may fail u

47、niversity classes. (5)According to an article in China Daily, about 9% of the students who have to take jobs dont have as much time to study, as a result of which, they may fail their classes. (6)Finally, some students are not interested in college so they spend their time doing other things. (7)Con

48、sequently, they fail. (8)Because of the weak academic background, financial problems and loss of interest in study, numerous students fail in college every year.Sample Paragraph 4 Sample Paragraph 5 More People, More Problems Nowadays the population of our country is still increasing although our go

49、vernment has adopted the one- child policy. Our population becomes larger and leads to many problems. First, more people are competing for limited jobs. Therefore, there is a job shortage and many people can not find jobs. Second, the traffic is becoming crowded. The roads are crowded and busy durin

50、g rush hour. Third, we have limited space for so many eople. Besides, the food is not enough if the population continues to increase. As a result, people will suffer hunger. So it is high time we paid special attention to the problem of overpopulation.Questions: What is the topic sentence? How many

51、effects are given in this paragraph? How?( one cause, many effects)Sample Paragraph 6: With the wide spread of TV both in the city and in the countryside,peoples life style is changing greatly. First, TV is changing peoples view of recreation. With at least one TV set in each house, most people now

52、will enjoy a film at home rather than going to the cinema because they think it more comfortable and cozy to be at home than in a cinema. Second, TV changes peoples idea of consumption. Thanks to the purchase programs on TV, people can shop at home without going to the shop that is crowded and for a

53、way. Finally, TV changes peoples idea of study. A lot of people, especially the young who have been working for years, can learn from the teaching program on TV. In short, the effect of TV on peoples life is tremendous.Questions: What is the topic sentence? How many effects are given in this paragra

54、ph? How? Sample Paragraph 7 Why is the super market so popular? Everybody knows there is a super market, Tesco, near our school. Almost all students go there at least once a week. Why is it so popular? The most mportant reason, I think, is that it is very convenient. It is near our Scholl and there

55、is a free bus taking students from school to the supermarket. The second reason is that its goods are sufficient to satisfy the consumers need. You can find whatever you want to buy there. The last reason is that its service is great. The shop assistants are vey kind and helpful. This supermarket gi

56、ves us a lot of convenience and helps us to live a colorful life. We like it.Questions: What is the topic sentence? How many reasons are given in this paragraph? How?( one effect, many reasons /causes) Sample Paragraph 8 (focusing on the causes) I want to be a graduate student for several reasons. F

57、irst, studying in graduate school opens up an opportunity for me to realize my dream to be a car engineer. As a naughty boy in high school, I did not study very hard and did a poor job in my College Entrance Exams. Instead of going to the prestigious Department of Automobile Engineering of Tsinghua

58、University, I was enrolled in a mechanical engineering of department of a provincial college. In all my undergraduate years, I have been working industriously to get ready for graduate study. I know so well that I cannot afford to fail again. Next, to be an excellent undergraduate student is not eno

59、ugh. Only in graduate school can I enlarge my knowledge, fully develop my talents, and obtain sound professional training. Last, with the growing popularity of private cars, China badly needs a galaxy of car experts. After I get my master or Ph.D. degree I can easily find the job I really love. Ther

60、efore, I am resolved to be a graduate student Sample Paragraph 9 (focusing on the effects) In fact, the rapid growth of population has brought about many problems. First, the rapid growth of population leads to the increasing demand of food. As we know that the area of the earth can never be expande