unit1 word choice

1、Writing Course for English Minors First Term,Unit 1,Teaching syllabus 1st term,Teaching syllabus 2nd term,Final score= attendance 10% + exercises 20% + final exam 70%,Introduction 1,1. How do you define good writing? Good writing has a clearly defined purpose. It makes a clear point. It supports tha

2、t point with specific information. The information is clearly connected and arranged. The words are appropriate, and the sentences are clear, concise, emphatic, and correct. There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly: sometimes its like drilling rock and then blasting

3、it out with charges.” (Ernest Hemingway),What makes good writing,Ideas that are interesting and important. Ideas are the heart of the piece what the writer is writing about and the information he or she chooses to write about it. Organization that is logical and effective. Organization refers to the

4、 order of ideas and the way the writer moves from one idea to the next. Voice that is individual and appropriate. Voice is how the writing feels to someone when they read it. Is it formal or casual? Is it friendly and inviting or reserved and standoffish? Voice is the expression of the writers perso

5、nality through words. Word Choice that is specific and memorable. Good writing uses just the right words to say just the right things. Sentence Fluency that is smooth and expressive. Fluent sentences are easy to understand and fun to read with expression. Conventions that are correct and communicati

6、ve. Conventions are the ways we all agree to use punctuation, spelling, grammar, and other things that make writing consistent and easy to read.,Introduction 2 The Write Attitude and Your Writing GoalsWhich describes your feeling?,I love to write and I always have. Even when I was a little kid, if t

7、here wasnt any paper I would write on the walls! I keep an online journal and write l-o-n-g emails to my friends and family. I usually get pretty good grades from instructors who let me write.,I HATE to write. I get so nervous when I have to write that my hands shake. Writing is just about the worst

8、 punishment you can give me. Maybe if I had LOTS of time and I didnt get so anxious I could be a halfway decent writer. But Im really not very good at it.,Introduction 3 Whats the hardest part of writing,Writers block. We may be facing a deadline that should compel us to write. But instead of feelin

9、g motivated or inspired, we grow anxious and frustrated. And those negative feelings can make it even harder to get started. The most frightening one has ever encountered: Ernest Hemingway said, A blank sheet of paper. Stephen King (Master of Terror) :the scariest moment is always just before you st

10、art writing. After that, things can only get better.,Build a sizable word bank,Listen and read carefully. Youll be amazed at how many words people use that you dont know. Listen to and read the masters. Jot down unfamiliar words. (Reading and writing were not the same-you couldnt just soak it up the

11、n squeeze it out again.) Collect words. How many vocabulary lists, root lists, and subject specific terms have you been assigned since you were in school? Keep the lists. Learn the words. You wont become a master of words overnight, but you will eventually.,Use a thesaurus. A thesaurus will remind y

12、ou of words you already know. With a thesaurus, you can make your point with less redundancy and keep your writing fresh. Warning-make sure you know what the word means before you use it. Just because its a synonym doesnt mean its appropriate. A words connotation might be offensive when you want dip

13、lomacy and vice versa. “the difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter-this is the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.,Typical problems with word choice,Misused words the word doesnt actually mean what the writer thinks it does. Capone wa

14、s a renowned gangster. His obstinacy in the face of danger saved us all. Example: Cree Indians were a monotonous culture until French and British settlers arrived. Revision: Cree Indians were a homogenous culture. ( Words with unwanted connotations or meanings. Example: I sprayed the ants in their p

15、rivate places. Revision: I sprayed the ants in their hiding places.,Typical problems with word choice,Using a pronoun when readers cant tell whom/what it refers to. Example: My cousin Jake hugged my brother Trey, even though he didnt like him very much. Revision: My cousin Jake hugged my brother Tre

16、y, even though Jake doesnt like Trey very much.,Jargon or technical terms that make readers work unnecessarily hard. Dont throw them in just to sound smart. Example: The dialectical interface between neo-Platonists and anti-disestablishment Catholics offers an algorithm for deontological thought. Re

17、vision: The dialogue between neo-Platonists and certain Catholic thinkers is a model for deontological thought.,Loaded language. Sometimes we as writers know what we mean by a certain word, but we havent ever spelled that out for readers. We repeat the word without clarifying what we are talking abo

18、ut. Example: Society teaches young girls that beauty is their most important quality. In order to prevent eating disorders and other health problems, we must change society. Revision: Contemporary American popular media, like magazines and movies, teach young girls that beauty is their most importan

19、t quality. In order to prevent eating disorders and other health problems, we must change the images and role models girls are offered.,Tips on choosing right words_1,Choose concrete over abstract. Choose specific over general. He wept as he saw the torn flag amidst the rubble. He was sad about the

20、ruined flag after the building was destroyed. The family ate some good food last night. Last night, the Smith clan devoured a five-course meal, consisting of a shrimp appetizer in a wine sauce, marinated rolled rib roast, honey glazed carrots and fried eggplants, a Waldorf salad, and peaches flamb.,

21、Tips on choosing right words_2,Appeal to sensory images. This is an extension of the above. Show the reader with images. Dont limit yourself to visual detail. There are four other senses that work just as well. Tom crawled through the tunnel on his hands and knees. He had to keep his head low to kee

22、p from scraping against the low ceiling. A dim light shone in the distance, so he knew he was almost to the end. Example 1 Tom crawled through the tunnel on his hands and knees, trying to ignore the slime sliding through his fingers. The fecal smell of the sewer nearly made him gag, so he forced him

23、self to breathe through his mouth. The stench was so bad that he could almost taste it. He had to keep his head low to keep from scraping against the low ceiling. The idea of getting the filth from the walls in his hair disgusted him. A dim light shone in the distance, so he knew he was almost to th

24、e end. He looked forward to breathing clean air once again.,Example 2,Tom crawled through the tunnel on his hands and knees. He winced as a sharp edge sliced through his fingers. He had to keep his head low to keep from scraping against the low ceiling. The slippery sharp rocks were beautiful but de

25、adly. One false move and he could be cut to ribbons. He took a deep breath, the pungent smell of flowers letting him know he neared his destination. A dim light shone in the distance, so he knew he was almost to the end. The light shined on the rocks, making them resemble precious jewels.,Tips on ch

26、oosing right words_3,Choose verbs. Strong verbs have a greater impact than any other part of speech. Active verbs grab attention. 1.The tiger ate the antelope. The tiger devoured the antelope 2.The Buffalo injured the hunter. The Buffalo gored the hunter 3.The children wept when their dog died. The

27、children shed tears over the death of their dog. The children were sad when their dog was dead. Passive verbs impede action 1.Kim broke the jar. The jar was broken by Kim. 2. Jack fired the rocket. The rocket was fired by Jack. Prefer the single verb to redundant phrase 1.He did not remember to feed

28、 the dog. He forgot to feed the dog. 2.She did not pass the music exam. She failed the music exam.,Tips on choosing right words_4,Denotation vs. connotation Denotation refers to the literal meaning of a word, the dictionary definition. For example, if you look up the word snake in a dictionary, you

29、will discover that one of its denotative meanings is any of numerous scaly, legless, sometimes venomous reptiles, having a long, tapering, cylindrical body and found in most tropical and temperate regions. Connotation refers to the associations that are connected to a certain word or the emotional s

30、uggestions related to that word. The connotative meanings of a word exist together with the denotative meanings. The connotations for the word snake could include evil or danger.,Examples of word choiceThe best words in best order,红酥手，黄滕酒， 满城春色宫墙柳。 东风恶，欢情薄， 一怀愁绪， 几年离索。 错，错，错,You offered me a cup of

31、golden wine, With your pink creamy hands. The whole town was flooded with spring, Palace walls were covered with willows green. Alas, the harsh east wind broke up our love! Full of deep sorrow, I have tasted the separation, For long years after our parting. A great error, a great error, Its a great

32、error beyond repair! 黄新渠 译 选自中国古典诗词精华选萃,Examples of word choice,红酥手，黄滕酒， 满城春色宫墙柳。 东风恶，欢情薄， 一怀愁绪， 几年离索。 错，错，错！,Pink hands so fine Gold-branded wine， Spring paints the willows green Palace walls cant confine Eastwind unfair， Happy times rare In my heart sad thoughts throng； Weve severed for years long

33、 Wrong，wrong，wrong!,Exercise 1,1.Rank the words in order from positive to negative and discuss the connotative differences among words. 1)Thin, slim, lanky, skinny, gaunt, slender 2）Aggressive, assertive, domineering, pushy 3）Shrewd, egghead, bright, clever, brilliant, cunning, smart, intelligent, b

34、rainy 4) ignorant, illiterate, unlettered, uneducated 5) crowd, gang, mass, mob,Exercise 2,Can write 4-5 sentences describing each topic. - If a person is angry - If a person is sad - If a person is tired - If a person is stubborn - If a person is frightened - If a person is surprised - If a person

35、is joyful - If a person is hurt,EXAMPLE:,Before: The pizza was good. After: Steam rising up off the melted cheese made my mouth water. The first bite, my teeth sinking into the cheese through the tomato sauce and into the moist crust, made me chew and swallow rapidly. Even the cheese and tomato sauc

36、e, sticking to my fingertips, begged to be licked.,Answers to Exercise 1,- If a person is angry The look in his eyes made me cringe with fear. This man was infuriated. I could see the heat radiating through his body; the death in his eyes. He was out to kill. - If a person is sad Her face dropped qu

37、ickly. She blinked quickly to hide the tears about to well up and overflow, spilling out of her eyes. She looked almost disgusted but I could tell that this was real sadness. She fell to the ground sobbing. - If a person is tired He dragged himself up the stairs, overusing the banister for support.

38、His eyes were shut, opening a few times to see how many more of those giant steps he would have to climb. Just before reaching the top, he collapsed into a deep sleep. It looked almost as if hed never wake again!,Answers to Exercise 1,- If a person is stubborn She raised both eyebrows and tilted her

39、 head. This girl was not going to back down. She placed her fists on her hips and started tapping her foot. She ended up getting her way again. - If a person is frightened He was so scared, I thought hed die. His heart jumped. His face was flushed. In about a half a second, he passed out. - If a per

40、son is surprised The moment she knew she was just so shocked! Her hands flew to her face. Her jaw dropped. It was so unexpected!,Answers to Exercise 2,- If a person is joyful A smile she couldnt fight was permanently stamped on her face. She just lit up! Butterflies busted into her stomach! She was

41、so happy, she cried! - If a person is hurt He just couldnt believe it. His face just changed. He was in so much pain! He rolled onto his side screaming, crying. He had never felt anything like it!,Exercise 3.,The following short passages are fairly objective and colorless, using words with neutral c

42、onnotations. Write two new versions of each passage: first, using words with positive connotations to show the subject in an attractive light; second, using words with negative connotations to describe the same subject in a less favorable way.,A. Gus cooked dinner for Merdine. He prepared some meat

43、and vegetables and a special dessert. (1) Describe the meal that Gus prepared, making it sound appetizing by using words with favorable connotations. (2) Describe the meal again, this time using words with negative connotations to make it sound quite unappealing. B. The person did not weigh very muc

44、h. The person had brown hair and a small nose. The person wore informal clothing. (1) Identify and describe this particularly attractive person. (2) Identify and describe this particularly unattractive person. C. Douglas was careful with his money. He kept his money in a safe place. He bought only t

45、he necessities of life. He never borrowed or lent money. (1) Choose words that show how impressed you are by Douglass sense of thrift. (2) Choose words that make fun of Douglas or pass scorn on him for being such a tightwad.,Elements of a sentence,A group of words that we use to communicate our idea

46、s in writing or in speech. Complete, independent unit of thought Consist of two main parts: a subject and a predicate Subject: the word or words that names the person, thing or place that a sentence is about, usually a noun or a pronoun. Predicate: tells what the subject is or does, consist of a ver

47、b and its modifiers or complements. The verb is the most important part of the predicate, expressing action or a state of being.,Types of sentences (structure),Simple (简单句）: an independent clause Compound （并列句） Complex （复合句） Compound-complex （并列复合句） Recalling exercise: write one sentence for each ty

48、pe on your exercise book.,Simple sentence,an independent clause I enjoy playing tennis every weekend. My friend and I play tennis every weekend. I enjoy playing tennis and look forward to it every weekend. I enjoy playing tennis and basketball.,Compound sentence,two or more independent clauses joine

49、d together in any of the 3 ways By a coordinating conjunction (and, but, yet, for, or, so, nor) eg: I enjoy playing tennis but I hate playing golf. By a sentence connector (furthermore, besides, in addition, moreover, also, however, nevertheless, still, in contrast, otherwise, consequently, therefor

50、e, thus, accordingly) eg: I enjoy playing tennis; however, I hate playing golf. By a semicolon I enjoy playing tennis; I hate playing golf.,Complex sentence,The combination of an independent clause and a dependent clause joined together by a subordinate in either order. Although I enjoy playing tenn

51、is, I hate golf. I hate golf although I enjoy playing tennis. The expert who examined this scroll said that it was more than one thousand years old. When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.“ (Mark Twain),Compound complex sentence,A combination of two or mor

52、e independent clauses and one or more independent clauses. I hate playing golf, but I enjoy playing tennis even though I am not very good at it. Many staff drive their cars to the college, but other prefer to take public transportation because free parking near the campus is unavailable. If staff wi

53、sh to park in the campus parking lot, they must pay for a permit, or the campus police will tag their cars.,Complete sentences and sentence fragments,It was raining hard, they could not work in the field. It was raining hard; they could not work in the field. It was raining hard. They could not work

54、 in the field. It was raining so hard that they could not work in the field. They could not work in the field because it was raining hard. It was raining hard, so they could not work in the field. As it was raining hard, they could not work in the field.,Complete sentences and sentence fragments,Rew

55、rite the following fragments into complete sentences/ one complete sentence. I was born in a small town, in the town there was only one school, I studied there for 6 years. I was born in a small town. In it there was only one school. I studied there for 6 years. In the small town where I was born, there was only one school, and I studied there for 6 years. I was born in a small town, where there was only one school. I studied there for 6 years. I studied for 6 years at the only school in the small town where I was born.,Overcoordniation,John