写作教程第2版u7

1、.,English Writing II,.,Unit 7 SOCIAL PROBLEMS,Unit objective: cause and effect,.,Part II Cause and Effect,“Cause and Effect” is regarded as a logical pattern commonly used in explanation and argumentation. Cause-effect relationships may be shown in various ways in addition to the single cause-effect

2、 type; it is more often than not presented in forms of single cause vs. multiple effects, multiple causes vs. single effect, multiple causes and effects, or chains of causes and effects.,.,The purpose of cause-and-effect writing is to provide a better picture of the situation under discussion, or to

3、 draw enough attention to the significance of some related origins and consequences, and even predicted developments.,.,Organizational Structure,Study the following two samples and analyze their different structures. Sample 1 Questions 1. What is the topic of the paragraph? This paragraph is develop

4、ed around the problem of “the lack of parking” complained about by US city residents.,.,2. What are the organizational characteristics of the paragraph? The paragraph is organized on a pattern of single effect and multiple causes. After the problem is clearly presented at the beginning, the rest of

5、the paragraph is devoted to the exploration of its causes. Altogether three major causes are discussed, from the obvious fact of the abandoned cars taking up parking spaces to the underlying financial headaches. In this way, the writing shows a logical cause-and-effect pattern, which might consequen

6、tly attract more concern or efforts in the problems solution.,.,3. In what kind of order are the causes presented? The three causes are presented from the most direct/ obvious to the most indirect/ obscure.,.,Complete the outline according to the organization of Sample 1: Causes 1. Over a million ca

7、rs are abandoned on the streets. 2. More cars are consequently being produced. 3. Both city governments or governmental agencies have financial headaches. Effect Lack of parking in cities,.,Summarize the pattern of the paragraph The sample paragraph presents the problem of lack of parking in some of

8、 the US cities before it goes on to explore the causes of the issue. This pattern of organization is single effect vs. multiple causes.,.,In this pattern, you may state the issue, i.e. the effect, right at the beginning, and then guide the reader to track down some important evidence for the causes.

9、 The causes can be traced from the most superficial to the deepest, from the most direct to the most indirect, etc. In the end, it is advisable to suggest some solution to the problem, so that the whole writing has some significance.,.,Sample 2 Questions 1. What problem is addressed in this paragrap

10、h? And in how many aspects is the cause or effect explored? The problem addressed refers to the issue of terrorist attacks. This issue has brought about at least three major aspects of consequence or effect.,.,2. Does this paragraph come straight to the point of cause and effect about the issue? The

11、 paragraph addresses the cause rather than effects right at the beginning.,.,3. Does it follow the same pattern as Sample 1? If not, what are the differences? No. It follows a pattern of single cause and multiple effects. Unlike Sample 1 in which effect is addressed first and causes are traced backw

12、ards, sample 2 states briefly at the beginning the issue of terrorist attacks as a direct cause, and then dwells upon three major effects, some factual and some predicted.,.,Now, discuss in groups the organization of the paragraph and then fill in the outline below. Cause: the terrorist strikes Effe

13、cts: 1. The Americans feel very anxious and panicky. 2. The government tends to make political errors. 3. The public would wind up ignoring the one warning that really matters.,.,Summarize the pattern of the sample paragraph You may have noticed the difference in organization between Sample 1 and Sa

14、mple 2. In Sample 2 the writer briefly presents the issue of terrorist attacks as a direct cause, and then dwells upon three major effects, from the matter-of-fact to something predicted. This is called the single-cause-and-multiple-effect pattern.,.,As is observed, the writer structures his paragra

15、ph mainly around points of effects instead of causes, reasoning along the logical sequence of events. Like Sample 1, transitions are also used here so as to avoid abrupt idea development.,.,The single-cause-and-multiple-effect pattern works best with issues that turn out to be far-reaching or influe

16、ntial. It can bring into sharp focus the relationship between causes and effects of an issue under discussion.,.,Linking Devices,Sample Questions 1. What topic/topics do the paragraph mainly deal with? Both paragraphs deal with the same topic: private tiger keeping. 2. Which paragraph is easier to u

17、nderstand? Paragraph B is easier to understand.,.,3. What makes this particular paragraph easier to understand? The paragraph contains certain words and expressions, which help clarify the causes and effects in the paragraph. 4. What pattern of organization can be identified? This paragraph is struc

18、tured on the pattern of multiple causes and multiple effects, or of chains of causes and effects.,.,Now work in groups and point out those words and phrases that indicate either cause or effect in paragraph B. Linking Phrases for Cause/ Effect Just as is The result is that is precisely why may be am

19、ong other reasons,.,Other expressions indicating cause and effect. Cause / reason,Thanks to To account / find some reason for To attribute A to B To be due to several factors To be partly caused by To be precisely why,Why ? For one thing To stem from the fact that To view as a response to factors we

20、igh heavily for Another important reason is Thats the reason why ,.,Effect / impact,It leaves some serious consequences It may give rise to a host of problems The effect is evident The immediate result it produces is The influence has not been confined to The result is that ,There are a number of ef

21、fects To bring about To cause a sweeping change To exert a profound influence To lead to To result in,.,Summarize the role of linking devices in cause-and-effect writing. Paragraph B is easier to understand than paragraph A. Though the ideas in both paragraphs are exactly the same, the second is more effective in shifting between causes and effects of the issues.,.,The main reason is that paragraph B uses some words and phrases (e.g. the result is t