ENGLISH 1 – d4301 SEMINAR 4 Homework task: * Write an introduction to an essay on this topic (150 – 200 words): Some people believe that university education should only be offered to those who can pay for their own courses and the government should not be expected to fund higher education. To what extent do you agree? * Or your own topic of choice for more personal feedback. Seminar 4: Essay Writing 2 1. Cohesion Cohesive language includes the words or phrases used to connect written ideas or information together to form a text. Authors first introduce an idea or subject, and then add more information about it. Text cohesion is the way the writing holds together, to make sense. Each sentence should relate to the other sentences in the paragraph. * What cohesive devices that assist in creating text cohesion can you think of? A number of cohesive devices assist in creating text cohesion, including: • key words (or synonyms) that are repeated, eg aerobic vs CV exercise.. • pronouns (it, she, they) – which serve to reduce repetition. • reference words (that, this) which link related ideas, e.g. one such experiment; in this way; these studies... • general class words – (these characteristics, this process) • conjunctions and sentence connectors (but, however, furthermore, yet) • sign posts to emphasise the relationships expressed (on the other hand; in contrast; in addition; moreover; first, second..) (Adapted from Alison Brown, 2007) * Look at the text and decide exactly which part each word/ phrase in bold refers to. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the essential argument of heredity versus environment emerged. These terms are often known as ´nature´ and ´nurture´ respectively. Essentially the arguments are concerned with the extent to which intelligence is inherited through the genes a person is born with (heredity, or nature), or formed through a person´s life and their surroundings (environment, or nurture). Complete the paragraph using the words/ phrases below. There are two words you do not need. it respectively that (2) the these these terms these theories this who Intelligence is a concept ………………. has interested thinkers for many hundreds of years. ……………….. has been seen as either mainly hereditary or environmental. ……………….. refer to ´nature´ and ´nurture´ …………… . Based on ……………… two perspectives, differing theories emerged. …………….. remain controversial to this day. The idea …………. intelligence is genetically determined has been strongly criticised, while ………………. assumption that intelligence can be accurately measured by IQ tests is also widely disputed. Which is the more cohesive paragraph? * Look at the two following paragraphs and decide which of them has a better overall plan. * Read and discuss with a partner, then with the class group A) The ancient Egyptians were masters of preserving dead people’s bodies by making mummies of them. Mummies several thousand years old have been discovered nearly intact. The skin, hair, teeth, finger- and toenails, and facial features of the mummies were evident. It is possible to diagnose the diseases they suffered in life such as smallpox, arthritis, and nutritional deficiencies. The process was remarkably effective. Sometimes apparent were the fatal afflictions of the dead people: a middle-aged king died from a blow on the head, and polio killed a child king. Mummification consisted of removing the internal organs, applying natural preservatives inside and out, and then wrapping the body in layers of bandages B) The ancient Egyptians were masters of preserving dead people’s bodies by making mummies of them. The process of mummification consisted of removing the internal organs, applying natural preservatives inside and out, and then wrapping the body in layers of bandages. It was a remarkably effective practice. Indeed, mummies several thousand years old have been discovered nearly intact. Their skin, hair, teeth, fingers and toenails, and facial features of the mummies are still evident. Their diseases in life, such as smallpox, arthritis, and nutritional deficiencies, are still diagnosable. Even their fatal afflictions are still apparent: a middle-aged king died from a blow on the head: a child king died from polio. (Adapted from: Alison Brown, 2007; Fowler, Aaron & Anderson: 2001, pp. 81-2) 2. Transitions What are these transitions used for? * Match the linking word/phrase with their functions below: a) therefore, thus, consequently, as a consequence, as a result b) in addition, also, finally, moreover, furthermore c) however, on the other hand, whereas, while, yet, but, despite, in spite of, although, nevertheless d) first, second, next / firstly, secondly, thirdly, finally / initially, subsequently, ultimately e) in this case, for example, for instance, to illustrate, to demonstrate f) in brief, in conclusion, finally, in summary, to sum up, that is to say, all in all, as a result, in short 1. To introduce an opposite idea or show exception 2. To introduce an example 3. To indicate a result / cause of something 4. To logically divide an idea 5. To summarise and conclude 6. To introduce an additional idea * Choose suitable transitions for the following sentences from the choices offered: a) Knowledge can be acquired from books, despite / whereas / also skills must be learned through practice and the adoption of a vigorous training schedule. b) It´s a difficult race, despite / on the other hand / nevertheless about a thousand runners participate every year. c) Doctors are often short of time to really listen to their patients, and although / while / consequently tend to prescribe drugs whenever they can. d) This is one possible solution to the problem, despite / however, / for instance there are others that may provide temporary assistance. e) We were unable to secure further funding from any viable source, and therefore / nevertheless / however had to abandon the project before it’s completion. f) Many people prove to be successful in their working career despite / however / although the fact that they have no university diploma or tertiary qualifications. * Complete the gaps with the expressions from below: also because consequently for this reason generally speaking however indeed on the other hand particularly such as therefore while Obesity is a condition in which the amount of body fat exceeds the biological need of an individual. Obesity is a manifestation of a positive energy balance that has been sustained over an extended period of time. (1) …………, the reason why this condition has spread inexorably across the globe over the past 3 decades with such speed is not well understood. (2) …………, the human genome has not changed substantially during this time; (3) ………, the rise in obesity most likely reflects changes in the environment and/or behaviour. During the past half-century mechanization has impinged upon our modes of living in diverse ways. (4) ……………., energy expenditure required for daily living has continuously declined. A recent study showed that in the US, daily energy expenditure due to work related physical activity (PA) has decreased by more than 100 kcal during the last 50 years in both men and women, and this reduction is associated with the increase in mean body weight during this time frame. Similar trends have also been observed in other countries including Finland, where daily energy expenditure during work reportedly decreased by more than 50 kcal between 1982 and 1992 (5) …………. the average body weight relentlessly crept upward. More recent studies have indicated that these trends have continued unabated up to the present day. Substantial reductions in daily energy expenditure have also occurred in developing countries such as China and Brazil, which have the highest absolute and relative rates of decline in total PA due to reductions in movement at work. (6) ……… , it is believed that the obesity epidemic has also penetrated low-income countries, (7) ……….. in urban areas, and will continue to spread for the foreseeable future. There is (8) …………. reason to assume that domestic mechanization of daily tasks (with the advent of labour-saving devices such as washing machines and dishwashers) have reduced energy expenditure over the years. (9) …………., it was recently estimated that in women, daily housework-related energy expenditure has decreased by 360 kcal in the US since the 1960s. The authors of the study concluded that such reductions in housework-related energy expenditure might have been substantial contributors to the rise in prevalence of obesity in women in last 5 decades. (10) ………. such labour-saving devices are habitually used in all affluent societies, their contribution to population energy balance in high-income countries has been considered substantive. Domestic mechanization has also contributed to more sedentary lifestyles, as time spent on house work has been replaced by sedentary activities (11) …….. watching television and use of other screen based media. Many studies have implicated sedentary behaviour, including passive transportation, with weight gain. …………, participation in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) has progressively increased over the years;^20 however, it appears that on a secular basis, this has not been enough to offset increased sedentary behaviour, as total PA is declining rapidly across the globe. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254616300060) 3. Being formal Academic language should always be clear and logical, but it should also conform to its own genre or style. Academic English, particularly when written, is usually described as ´formal´ language. The formality of academic writing is characterised by the following: a) An impersonal rather than a personal style, including the use of structures that begin with it and there, rather than personal pronouns I, we and you. * Complete each sentence with it or there. 1. ……………. has been argued by educationalists that a greater number of male teachers at primary school level might improve the performance of young boys in the classroom. 2. …………….. was some evidence in the survey that British people still feel closer links with the USA than with their fellow citizens in the EU. 3. …………….. needs to be a proper exploration of the causes of the riots. 4. ……………. may be preferable for the newspaper industry to regulate itself. b) A tendency to base structures around nouns rather than verbs (nominalisation). Example: If countries continue to burn the forests, they are likely to destroy much of the local flora and fauna. → The continued burning of the forests will lead to the destruction of the local flora and fauna. * Transform the sentences using nominalisation: 1. The presenter questioned whether some of the research was relevant. → 2. The country´s infrastructure has been improving over the last two years. → 3. The performance of men and women was very similar in this respect. → c) The use of formal vocabulary * Replace the informal language (in italics) in the sentences below with a more formal equivalent: The man was asked to give out 1000 fliers before the campaign rally. It is usually a good idea to have a proper meal before drinking alcohol. Being a psychologist is an interesting job for many reasons. People are generally eating too much sugar and so are gaining weight easily. It is expected that he will be asked to quit his job at the end of this month. The forecast says there will be freezing temperatures and also the chance of a storm. Immediately after the storm the weather conditions are likely to get worse. The inaccurate test results can be put down to a fault in the testing equipment. The working conditions are reported to be not good enough for the employees. The trade union is now in serious talks with the government over the issue. Can you all please hand in your assignments by the deadline. It is thought there may be more protests organised for later this month. Final Assignment Prepare a written text of 1000 - 1500 words (approximately, no less than 900). Choose a topic that is most relevant for you and your research work. The type of text can be anything you would find useful to have feedback on and could include: a research proposal, scientific article or a section of one (eg introduction and literature review, discussion and conclusions, abstract plus another section...etc) section of a thesis, etc. Try and practice the concepts learned during this course where possible. * Deadline for completion: 15th October. Please email to Alex Floyd by this date. * Please make sure if you have missed any seminars to send me your completed seminar notes as soon as possible.