Part One The Topic Sentence and the Rulesfor Writing the Topic Sentence
A topic sentence is the sentence that states the topic that the paragraph will develop.A good topic sentence has the following features.
1.A topic sentence is a complete sentence；that is, it should contain a subject (主语) and a verb (动词).
1) Trees are useful to man in three very important ways.
2) New York has great entertainment.
3) There are three techniques that scientists use to discover the true age of a fossil.
4) Give students a chance to grow.
5) Cleaning your room is not difficult if you follow some simple guidelines.
6) Listed below are a number of tips on how to get along with people.
2.A topic sentence is usually a statement, not a question.
1) Do the colors of the U.S.flag have unique symbolic meanings?
2) The colors of the U.S.flag have unique symbolic meanings. (more common)
3.A topic sentence should not be too broad or too narrow.If it is too broad, you will not be able to develop the topic in one paragraph.If it is too narrow, you won't have enough to write in the rest of the paragraph.
1) I love all sorts of sports. (too broad)
2) Swimming is my favorite hobby. (too narrow)
3) Exercising every day has several positive effects on my health. (appropriate)
4.A topic sentence has two parts: the topic and the controlling idea.The topic refers to what the paragraph is about, and the controlling idea is the writer's opinion or attitude from which the reader can ask questions about: How? Why? In what ways? What are they? etc.Note how each of the following topic sentences states both the topic and the controlling idea.The topic is underlined, and the controlling idea is enclosed in parentheses.
1) Cars can be used in (many different situations).
From Sentence 1) , we know that the paragraph is going to discuss something about“cars” (the topic). The question a reader can ask from the writer's opinion is“How can cars be used in different situations? ” (controlling idea).
2) It's (very difficult) to study in a foreign country.
In Sentence 2) , we learn that the paragraph is going to discuss something about“study in a foreign country” (the topic). The question a reader can ask from the writer's opinion is“How difficult is it to study in a foreign country? ” (controlling idea).
3) London has (excellent) public transportation.
Sentence 3) tells us that the paragraph is going to discuss something about“the public transportation in London” (the topic). The question a reader can ask from the writer's opinion is“How excellent is the public transportation in London? ” (controlling idea).
Note: The topic sentence is most often the first sentence of the paragraph.Although the topic sentence can also be found near the beginning, in the middle, or even at the end of the paragraph, you should write your topic sentence as the first sentence for two reasons:
1) The reader will know immediately what the paragraph is about.
2) You can look back at the topic sentence often as you write the rest of the paragraph.This will help you to stay on (扣题) topic and develop relevant sentences.
Practice 3-2-1
Read each sentence below.Underline the topic and enclose the controlling idea in parentheses.Answers are provided only for the first five sentences.
1.A successful topic sentence has two essential parts.
2.You need four ingredients to make peanut butter.
3.American education has five stages.
4.The seriously depressed person sees himself in a very negative way.
5.Disneyland has several unique attractions.
6.Sports and games are very useful for character training.
7.Finding ways to get more and better sleep can be a challenge.
8.First impressions can be misleading.
9.There are two factors which determine an individual's wisdom.
10.Being a twin has both advantages and disadvantages.
Practice 3-2-2
After reading each of the paragraphs below, select the most suitable topic sentence from the three choices following it.Then try to explain why the other two choices are not appropriate.An answer is provided only for the first paragraph.
Paragraph one
_____________________________.Infants usually satisfy this very basic need in the course of an ordinary day spent with their parents (feeding, kissing, bathing, etc.). However, if a baby is neglected or even mistreated by being deprived of touch, his development will suffer on all levels-physical, intellectual, and emotional.Some children have even been known to die from this lack of tactile (有触觉的) stimulation.Children given out for adoption at a tender age and placed in poorly run orphanages, children brought up by unaffectionate parents, and children whose parents touch them only to beat them-all these types of children run the risk of never reaching their potential as fully developed adults.
The most suitable topic sentence is:
1.Babies should interact every day with their parents in order to grow well.
2.Many children are not properly taken care of by their parents.
3.Physical contact is an important factor in an infant's overall development.
Paragraph two
_____________________________.Where Britons end certain words with-se , Americans usually end the same words with-ce (British practise vs.American practice) ；the reverse is sometimes true, too (British defence vs.American defense). Notice also the British preference for final-reover the American-er (metre vs.meter). Finally, most Americans consider neighbora correct spelling, but a Briton characteristically adds a u and spells the word neighbour.
The most suitable topic sentence is:
1.British and American English have many differences in spelling.
2.There are some minor differences between American and British spelling.
3.The endings of British and American words are not the same.
Practice 3-2-3
Read the paragraphs below.In each paragraph, the topic sentence does not adequately introduce the paragraph that follows.Therefore, the reader might be confused.Rewrite each of the topic sentences so that the reader will clearly understand what follows in each paragraph.An answer is provided only for the first paragraph as a suggestion.
Paragraph one
There are many ways to write a letter.Formal letters are written to businesses, schools, or government offices.Informal letters are for relatives, friends, or former teachers.You may write an informal letter by hand, but you should type a formal letter.An informal letter can be as long as you want it to be；whereas, a formal letter should be short, two or three paragraphs.You should use formal language to businesses but informal language in letters to your friends.For example, in a formal letter you may say, “I would appreciate your sending me the materials which I have requested.”In an informal letter you may say, “Please send me the papers I asked you for.”
Paragraph two
Colors are interesting.For many Americans, blue is a color that means sadness or coldness；an idiom says, “She's feeling blue”when someone is sad.Most Americans think that yellow is a bright, cheerful color, so yellow is often used to decorate kitchens in houses.Red represents anger for some people；an American idiom states that people“see red”when they are furious.However, red is also the symbolic color of Christmas celebrations.Green is another color that can have two meanings.Some people think it is a calming color, and so many schools and hospitals paint their walls light green.But for other people, green represents jealousy: “She is green with envy”is a common idiom.
Practice 3-2-4
Read the following paragraphs, and then write an appropriate topic sentence for each one.Answers are provided only for the first five paragraphs as suggestions.
Paragraph one
_____________________________.At the end of the term, instructors lookmore kindly upon (对待) students who came to class regularly than upon those who skipped a lot.Besides, being absent deprives you of information that is useful in preparing for tests or in doing homework.Furthermore, missing class may mean missing important quizzes or exams, which will hurt your final grade.
Paragraph two
_____________________________.My mother's nature is very outgoing, emotional, and impulsive (冲动的). She enjoys dancing, going to parties, being with lots of people, and spending money freely.My father, on the other hand, is quiet, reserved, and controlled.He looks at things logically and practically, not giving in to his emotions.He feels more comfortable with only a few, if any, people around and would be content to watch TV or read a book for recreation.
Paragraph three
_____________________________.To begin with, break the ice with a question or comment that conveys interest in the other person.Ask for advice, pay a compliment.Everyone has something that he's proud of, that he enjoys talking about.Second, let your question focus on the other person.Say, “What do you think? ”not, “Do you agree with me? ”Third, avoid put-downs (贬低的语言) , clichés, or insincere remarks.In addition, don't try so hard to impress people.Instead of wondering, “Does he like me? ”ask yourself, “Is he comfortable in this conversation? ”Finally, when you're meeting with someone“higher up”-a new boss, your company manager-take the conversational initia-tive (主动交谈) , but be sure you observe the difference in status.
Paragraph four
_____________________________.First, some vitamins dissolve in water.When vegetables are cooked in water, the vitamins go into the water.If the water is thrown away, the vitamins are lost.Besides, heat, light, and oxygen change some vitamins.If vegetables are cooked, the heat changes some of the vitamins.Then these vitamins are no longer healthy.Finally, people sometimes throw away the part of a plant which has the most vitamins.For instance, when flour is processed, the wheat germ (麦芽) , which is very rich in vitamins is lost.
Paragraph five
_____________________________.The first type is the unsafe driver, the one who disregards traffic regulations and makes life difficult for pedestrians and other drivers.He is impatient and honks his horn (鸣笛) or blinks his lights unnecessarily.He is also inconsiderate；for example, he takes two parking places, or follows other cars so closely that he might cause an accident.He slows down or speeds up just to annoy other drivers.In sharp contrast is the safe driver.He obeys traffic regulations and practices the courtesy of the road.Aware of the rights and desires of others, he is a careful driver, one who signals, plans ahead, and does not take chances.Often it is the alert driver who, through quick action, is able to prevent a dangerous situation from turning into a bad accident.
Paragraph six
_____________________________.For example, if you are invited for dinner, flowers are a safe and appreciated gift throughout the world.In much of Europe, however, red roses represent romance and would be inappropriate.In Austria and Germany, it is considered bad luck to receive an even number of flowers.If you are in Hong Kong, gifts to avoid are clocks, which symbolize death, and scissors or knives, which indicate the end of the relationship.In the Middle East, be careful about admiring one of your host's possessions.He may offer it to you and would feel insulted if you refused it.
Paragraph seven
_____________________________.A man goes shopping because he needs something.His purpose is settled and decided in advance.He knows what he wants, and his objective is to find it and buy it.If the shop has it in stock (有现货) , the deal can be and often is completed in less than five minutes.For a woman, buying clothes is always done in the opposite way.Her shopping is not often based on need.She has never fully decided what she wants, and she is only“having a look round”.She is always open to persuasion, willing to try on any number of things.Uppermost in her mind is the thought of finding something that everyone thinks suits her.For example, faced with a roomful of dresses, a woman may easily spend an hour going from one rail (挂衣物用的横杆) to another before selecting the dresses she wants to try on.
Paragraph eight
_____________________________.In January Martha was hired by the Fernwood Company as a secretary.In March she was sent to school by the company to study statistics and accounting.In April she got a raise in pay.Just two months later, she was promoted to the position of supervisor of her department.In August she was chosen“Employee of the Month.”In October she got another raise in pay.In November she was invited to apply for a position in the company's overseas office in Bangkok.And in December she was given the new job and flew to Thailand to begin her work.Martha can hardly believe all the wonderful things that have happened to her since she was hired just twelve months ago.
Paragraph nine
_____________________________.In a host family, the student is able to learn about a different way of life by experiencing it with people who are from the culture and who can help explain it.Additionally, the student has the advantage of being surrounded by a group of people who can provide emotional support when he is feeling homesick and lonely.This is especially true when the family has children who are the same age as the international student.Finally, although not all homestay (家居) experiences are pleasant ones, the international student who lives with a host family will be able to practice the target language far more than one who lives with friends from the same country.
Paragraph ten
_____________________________.It stipulates the length of time the person can stay in the apartment and the amount of rent he must pay.It can limit the number of people allowed to live in the apartment and restrict the renter from having pets.A lease may prohibit the renter from subletting and include a provision (规定) by which he is charged a certain amount of money if he breaks the contract.The lease also includes the responsibilities of the landlord, such as providing adequate heat, garbage removal, and exterior maintenances of the apartment building.
Practice 3-2-5
In this practice, each general topic is followed by three guidelines (提示) for writing a paragraph.Your job is to write down appropriate topic sentences that fit those guidelines.Answers are provided only for the first topic as suggestions.
Topic one: Television
1.introduce a program_________________________________
2.compare two programs _________________________________
3.evaluate a program _________________________________
Topic two: Cellphones
1.introduce their functions _________________________________
2.compare cellphones with other means of communication _________________________________
3.discuss the role that cellphones play in people's daily lives _________________________________
Topic three: Books
1.introduce a book _________________________________
2.compare two books _________________________________
3.evaluate a book _________________________________
Part Two The Developing Sentences and Methods of Developing a Paragraph
Developing sentences are sentences that support the topic sentence by giving details.To choose details to support the topic sentence, simply answer the question (s) you were able to ask about the controlling idea in the topic sentence.Read the following paragraph.
There are three major ways for students to spend their summer vacations.First, they can find a part-time job during the holiday.Tutoring a child and working for a company are both good choices for college students.When working, they not only earn some pocket-money, but also gain experience not available on campus.Second, they can travel during the summer vacation.Some may travel as a group to an exciting new place.Others may enjoy the beach with their parents or go mountain-climbing with their classmates.Third, vacation is the best time for them to learn.This is the time for students to improve their spoken English.Besides, they can acquire other skills that they have no time for during the academic year, such as website design or driving.
The question about the controlling idea of the topic sentence that you can ask is:
What are the three major ways for students to spend their summer vacation?
The developing sentences in the paragraph must answer this question by providing enough details about the three major ways:
A.They can find a part-time job during the holiday.
B.They can travel during the summer vacation.
C.Vacation is the best time for them to learn.
You can see that detailing these three major ways helps to develop the topic sentence.
* * * * * *
Listed below are some common methods of developing a paragraph.
1.Development by Examples
Peter is a student who drives every teacher crazy.For example, he is always a few minutes late for class.Offering a polite“Good morning”, he continues at the same slow pace across to the far side of the classroom, seemingly unaware of the waiting silence.He sits for a couple of minutes quietly as the teacher makes an effort to get going.Then, when the teacher is really into introducing the lesson, he gets up and walks to a vacant seat as close to the teacher as possible.Later, with a sincere and puzzled look, he asks questions almost every five minutes about what the teacher has just explained.Many times, when the assignment is given and everyone else is working on it, Peter raises a hand and asks in a loud and earnest voice, “Exercise me, sir, what is the assignment? ”
2.Development by Facts and/or Statistics
1) Development by facts
Quite a few people believe that eating carrots improves a person's night vision.However, it is unlikely that carrots alone can improve eyesight.Vegetables lag far behind animal sources of vitamin A such as liver, butter, and milk.Only few people have vision problems stemming strictly from low vitamin A levels.Consequently, boosting carrot consumption in order to see better at night probably will not have much effect.
2) Development by statistics
Divorce escalates (加快) consumption of increasingly limited resource.In the US, for example, 627 billion gallons of water, the use of 38 million rooms, and 734 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity would have been saved in 2005 alone if no-one had got divorced.In the same year, divorced households spent 46% more on electricity and 56% more on water per person than if they had stayed married.And following a split, US households consumed 42% to 61% more resources per person than while married.
3.Development by Personal Experience
Sometimes an animal can show a person what loyalty is.Two years ago I got a dog from a friend and found it much of a bother.So instead of taking the dog to an agency, I just decided to lose it.I drove from my home up to the north and on some side road I got out of the car with the dog.I let the dog run and when it was far enough away, I jumped into my car and drove off.That night I heard something about my door.And when I opened it, there was the dog-with a leather glove in his mouth.I recognized it as one of my gloves.It must have fallen out of the car as I was sliding out where I abandoned the dog.He was so happy to be home that he jumped all over the place.And I felt so guilty that I decided to keep him.
4.Development by Process
Our investigation into language learning styles was conducted in three distinct phases over a period of three months.Initially, our subject group was assembled.Subjects were chosen from a local university undergraduate Spanish class.All of the subjects were native English speakers with no previous exposure to Spanish.The subjects were then randomly divided into two groups which were subsequently labeled Group A and Group B.During the second phase, Groups A and B simultaneously attended Spanish classes.Gradually, Group A's teacher changed teaching methods from the translation-grammar method to the communicative approach while Group B's teacher continually used the translation-grammar method.Finally, we tested the students and assigned them a score based on their oral Spanish accuracy.After testing all of the students, we ultimately saw that the communicative approach was more effective.
5.Development by Definition
Compassion is the ability to understand another person's misfortunes.It is kindness, tenderness, mercy, pity, and sympathy.A nurse may have compassion for an irritable patient by understanding that the illness may be the cause of that patient's behavior and by treating that patient with kindness and sympathy.An airline stewardess displays compassion for her passengers by considering the fact that they may be nervous about flying and by answering their questions in a patient, sympathetic manner.In the same way, a judge may show compassion for a juvenile offender by taking his age into consideration and setting the punishment accordingly.Compassion is not merely a verbal expression of sorrow.It is not begrudgingly (不情愿地) contributing money to charitable causes out of a sense of duty.Compassion is putting yourself in another person's situation and treating that person the way you would want to be treated.
6.Development by Classification
There are three types of married couples.The first type is the“calm-calm”couple, in which both members are calm.They hardly fight, seldom get angry, and rarely break up.In contrast, in the“passionate-passionate”relationship, both members are emotional.They often argue and sometimes have fights.However, they also tend to be more romantic and try to make up after a fight.As a result, this kind of couple is also likely to stay together.It is the third type of couple, the“calm-passionate”couple, that is most likely to break up.Because one member tends to be calm while the other is passionate, they usually have the most difficulty.
7.Development by Causes and Effects
1) Development by cause
It's advisable not to have more than one girlfriend at the same time.First, on Valentine's Day, you have to buy a present for each of the girls, and that could cost a lot of money.Also, you are constantly haunted by such hairy experience as one of them finding out about each of the others.Last but not least, you often find yourself trapped in extremely embarrassing situations.For example, when you bring one of the girls home for dinner, your mom slips (失误) and calls her by the wrong name, or when your birthday arrives, they all want to stay with you to celebrate it.
2) Development by effect
Many people fear the effects cloning could have on our society.They imagine masses of identical people, and the production of“perfect”humans for warfare or slave labor.We might even see headless human bodies being stored at hospitals for their“spare parts”.With such thought-provoking (发人深省的) possibilities for the 21st century, human cloning will no doubt continue to receive widespread attention and scrutiny (关注).
8.Development by Comparison
A Buick and a Cadillac are alike in many ways.A Buick, which measures over 200 inches in length and weighs over 3, 000 pounds, is large and holds the road well.A Cadillac is similar in length and weight.Like a Buick, a Cadillac also gets relatively low gas mileage.A Buick provides an unusually comfortable ride, especially on cross-country trips on the highway, as does a Cadillac.And both cars enjoy a certain status as a luxury automobile.
9.Development by Contrast
1) Point-by-point organization
I have two very different bosses, Jane and Anna.First, Jane gives positive feedback and encourages me all the time.She makes me want to work hard and challenge myself.Anna, on the other hand, only criticizes me.Besides, although Jane is quite busy, she always takes the time to talk to me about my work.However, Anna hardly ever talks to me.She even keeps her office door closed with a“Do Not Disturb”sign on it.Furthermore, while Jane always trusts my decisions completely, Anna doesn't allow me to make any decisions without asking her first.In conclusion, I prefer to work for Jane rather than for Anna.
2) Block organization
I have two very different bosses, Jane and Anna.Jane gives positive feedback and encourages me all the time.She makes me want to work hard and challenge myself.Although Jane is quite busy, she always takes the time to talk to me about my work.Jane always trusts my decisions completely.Anna, on the other hand, only criticizes me.She hardly ever talks to me；instead, she keeps her office door closed with a“Do Not Disturb”sign on it.Furthermore, Anna doesn't allow me to make any decisions without asking her first.In conclusion, I prefer to work for Jane rather than for Anna.
10.Development by Quotations
Where Chinese may be obsessed with (一心想) pale skin, Americans are obsessed with tanned skin.A friend told me the old Chinese saying that white skin can cover a hundred“ugly”things.Obviously the Chinese desire for pale skin has a long tradition behind it.In English, there's another saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, ”meaning that people always want what someone else has.Many Chinese have a natural sort of tan, yet they want to look pale；Americans of European descent tend to have naturally pale skin, but they want that sun-tanned look.
* * * * * *
In summary, in order to support your topic sentence, you must give details.Of course, you may either use one method of support in one paragraph as the models provided above, or integrate several methods in one paragraph if necessary.However, you, as the writer, should decide which method is the best for the particular paragraph you want to write.
Practice 3-2-6
Read each of the following situations and answer the questions below.Ans-wers are provided only for the first situation as suggestions.
Situation one: Earth Hour means that people from all over the world make a joint effort to show concern for global warming by turning off their lights for one hour.List as many ways as you can think of to spend your Earth Hour in the dark.
For example:
We can admire the Moon and the stars with family members and/or friends in a planetarium (天文馆) or in a park.
A._______________________________________________________________
B._______________________________________________________________
C._______________________________________________________________
Situation two: The gap between the rich and the poor is obviously widening in China today.List as many reasons as you can think of for such a phenomenon.
A._______________________________________________________________
B._______________________________________________________________
C._______________________________________________________________
Situation three: The 29th Olympic Games was successfully held in Beijing in 2008.Through these Games, China learned more about the world, and the world about China.List as many things as you can think of that
1.China has learned about the world:
A._______________________________________________________________
B._______________________________________________________________
C._______________________________________________________________
2.The world has learned about China:
A._______________________________________________________________
B._______________________________________________________________
C._______________________________________________________________
Part Three The Concluding Sentence and the Rulesfor Writing the Concluding Sentence
The concluding sentence is usually the last sentence of the paragraph.It tells the reader that the paragraph has ended.The concluding sentence of a paragraph is generally of one of three types as follows.Note: the concluding sentence in each paragraph below is underlined.
1.Write the basic idea of the topic sentence in different words.Do not just copy the topic sentence.
While writers and ballerinas (芭蕾舞女演员) seem to have nothing in common, the qualities of a good writer mirror those of a good ballerina.One such quality is motivation.Good writers are motivated to learn new and better ways of telling a story, just as ballerinas try to learn many new and better ways of performing certain steps.Another similarity between the two is their dedication.Good writers spend hours each day searching their mind for themes popular with readers.Likewise, good ballerinas take countless hours in the gym or studio each day to increase their accuracy and endurance.Finally, people in both professions hope to entertain their audience.Writers choose their language with their audience in mind, and ballerinas consider which dance steps and which outfits will have the greatest impact on their audience.To conclude, writers and ballerinas share many traits.
The concluding sentence in the example above repeats the basic idea of the topic sentence in different words.
2.Summarize the main points discussed in the paragraph.
People in the U.S.celebrate New Year's Eve in many ways.Some people go to a big party with lots of friends, music, and dancing.At the stroke of midnight, they hug each other or spend the first seconds of the new year kissing each other.Others choose to stay with their family members on New Year's Eve.The new year is greeted with a champagne toast to the spouse.Parents often allow their children to stay up until late at night.Still others like to spend the evening by themselves.They use this time to evaluate the past year and to make resolutions and plans for the coming year.It is a time of reflection that can only happen when one is alone.In short, New Year's Eve is a special time that can be spent with friends, with family, or even alone.
It's obvious that the concluding sentence in the example above summarizes all the three points discussed in the paragraph.
3.Conclude the paragraph with a suggestion, solution, prediction, personal opinion, or thought-provoking question, etc.
There are many advantages to eating fish.Fish is easier to digest than red meat, benefiting the digestive system.Seafood contains little or no fat.Consequently, people in cultures with high contents of fish in their diet have a lower incidence (发生率) of obesity.Then again, those fats found in fish actually have a positive effect on the consumer's health.For example, fish have oils that lower an individual's cholesterol.Research shows that the omega-3 fatty acids (脂肪酸) found in fish benefit the heart and vascular systems (脉管系统). There may even be favorable effects on those suffering from autism (孤独症) , Alzheimer's disease, and attention deficit disorder (ADD). Thus, to be healthier, people should increase the amount of fish in their daily diet.
We can see that the concluding sentence in the example above is a suggestion.
Practice 3-2-7
Write a concluding sentence for each of the following paragraphs.You can use any of the three methods introduced above.Answers are provided only for the first five paragraphs as suggestions.
Paragraph one
There are three ways for a person to attract the opposite sex.One, which is essentially used by men, is to be considered successful, to be as powerful and as rich as they can.Another, used especially by women, is to make themselves attractive by concentrating on their body, dress, etc.The third way of making oneself attractive, used by both men and women, is to develop pleasant manners.This can include interesting conversation, being helpful, modest, and inoffensive (随和的). _________________________________.
Paragraph two
Certain people may oppose eating particular foods because of their religious and cultural habits.Hindus do not eat beef.Muslims do not eat pork.North Americans do not eat dog meat or horse meat.Some Europeans think that corn and oats are only for animals.In certain parts of Africa, fish is considered an unclean food.Ugandans think milk contains a skin disease._________________________________.
Paragraph three
The best way to know about the world affairs, local news, and daily events is to read newspapers regularly.The headlines emphasize important political and economic news, such as elections and campaign issues, tax increases, labor-management disputes, and strikes.The front page presents news items.Businessmen usually open their papers to the business section first.Many young people read the sports pages.Others enjoy the television guides.Some students read the book reviews and the movie reviews.There may also be articles on education problems and government programs._________________________________.
Paragraph four
There are three discriminatory (歧视的) slang terms in Japan for a woman who has not got married by the time she is in her late twenties.First, an older unmarried woman may be called an“old miss”, the most widespread slang word.Every Japanese person knows that expression.Another discriminatory word is urenokori.The original meaning is“an unsold thing”, and it means a woman who has been left on the shelf.The third term“Christmas cake”has the same meaning.Like the leftover Christmas cakes that grow old and stale after the Christmas season has passed, the older single woman is labeled in this derogatory (贬损的) manner._________________________________.
Paragraph five
A police officer must observe many details in the process of investigating the scene of a crime.He must first, upon arriving at the scene, determine that a crime has been committed.After that he must make sure what type of crime happened.The next detail that the officer must follow is to protect the crime scene.This is done so that any evidence present will not be destroyed.Then the officer must ask the people around if they witnessed the crime.If there are some witnesses, the officer will either take their names and addresses or ask them to wait and talk with other investigators who may arrive.If the crime is a murder, the officer will search the surrounding area for the murder weapon.After the search, he will patrol the area to see if he can find and arrest a suspect.As soon as the investigation of the crime scene is completed, the officer must file a report on the crime._________________________________.
Paragraph six
Junk food can pose a serious threat to our health.For example, it usually contains artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives—the kinds of addictives that may cause cancer over the long run.In addition, much junk food is filled with sugar, fat, or cholesterol.So it can add inches to our waistlines, clogs our arteries, and disturbs our metabolism.What's more, junk food lacks nutrients.Eating cotton candy, potato chips, and chocolate bars may satisfy our hunger, but for that very reason it keeps us from eating the foods we need to stay healthy._________________________________.
Paragraph seven
To do something, we often choose the easy way instead of the hard way.For example, we almost always choose to do the easiest homework assignment, to take the easiest job, or to find the easiest people to talk to at a party.However, if we choose the hardest way, there is probably more to gain.By choosing the hardest homework assignment, we might learn more.By choosing the toughest job, we might acquire a new skill.By choosing to talk to someone who seems unapproachable at a party, we might end up making a lifelong friend._________________________________.
Paragraph eight
Valentine's Day makes people feel sad if they are alone.Last Valentine's Day, I was alone because I had broken up with my boyfriend the week before.On that Valentine's Day, I was expecting roses and chocolates from him when he took me out to a romantic dinner, but instead I stayed in and ate a frozen pizza and a candy bar in front of the TV while I looked at my artificial flowers.I was so upset.Then, I found the present that I was going to give him on Valentine's Day.It was a cute teddy bear holding a big heart that said, “I love you! ”As I held it, I realized that the only Valentine card I had received was from my grandmother.I started to cry and wondered how many other people felt as sad as I did._________________________________.
Paragraph nine
Robert almost didn't get to work this morning.As he was leaving his apartment building, he was hit on the head with a flowerpot which had been put on a windowsill (窗台) by one of his neighbors.When he was walking to the bus stop, he was bitten by a dog and stung by a bee.While he was riding on the bus, his wallet was stolen.All his money and identification cards were taken.As he was walking into his office building, he was accidentally knocked down by a boy delivering newspapers.And when Robert finally got to work, he was yelled at by his boss for being an hour late._________________________________.
Paragraph ten
Many animals find security in blending in with their environment.In birds, for example, most adult females and young chicks are light brown or sand colored.Their dull (不易被注意的) coloring protects them from being seen by a hawk.Many mammals have also adopted the colors of their surroundings over the ages.A zebra is almost invisible among the branches and stripes of sunlight in its native Africa because its black and white stripes mimic the shadows among the trees and bushes.As a result, a lion can't find it easily.Most fish are darker on top than on the bottom.From above, they look like the land at the bottom of the water, and from below, they look like the water's surface.This is the way they avoid attacks from the sky and underneath._________________________________.
Practice 3-2-8
Choose one of the following topic sentences, and complete the tasks below.
Step 1.Ask a question according to the controlling idea in the topic sentence.
Topic Sentence: The library in our university provides three services for its readers.
Question: What are the three services that the library in your university provides for its readers?
Step 2.Supply at least three major developing sentences.
A.The library has a huge collection of books from natural science to social science.
B.Digital information is also available in the library.
C.Journals are accessible to readers.
Step 3.Expand the three major developing sentences into an approximately 150-word paragraph by using any method of development, and write a concluding sentence if necessary.
The library in our university provides three services for its readers.First, the library has a huge collection of books from natural science to social science.Since a variety of books are available, such as chemistry, law, education, economics, and psychology, readers can borrow whatever they are interested in.A reader is allowed to borrow a maximum of ten books at a time and keep them for as long as seventy days.Second, digital information is also available in the library.This kind of service has made it easier for readers to get information.By searching and downloading what they need, readers can acquire great amount of knowledge.Last but not least, journals are accessible to readers.Although journals cannot be taken out of the library, readers can read them in the reading room.If a reader finds some essays useful, he can photocopy them.In brief, no students can achieve academic success without the university library.
Partial answers are provided only for the first topic sentence.
1.Money can't serve every purpose in our daily life.
2.There are three different kinds of students in college: the brain, the regular guy, and the goof-off (吊儿郎当者).
3.There are generally three kinds of teachers in my life.
4.Students should be allowed to drop the compulsory courses they dislike.
5.There are some differences between my study at the undergraduate level and my study at the postgraduate level.
6.Looking for a job can be a stressful process.
7.Sometimes things just don't turn out the way I expected.
8.Boys and girls have different dreams.
9.Life is full of choices.
10.I'm proud of some of the progress I have made so far.
11.There are a number of ways for me to enjoy life.
12.The dormitory room has none of the comforts of home.
13.A small change can make a big difference.
14.Wisdom comes with age.
15.An introvert and an extrovert can be contrasted in a number of aspects.
16.I can still recall the experience in which I spent my money wisely.
17.I regret having done the following things.
18.My hometown is a beautiful place.
19.Life in a small village is preferable to life in a big city.
20.An individual deals with anxiety in a variety of ways.
21.There is more joy in simple pleasures than in life's great events.
22.To effectively manage our time, we can use the following techniques.
23.To take a good picture, we must take several factors into consideration.
24.There are a number of ways to promote sales of a new product.
25.Opportunities are only for the prepared minds.