内容正文:
B3U4 Reading for writing
Space
Exploration
1
Reading for Writing
Present an argument about space exploration
Read the argumentative essay about space exploration and answer the questions.
Pre-writing
1. Why are some people against space exploration?
2. What has space exploration done for food production?
3. What did the pictures of Earth from space make people realise?
4. How does space exploration benefit the products that people use
nowadays?
Because they think it is a waste of time and money, and that we should feed the world’s poor and find immediate solutions to other problems, such as pollution and fatal diseases, instead.
Satellites study land and weather patterns. These studies help farmers grow more crops and warn them about natural disasters before they occur.
They made people realise that our planet’s resources are limited.
Advanced technology developed for space exploration has promoted technological improvements that benefits us all by allowing products to be made to a higher standard.
Study the organisation and language features.
Read the first paragraph and underline the different opinions about space exploration
Find the three topic sentences that summarise the writer’s arguments about space exploration.
Underline the sentence that repeats the writer’s opinion in the last paragraph.
Learning objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
read an argumentative essay about space exploration;
grasp the organisation and language features of the argumentative essay;
write an argumentative essay about the value of space exploration;
cooperate with group mates actively through checking your essays together.
Read for main idea
1. Main idea of each paragraph.
2. Which is the structure of the
passage?
General
Particular
General
Different opinions about space exploration
3. What style is this passage?
narrative
B. exposition
C. argumentation
Tip1: Argumentation is the type of writing in which writers try to encourage readers to accept their point of view on a controversial(有争论的,有争议的) issue.
Read for structure
6
Read the first paragraph and underline the different opinions about space exploration.
different opinions
Read for organization and features
Q: Which sentence is the thesis statement (论文观点) ?
However
Structure
However
General
Particular
General
Firstly
Secondly
Finally
In closing
Thesis statement (论文观点)
Argument1
Firstly, ...
Argument 2
Secondly , ...
Argument 3
Finally , ...
Conclusion
In closing, ...
Tip2 表示递进关系的过渡词:what’s more, as well, moreover, besides, furthermore, in addition, what’s worse , apart from that etc.
Tip3 表示总结的过渡词:on the whole, in a word, to sum up, in short, in conclusion, in brief, from what I have said above etc.
Structure
Read for organization and features
8
The value of space exploration.
National security and defense
Technological innovation
Economic development
Monitoring of the environment
Space mutation(诱变) breeding
Beidou Navigation Satellite System
…
Educational and cultural influence
Philosophical questions
who we are, where we came from,
and where we are going
Improvements in agriculture
Exlpoitation(开发) of resources
Development of tourism
…
The emergence of new disciplines(学科)
The stimulation of human creativity
The exploration of the origin of human beings
…
Why are some people against space exploration?
They think it is a waste of time and money, and that we should feed the world’s poor and find immediate solutions to other problems, such as pollution and fatal diseases.
Because around the world, millions of people are hungry and dying of starvation. We hear on TV that for as little as a dollar a day, a child in Africa can be saved.
Some people argue that we should stop exploring space.
Opinion: against
Argument
supporting details/
evidence
Liu Cixin
The Wandering Earth?
The Three-Body Problem. … …
The opinions of some famous people about space exploration.
Liu Cixin talks to Moonman Buzz Aldlin:
Space is there, so we must go.
Explore different opinions on space exploration.
Just like why people keep challenging Mount Qomolangma, even though we know that it’s dangerous, the curiosity and bravery will drive us forward.
Argument
supporting details/
evidence
Are these arguments for or against exploring space? Put them in the table below. Then add your own ideas and write your essay.
While-writing
There are a lot of unsolved mysteries on Earth. So why are we going into space to explore?
It is necessary to find a new home for people in space, as the resources on Earth will run out.
I cannot understand spending all this money on expensive research and experiments when so many people need food.
Exploring space encourages scientists to improve technology that can help people in other ways, too.
For space exploration
Against space exploration
Use what you have learnt to write about your opinion about space exploration.
Introduction Different viewpoints Some people argue that ...
However, others ...
Body Arguments Firstly, ...
Secondly, ...
Finally, ...
Supporting details / Evidence For example, ...
Conclusion Rephrasing the thesis statement In closing, ...
Therefore, ...
Exchange drafts with a partner. Use the checklist to give feedback on your partner’s draft.
Post-writing
Does the introduction state the topic?
Does the introduction express different opinions about the topic?
Does the body give arguments with suitable supporting information?
Does the closing express the writer’s opinion and end properly?
Are there any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors?
Get your draft back and revise it.
Present your essay to the rest of the class.
Language points: Important words and phrases (P44)
1 waste time doing sth
2 find solutions to problems
3 fatal disease
4 a shallow view
5 fail to realise
6 make a difference
7 provide recommendations for sb
8 promote technological improvements
浪费时间做某事
找到解决问题的方法
肤浅的观点
发挥重要作用
没有意识到
为某人提供建议
致命的疾病
推动科技进步
9
10
11
12
13 be close to
14 in closing
15 provide the world with many different benefits
16 unsolved mysteries
17 run out
靠近
总而言之
满足…的要求
未解之谜
用完
快速增长的人口
给世界带来种种好处
被广泛使用
找到...的解决办法
meet the requirements for…
find ways to sovle sth.
be widely used
a rapid increasing population
(1)相关的连接词
on the contary,all in all, in short, generally,worse still,
on the other hand,in conclusion,as aconsequence,also, personally,furthermore,definitely,surely,undoubtedly,obviously,in addition,moreover,consequently,
clearly, besides, as well,in my opinion,for the sake of,
last but not least,to begin with,firstly,secondly...
How to write an argumentative essay
1.topic, your opinion(for or against)
2.argument
(supporting details/evidence)
3.conclusion
Structure
19
Requirements: about 80 words; proper structure;
infinitives (to do) as the attribute or the adverbial.
Writing time: Present an argument about space exploration.
Checklist:
◆Does the author clarify the point of view?
◆Does the body give arguments with suitable supporting information?
◆Does the closing express the writer’s opinion and end properly?
◆Are there any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors?
Sample Writing
Everyone gets excited by the news of the most recent space flights, and I too share in people’s sense of awe. However, I cannot understand spending all this money on expensive research and experiments.
Some people argue that the world will be made impossible to live in through pollution. This seems silly. When your house gets dirty, you spend the time and money to clean it up. You don’t move house simply because you need to clean the floor. It makes more sense to use our time and money to take care of our planet, rather than look for a new home.
In closing, it just does not seem a very wise investment to go to space, since we have so many needs here on the earth to meet.
topic
opinion
Argument
Supporting details/Evidence
Conclusion
Ever since space research began, it has been criticized as a huge waste of money and other resources. In my opinion, despite the disadvantages and potential dangers, the advantages are far greater.
Exploring space has already made a difference in the fight against world hunger. The scientists have discovered a new agricultural model, Space Farm, to grow crops, which can improve the output and quality of crops. What’s more, sending astronauts into space has helped people to think about the world’s current problems and even to find ways to solve them.
In closing, exploring space contributes not only to the improvement of quality of human life, but also to our understanding of all the creatures.
Sample Writing
topic
opinion
Argument 1
Supporting details/Evidence
Argument 2
Conclusion
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